Week five of the NFL season starts Thursday night as the San Francisco 49ers take on the Los Angeles Rams. Other matchups include the Tampa Bay Buccaneers facing the Seattle Seahawks, and the Detroit Lions facing the Cincinnati Bengals. Who are my picks this week?
Thursday night football: San Francisco 49ers (3-1) @ Los Angeles Rams (3-1): Rams
The San Francisco 49ers take on the Los Angeles Rams tonight on Thursday night football. Both teams are 3-1. San Francisco lost to the Jacksonville Jaguars 26-20 last week. The Rams beat the Indianapolis Colts 27-20.
Unfortunately for the 49ers, the list of injuries on offense are getting to be as long as a CVS receipt. Because of that, I’m going with the Rams to win tonight’s game.
San Francisco will be missing the following players due to injury: quarterback Brock Purdy (toe injury), wide receiver Jauan Jennings (ankle), and wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (knee). Not to mention, tight end George Kittle is in the final week of his injured reserve stint with a hamstring injury. It will take a Herculean effort for the 49ers to win this game.
Updated: The 49ers would win on Thursday night in overtime, 23-20
(London) Minnesota Vikings (2-2) vs Cleveland Browns (1-3): Vikings
For this week’s matchup in London, the Minnesota Vikings face the Cleveland Browns. Minnesota is in uncharted territory as they become the first team in NFL history to play consecutive international games. Last week in Ireland, they lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers, 23-20.
After an abysmal performance last Sunday, the Browns are making a change at quarterback going with third round pick Dillon Gabriel and benching longtime veteran Joe Flacco. Cleveland is 1-3 on the season after a 38-10 blowout loss in Detroit. For this week’s game, I’m picking the Vikings.
I’m picking the Vikings to beat the Browns because Minnesota’s defense will make life a living hell for the young rookie. The one thing they are very consistent with is pressuring the quarterback. Through four games, they have 11 sacks, which is top 10 in the league. I do not expect their style of constantly blitzing to change this week.
Denver Broncos (2-2) @ Philadelphia Eagles (3-1): Eagles
I’m picking the Eagles to beat the Broncos on Sunday. The Broncos beat down the Bengals 28-3 last Monday night. Philadelphia is coming off a great win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last Sunday to stay undefeated.
The reason I’m picking Philadelphia is because their running game with Saquon Barkley will be the difference. Although it hasn’t been pretty, the Eagles find ways to win games. That continues this week.
Houston Texans (1-3) @ Baltimore Ravens (1-3): Texans
The Texans and Ravens face off in what turns out to be a desperation game. Both teams are 1-3, and have struggled one way or another. The Texans offense has not been good so far through four weeks, averaging 16 points per game, which is fourth worst in the league.
On the other side, the Baltimore Ravens cannot stop a nosebleed, let alone an opposing offense. The Ravens defense ranks dead last in points allowed, giving up 33 points per game. Something has to give. Not to mention, quarterback Lamar Jackson has an injured hamstring and his status is very much in doubt for Sunday. Because of those two factors, I’m going with the Texans.
If Lamar Jackson doesn’t play on Sunday, that greatly changes how the Ravens will run their offense. They run it through him and running back Derrick Henry. Jackson is a dual threat QB meaning he can beat a team with either his rushing ability or his ability to make big plays in the passing game. Taking him away makes Baltimore one dimensional. I expect the Texans defense to cause chaos all afternoon.
New York Giants (1-3) @ New Orleans Saints (0-4): Giants
The Giants made a change at quarterback last week switching from the longtime veteran Russell Wilson to rookie Jaxson Dart. The move paid off immediately as New York pulled off a stunning upset against the Los Angeles Chargers last week. This week, they take on the New Orleans Saints, who are winless. New Orleans lost yet again last week. I’m picking the Giants to beat the Saints.
The reason I’m picking the Giants is because the Saints are not good defensively. Over the last two weeks, their defense has given up 75 points. They rank 30th in scoring defense giving up 30 points per game. Even though New York lost its biggest weapon in wide receiver Malik Nabers for the season, I still expect the Giants to put up points.
Dallas Cowboys (1-2-1) @ New York Jets (0-4): Jets
The Cowboys and Jets play this weekend. New York is looking for their first win of the season, coming off a loss last Monday night against the Miami Dolphins. The Cowboys are coming off a 40-40 tie against the Green Bay Packers in what turned out to be a thrilling game. Dallas is taking the L this week, as I will pick the New York Jets.
The reason why I’m picking the Jets is because the Cowboys defense is horrible. They can’t stop anybody. As great as their offense is, all their production gets erased by a defense who can’t rush the quarterback, can’t stop the run and can’t create any turnovers. They’ve given up an average of 33 points per game. The Jets should run over them.
