Thursday
Game: Buffalo at Cleveland
Pick: Cleveland - I think this is the first time I've picked Cleveland this year. I just think coming off two consecutive victories, and with the game at home during a shortened week, it gives the Browns an edge heading into this game. Also, the strength of the team is on the defensive side of the ball, so look for Cleveland to frustrate rookie quarterback E.J. Manuel to the point of a couple turnovers. I like for the Browns to win by 3 or 4.
Result: Cleveland 37 Buffalo 24
Record: 1-0
Sunday
Game: New Orleans at Chicago
Pick: Chicago - With New Orleans coming off a Monday night home game, it gives them one less day to prepare for their road trip to Chicago. Even though the Bears did their best Pittsburgh Steelers impression with as much as they turned the ball over in their loss to Detroit over the weekend, they still only lost by 8 points. Look for Jay Cutler to play a better game and for the Bears defense to play extra angry after their disappointing showing against the Lions. I like the Bears by one score.
Result: New Orleans 26 Chicago 18
Record: 1-1
Game: New England at Cincinnati
Pick: New England - I'm done picking against the Patriots. Tom Brady and his surrounding cast are progressively looking better, while the Bengals offense has been too inconsistent for me to have much confidence in them. I like the Pats by a touchdown.
Result: Cincinnati 13 New England 6
Record: 1-2
Game: Jacksonville at St. Louis
Pick: St. Louis - It's my prediction I won't pick the Jaguars to win a game all year. The Rams have looked pretty bad the past couple of weeks, but even so, this is a home game against the Jags. If they lose this game, they'll be the laughing stock of the league come next Monday. Look for Tayvon Austin to shine in this one. The Rams win by at least two scores.
Result: St. Louis 34 Jacksonville 20
Record: 2-2
Game: Baltimore at Miami
Pick: Miami - If there's one team I can't figure out, it's the Baltimore Ravens. Just two weeks ago, they dominated the then unbeaten Houston Texans. Then this past weekend, Joe Flacco threw five interceptions in a loss to the then 1-2 Buffalo Bills. Due to that, I'm going to give the edge to the home team - the Miami Dolphins. The defense has been steady to this point in the season and the offense appears to be improving each and every week. In saying all this, just watch Baltimore dominates like they did against Houston...
Result: Baltimore 26 Miami 23
Record: 2-3
Game: Philadelphia at NY Giants
Pick: Philadelphia - I may wind up regretting this. Here's a game that features two of the worst defenses in all of football. While the Giants have struggled with turnovers and protecting Eli Manning, the Eagles don't present much in the way of consistent pass rushers or reliable players in the secondary. While I could very easily see the Eagles win this one, I have to give the edge to Tom Coughlin's team playing at home. If they lose this one, their season is all but done.
P.S. I had a last-second change of heart and decided to pick Philly. I'll go with 31-30 or somewhere along those lines.
Result: Philadelphia 36 NY Giants 21
Record: 3-3
Game: Detroit at Green Bay
Pick: Green Bay - Given the Lions dreadful history and Reggie Bush's history of injury problems, I still haven't completely bought into them. Green Bay, meanwhile, is coming off a bye week, and I'd be hard-pressed to think Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers will lose an inner-divisional game at home directly following a bye week - especially following a very disappointing loss to Cincinnati the week prior. I look for the Pack to bounce back strong and win this one by 10.
Result: Green Bay 22 Detroit 9
Record: 4-3
Game: Kansas City at Tennessee
Pick: Kansas City - Before Sunday, I probably would have gone with the home team in this one - Tennessee in this case. However, with starting quarterback Jake Locker going down in the Titans' dismantling of the New York Jets, I'm going to give a slight edge to the upstart Chiefs.
Result: Kansas City 26 Tennessee 17
Record: 5-3
Game: Seattle at Indianapolis
Pick: Seattle
Result: Wouldn't it be something if the Colts went on to finish the regular season 2-0 against arguably the two favorites to win the NFC this year in San Francisco and Seattle? While I think they'll keep it reasonably close, I'm going to go with the Seahawks. Their secondary will likely give the Indy receivers fits and I have a tough time seeing the Colts have much success on the ground. If that is the case, Andrew Luck could be in for a long day.
