Week 5 NFL Game Predictions: TNF Thriller? Bengals beat Pack?

 After another great week of football, today felt like the opening of free agency. We saw big-name defensive players Jaylon Smith and Stephon Gillmore switch teams. Smith to the Packers and Gillmore to the Panthers. Two good teams beefing up as the quarter-mark of the season passes. Another great slate of games are set for this week including some huge divisional matches starting as soon as tomorrow night. Let's get into the picks.

Week 4 Predictions Record: 12-4
2021 Season Overall: 42-22

Thursday Night Football - Los Angeles Rams (3-1) at Seattle Seahawks (2-2)

I cannot WAIT for this game. There have been some amazing matches early on in the season but this has the chance to be the best game yet. One of the biggest rivalries in the sport with major divisional implications. This game is going to be massive. Night games at Lumen Field are always crazy and the crowd is going to be roaring for Seattle all night. I think this will be a close one to the end where we will see Russell Wilson with a chance to go down the field and score for the win...this time we just have the Rams defense prevailing with a stop!

The Pick: Rams 28, Seahawks 27

LONDON Game - New York Jets (1-3) vs Atlanta Falcons (1-3)

As fun as it is that this game will be played in London, the match-up is about as uninspiring as could be. Two of the worst teams in the league going at it. This one is really a toss up and would be a huge win for either side with a rookie head coach. I'm leaning Jets here as they are coming off a major upset win against the Titans in which they looked really good. Zach Wilson is finding his footing and has the pass game moving. The Jets D is also better than given credit for. While Cordarelle Patterson could have another field day for Atlanta, I see the Jets taking it in a slugfest.

The Pick: Jets 19, Falcons 14

New England Patriots (1-3) at Houston Texans (1-3)

This game might be my lock of the week. The Patriots are going to win. Rookie QBs never win against Bill Belichick. Seriously. They are 22-6 all-time against him. Not great at all. Davis Mills is going to struggle hard again just like last week in which he threw 4 picks to a good Bills defense. The Pats D is in that same tier. The Patriots know they should have won last week and on the heels of his best performance as a pro, I believe Mac Jones will lead the Patriots to a decisive win in Houston.

The Pick: Patriots 26, Texans 10

Detroit Lions (0-4) at Minnesota Vikings (1-3)

Another pretty uninspiring game here. The Vikings host the dumpster fire Lions in a divisional game. While they are 1-3, the Vikings are much better than that record may suggest. They could really be 4-0 with some better luck. Their offense will prove too much for an already shorthanded Detroit D. I like Dalvin Cook and Kirk Cousins to have bounceback performances here and give the Vikings a much needed confidence boosting win.

The Pick: Vikings 30, Lions 14

Philadelphia Eagles (1-3) at Carolina Panthers (3-1)

The schedule remains pretty easy for the Carolina Panthers who are coming off of their first loss of the season from week 4. While the Eagles too will be hungry for a win, I don't see it happening vs these Panthers with their stout defense. The Eagles need to win a shootout with Jalen Hurts providing some heroics, that won't be the case here against Brian Burns and co. CMC might also be back for Carolina. It might be a fun first half, but expect the Panthers to pull away in the second half.

The Pick: Panthers 35, Eagles 24

New Orleans Saints (2-2) at Washington Football Team (2-2)

A pretty evenly matched game here with true playoff implications. Both teams are wildcard hopefuls and still in their division races. Both teams have been way up and down already during this year. I'm very 50/50 on this game but have to go with my gut. I think we could see some pretty sloppy offense here. It will be a defensive, running the football kind of day. In the end, I could see both teams winning, but will favor the Football Team who is at home and coming off a thrilling win. The Saints just looked shot last week when they lost to the terrible Giants.

The Pick: WFT 24, Saints 21

Tennessee Titans (2-2) at Jacksonville Jaguars (0-4)

This is a tempting upset pick. While the Jags are 0-4 and have found new ways to lose each week, they have some promise. However, with all of the locker room distractions involving controversial HC Urban Meyer, I can't see this being the week they win. The Titans should have at least Julio Jones or AJ Brown back in the lineup and will not be in any mood to lose to a second straight winless team. Against this defense...Derrick Henry is going to EAT. He has rushed for north of 100 yards in the last three games with ease and expect it again here. 200 yards is in the picture on Sunday for him.

The Pick: Titans 33, Jaguars 19

Miami Dolphins (1-3) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-1)

If Tua was playing in this one, I maybe would go upset. Jacoby Brissett has just been terrible for the Dolphins so far. The Bucs are coming off a lucky win and just don't look right as of now, due to some injuries and just some chemistry problems. The Dolphins boast a really good pass defense which could make it hard for Brady to look downfield a lot like he has been all year long. I think this one might be close, but I don't see Brady losing to Brissett.

