NFL Picks Week 5: Feels Like An Honest Good Bye

The New Orleans Saints go into the bye week with a 1-3 record.  Fresh off of their first win of the season in Week 10, the Saints will gladly take a week to rest their injured and try to get this season on track.  With the Saints off the schedule this week, we will focus on the the rest of the Week 5 action and see if it has the potential to be a memorable week in the NFL.

Last week I went 8-6

I told you so: Saints over Chargers!!!

What do I know: Panthers over Falcons?

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WEEK 5

Thursday, October 6th - Thursday Night Football

Cardinals(1-3) at 49ers(1-3)

Arizona has struggled early on this season, but they'll look like the Cards we all expected in San Francisco this week.  This team will benefit from having Drew Stanton starting at quarterback, rather than the human turnover machine they usually trot out there.

Pick: Cardinals

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Sunday, October 9th - Early Games

Patriots(3-1) at Browns(0-4)

Brady's back and the Browns will be in trouble.

Pick: Patriots

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Eagles(3-0) at Lions(1-3)

Carson Wentz gets all the glory, but it's Philly's defense that has been the biggest surprise so far.  They'll look great once again in Detroit.

Pick: Eagles

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Bears(1-3) at Colts(1-3)

If these teams traded quarterbacks pregame, one of them would be decent.  Of course, both are bad, and we all lose for having to watch them play.  Chicago's defense squeaks out an ugly win.

Pick: Bears

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Titans(1-3) at Dolphins(1-3)

In another bad matchup, Tennessee will grind out a victory with their rushing attack in Miami.

Pick: Titans

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Redskins(2-2) at Ravens(3-1)

The AFC's top-ranked defense will handle the Washington passing game in this one.  Baltimore wins at home.

Pick: Ravens

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Texans(3-1) at Vikings(4-0)

The Purple People-Eaters are back and they'll devour the visiting Texans.

Pick: Vikings

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Jets(1-3) at Steelers(3-1)

The Jets won't be the ones taking to the skies in the city of steel, Pittsburgh wins over the beleaguered Jets.

Pick: Steelers

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Sunday, October 9th - Late Games

Falcons(3-1) at Broncos(4-0)

The dominant Denver defense will stall out the Atlanta offense in the Mile High City.

Pick: Broncos

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Bengals(2-2) at Cowboys(3-1)

Dallas is great at what Cincinnati has been struggling with, running the ball.  This will be the difference in this ballgame.  Dallas will control time of possession, forcing Cincy to play one-dimensional football on offense with the few opportunities they get.  Dallas playing patient on offense will secure this home victory.

Pick: Cowboys

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Bills(2-2) at Rams(3-1)

Expect a bit of an emotional letdown for Buffalo after a big win in New England that may have saved the Ryan regime.  The Rams are a nice story so far, but they are completely reliant on Gregg Williams' defense to pull out games for them.  Neither team has any semblance of a passing game, but Buffalo's rushing game will test the Los Angeles defense.  The Rams will pull out an ugly, low-scoring win at home.

Pick: Rams

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Chargers(1-3) at Raiders(3-1)

San Diego has failed in consecutive weeks to the horrible Indianapolis and New Orleans defenses.  Will they fail against the atrocious Oakland defense as well?  In a word, yes.

Pick: Raiders

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Sunday Night Football

Giants(2-2) at Packers(2-1) - Game of the Week

This Giants team should honestly be 0-4 and have looked worse every week that passes.  For some reason though, Eli Manning has had Green Bay's number.  Despite common logic, weird things will happen in this one, and the Giants will surprisingly win in Green Bay.

Pick: Giants

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Monday, October 10th - Monday Night Football

Buccaneers(1-3) at Panthers(1-3)

Carolina enters this game under a lot of scrutiny, having lost more games in the first month of this season than they did all last season and postseason combined.  Now they enter a pivotal divisional matchup against rival Tampa Bay in an early must-win game.  Thanks to their offensive balance and the lack of balance with Tampa's offense, Carolina wins 31-21.

Pick: Panthers

***UPDATE*** With new information comes a new opinion on this published pick!

Carolina enters this game under a lot of scrutiny, having lost more games in the first month of this season than they did all last season and postseason combined.  Now they enter a pivotal divisional matchup against rival Tampa Bay in an early must-win game.  Unfortunately for them, news just gets worse now that Cam Newton has been ruled out for the game due to his concussion last week.  Veteran Derek Anderson will now start at QB for the Panthers, but the drop-off will prove too steep for them to win this one.  This game will be won in the air, and Jameis Winston has the advantage over the Carolina secondary.  Tampa wins 24-20.

Pick: Buccaneers

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There we go, Week 5 is shaping up to be pretty interesting.  The Saints may not be playing this week, but this early bye may honestly be good for them.  Leave us your picks, comments, and insight below.