Week 5 Picks!

This NFL season is going to be topsy-turvy. Make no mistake about it every year we hear about how "Crazy" and "Wild" the current NFL season is, but this season seems just very unpredictable. The last two undefeated teams heading into Week 5: The Cardinals and the Benglas. The Patriots are 2-2 and look very vulnerable. The Saints are struggling at 1-3. The Broncos and Seahawks are 2-1, but look like they have some weak spots. Detroit leads the NFC North over the Packers and the Bears. The Colts are 2-2. Right now, if someone said that the Chargers and Bengals would be playing in the AFC Championship Game, and the Cardinals and Lions would be squaring off in the NFC Championship, then that wouldn't be so far fetched. This year the top teams seem to be closer to the middle of the pack than in past years. It is a long season and there is still a lot of football left to be played, but it just feels like this year is going to be more unpredictable then it has been for a long time. On to the picks for Week 5....

Last Week's Record: 5-8
Overall Record: 26-33-2
(HOME TEAM IN CAPS)

Chicago (+3) over CAROLINA: The Bears are 2-2 after getting thrashed at home to the Packers, and the Panthers are 2-2 after starting the year 2-0. I'll take the Bears on the road in this spot because I think the Bears are the better team, but the Panthers defense against the always unreliable Jay Cutler does scare me a bit.

TENNESSEE (-2) over Cleveland: It looks like Jake Locker will be back for the Titans-who desperately need him to return. At 1-3, the Titans need a win here, and look for them to get at home over the Browns.

PHILLY (-6) over St. Louis: Easy game to pick. The Eagles are 3-1 but aren't very impressive the first four weeks. The Rams are 1-2 and coming off a bye. Look for Philly to handle their business this week.

Atlanta (+4) over NY GIANTS: I still don't trust the Giants even after they evened their record at 2-2 after a blowout win over the Redskins. Atlanta comes in 2-2 and their offensive line is in such shambles that this game could worry you. I see a close game going either way, but I'll take the Falcons as a road underdog.

NEW ORLEANS (-8) over Tampa Bay: No way the 1-3 Saints lose at home to Tampa Bay. Give the Bucs credit for coming back to beat the Steelers on the road last week. I just can't see the Saints losing at home after they were embarrassed on Sunday Night Football to the Cowboys last week.

Houston (+7) over DALLAS: Give the Cowboys credit for their 3-1 start. They absolutely dominated the Saints last week on Sunday night. They have rebounded really well after their terrible loss to the 49ers at home in Week 1. One thing about the Cowboys: They suck at being a home favorite. They should find a way to win this game, but I'll take the Texans to cover.

DETROIT (-6) over Buffalo: You have to think that Detroit will win this game at home-especially since the Bills panicked and benched E.J. Manuel for Kyle Orton this week. I'll take the Lions in a landslide.

Baltimore (+4) over INDY: A very interesting game in the AFC. The Ravens come in at 3-1 and look very impressive the last three games. The Colts come in at 2-2, but they beat Jacksonville and Tennessee in the process the last two games. I'll take the Ravens slightly over the Colts at this point.

Pittsburgh (-5) over JACKSONVILLE: I'm worried about this pick because the Steelers just don't seem right to me. How the hell did they blow that game at home to the Buccaneers last week? I'll take them this week, but I can definitely see Blake Bortles helping the Jags get their first win of the year on Sunday.

Kansas City (+7) over SAN FRANCISCO: You have to respect how the Chiefs have responded after the 0-2 start. They just manhandled the Pats on Monday night. Look for the Niners to win, but this has all the makings of a really close game.

SAN DIEGO (-6) over New York Jets: This is the easiest game of the week to pick. The 1-3 Jets head all the way out to San Diego to face the red-hot Chargers. Look for Phillip Rivers to pick the Jets apart all afternoon. The chants for Michael Vick will grow louder after this one.

Cincinnati (-1) over NEW ENGLAND: I can't pick the Pats just yet. Normally, I would take them in this spot, but I am worried about them. I think they will bounce back and win the AFC East, but I think they will take their lumps in this game. Don't get me wrong because this game will be competitive, but I think Cincy finds a way to get it done on Sunday Night Football.

Seattle (-7) over WASHINGTON: What crummy Monday Night Football game this is. I can't see Seattle laying an egg here even though they are on the road. Look for Seattle to take care of business and get out of there 3-1.

DENVER (-6) over Arizona: The Broncos comes off the bye week at 2-1 and with some more questions about their team than anticipated. They also made some news with the release of K Matt Prater, putting a whole lot of confidence in Brandon McManus. Denver also comes in healthy on defense, as they get LB Danny Trevathan back from a preseason injury. Arizona will start Drew Stanton at QB in place of the injured Carson Palmer for the third week in a row. This has all the makings of a close game, but you have to be confident in a few things if you are a Broncos fan. First, Denver and Peyton Manning had two weeks to really dig into that Arizona defense. Secondly, the Broncos defense is facing the weakest QB they have played all year long. Third, they are at home and rested and healthy. In my mind, that all adds up to a victory.

Final Score: Broncos-27 Cardinals-17