October 5, 2005

NFL Week 5 Predictions

October 5, 2005, 9:37 AM | 2 Comments

Note: Predictions for week 5 of the 2008 NFL season can be found here: NFL Week 5 Predictions.

So, last week I had a much better week, going 10-4 and bringing my overall record up to a respectable 33-27. I hope to have another good week this week.

Last week was an exciting week in the NFL. A lot of very big match-ups and some down-to-the-wire games. What will this week bring?

ESPN Expert Picks: Last Week | This Week.

Here are my predictions for week 5.

Baltimore Ravens (1-2) at Detroit Lions (1-2) - I’m really not sure what to think about either of these teams. Detroit disappoints every year. Baltimore doesn’t have much of an offense. That makes this pick hard, cause either team could come out of their shell and win this game. Pick: Lions.

Chicago Bears (1-2) at Cleveland Browns (1-2) - Both teams at 1-2. Both teams are built around their defense. Chicago is starting a rookie QB in Kyle Orton who scored 38 points against Detroit in week 2, and then only 7 against Cincinnati the next week. Cleveland’s offense isn’t really producing, so I’ll go with the Bears for this week. Pick: Bears.

Miami Dolphins (2-1) at Buffalo Bills (1-3) - Dolphins at Bills… Who would’ve thought that going into this game the Dolphins would have more wins than the Bills. Not me. Miami has been a pleasant surprise, and Buffalo has been the same as every other year. Not very good. Pick: Dolphins.

New England Patriots (2-2) at Atlanta Falcons (3-1) - This is another tough game to pick, but it’ll be a fun one to watch for sure. New England has already lost twice this year, and Atlanta is doing well. The question is, will Michael Vick be able to overcome his injuries? I think so, but I also think that this game will be very close. Pick: Falcons.

New Orleans Saints (2-2) at Green Bay Packers (0-4) - Green Bay is winless in 4. Yes, I’m upset about it. They still could make the playoffs, but only because they’re in the NFC North. If they win this week, they’ll be 1-4, the same record as their first 5 weeks from last year. They finished last year at 10-6. Do I think they can make the playoffs this year? I don’t know. What I do know is that they need a win. Period. Pick: Packers.

<rant>Brett Favre is not too old. He proved on Monday night that he still has just as much ability and talent as he’s ever had. He proved that he still has what it takes to lead his team to victory and change games. I think it’s hilarious that everyone calls Favre too old, when Marino, Gannon, Flutie and other very successful quarterback’s have played WELL into their 40s. Favre turns 36 this week, and in my book, he’s still got several more good years left in him. I hope he plays a few more. For the first time in the last several years, Favre doesn’t have a wealth of talent around him on offense. The defense is sad. Ted Thompson has done a terrible job as GM so far. Don’t blame Favre for the Packers’ struggles. Blame the management.</rant>

Seattle Seahawks (2-2) at St. Louis Rams (2-2) - Ok, so both these teams are 2-2, and not performing as well as they should be. St. Louis has had Seattle’s number for the past few years, and this game is in St. Louis. Pick the home team. Pick: Rams.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-0) at New York Jets (1-3) - Tampa’s good, Jets are bad. ‘Nuff said. Bucs go to 5 and oh! Pick: Buccaneers.

Indianapolis Colts (4-0) at San Francisco 49ers (1-3) - This should be a fun game. #1 overall pick Alex Smith is getting the start at QB for the 49ers. I don’t think it’ll make too much of a difference, but he did look pretty good against the Cardinals on Sunday night. In other news, the Colts offense finally woke up last week. Pick: Colts.

Tennessee Titans (1-3) at Houston Texans (0-3) - Houston really looks bad this year. They’ve really given no reason to hope that it’s going to get any better. David Carr has been sacked so many times this season that it’s starting to get routine. The new offensive coordinator hasn’t changed anything… that means, it’s the players. The Titans at least have one win this year, and they have a great coach. Pick: Titans.

Carolina Panthers (2-2) at Arizona Cardinals (1-3) - Josh McCown really looked good against the 49ers last week in a game that San Francisco should have won. He bounced back after fumbling the ball early and led his team to a win. The Panthers should be able to beat this team fairly easily though. Pick: Panthers.

Philadelphia Eagles (3-1) at Dallas Cowboys (2-2) - Call me crazy, but I’d like to see T.O. dance on the Star in Dallas again… that would be funny. The Cowboys are a good team but I think their offense will struggle against Philly’s defense. The Eagles had an incredible game against the Chiefs last week. I’ll repeat what I said last week though, when are McNabb’s injuries going to catch up with him? Still, the Eagles are a better team. Pick: Eagles.

Washington Redskins (3-0) at Denver Broncos (3-1) - The Broncos are on a roll, and I don’t think Washington is as good as their 3-0 record. Denver is a very tough team at home, and their offense has done very well the last 2 weeks. It’ll be interesting to see how they do against the ‘Skins defense. Pick: Broncos.

Cincinnati Bengals (4-0) at Jacksonville Jaguars (2-2) - The Sunday Night Cat Fight. Should be a great game. Jacksonville could win this game, but I don’t think they will. After 2 consecutive 5 interception games, the Bengals didn’t get any last week. This week… maybe 2? Pick: Bengals.

Pittsburgh Steelers (2-1) at San Diego Chargers (2-2) - Chargers had two great weeks in a row. Pittsburgh is coming off a bye week, so I don’t think that the trip to San Diego is going to affect them much. After a tough loss to the Patriots (that they should have won), I think they’ll come back with win # 3 this week. Pick: Steelers.

Note: Kansas City (2-2), Minnesota (1-3), New York Giants (3-1) and Oakland (1-3) have a bye week this week.

Picks Summary

AWAY - HOME - PREDICTION - RESULT
Ravens - Lions - Lions - Lions √
Bears - Browns - Bears - Browns Χ
Dolphins - Bills - Dolphins - Bills Χ
Patriots - Falcons - Falcons - Patriots Χ
Saints - Packers - Packers - Packers √
Seahawks - Rams - Rams - Seahawks Χ
Buccaneers - Jets - Buccaneers - Jets Χ
Titans - Texans - Titans - Titans √
Colts - 49ers - Colts - Colts √
Panthers - Cardinals - Panthers - Panthers √
Eagles - Cowboys - Eagles - Cowboys Χ
Redskins - Broncos - Broncos - Broncos √
Bengals - Jaguars - Bengals - Jaguars Χ
Steelers - Chargers - Steelers - Steelers √

UPDATE: 7-7 this week for another .500 week. Not as good as I wanted, but at least it was 50% and not below.
Running total: 40-34.

Posted in: Sports