The Pick: Buccaneers 29, Dolphins 21

Green Bay Packers (3-1) at Cincinnati Bengals (3-1)

Going into the season, no one probably was excited for this one. 5 weeks in, this is a great game. The Packers have been on fire ever since their week 1 loss meanwhile the Bengals are finding their identity and winning games. I don't know what to expect out of this one, the Packers maybe could blowout the Bengals, but it could also be a close win for Cinncy. I'm going upset, Joe Burrow out-bad-mans Aaron Rodgers in a classic shootout.

The Pick: Bengals 33, Packers 30

Denver Broncos (3-1) at Pittsburgh Steelers (1-3)

If Teddy Bridgewater is out, this game gets a whole lot more intriguing. I don't think he will suit up, they will probably play it safe to make sure they get their consistent signal caller back and healthy for harder match-ups to come. We will see two of the best defenses in the league going at it on either side against two pretty weak offenses (unless Bridgewater plays). The Steelers really just seem to be falling apart here and I don't care if its Drew Lock or Bridgewater, the Broncos are gonna win this game.

The Pick: Broncos 24, Steelers 16

Chicago Bears (2-2) at Las Vegas Raiders (3-1)

While maybe it seems like the Bears might be picking up some momentum with the starting of Justin Fields and the win last week, but I just don't love what I'm seeing. Something isn't clicking yet. The Raiders might seem to be trending in the wrong direction but they played a tough Charger team last week and were bound to lose at some point. This could be a pretty entertaining game with the young QB Fields going against Carr, but I think the Raiders will win comfortably. 

The Pick: Raiders 27, Bears 17

Cleveland Browns (3-1) at Los Angeles Chargers (3-1)

What a game. Two of the hottest and most young and upcoming teams in the league squaring off. Both coming off multiple wins. The Chargers throttled the Raiders on MNF this past week and look like they are reaching peak form. The Browns meanwhile, continue to win sloppy despite all their talent. This game is going to go down to the wire and it's really a toss up, but with the emergence of an elite defense behind this already high flying LA offense, I got the Chargers in this.

The Pick: Chargers 29, Browns 24

New York Giants (1-3) at Dallas Cowboys (3-1)

Another one of the best rivalries in sports, the Giants will look to string together a win streak against the high flying Cowboys. While this could be a popular upset pick after the Giants impressive win against New Orleans last week, I don't see it. The Cowboys are better in every aspect. MUCH better offense. Better defense for sure now. Even special teams favors Dallas. They are so hot right now and I don't see the Giants being the team that puts them to a stop now. Trevon Diggs continues his INT streak?

The Pick: Cowboys 35, Giants 19

San Fransisco 49ers (2-2) at Arizona Cardinals (4-0)

We get more great NFC West showdowns in week 5! The Seahawks and Rams on Thursday night and now these teams. The Cardinals have been so impressive. Who would have had them as the last unbeaten team in the NFL. It was a shock when they downed the seemingly far and away best team in the league (Rams) last week. Things aren't going well for the Niners. After a 2-0 start, they find themselves at 2-2 and at risk of losing 3 straight. Trey Lance is likely to make his first career start vs these hot Cardinals these weekend. The Niners are desperate for a win, but I don't think Kyler Murray and this offense will be stopped by the 49ers.

The Pick: Cardinals 30, 49ers 23

Sunday Night Football - Buffalo Bills (3-1) at Kansas City Chiefs (2-2)

The rematch of last year's AFC title game figures to be just as good and competitive, but maybe with a different outcome this time. The Bills are in my opinion, the best team in the league right now. Since their week 1 loss, they have just been unstoppable. 2 shutout wins and each win coming by more than 20 points. Their defense might be the best in the league. The Chiefs have looked so off this year. At 2-2, they are not even 2nd in their own division. We expect them to be super bowl contenders again this year, but their defense is a true concern. It's one of the worst in the league. They need Mahomes to be absolutely perfect and to score 40+ a game to win. With this well-rounded Bills squad coming to town, I think they fall under .500.

The Pick: Bills 37, Chiefs 28

Monday Night Football - Indianapolis Colts (1-3) at Baltimore Ravens (3-1)

A decent MNF game, the Colts who are coming off their first win of the year face a tough test with Lamar Jackson and the Ravens. I called the Colts to win last week, but I don't see it again this time. The Ravens have been playing too well for Carson Wentz to beat them. I think this could be a close, sluggish, defensive game, but I don't see the Colts prevailing in the end. The Ravens offense is moving and not even the Colts stellar D will be able to stop it.

The Pick: Ravens 23, Colts 17

Cardinals projected by us to remain the only unbeaten in the league after week 5, (5-0)