NFL Week 5 Predictions

Better late than never. Time to quickly go over these NFL games for Week 5 of the NFL Season.

As far as The Thursday Night game goes, The Browns are 3-2 and in command of the AFC North, but they are now without Brian Hoyer. I don't fully believe in Wheeden. He did good in Hoyer's absence throwing almost 200 yards with 0 picks, but I need to see more. Wheeden never wowed at all last season. The Browns have a chance to capture the AFC North. I hope Wheeden can lead them there. As bad as the Browns have been for all these years, I'm actually rooting for them to pull it off.

Now, let's get to these games!

New Orleans @ Chicago 

- The Saints are undefeated going on the road against The Chicago Bears in a game that The Bears probably need more than New Orleans. Chicago has excelled in turnovers, but Detroit exposed them and they were the ones that forced Cutler in turnovers and Reggie Bush dominated them on the ground. With Payton back, New Orleans is a better disciplined Football team on offense and defense. Brees will have success in the passing game, but I doubt Cutler will have a bad game like he did against Detroit. Saints offensive line isn't perfect, so Chicago will have their way early. It all comes down if the Chicago secondary can't stop Drew Brees. Can they create some zone schemes and make Brees have a rough day? Will Cutler bounce back from his showing in Detroit. I say it'll be a close game, but New Orleans takes in on the road and goes 5-0. The Saints are on a mission this season.

Prediction: Saints defeat Bears

New England @ Cincinnati

UPSET ALERT!

- The Patriots look like they've finally got their offense under control. Other than a little run, The Patriots had the Atlanta game firmly under control. Kenbrell Thompkins has emerged as Brady's favorite target, and of course Julian Edleman has been a nice little slot target for Brady as well. The Bengals defense is vastly different from Atlanta. Their front line is faster, their linebackers play better coverage, and you could argue they have better safety play. I haven't heard anything about Amendola and Gronk, but if they come back, New England takes it easily. If they aren't back, The Bengals can rough them up and throw Brady off his game. Aquib Talib will have a tough test against AJ Green, but Dalton has an array of weapons to throw to and a good running game. They'll definitely give New England a fight. The Bengals already lost 2 in a row, will they lose 3? I say no.

Prediction: Bengals defeat Patriots

Detroit @ Green Bay

- Detroit right now is in control of the NFC North. Their ground game is on fire and the Stafford/Megatron combination is on fire like usual. This all comes down to which defense can stop which. Green Bay can't stop the run and I don't think the Lions' secondary can pull of what they did to Jay Cutler to Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers is going to have his way with the secondary and do what he does best. The tandem duo of Bush and Bell are doing wonders balancing out the Lion's offensive attack. Green Bay's has 2 weeks to prepare and they're playing at Home. The Lions are playing good football, but I think Green Bay gets the job done. After blowing that game in Cincinnati, they're bound to bounce back. I like their chances. Won't be surprised if it's a shootout.

Prediction: Packers defeat Lions

Seattle @ Indianapolis 

- Definitely one of the most intriguing games of the afternoon. 4-0 Seattle travels to Indy. The Colts, on paper, look outmatched. They can't stop the run, their offensive line constantly crumbles, their secondary is inconsistent and against this Seattle defense, I don't think they'll have much success with the running game. Seattle's defense is lethal and ranked #1, their offense is potent, and they're just an overall better team. But the thing is, Seattle is playing on the road and they're notorious for being a bad road team. The Colts, playing at Home, have such energy and passion. It's hard to beat these Colts at Home on their game. Luck is playing good Football. Has been since last season. High Football IQ, ability to extend the play and playmaking abilities. 

- I believe The Colts will have some success in the passing game. Reggie Wayne vs Richard Sherman will be interesting watch. T.Y. Hilton will be the X-Factor in this one. His breakaway speed and ability to get open will be key. With Bradshaw out, Trent Richardson will need to take his chances against Seattle's Front 7. This is gonna be a good one, but Lucas Oil Stadium will be on fire this Sunday. That defense will play its hardest and Luck will need to play mistake free ball and not turn it over. On paper, Seattle should crush them, but this is why we play the games.

Prediction: Colts defeat Seahawks

Baltimore @ Miami

- After a sound thrashing by New Orleans, you would think Miami would come back with some effort, but I don't think they will. The Ravens haven't been looking too good all season and they're the ones coming off a Super Bowl win. Their offense struggles to put up points, but their defense is what keeps them in games where they have no business being in (i.e. Houston, Buffalo) But I think this is the game where Baltimore breaks out and plays an overall balanced game. Mike Wallace is inconsistent, Hartline vanishes within the offense, but they do have flashes of brilliance. I think The Ravens defense gets the better of Miami and Flacco has a good performance.

Prediction: Ravens defeat Dolphins

Philadelphia @ New York

- This is New York's BEST chance at getting a win. The Eagles can't play defense, and The Giants are playing at Home. The Eagles will have success in the running game and Vick will have his way extending the play. Eli's been struggling ALL SEASON and I think this could be the game he makes plays and doesn't turn the ball over. Their offensive line is bad and Philly's defensive line will get to the passer. I can honestly say I don't know what to expect from this game. I can see the Giants exploiting Philly's defense and putting up points. I don't know if the Eagles can keep up with New York at Home. The Eagles defensive liability will be their downfall.

