NFL Week 5 Predictions
How will your team do this week? Read on…
Cincinnati Bengals 23, Baltimore Ravens 24
This is one of the more intriguing matchups of week 5. Both defenses are hard-hitting and the offenses are each coming into their own. I think this will be a lot closer than most people expect.
Oakland Raiders 9, New York Giants 28
Which will be higher, points the Raiders score or Jamarcus Russell’s passer rating? I’ll take the points.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 16, Philadelphia Eagles 38
The Bucs are heading into 2008 Lions territory.
Minnesota Vikings 30, St. Louis Rams 6
The Vikings are hot, and can get it via the rush or the pass. The Rams might be under the ownership of Rush Limbaugh soon.
Cleveland Browns 17, Buffalo Bills 20
One of ESPN’s analysts thinks that the loser of this game has an argument for being the league’s worst team. I agree.
Pittsburgh Steelers 31, Detroit Lions 14
The Steelers got some of their confidence back after thrashing the Chargers on Sunday night. Now they get to play the Lions, who still have a long way to go.
Washington Redskins 18, Carolina Panthers 26
Washington’s points per game has actually decreased since last year, a fact I consider kind of amazing considering their schedule so far and how boring they were last year. How’s Albert Haynesworth working out for you?
Dallas Cowboys 34, Kansas City Chiefs 24
The circus is on in Dallas as Wade Phillips’ job might be in jeopardy, Roy Williams is injured, and Tony Romo gets all the blame.
Atlanta Falcons 20, San Francisco 49ers 27
The 49ers took one of the league’s best teams into the final seconds and lost on a miracle catch. I wouldn’t count on miracles defeating a solid team twice in three weeks.
Houston Texans 28, Arizona Cardinals 35
If this one is low scoring it’ll go down as the week’s biggest disappointment.
New England Patriots 18, Denver Broncos 20
New England is something like 1-4 against Denver in the Bill Belichick/Tom Brady era, including a playoff loss on a Champ Bailey interception return for a touchdown. Throw in the drama of Belichick facing a former coordinator and an overrated superstar quarterback facing an NFC castoff leading a 4-0 team and you’ve got an interesting matchup.
Jacksonville Jaguars 27, Seattle Seahawks 20
The Jaguars all but ended Tennessee’s playoff hopes last week, and convinced themselves they’re not quite out of the race yet. Matt Hasselbeck might return for the Seahawks, but would it matter?
Indianapolis Colts 30, Tennessee Titans 24
Bob Sanders is “almost ready to play“, so that should help the Colts defense. Wait, is this article from 2004, 2005, 2006, or 2008? Oh…2009. Couldn’t have guessed if I tried. The Colts are hot, the Titans have problems everywhere besides running back.
New York Jets 21, Miami Dolphins 24
The Dolphins are going to have to figure out a way to run on the Ravens if they want to win. I don’t envy Chad Henne facing one of the league’s best defenses in his second NFL start.
