-Originally published 10/7/21-
Week 5 NFL Picks
Fresh Squeezed
TNF – Rams (3-1) @ Seahawks (2-2)
LA was popped by the MVP in-the-running Kyler Murry and the Cards last week 37-20. Aaron Donald had a horrible game last week and the defense will have to keep up with another top QB. They can recover against Seattle this week with multiple running backs probably out and the Rams Oline should be able to keep Stafford clean.
Pick: Rams
4pm – Browns (3-1) @ Chargers (3-1)
Cleveland struggled last week in a sleepy game against the Vikings but prevailed 14-7. Sleepy won’t cut it against the SuperChargers with wins over Washington, KC, and the Raiders with only a field goal loss to Dallas. That’s 3-1 against possibly 4 playoff teams. With a top 10 offense and defense the Bolts should be able to grab a fourth win over a probably playoff squad.
Pick: Chargers
4:25pm – 49ers (2-2) @ Cardinals (4-0)
Trey Lance will start for the 49ers! It’s a whole new ball game offensively with Lance in. Kyler will exploit the 49ers secondary but the highlight will be Trey in his first start trying to take down the last undefeated team in the NFL
Pick: Cardinals
8:20pm – Bills (3-1) @ Chiefs (2-2)
Buffalo is playing like the best team in the NFL right now and should be heavily favored on the road. The defense looks good, the run game with Devin Singletary is productively and Josh Allen is crushing. KC is giving up 437.8 yards per game, 31st in the NFL.
Pick: Bills
Lower Grove
1pm – Packers (3-1) @ Bengals (3-1)
Green Bay muffled the Steelers 27-17 but injuries on defense could be problematic. CB Jaire Alexander and LB Krys Barnes are both out. Cincy was horrific for a half against the Jags last week but rallied. This could be a great back and forth game and the Bengals shouldn’t have a real chance here. Something just feels different; this could be a great game.
Pick: Packers
1pm – Lions (0-4) @ Vikings (1-3)
Both squads are feisty and that keeps this game an interesting watch. The Lions skill position plays are showing that an offense that’s always a threat to move the ball through the air is always in the game regardless of all the flaws elsewhere. Minnesota has few warts than Detroit but will suffer if Devin Cook’s injury lingers.
Pick: Vikings
1pm – Broncos (3-1) @ Steelers (1-3)
Both starting QB’s could be out. Denver’s first real test came last week against the Ravens and they were stifled offensively but Teddy B getting knocked out was unforeseen. Pittsburg is struggling with Ben under center. This will be a struggle offensively but Pitts weapons are better.
Pick: Steelers
1pm – Saints (2-2) @ Washington (2-2)
Taylor Heinicke looks the part of a real QB going 23/33 for 290 and 3 Tds in a win over Atlanta. Curtis Samuel played his first game with the team caught all 4 targets for 19 yards and will continue to see an expanded role. This squad is trending upwards with the volatile Saints, trying to keep Winston from having to throw too much, coming to town. Winston had a season high 23 attempts and broke 200 yards passing for the first time this season in an OT loss to the Giants last week.
Pick: Washington
1pm – Eagles (1-3) @ Panthers (3-1)
The Panthers might have McCaffrey back this week but it’s a long shot. Jalen Hurts was 32/48 for 387 yards and 2 Tds and added 47 yards on the ground against the Chiefs defense last week. The ground game is non-existent for the Eagles but they can hang.
Pick: Panthers
4pm – Bears (2-2) @ Raiders (3-1)
Chicago smacked around Detroit team they should have last week if they had an semblance of a decent group. The offensive line is going to be a problem here and with David Montgomery Fields is going to be on his own against a Raider defense that has improved and will bring the pressure. I don’t think this game will actually be very close. The Raiders offense line will have Carr under pressure as well but he’s been able to mitigate that issue so far this season. If this comes down to a Fields/Carr 40 yards throwing contest I’m here for it.
Pick: Raiders
4:25pm – Giants (1-3) @ Cowboys (3-1)
Daniel Jones has developed into a solid QB with surprising mobility. At 1-3 the Giants have plenty of weapons and are still feisty enough to make a run. The Cowboys ground game is now supplementing the awesome passing attack as the Boys threw up 245 on the ground and Dak had 4 passing TDs on 22 attempts against a good Panthers D last week.
Pick: Cowboys
MNF – Colts (1-3) @ Ravens (3-1)
Indy just isn’t very good. A 27-17 win over the Dolphins hasn’t done much to indicate otherwise. Carson Wentz is playing pretty well including a 24/32 228 yd, 2 Td performance last week. Baltimore still hasn’t quite for the ground game but three vets in Latavius Murry, Leveon Bell, and Devonta Freemon are all going to have a crack. Lamar threw for 316 yards against Denver last week to lead the way.
Pick: Ravens
Rotten
9:30 – Jets (1-3) @ Falcons (1-3)
London gets two of America’s finest again. The Falcons have found a new weapon in an unexpected place. Veteran RB/WR Cordarelle Patterson has 6+ carries and 6+ targets each of the past three weeks and his first touchdown last week. The offense might be clicking in Atlanta. NY finally won last week against a short-handed and struggling Titans.
Pick: Falcons
1pm – Dolphins (1-3) @ Buccaneers (3-1)
Jacoby Brissett looks solid at QB for the Dolphins but the ceiling seems limited for this squad and the Bucs are going to be ready to gun the Dolphins down after a couple of emotional weeks with a loss to the Rams and surviving in a rainstorm in NE.
Pick: Bucs
1pm – Titans (2-2) @ Jaguars (0-4)
The Jags lead against the Bengals 14-0 at the half in TNF and fall apart in the 2nd half. Urban Meyer spent his weekend apologizing to the media after questionable photos surface. Are things getting better? The Titans might still be without Julio and AJ so Derrick Henry will get the ball 30+ times and this team lost to the Jets last week so who knows.
Pick: Titans
1pm – Patriots (1-3) @ Texans (1-3)
The Texans were outgained 450-109 yards against the Bills last week. The Patriots probably knock off Tampa Bay if it isn’t raining so they aren’t too far behind the offense just is what it is.
Pick: Patriots