And, we are into October.  As the leaves change and the weather cools, the NFL season is only warming up.  Can the Packers, Steelers, and Texans stay undefeated?  Will either of the top two draft picks get their first win of the year?  The Cowboys, Lions, Raiders, and Bucs all take the week off to contemplate their up-and-down starts to the season.

Thursday Night

Arizona (2-2) at ST. LOUIS (2-2) – Vegas: Rams -2.5
Again, the short weeks onlly add to the homefield advantage.  I am not sure who I would like on a neutral field, but on a short week, at home, I would need a good reason not to take the Rams, and I can’t find one.  Rams (close)

Sunday, Early Afternoon

Miami (2-2) at CINCINNATI (3-1) – Vegas: Bengals -2.5
Miami is coming back from a West Coast trip, and now they are on the road again.  Gimme the Bengals and the points in this one.  Bengals (moderate)

Green Bay (4-0) at INDIANAPOLIS (0-3) – Vegas: Packers -9.5
The Colts are coming off the bye, but aren’t good enough to beat the Packers.  Packers (moderate)

Baltimore (2-2) at KANSAS CITY (2-2) – Vegas: Ravens -3
The Ravens have 10 days to prepare for this one – and they will need it.  This Chiefs team is an up-and-coming team who is very tough at home.  But, coming off a big game against the Chargers might be a bit of a letdown, and that extra rest is very much needed for a Ravens team with a tough opening schedule.  Ravens (close)

Tennessee (1-3) at MINNESOTA (2-2) – Vegas: Pick ’em
I think that the better team wins this game, regardless of location.  Titans (close)

Atlanta (2-2) at Washington (0-4) – Vegas: Falcons -2.5
Still waiting on which of the first two draft picks gets their first W.  And, the wait should last yet another week, as the Redskins just don’t match up – talentwise – with this Falcons team.  Falcons (moderate)

Cleveland (0-4) at N.Y.GIANTS (3-1) – Vegas: Giants -8.5
The upset potential is there in this game.  The Browns have 10 days to prepare, while the Giants are coming off of an emotional Sunday Night game with the Eagles.  But, if there is any team professional enough to just take care of business in a potential “trap” game, it’s these Giants.  Oh, and the Browns just aren’t very good.  Giants (moderate)

Philadelphia (3-1) at PITTSBURGH (3-0) – Vegas: Steelers -2
This is a brutal spot for the Birds.  Coming off that Sunday Night game with the Giants and having to travel across the state to play a Steelers team coming off of a bye?  Brutal.  Steelers (moderate)

Sunday, Late Afternoon

Seattle (1-3) at CAROLINA (1-3) – Vegas: Panthers -3.5
Fortunately for the ‘Hawks, the schedule-makers did give them the late game here in Carolina, but it’s still a long trip against just one week after a trip to St. Louis.  Panthers (moderate)

Chicago (2-2) at JACKSONVILLE (1-3) – Vegas: Bears -3
This has the potential to be a real trap game for the Bears.  On a short week after playing the Monday Night game and looking ahead to the bye week, I think they might lay an egg here in Jacksonville.  Jaguars (close)

Denver (1-3) at NEW ENGLAND (3-1) – Vegas: Patriots -7.5
This schedule just refuses to relent on Peyton Manning, as a trip to Foxborough is not exactly what they were looking for after their first win of the year.  Patriots (moderate)

Buffalo (3-1) at SAN FRANCISCO (2-2) – Vegas: 49ers -7.5
A letdown after the big game against New England along with a long trip out west will probably result in a long trip back for the Bills.  49ers (moderate)

Sunday Night

San Diego (3-1) at NEW ORLEANS (3-1) – Vegas: Saints -5.5
In what looks to be a phenomenally entertaining game, it’s hard to find reasons to pick the road team here in prime time.  Saints (moderate)

Monday Night

Houston (4-0) at N.Y.JETS (1-3) – Vegas: Texans -1
The bright lights of New Yo…Jersey on a Monday Night.  The J-E-T-S, Jets, Jets, Jets trying to get back to relevancy.  The Texans having won their first four, may also be looking ahead next week to a showdown with the Packers.  This smells like one of those 13-9 upsets.  Jets (close)

Standings After Week Five

NFC EAST:
The Giants pick up another game on the Eagles, while the ‘Skins stay winless with Bob Griffin
4-1 Giants
3-2 Eagles
2-2 Cowboys
0-5 Redskins

NFC NORTH:
Detroit is the only team that doesn’t drop a full game to the Pack because they were the only team that didn’t play
5-0 Packers
2-2 Lions
2-3 Bears
2-3 Vikings

NFC SOUTH:
A 3-0 week for a very good NFC South, so the Bucs drop a half-game to everyone just by not playing
4-1 Saints
3-2 Falcons
2-2 Bucs
2-3 Panthers

NFC WEST:
A big Thursday Night win for the Rams over Seattle keep them in a tie for first with the Niners
3-2 49ers
3-2 Rams
2-3 Cardinals
1-4 Seahawks

AFC EAST:
Just a week after beating the Pats to take the division lead, the Bills piss it right back with a loss in San Fran
4-1 Patriots
3-2 Bills
2-3 Dolphins
2-3 Jets

AFC NORTH:
The Big Three in this brutal division all get big wins
4-0 Steelers
4-1 Bengals
3-2 Ravens
1-4 Browns

AFC SOUTH:
The Texans actually drop a game to both Jax and Tennessee
4-1 Texans
2-3 Jaguars
2-3 Titans
0-4 Colts

AFC WEST:
No one can capitalize on the Chargers loss, as the division goes 0-3 with the Raiders on a bye
3-2 Chargers
2-3 Chiefs
1-4 Broncos
0-4 Raiders