I closed out the first quarter of the season by slightly raising my year-to-date record to 42-20-1 (.674). Here’s what I see on tap for Week 5.
We now go into the clubhouse turn of the season, the second quarter, with 15 more games on the card. Detroit and Miami have the week off. In the Dolphins’ case, maybe they should take five.
NOTE: All games will be played on Sunday afternoon unless otherwise noted.
Seattle 30, Los Angeles Rams 27 (Thursday night): It would be easy to pick the Rams in this spot. They are coming off an inexplicable home loss to Tampa Bay, of all teams, and need a win badly. But Seattle has one of the NFL’s best home-field advantages, and it also has its share of backers when it comes to preseason division-winner picks. In what should be a good one, I say Seattle.
Chicago 26, Oakland 9 (at London): Here we have the perfect game for the London audience: two teams with large followings and rich histories. I don’t feel the NFL is making much of a dent in the international market, nor should it even try. But this could be an entertaining slugfest, nonetheless. The Bears’ defense wins the day.
Pittsburgh 27, Baltimore 23: It’s one of the toughest games of the week to pick, and it’s not just because these two are fierce division rivals. The Ravens’ trademark defense is far from what it has been in the past, while the Steelers only got their first win last night against the hapless Bengals. Pittsburgh, at home, has shown a bit more resilience than the Ravens. I give the Steelers a slight edge in this one.
Arizona 23, Cincinnati 10: Truly this weekend’s “Game Of The Weak,” both teams will get top-five draft positions. Usually, I wouldn’t pick a West Coast team traveling east for a 1 p.m. (ET) game…but I will. Cardinals’ quarterback Kyler Murray showed me enough against the Ravens to prove that he can do an even better job in the Queen City.
New England 45, Washington 13: FedEx Field, the Redskins’ home facility in Landover, has been criticized–and rightly so. But one reason is only now surfacing–the stink. Was the stadium built on a toxic waste dump? I ask because it’s clear that a powerful odor has risen to the surface and won’t go away. With the Patriots in town, I recommend that fans file for the exits early. Better yet, don’t show up.
Philadelphia 31, New York Jets 6: In this all-green battle, the Jets’ only real advantage is that they are coming off their bye week. The problem is that they go on the road to face the Eagles–a team that finally woke up from early-season slumber to get a big road win at Green Bay. That game was played on a Thursday night, so the Eagles get some extra rest. That’s terrible news, Jets.
New York Giants 23, Minnesota 20: In the 2000 NFC Championship Game, the host Giants blew the Vikings off the field. I don’t see that happening again, even though hot and young Daniel Jones is playing well for New York. Perhaps the Vikings’ big worry isn’t NYG or any other team, for that matter. It’s that they still have Kirk Cousins at quarterback.
Carolina 26, Jacksonville 17: Carolina is resurrected! Kyle Allen has seen to that. The Panthers got a good road win at Houston and now return home against the Jaguars–a team that is reinventing the concept of in-house drama with the Jalen Ramsey matter.
Houston 27, Atlanta 16: The Texans came up flat at home against Carolina. Still, though, I believe they are talented and mature enough to learn from mistakes, make adjustments, and use home-field advantage to dispatch the Falcons–a team that couldn’t muster a home win over the Titans last week.
New Orleans 40, Tampa Bay 34: Last year, the Bucs sprung a huge road Week One upset at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. This year’s team is coming off an eyebrow-raising road win against the Rams. But the Saints, even without Drew Brees, won’t be caught napping. They’ll bring Tampa Bay back to earth.
Buffalo 23, Tennessee 10: It’s hard to believe that “The Music City Miracle” happened two decades ago. This time the game won’t be decided at the last minute because it won’t be close. The Bills have a defense that gave New England all kinds of fits. Titans, beware!
Dallas 33, Green Bay 23: Even with all the great playoff games between these two old foes, I still feel this is an underrated rivalry. Something is in the air when they meet. This time the air has a whiff of if’s. The defensive ‘if’ is Green Bay’s. It’s ‘D’–strong in the opening weeks–got gashed by Philadelphia’s run game. Dallas has an offensive if. It’s ‘O’ didn’t look sharp against the Saints. Which side will prevail? I pick Ezekiel Elliott and Co. to get back to form.
Los Angeles Chargers 27, Denver 16: If Melvin Gordon makes his 2019 debut this week at home, LAC wins easily. But even if he doesn’t, the Chargers are going up against a winless Denver team that might be nearing a quarterback crossroads. To make matters worse, what will the Broncos’ pass rush do without Bradley Chubb?
Kansas City 33, Indianapolis 20 (Sunday night): In this playoff rematch at Arrowhead Stadium, the visiting Colts will play KC after getting embarrassed by Oakland at home. That debacle takes away a lot of the luster from this nationally televised game. But, to be real, the Chiefs were going to win anyway.
San Francisco 30, Cleveland 23 (Monday night): Yes, fans, we get to watch another national TV game featuring the Browns. The Browns had everything come together for them in Baltimore, but the undefeated 49ers are coming off its bye week. I say San Fran will remain unblemished.