Result: Indianapolis 34 Seattle 28
Record: 5-4
Game: Carolina at Arizona
Pick: Carolina - If you like defense, this should be a fun one. The Panthers and Cardinals have arguably the two most underrated defenses in the NFC, perhaps in all of football. With Carolina coming off a bye week and Cam Newton presenting a unique dual-threat presence, I give a slight edge to the Panthers.
Result: Arizona 22 Carolina 6
Record: 5-5
Game: Denver at Dallas
Pick: Denver - Until the Denver Broncos lose a game, it's going to be difficult for me to pick against them, and with Peyton Manning facing the mediocre Cowboys defense (that's being kind), I look for the Broncos to improve to 5-0 with yet another convincing victory.
Result: Denver 51 Dallas 48
Record: 6-5
Game: Houston at San Francisco
Pick: San Francisco - Here's an interesting game between two 2-2 teams whom have disappointed thus far. After being dominated for two consecutive weeks, the Niners are coming off a nice Thursday night showing against the Rams, and after starting the year 2-0, the Texans have lost two straight. With the game at home and having a couple extra days of rest, I like the Niners in a close one. Look for Colin Kaepernick to run the ball more in this one, especially after seeing tape of the Texans having trouble bottling up Seattle's Russell Wilson.
Result: San Francisco 34 Houston 3
Record: 7-5
Game: San Diego at Oakland
Pick: San Diego - I think Oakland could very well be the second worst team in the NFL this year, next to the Jaguars. Philip Rivers, meanwhile, has been one of the most efficient passers in the league to this point, and mainly due to he and the Chargers passing attack, I give the definite edge to San Diego.
Result: Oakland 27 San Diego 17
Record: 7-6
Monday
Game: NY Jets at Atlanta
Pick: Atlanta - Didn't Atlanta finish 13-3 last year? After adding standout tailback Steven Jackson to the mix, it seemed certain the Falcons would improve upon last year's great run and contend for a bid in the Super Bowl this year. At 1-3 now, Matty "Ice" (Ryan) and his team are in desperate need for a win. Lucky for them, they're staying at home to face the offensively inept New York Jets. I like the Falcons by two scores in this one.
Result: NY Jets 30 Atlanta 28
Record: 7-7
Week 5: 7-7 (.500)
Overall: 45-32 (.584)
Game: Buffalo at Cleveland
Pick: Cleveland - I think this is the first time I've picked Cleveland this year. I just think coming off two consecutive victories, and with the game at home during a shortened week, it gives the Browns an edge heading into this game. Also, the strength of the team is on the defensive side of the ball, so look for Cleveland to frustrate rookie quarterback E.J. Manuel to the point of a couple turnovers. I like for the Browns to win by 3 or 4.
Result: Cleveland 37 Buffalo 24
Record: 1-0
Sunday
Game: New Orleans at Chicago
Pick: Chicago - With New Orleans coming off a Monday night home game, it gives them one less day to prepare for their road trip to Chicago. Even though the Bears did their best Pittsburgh Steelers impression with as much as they turned the ball over in their loss to Detroit over the weekend, they still only lost by 8 points. Look for Jay Cutler to play a better game and for the Bears defense to play extra angry after their disappointing showing against the Lions. I like the Bears by one score.
Result: New Orleans 26 Chicago 18
Record: 1-1
Game: New England at Cincinnati
Pick: New England - I'm done picking against the Patriots. Tom Brady and his surrounding cast are progressively looking better, while the Bengals offense has been too inconsistent for me to have much confidence in them. I like the Pats by a touchdown.
Result: Cincinnati 13 New England 6
Record: 1-2
Game: Jacksonville at St. Louis
Pick: St. Louis - It's my prediction I won't pick the Jaguars to win a game all year. The Rams have looked pretty bad the past couple of weeks, but even so, this is a home game against the Jags. If they lose this game, they'll be the laughing stock of the league come next Monday. Look for Tayvon Austin to shine in this one. The Rams win by at least two scores.
Result: St. Louis 34 Jacksonville 20
Record: 2-2
Game: Baltimore at Miami
Pick: Miami - If there's one team I can't figure out, it's the Baltimore Ravens. Just two weeks ago, they dominated the then unbeaten Houston Texans. Then this past weekend, Joe Flacco threw five interceptions in a loss to the then 1-2 Buffalo Bills. Due to that, I'm going to give the edge to the home team - the Miami Dolphins. The defense has been steady to this point in the season and the offense appears to be improving each and every week. In saying all this, just watch Baltimore dominates like they did against Houston...