Las Vegas Raiders (1-3) @ Indianapolis Colts (3-1): Colts
The Las Vegas Raiders are coming off a gut wrenching loss against the Chicago Bears 25-24, in which their game winning field goal attempt was blocked. The Indianapolis Colts are also coming off of a loss, their first of the season against the Los Angeles Rams, 27-20. For this week’s game, I’m taking the Colts.
The reason I am picking the Colts once again this week is because of how good their quarterback Daniel Jones continues to play. Through four weeks, he’s thrown a touchdown pass in every game. The Raiders defense isn’t very good, so I expect another strong game.
Miami Dolphins (1-3) @ Carolina Panthers (1-3): Panthers
After snapping their three game losing streak with a win last week, the Miami Dolphins travel to Carolina to face the Panthers. Carolina is coming off a blowout loss in New England against the Patriots, 42-13. I am picking the Panthers to bounce back this week.
In last week’s game, the Dolphins suffered a back breaking loss offensively. Wide receiver Tyreek Hill is done for the season after an ugly knee injury that required surgery. He’s their best receiver when it comes to making big plays. Now that he’s no longer there, it’s hard to imagine what the offense will look like without him. I expect the Panthers secondary to make it difficult for Tua Tagavailova to connect with any of his other receivers. Give me the Panthers to run away and hide.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-1) @ Seattle Seahawks (3-1): Seahawks
In what could turn out to be a playoff preview, the Buccaneers travel to Seattle to face the Seahawks. The Bucs lost to the Eagles last Sunday to drop their record to 3-1 and have suffered all kinds of injuries on offense. The Seahawks are also 3-1 after a win against the Cardinals. I’m picking Seattle.
Tennessee Titans (0-4) @ Arizona Cardinals (2-2): Cardinals
The Cardinals face the Titans on Sunday afternoon in the desert. Tennessee is winless on the season after losing to the Houston Texans, 26-0, while the Cardinals lost to the Seahawks, 23-20. I’m picking the Cardinals this week to beat Tennessee.
Arizona should be able to take care of business against a rookie quarterback in Cam Ward. Tennessee hasn’t looked that good this year and it’s hard to believe they’ll find something in a tough road game.
Washington Commanders (2-2) @ Los Angeles Chargers (3-1): Chargers
The Washington Commanders and the Los Angeles Chargers are coming off losses last week. The Chargers were upset by the New York Giants. The Commanders lost to the Atlanta Falcons. Unfortunately for Washington, they’ll be without their best wide receiver Terry Mclaurin for a second straight week. He continues to recover from a quad injury. For this game, I’m picking the Chargers.
Not only am I picking the Chargers because of Mclaurin being out for this game, I expect their defense to make life difficult for quarterback Jayden Daniels, who is returning from a knee injury. Expect him to be rusty as he’s missed the last two games.
Detroit Lions (3-1) @ Cincinnati Bengals (2-2): Lions
The Detroit Lions won their third straight game last week with a 42-10 blowout victory over the Cleveland Browns. In what could’ve been an unbelievable matchup, it now is incredibly hampered by the loss of Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow.
Burrow suffered a toe injury in week one and the Bengals have been struggling ever since. Cincinnati got embarrassed last Monday night against the Denver Broncos, 28-3. Expect the struggles to continue, as I am picking the Detroit Lions to win this week.
Sunday Night Football- New England Patriots (2-2) @ Buffalo Bills (4-0): Bills
The Buffalo Bills face the New England Patriots in an AFC East showdown on Sunday night football. Buffalo continues to roll as they went to 4-0 after last week’s win over the Saints, 31-19. New England blew out the Panthers 42-13. I’ll keep this short and sweet: give me the Bills.
Quarterback Josh Allen is playing like an MVP after the first month of the season, throwing for 964 yards, seven touchdowns and one interception after four games. The Bills have won five out of the last seven matchups against New England. Make it six out of eight with another win on Sunday.
Monday Night Football- Kansas City Chiefs (2-2) @ Jacksonville Jaguars (3-1): Chiefs
The Chiefs are coming off a dominant 37-20 win last week against the Baltimore Ravens to even their season record at 2-2. The Jaguars are 3-1 after they upset the San Francisco 49ers on the road 26-21. For this week’s game, I’m picking the Chiefs.
Kansas City found their rhythm offensively last week, albeit against a bad Ravens defense, but they weren’t going to be held down for long. The Jaguars defense ranks fifth in scoring, only allowing 18 points per game. However, if there is a way to exploit them, it’s with the passing game. They give up 234 yards per game through the air, which is ranked in the bottom third of the league. Look for Patrick Mahomes to air it out this Monday night.
Teams on a bye week: Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Atlanta Falcons, Pittsburgh Steelers
Leave a Reply