Week 5 was my strongest of the season so far, going 9-6. The tally brings my total record to 39-37-2, above the .500 mark for the first time. This week does bring a few difficult games but I'm confident in another winning week.
(Header photo courtesy of NBC Sports)
Thursday Night
Philadelphia Eagles (2-3) at New York Giants (1-4)
New York has been pretty bad about half this season, and in the other half, the offense has shown signs of aptitude. The loss to the Carolina Panthers was a heartbreaker that sent the Giants to 1-4: but no one in the NFC East has more than two wins. New York can get right back in the race with a Thursday night home win.
And the Eagles are reeling right? Philadelphia is 1-2 with Carson Wentz under center, and running back Jay Ajayi is out for the season. But Thursday night will also serve as a rallying cry for the defending Super Bowl champions. Just as the Giants are desperate for a win, the Eagles are eager to get back on top of the NFC East.
I'd love to see New York's offense stay consistent over an entire game. Defensively, the Giants have holes, and it's likely Wentz can exploit them (averaging over 300 passing yards per game.) Despite some injuries, the Eagles walk out of MetLife at .500 and back in the thick of the playoff race.
And the Eagles are reeling right? Philadelphia is 1-2 with Carson Wentz under center, and running back Jay Ajayi is out for the season. But Thursday night will also serve as a rallying cry for the defending Super Bowl champions. Just as the Giants are desperate for a win, the Eagles are eager to get back on top of the NFC East.
I'd love to see New York's offense stay consistent over an entire game. Defensively, the Giants have holes, and it's likely Wentz can exploit them (averaging over 300 passing yards per game.) Despite some injuries, the Eagles walk out of MetLife at .500 and back in the thick of the playoff race.
Eagles win 28-17
Sunday
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-2) at Atlanta Falcons (1-4)
Was the Buccaneers 2-0 start fool's gold? Tampa Bay does have the advantage of coming off a bye week that allowed Jameis Winston full practice team with the first-team. Atlanta is sitting at a league-worst 1-4, but the offense has been scoring in bunches. Can the Buccaneers keep up in the dome?
Falcons win 37-28
Pittsburgh Steelers (2-2-1) at Cincinnati Bengals (4-1)
The Steelers have been mediocre at best most of the season, but showed signs of improvement against the Falcons last week. The Bengals have been mediocre most of the past decade, but Andy Dalton has them sitting pretty with the tied 2nd best record in the league. This would normally be a place where Big Ben's veteran presence plays into the rivalry matchup: but Dalton has been around the block a few times himself already.
Are the Bengals legit playoff contenders? They'll probably make the AFC playoffs, but what if they're one and done once again?
Are the Bengals legit playoff contenders? They'll probably make the AFC playoffs, but what if they're one and done once again?
Bengals win 24-21
Los Angeles Chargers (3-2) at Cleveland Browns (2-2-1)
The Browns put on an offensive showcase against the Oakland Raiders in Week 4, and came away empty-handed with a devastating loss. Week 5 had them grind out a win against the Baltimore Ravens, 12-9 in an overtime game that nearly ended in another tie.
The Chargers are having a quietly good season. The defense isn't great but the offense can score; a formula that can usually lead to a near .500 record. I love Cleveland's potential, but right now Philip Rivers leads a more well-rounded Chargers squad.
The Chargers are having a quietly good season. The defense isn't great but the offense can score; a formula that can usually lead to a near .500 record. I love Cleveland's potential, but right now Philip Rivers leads a more well-rounded Chargers squad.
Chargers win 18-14
Seattle Seahawks (2-3) at Oakland Raiders (1-4)
(Game Played in London)
The Seahawks aren't winning the NFC West this season, and they've taken a step back. But I'll still take their chances against most middle of the road or bad teams. The Raiders haven't been able to keep it together this season, and fall again to Russell Wilson and the "visiting" Seahawks.
Seahawks win 24-18
Chicago Bears (3-1) at Miami Dolphins (3-2)
The Dolphins 3-0 start has been halted by two straight losses, to superior teams in the Patriots and Bengals. The Bears are an upstart 3-1, and Mitch Trubisky was incredible with 6 passing touchdowns against Tampa Bay. I think this week the trends flip though: Chicago's offense stalls after a bye and Miami's offense finds success at home.
Dolphins win 28-17
Arizona Cardinals (1-4) at Minnesota Vikings (2-2-1)
The Cardinals had a solid 28-18 road win over the San Francisco 49ers last week. But with C.J. Beathard at the helm, the Niners are one of the weakest teams in the league. The Vikings stop Arizona's win streak at one, and gets over .500 to improve to 3-2-1.
