There are several key match ups on the docket this weekend in the NFL including the marquee match up Sunday night in Green Bay between the Packers and the Giants. Tom Brady’s return will also dominate the headlines.
Here is our Week 5 preview and predictions.
New England Patriots (3-1) at Cleveland Browns (0-4): Brady is back and so is the Patriots mojo offensively. OC Josh McDaniels can once again run the offense through Brady so expect the Patriots to get back to their 70-30 pass to run philosophy. I expect Brady to have a big game in his return. The Patriots will roll past the lowly Browns.
Prediction: Patriots 35 Browns 17
Philadelphia Eagles (3-0) at Detroit Lions (1-3): I’m not quite ready to induct Carson Wentz into the Hall of Fame like some members of the media already have. That being said, he’s good and so are the Eagles.
The Lions just don’t have enough playmakers on either side of the ball to win a game like this. I like the Eagles by two scores.
Prediction: Eagles 28 Lions 17
Chicago Bears (1-3) at Indianapolis Colts (1-3): This is a must win game for the Colts. If they lose this game, they can kiss any chance they have of making the playoffs goodbye.
The Bears are better with Brian Hoyer and Jordan Howard in their backfield. Hoyer has given Chicago’s offense a spark. If Chicago plays well on defense, they can be tough to beat.
I think the Bears will play well in this game and beat the Colts. Indy’s season of misery continues. The Colts are toast.
Prediction: Bears 21 Colts 17
Tennessee Titans (1-3) at Miami Dolphins (1-3): Neither team is very good. One would think the Dolphins will play hard in this game for the people of Florida after the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew. It’s the Dolphins. It’s debatable if they’ll even show up in this game.
That’s why I’m picking Tennessee. The Titans can run the football with DeMarco Murray and they can pressure the quarterback. That’s good enough to win this game.
If I were a betting man, I would put my money on the Titans in this one as a road dog.
Prediction: Titans 24 Dolphins 17
Washington Redskins (2-2) at Baltimore Ravens (3-1): The Redskins have won two in a row after an 0-2 start. Improved offensive play has been the catalyst for their resurgence.
The Ravens fell from the ranks of the unbeatens last week after a 29-28 loss to their Raiders.
Baltimore is tough at home and always a safe pick at M&T Bank Stadium. I think they’ll win a close game today but if were gambling, I would totally take the Skins as a road dog in this one.
Prediction: Ravens 24 Redskins 21
Houston Texans (3-1) at Minnesota Vikings (4-0): The Purple People Eaters are playing championship caliber defense and are establishing a home field advantage at US Bank Stadium.
As potent as Houston’s offense could be, good defense always stops good offense.
The Vikings will once again make enough plays on offense to win this game. Minnesota improves to 5-0 with yet another impressive win over a quality opponent.
Prediction: Vikings 21 Texans 17
New York Jets (1-3) at Pittsburgh Steelers (3-1): The Jets are in trouble, big trouble! The offense has struggled thus far, especially quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick and the defense can’t get stop in key situations.
Playing the Steelers, in Pittsburgh won’t aliviate those issues. The Steelers have three fourth of the Killer B’s back, so the offense is humming again. Factor in a young defense that’s playing and picking the Steelers is an easy choice in this one.
Prediction: Steelers 35 Jets 24
Atlanta Falcons (3-1) at Denver Broncos (4-0): It looks like Dan Quinn has the Falcons back on track and it is the offense that is spearheading the revival.
Atlanta will challenge Denver defense today. The Broncos will match up Aqib Talib on Julio Jones but it might not be enough. After last week’s 300 yard performance against the Panthers, Jones might need to be double teamed.
Rookie Paxton Lynch is making his first NFL start for the Broncos. He played well in relief of Trevor Siemien last week.
I think this will be another lose game but it’s hard to pick against the Broncos at home. I think they’ll slow the Falcons offense down and make enough plays offensively to win this game.
Prediction: Broncos 28 Falcons 24
Cincinnati Bengals (2-2) at Dallas Cowboys (3-1): The Bengals have been plodding along thus far this season and desperately need a signature win.
I think they’ll get it today. The Cowboys have been a surprise at 3-1 but their three wins have come against the Redskins, Bears and 49ers. Not exactly powerhouses.
I like Cincy in this game.
Prediction: Bengals 27 Cowboys 24
Buffalo Bills (2-2) at Los Angeles Rams (3-1): The Bills will look to make it three in a row today in Los Angles. It won’t be easy going up against the Rams stout defense. L.A really puts a lot of pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
Offensively, the Rams have been better the last three weeks but they are far from being an offense that can win a game.
That’s why I like the Bills in this game. Tyrod Taylor and the offense will once again do enough offensively to win this game.
Prediction: Bills 20 Rams 17
San Diego Chargers (1-3) at Oakland Raiders (3-1): The Raiders have been awful defensively but I suspect they’ll play better today against the depleted Chargers. The Bolts are dropping like flies.
The Raiders have lived up to the pre-season hype offensively and they should put up some points once again this week against a Chargers defense that gives up big plays like it’s their job.
Raiders roll by two scores.
New York Giants (2-2) at Green Bay Packers (2-1): The Giants will play much better tonight. They have played traditionally in Green Bay and I would suspect they will tonight.
For Green Bay, they are coming off of a bye. I expect some rust but the Packers will be ready to play.
I think this will be a high scoring affair. Both secondaries are banged up so look for Eli Manning and Aaron Rodgers to have a good night at the office.
I’m going Packers by three.
Prediction: Packers 34 Giants 31
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-3) at Carolina Panthers (1-3): No Cam, no chance. The Panthers just aren’t the same team offensively without Newton. The offense runs through him. I think they’ll struggle in this game.
The Bucs need a win. They’ve lost three in a row and they look like a young team right now.
I’m taking the Bucs in this game. I think Jameis Winston will play well and the Bucs defense will keep Derek Anderson and Carolina’s passing game in check.
Prediction: Bucs 24 Panthers 17