Prediction: Giants defeat Eagles

Jacksonville @ St. Louis

- Two bad teams. Not really much too say about this one. The Jags are just a horrible team overall. The only saving grace is that Justin Blackmon returns and will add another physical receiver in the passing game and if Jones-Drew plays like the tailback in his past days, Jags might have a shot. The Rams defense is still inconsistent, but their Front 7 is still decent. All it takes is one big play to put the game out of reach. I think whatever potential they had this season died in their loss to San Francisco. Jags get their first win.

Prediction: Jaguars defeat Rams

Kansas City @ Tennessee 

- The Titans have a good defense and can match up with the Chiefs receivers. They'll defend Donnie Avery on those inside routes, and they're gonna try and keep Dwayne Bowe in check. The Titans have Ryan Fitzpatrick at the helm with Locker out. Fitz is a solid QB, but he'll have his hands full with KC. This team's defense is underrated and causes a lot of turnovers. Their offense isn't up to Denver's standards, but they check the ball down like crazy and tire out the defense. This will be a tough test for The Chiefs on the road. How will Alex fair against the Titans' defense? They're gonna throw all kinds of blitz packages and etc. to take him out of the game. The Titans have a lot of weapons, but The Chiefs have the defense to matchup with the kind of offense Tennessee plays. The Chiefs are playing good Football right now. 

Prediction: Chiefs defeat Titans

Carolina @ Arizona

- The Cardinals are quietly flying under the radar. They've got a solid defense, but their offense is on and off at times. The Panthers offense is good, but they can struggle to put up points themselves. Despite Cam's arm and playmaking abilities, he is mistake prone. I think The Panthers offense is clicking right now. They won't go anywhere, but they're clicking. Newton will make plays, extend the play with his legs and it'll be up to their defense to take Fitzgerald out of the game. If he's out, The Cardinals offense will be stagnant. I got the Panthers in this one.

Prediction: Panthers defeat Cardinals

Denver @ Dallas

- As inconsistent as Dallas has been so far, I think this will be Denver's first true test. The Cowboys have the playmakers to contend with Denver's defense. They have the defense that can rattle, maybe even stifle Denver's offense. A game like this being played in Dallas is gonna be big. If Dallas plays up to their potential, they can match up well with The Broncos and maybe pull off the upset. If they play like they did against San Diego, Denver will crush them. Despite a few bad games here and there throughout his career, Romo is a better QB than people give him credit for. It'll come down to whether or not The Cowboys defense can stop Peyton Manning. The way Peyton Manning is playing right now, he can't be stopped. The Cowboys might be the first team so far that can contain this stacked and powerful offense. I'll say this, if Dallas plays the way I know they can, there is an outside chance they can pull the upset, or even not get blown out. But The Broncos can't be stopped right now. I actually have them going 16-0. 

Prediction: Broncos defeat Cowboys

Houston @ San Francisco

- The Texans will go as far as Matt Schaub takes them. They blew a 20 point lead against Seattle. The same game where Schaub threw a Pick 6 that turned the game around. Their offense has a habit of producing points and being consistent early, but slowly fizzle out later in the game. The Niners have paid attention to what Seattle did to Schaub. Making adjustments, tightening the coverage and just anticipating what the next move will be. The Niners defense is gonna be all over Schaub. The Texans have the potential to be the class of the AFC, but I don't fully believe in Schaub. Too inconsistent, too many mistakes, poor ball control. They won't get blown out. Their defense is good enough to keep it that way. As good as Houston is, The Niners are simply just a better team. Houston is too inconsistent to bank on them. If the game was in Houston, MAYBE, it'd be different.

Prediction: 49ers defeat Texans

San Diego @ Oakland

- Terrelle Pryor is back and The Raiders offense is gonna be better than it was last week. The Chargers seem to struggle with Oakland recently. When San Diego was the power of the AFC West, Oakland would be no challenge, but Oakland is different and the Chargers are an inconsistent team. But I'll take San Diego. Rivers is playing great this season. His receivers are making plays, especially guys like Royal and Woodhead and their defense shows up when they need it. It would be tough for San Diego to win in the Black Hole, but after that win against Dallas, I think San Diego will make just enough plays to win. They can TRY and contain Pryor, but he'll still get his yards on the run and through the air. 

Prediction: Chargers defeat Raiders

New York @ Atlanta

- The Jets are all messed up offensively and defensively. Geno has potential. I'm not ready to write him off, but he's gonna struggle again here. The Falcons are 1-3 and desperate for a win. The Falcons offense is superior to the Jets secondary and will put up points. I don't think Cromartie is a match for Julio and Tony Gonzalez is prime for a good game like he had against New England. Geno is gonna struggle at first trying to figure out this Atlanta secondary and trying to make plays. The Falcons are gonna bounce back from that loss and The Jets simply can't match up. Falcons will be too much for the Jets to handle.

Prediction: Falcons defeat Jets

Enjoy the games!

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