Result: Baltimore 26 Miami 23
Record: 2-3
Game: Philadelphia at NY Giants
Pick: Philadelphia - I may wind up regretting this. Here's a game that features two of the worst defenses in all of football. While the Giants have struggled with turnovers and protecting Eli Manning, the Eagles don't present much in the way of consistent pass rushers or reliable players in the secondary. While I could very easily see the Eagles win this one, I have to give the edge to Tom Coughlin's team playing at home. If they lose this one, their season is all but done.
P.S. I had a last-second change of heart and decided to pick Philly. I'll go with 31-30 or somewhere along those lines.
Result: Philadelphia 36 NY Giants 21
Record: 3-3
Game: Detroit at Green Bay
Pick: Green Bay - Given the Lions dreadful history and Reggie Bush's history of injury problems, I still haven't completely bought into them. Green Bay, meanwhile, is coming off a bye week, and I'd be hard-pressed to think Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers will lose an inner-divisional game at home directly following a bye week - especially following a very disappointing loss to Cincinnati the week prior. I look for the Pack to bounce back strong and win this one by 10.
Result: Green Bay 22 Detroit 9
Record: 4-3
Game: Kansas City at Tennessee
Pick: Kansas City - Before Sunday, I probably would have gone with the home team in this one - Tennessee in this case. However, with starting quarterback Jake Locker going down in the Titans' dismantling of the New York Jets, I'm going to give a slight edge to the upstart Chiefs.
Result: Kansas City 26 Tennessee 17
Record: 5-3
Game: Seattle at Indianapolis
Pick: Seattle
Result: Wouldn't it be something if the Colts went on to finish the regular season 2-0 against arguably the two favorites to win the NFC this year in San Francisco and Seattle? While I think they'll keep it reasonably close, I'm going to go with the Seahawks. Their secondary will likely give the Indy receivers fits and I have a tough time seeing the Colts have much success on the ground. If that is the case, Andrew Luck could be in for a long day.
Result: Indianapolis 34 Seattle 28
Record: 5-4
Game: Carolina at Arizona
Pick: Carolina - If you like defense, this should be a fun one. The Panthers and Cardinals have arguably the two most underrated defenses in the NFC, perhaps in all of football. With Carolina coming off a bye week and Cam Newton presenting a unique dual-threat presence, I give a slight edge to the Panthers.
Result: Arizona 22 Carolina 6
Record: 5-5
Game: Denver at Dallas
Pick: Denver - Until the Denver Broncos lose a game, it's going to be difficult for me to pick against them, and with Peyton Manning facing the mediocre Cowboys defense (that's being kind), I look for the Broncos to improve to 5-0 with yet another convincing victory.
Result: Denver 51 Dallas 48
Record: 6-5
Game: Houston at San Francisco
Pick: San Francisco - Here's an interesting game between two 2-2 teams whom have disappointed thus far. After being dominated for two consecutive weeks, the Niners are coming off a nice Thursday night showing against the Rams, and after starting the year 2-0, the Texans have lost two straight. With the game at home and having a couple extra days of rest, I like the Niners in a close one. Look for Colin Kaepernick to run the ball more in this one, especially after seeing tape of the Texans having trouble bottling up Seattle's Russell Wilson.
Result: San Francisco 34 Houston 3
Record: 7-5
Game: San Diego at Oakland
Pick: San Diego - I think Oakland could very well be the second worst team in the NFL this year, next to the Jaguars. Philip Rivers, meanwhile, has been one of the most efficient passers in the league to this point, and mainly due to he and the Chargers passing attack, I give the definite edge to San Diego.
Result: Oakland 27 San Diego 17
Record: 7-6
Monday
Game: NY Jets at Atlanta
Pick: Atlanta - Didn't Atlanta finish 13-3 last year? After adding standout tailback Steven Jackson to the mix, it seemed certain the Falcons would improve upon last year's great run and contend for a bid in the Super Bowl this year. At 1-3 now, Matty "Ice" (Ryan) and his team are in desperate need for a win. Lucky for them, they're staying at home to face the offensively inept New York Jets. I like the Falcons by two scores in this one.
Result: NY Jets 30 Atlanta 28
Record: 7-7
Week 5: 7-7 (.500)
Overall: 45-32 (.584)
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