NFL Week 5 Picks

Week 4 proved to be a week of excitement as the Chiefs upset the Broncos, the Redskins shocked the Cowboys, Favre threw of six touchdowns in a dominating victory, and someone in Ohio finally won a game. With all the excitement of upsets and big plays, wouldn’t you know it, I picked many of the wrong ones. Oh well. This finishes my Week 4 with a record of 8-5 on the straight wins and 9-4 against the spread and brings my season totals up to 36-24 or 36 of 60 (.600) on the straight and 31-28-1 (.517) against the spread. Numbers I will once again be looking to improve as we go ahead and advance into Week 5.

---Picks in red against the spread---

ALL TIMES ARE EASTERN

Open Date: New York Jets, Oakland Raiders, St. Louis Rams, Cleveland Browns

Sunday, October 5^th, 2008

Tennessee Titans(4-0) at Baltimore Ravens(2-1) 1:00PM

After giving very little emphasis to the Ravens wins over the unimpressive Browns and the floundering Bengals, I have to admit they were off to a manageable offensive start and dominating defensive start against the Steelers, but mistakes can kill you in this league and the change of momentum did the Ravens in. This week they face what I consider to be an even tougher team (and less banged up) in the Titans, who have looked strong this season with their 4-0 start.

Titans continue to add to their win streak

(Titans no line)

Kansas City Chiefs(1-3) at Carolina Panthers(3-1) 1:00PM

The Chiefs finally broke their losing streak last week against the formerly undefeated Broncos, but I wouldn’t start calculating up a win streak for this team. Larry Johnson has habitually dominated Denver’s defense, and four Denver turnovers proved to be extremely beneficial to the Chiefs as well.

Panthers put an end to Chiefs extremely short lived winning streak

(Panthers -10)

Chicago Bears(2-2) at Detroit Lions(0-3) 1:00PM

No doubt the Bears will be the favorite in this match up, but do I smell upset? For all intents and purposes the Bears should walk out of Detroit with another win, and I would be hard pressed to show otherwise. I’ve just got this feeling…nope, I can’t do it.

Bears add to the Lions losing streak

(Bears -3.5)

Atlanta Falcons(2-2) at Green Bay Packers(2-2) 1:00PM

Last week, I thought the Falcons just might be lighting a spark that would have carried them past the Panthers in an upset win…OK, I’m over it.

Packers bounce back with a win at home

(Packers no line)

Indianapolis Colts(1-2) at Houston Texans(0-3) 1:00PM

Houston has continued to fall short against tough teams, first losing to Pittsburgh and Tennessee before losing a close game by a field goal to Jacksonville. They’re putting up a fight against tough opponents, but failing to finish.

Texans finally finish in an upset over Indy

(Texans +3)

San Diego Chargers(2-2) at Miami Dolphins(1-2) 1:00PM

The Dolphins have had a week to celebrate their stunning victory over New England, but they’ve also had a week to allow any possible momentum to go cold. The Chargers will be looking to continue their win streak and upright the rough start to their season.

Chargers improve to a winning record

(Chargers -7)

Seattle Seahawks(1-2) at New York Giants(3-0) 1:00PM

The Giants should be well rested and ready to pick up where they left off before going into their bye week, while the Seahawks only spark of life has come against the Rams, who could be the worst team in the league this season.

Giants continue to remain undefeated

(Giants -7.5)

Washington Redskins(3-1) at Philadelphia Eagles(2-2) 1:00PM

It almost feels like a trap to pick the Redskins after their impressive win over Dallas last week, but Campbell looked confident, and the Skins didn’t look like a team with any doubt in their abilities as they stood toe-to-toe with a team that could be arguably one of the NFC’s best. Can they repeat such an impressive road win?

Redskins continue to turn heads in the NFC East

(Redskins no line)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers(3-1) at Denver Broncos(3-1) 4:05PM

The Broncos will look to regroup this week as they return to Denver following a stunning upset. Let’s face it, very few games are won after four turnovers. I doubt the Buccaneers can look forward to a back-to-back performance of that nature on the Broncos home field. The Bucs will definitely enjoy some offensive success against the porous Denver defense, but can they outscore the offensive fire power of the Denver offense?

Broncos rebound with a high scoring win in the fourth quarter

(Broncos -3.5)

Buffalo Bills(4-0) at Arizona Cardinals(2-2) 4:15PM

Cardinals will be looking for redemption this week after being torched by Favre and the Jets last week. Unfortunately for them, the Bills have been making waves with their currently undefeated run. This Bills run won’t last forever, but will it be the Cardinals that end it?

Bills continue to impress while adding to their win streak

(Bills -1)

Cincinnati Bengals(0-4) at Dallas Cowboys(3-1) 4:15PM

Not much needs to be said here. The Bengals have been just plain awful, and the likelihood of the Cowboys losing two games in a row at home are next to none.

Cowboys brutalize the Bengals

(Cowboys no line)

New England Patriots(2-1) at San Francisco 49ers(2-2) 4:15PM

The Patriots were dominated by Miami prior to their bye week, and have had more than enough time to regroup. No longer the machine without Brady, they will be looking to rebound strong and show they are still a team to be reckoned with. They might not be blowing anyone out of the water this week, but they will be expecting a win.

Patriots take a win in the Bay

(Patriots -3)

Sunday, October 5^th, 2008, Sunday Night Football

Pittsburgh Steelers(3-1) at Jacksonville Jaguars(2-2) 8:15PM

A Steelers team that opened the season in dominating fashion against the Texans has since barely defeated the unimpressive Browns, been manhandled by the Eagles defense, and then barely pulled a win by the skin of their teeth in front of their home crowd against the Ravens. They may be three and one, but a trip to Jacksonville to play a tough Jaguars team can only add to the woes of the battered and bruised Pittsburgh Steelers.

Jaguars advance above .500 in a smash mouth style victory

(Jaguars no line)

Monday, October 6^th, 2008, Monday Night Football

Minnesota Vikings(1-3) at New Orleans Saints(2-2) 8:30PM

The Vikings defense will have to successfully slow the Saints offense if they intend on letting their own offense remain in this game. However, the Saints defense won’t be letting the Vikings off with an easy night. Peterson will need to have one of his big games to keep Minnesota in this match up.

Saints shine on Monday Night.

(Saints -3.5)

And with that, we come to yet another conclusion of yet another week’s pick of NFL games. Upsets are flowing and no one can boast a 100% guarantee on any game, but then again, that’s why we love this game.