Week 5 Picks!

A few thoughts on Denver's 4-0 start. There are a few settings or scenes in the NFL that are noteworthy. Lambeau Field in Green Bay, the old Soldier Field in Chicago, the beat up RFK Stadium in D.C, the old Orange Bowl in Miami, Pittsburgh's cookie-cutter Three Rivers Stadium, and Denver's old Mile High Stadium come to mind as some of the best in my generation. A game just feels different when it was played at one of those stadiums. Although the old Mile High has been knocked down and demolished, that stadium just had a feeling to it. I can't really explain it, but when there was a big game or a primetime game, and it was from Denver's Mile High, it just felt special and unique. It hasn't really translated over to the new Broncos' stadium- Invesco Field at Mile High. Since Denver has moved into the new stadium in 2001, the best atmosphere was the 2005 playoff run. The Divisional Round victory over the Patriots felt like an old Mile High game, and the scene for the AFC Championship felt like an old 1980s Elway-Browns AFC title moment-except for the fact that Pittsburgh ruined the moment and buried the Broncos 34-17. Sunday's win over the Cowboys made me feel like maybe some of that Mile High magic is back. The atmosphere seemed really on par with some of the older Mile High crowds. Although the Cowboy fans travel well, the setting was perfect. Late game, national television, and Denver on a big stage. The Broncos are one of the top draws in the NFL. They have a unique spot in the league. They have become one of the flagship teams of the AFC in the past 30 years. Perhaps this new revival and new chapter of Broncos football can really bring back the home field advantage that Denver hasn't enjoyed since it moved into the new Mile High. Also, I loved hearing Josh McDaniels mic'd up for Sunday's game against Dallas. The way he was ripping the refs, talking to Orton and the offense, congratulating his team, rooting on the defense at the end, and the hug with Brian Dawkins was some really good television. I was impressed. It seems like McD was simply born to be a head coach in the NFL someday. Finally, the Broncos are a surprising 4-0, but maybe we shouldn't be so surprised. They got better on defense because they added a new DC, some unknown role player free agents, a veteran All Pro Safety, and they stressed fundamentals like tackling. Their offensive line was considered one of the best before the season, and everyone raved about the talented skill players at TE, WR, and RB. Orton was the question mark, but other than that it's not like Denver was starting from scratch with a 1-15 team and rookie QB. Let's hope the fun continues with the brutal four game stretch ahead of us. Onto the picks for Week 5.......

Last Week's Record (8-6)

Overall Record (28-33-1)

(HOME TEAM IN CAPS)

Minnesota (-9) over ST.LOUIS- Favre looked great on Monday Night. I'm still not sold on the Vikes, but they are starting to resemble a 12-4, first round bye kind of look.

KANSAS CITY (+8) over Dallas- Dallas and Tony Romo are overrated. Can we start penciling in Mike Shanahan in Dallas right now? I'm waiting for the Matt Cassel-KC breakout game. This might be it.

CAROLINA (-3) over Washington- Easiest game to pick on the board.

Tampa Bay (+15) over PHILADELPHIA- Giving 15 is too much. I think the Bucs are feisty, and Philly gives one of those ho-hum performances that they give every year when they are huge favorites over crappy teams. Philly wins, but they win ugly.

NEW YORK GIANTS (-14) over Oakland- The Giants are the anti-Raiders. Very professional, great ownership, fantastic organizational structure, and take care of business on the field. JaMarcus Russell vs. the Giants Defense- not a good matchup for Raider fans. Giants win big.

Cleveland (+6) over BUFFALO- Buffalo is done. They are shot. The Browns play loosey goosey and steal their first victory.

BALTIMORE (-7) over Cincinnati- I loved the Ravens in this one. Baltimore is too good at home for Cincy to pull the upset. Ravens harass Carson Palmer all day long.

Pittsburgh (-9) over DETROIT- Steelers jump on the Lions early in what could be a home game for the Steelers at Ford Field.

Atlanta (+3) over SAN FRANCISCO- Good game early in the NFC season. I just think Matt Ryan is really good. The Falcons aren't great on the road, but I'm not ready to buy into the Niners.

Houston (+5) over ARIZONA- Houston is the better team, and they will take care of business. Houston might be making their run. Arizona is in trouble.

SEATTLE (-1) 0ver Jacksonville- Matt Hasselback returns, and so do the Seahawks. Second easiest game to pick this week.

Indianapolis (-4) over TENNESSEE- Peyton Manning is on another level this year. It reminds of Montana in 1989. He just has this look about him this year. The Colts officially end the Titans' season on Sunday Night.

MIAMI (+2) over New York Jets- I love the Dolphins in this game. Many people think that the Jet defense will feast on Chad Henne, but I just have a feeling that the Fish find a way to beat the Jets. I don't know why, but I see Miami-19, Jets-17

New England (-3) over DENVER: Denver's 4-0 start is so surprising that Sports Illustrated put the Broncos on the cover this week. This was the first time Denver was solely featured on the cover of SI since 2003, when Denver started 4-0, and Jake Plummer graced the magazine's cover. What happened the next week in '03? Denver lost to Kansas City 24-23 in the "Dante Hall Memorial" Bowl at Arrowhead. Will the SI Jinx strike the Broncos again in 2009? Forget the Jinx, Tom Brady and Bill Belichick are enough to strike down the Broncos and hand them their first loss. The Pats have put together two solid wins over Atlanta and Baltimore the last two weeks, and they might be able to figure out the Denver defense. If he gets time, Brady can shread any defense. The Broncos will play hard and be in the game, but I see the Pats taking over and finishing off Denver early in the fourth. Final Score: Patriots-27 Denver-17