Vikings win 27-9
Indianapolis Colts (1-4) at New York Jets (2-3)
The Jets are at a crossroads: a win gets them to .500 and proves they can at least feast on bad teams at home. A loss lumps them in with the bad teams, and gives the Jets a reputation as a team that rarely shows up. The Colts could be looking at the Jets as a springboard to get back on track as well, so Andrew Luck will come out throwing. But I think Darnold and the defense get it done once more at home.
Jets win 31-21
Carolina Panthers (3-1) at Washington Redskins (2-2)
The Redskins had a flowery 2-1 start, but were exposed by the Saints on Monday Night Football. Washington is still in the thick of the NFC East race (a win guarantees first place heading to Week 7) so they have that going for them. Carolina is susceptible to passers, as shown last week when Eli Manning manufactured a game-winning drive (that was then erased by Graham Gano's "5th and 1" 63 yard field goal.) Alex Smith can probably put up some points, but the Panthers are a more well-rounded team.
Panthers win 27-20
Buffalo Bills (2-3) at Houston Texans (2-3)
The Bills still might have one of the worst rosters in the NFL. But a shocking win against the Vikings and a 13-12 win grinded out against the Titans, and Buffalo has a realistic chance to get to 2-3. The Texans are a two game win streak, and have played within a 7 point margin in all five games this year. Houston keeps their success going as the defense shuts down Josh Allen.
Texans win 24-10
Los Angeles Rams (5-0) at Denver Broncos (2-3)
33, 34, 35, 38, 33: The Rams point totals this season. Los Angeles' offense is a well-oiled machine, and the defense is one of the best in the league. The Broncos have been better at home this season (2-1 at home, 0-2 on the road) but haven't hosted an opponent like this. LA rolls to 6-0.
Rams win 34-18
Jacksonville Jaguars (3-2) at Dallas Cowboys (2-3)
After nearly reaching the Super Bowl in January, Jacksonville rightfully entered this season among the top contenders to win it all in 2019. But the Chiefs smacked down the Jaguars 30-14 last week, and the Titans limited Jacksonville to 6 points in Week 3. The Jaguars have a win over the Patriots, but the other wins are only against the Giants and Jets.
I'm trending towards thinking the Jaguars aren't a top three team in the AFC. But I still think their defense is good enough to stop Dak Prescott from doing, well, much of anything. Bortles and the offense struggle in Jerry Dome, where opponents are 0-2 this season, but Sacksonville grinds out this game.
I'm trending towards thinking the Jaguars aren't a top three team in the AFC. But I still think their defense is good enough to stop Dak Prescott from doing, well, much of anything. Bortles and the offense struggle in Jerry Dome, where opponents are 0-2 this season, but Sacksonville grinds out this game.
Jaguars win 15-10
Baltimore Ravens (3-2) at Tennessee Titans (3-2)
Both teams have impressive wins and head-scratching losses this season. I tend to think the Ravens are the better team, so I'll take them here in what is essentially a toss-up. Both teams can be expected to stay in the AFC playoff race for now.
Ravens win 24-20
Sunday Night Football
Kansas City Chiefs (5-0) at New England Patriots (3-2)
Does the buck stop here for the Chiefs? I picked against them last week, and then they beat the Jaguars 30-14. New England's defense isn't as vaunted, so could Patrick Mahommes break out once more with a huge game?
I think Bill Belichick plays a smart game to limit the stud quarterback. Tom Brady should be able to score too, so we should be in for a fun Sunday night.
I think Bill Belichick plays a smart game to limit the stud quarterback. Tom Brady should be able to score too, so we should be in for a fun Sunday night.
Chiefs win 31-28
Monday Night Football
San Francisco 49ers (1-4) at Green Bay Packers (2-2-1)
After losing Jimmy G, and making no further roster moves, San Francisco's once promising season seems lost. Aaron Rodgers has showed up all season, even with the mixed win-loss-tie record. At home, Green Bay takes care of business.
Packers win 37-17
Header photo: NBC Sports
More
The Detroit Lions (2-3) enter their bye week with wins against Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady, but losses against Sam Darnold, Jimmy Garropolo, and Dak Prescott.
The New Orleans Saints (4-1) enjoy their bye atop the NFC South. The Panthers can tie New Orleans with a win over the Redskins.
Header photo: NBC Sports
Carson Wentz photo: Jeff Fusco
Andy Dalton photo: Steelers Depot
Sam Darnold photo: WFAN
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