Bry’s Week-by-Week NFL Preview: Week Five

A couple big upset took place in Week Four, so Week Five features a couple teams reeling and trying to right the ship.  There are only two undefeated teams left (Minnesota and Pittsburgh), but there are five winless teams (Cincinnati, Detroit, New York Jets, St. Louis, and Tampa Bay).  (Winners in CAPS.)

On Bye:
Chicago (1-3)
Green Bay (3-1)
New Orleans (2-2)
San Diego (2-2)

Sunday, October 11:
1:00 – Cincinnati (0-4) at BALTIMORE (3-1)
The Bengals stay winless, as they will not go into Baltimore and win.  The Ravens may come out flat, coming off a big win in Foxborough and a week prior to a trip to Minnesota, but they should be able to win this game flat or not.

1:00 – Tampa Bay (0-4) at PHILADELPHIA (2-1)
The Bucs stay winless also, as they will certainly not go into Philly and win after an Eagles bye.  Andy Reid teams just do not lose games after a bye, and this one just happens to be at home against a bad team.  Easy win for the Birds.

1:00 – Cleveland (1-3) at BUFFALO (2-2) *
I think the Browns have a shot at this game, but with Buffalo probably still smarting from a loss in Miami, they should show up to play at home.  This could go either way, but I like the Bills to get the win.

1:00 – PITTSBURGH (4-0) at Detroit (0-4)
Seriously?  Steelers cruise to 5-0 as the Lions cruise to 0-5.

1:00 – Washington (3-1) at CAROLINA (2-1)
The ‘Skins are coming off of a nice road win and the Panthers have had two weeks to prepare.  At home, they should be able to handle Washington pretty easily with an extra week of preparation.

1:00 – DALLAS (3-1) at Kansas City (2-2) *
Last week, Dallas was stunned in Denver and KC stunned the Giants in Arrowhead.  Because of both of these factors and the fact that the Cowboys do not want to go into their bye week with a two-game losing streak, I think Dallas can pull this one out.  Though, with Wade Phillips, you never know if “motivation” will really play a factor, so this one is a tough one to call, but I’m still taking the better team with the other factors on their side.

1:00 – Oakland (2-2) at NEW YORK GIANTS (2-2)
Giants are coming off a bad loss in KC, and they get a West Coast team at 1:00.  This one could get ugly as the Raiders one defensive weakness is a punishing running game.  Giants fans, to be too upset that I picked you to lose to KC because if they win the KC game, they might drop this one, as they look ahead to a date with New Orleans in Week Six.  Either way, I think the KC loss sparks this team to a big win over Oakland this week.

1:00 – Minnesota (4-0) at ST. LOUIS (0-4)
This game just reeks of letdown, as the Steelers are the last remaining unbeaten.  The Rams still have some dangerous offensive weapons, and Steve Spagnuolo is going to bring an attacking style to the defense, albeit to less-talented personnel.  This attack style defense in the face of a mistake-prone QB on a short week of preparation, coming off one of the more emotional games in his entire career, and we may be looking at 4 interceptions.  I think the Rams pull off the upset here and leave the realm of the winless.

4:05 – ATLANTA (1-2) at San Francisco (3-1) *
This one really could go either way.  I do like the Niners this year, and I do think this is a game that they can win.  However, the Falcons can flat-out run the ball, and I really think Matt Ryan is the real deal.  And, Atlanta is coming off a bye, while the Niners are coming off a nice divisional win.  This is a tough one, but I think the Falcons will pull it out on the Left Coast and even their record at 2-2.

4:15 – Houston (3-1) at ARIZONA (1-2)
Arizona, after an 0-2 start, got a nice “sigh-of-relief” primetime win over Indy and then a bye week before hosting the Texans this week.  The Texans, on the other hand, are coming off of back-to-back home wins over physical teams.  Now, they have to go on the road against a fast, finesse team with 2 week prep time.  I like the Cardinals to get back into the NFC West race with this one.

4:15 – NEW ENGLAND (3-1) at Denver (3-1)
In a surprisingly big AFC game, the Pats should go into Denver and take care of business.  If they hadn’t been surprised at home by Baltimore last week or Denver hadn’t knocked off the Cowboys, maybe this game would be a little harder to predict, but with the Pats coming off a home loss, they should regroup and beat the Broncos no matter where the game is played.

4:15 – Jacksonville (2-2) at SEATTLE (2-2) *
This is a tough one to call, I think, because I am anywhere near sold on the Seahawks, like some people.  And, I think that the Jags are better than a lot of people give them credit for.  However, Seattle is tough at home and Jax is really up and down.  They seem to really need something to fire them up to play well (yet another sign of a lack of coaching ability of Jack Del Rio), so I have to go with the ‘Hawks in this one.

8:20 – Indianapolis (3-1) at TENNESSEE (2-2) *
This one is one of the toughest games to call on the entire 17-week schedule.  It is a Sunday night game between two very good teams.  The Colts are coming off a decent home win over Seattle, while the Titans lost last week in Jax.  The Colts are heading into the bye, whereas the Titans have to travel to Foxborough next week.  In the end, it all came down to putting faith in a great head coach and a mediocre, but experienced quarterback over a great quarterback over a promising, but inexperienced head coach.  But, honestly, this one was tough.

Monday, October 12:
8:30 – New York Jets (0-4) at MIAMI (1-3)
A pretty ugly Monday night game, if you ask me, but I do see the Dolphins getting a second straight win and getting back into the early playoff picture.  Again, I think the Jets are B-A-D, bad, bad, bad.

To go to Week Six, click here

STANDINGS AFTER WEEK 5:
NFC EAST:
4-1   Dallas
3-1   Philadelphia
3-2   New York Giants
3-2   Washington

NFC NORTH:
4-1   Minnesota
3-1   Green Bay
1-3   Chicago
0-5   Detroit

NFC SOUTH:
3-1   Carolina
2-2   Atlanta
2-2   New Orleans
0-5   Tampa Bay

NFC WEST:
3-2   San Francisco
3-2   Seattle
2-2   Arizona
1-4   St. Louis

AFC EAST:
4-1   New England
3-2   Buffalo
2-3   Miami
0-5   N.Y. Jets

AFC NORTH:
5-0   Pittsburgh
4-1   Baltimore
1-4   Cleveland
0-5   Cincinnati

AFC SOUTH:
3-2   Houston
3-2   Indianapolis
3-2   Tennessee
2-3   Jacksonville

AFC WEST:
3-2   Denver
2-2   San Diego
2-3   Kansas City
2-3   Oakland