| Matchup | Adam's Pick | Eric's Pick |
|---|---|---|
Panthers at Falcons | Falcons | Falcons |
Colts at Bengals | Bengals | Bengals |
49ers at Lions | Lions | Lions |
Rams at Packers | Packers | Packers |
Bills at Giants | Bills | Bills |
Jaguars at Steelers | Steelers | Steelers |
Eagles at Redskins | Redskins | Eagles |
Texans at Ravens | Ravens | Ravens |
Browns at Raiders | Raiders | Raiders |
Cowboys at Patriots | Cowboys | Patriots |
Saints at Buccaneers | Buccaneers | Saints |
Vikings at Bears | Vikings | Vikings |
Dolphins at Jets | Jets | Jets |
Adam | Eric | |
Week 5 Record | 9-4 | 9-4 |
Season Standings | 53-24 | 51-26 |
Bye Weeks: Broncos, Cardinals, Chargers, Chiefs, Seahawks, Titans
To see how the "Experts" stack up: http://espn.go.com/nfl/picks
To see how the "Experts" stack up: http://espn.go.com/nfl/picks
The predictions here come from Adam and correspond to his picks.
Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons
I keep picking the Panthers, and while they are close in every game, they keep letting me down. So I'm going the other way this week, which almost ensures that the Panthers will finally win. At home, the Falcons are just a more solid all-around team than Carolina and are better than their 2-3 record would indicate. To me this is a Falcons squad that can finish with 9-10 wins if they can get their offensive line on track and Matt Ryan plays up to his potential. I look for the Atlanta running game to get going in this game and for Ryan to be efficient as the Falcons grind their way to a relatively comfortable win.
I keep picking the Panthers, and while they are close in every game, they keep letting me down. So I'm going the other way this week, which almost ensures that the Panthers will finally win. At home, the Falcons are just a more solid all-around team than Carolina and are better than their 2-3 record would indicate. To me this is a Falcons squad that can finish with 9-10 wins if they can get their offensive line on track and Matt Ryan plays up to his potential. I look for the Atlanta running game to get going in this game and for Ryan to be efficient as the Falcons grind their way to a relatively comfortable win.
Prediction: Falcons 24 – Panthers 16
Indianapolis Colts at Cincinnati Bengals
A legitimate shot for the Bengals to reach the 4-2 mark. Most prognosticators projected the Bengals to win about 4 games on the entire season, so to reach four wins just in potentially six weeks has to be something Cincy is salivating over. The Bengals have a fast and bruising defense, one that will punish the Peyton Manning-less Colts. Meanwhile, Andy Dalton has settled into a game manager role pretty adeptly, high praise for a rookie. AJ Green has been excellent thus far as well, and I like the Bengals’ physicality at home to overwhelm the Colts, who have to feel all is lost at this point.
Indianapolis Colts at Cincinnati Bengals
A legitimate shot for the Bengals to reach the 4-2 mark. Most prognosticators projected the Bengals to win about 4 games on the entire season, so to reach four wins just in potentially six weeks has to be something Cincy is salivating over. The Bengals have a fast and bruising defense, one that will punish the Peyton Manning-less Colts. Meanwhile, Andy Dalton has settled into a game manager role pretty adeptly, high praise for a rookie. AJ Green has been excellent thus far as well, and I like the Bengals’ physicality at home to overwhelm the Colts, who have to feel all is lost at this point.
Prediction: Bengals 23 – Colts 14
San Francisco 49ers at Detroit Lions
As much as I want to pick my boys, especially after an impressive win over a solid Buccaneers team, I just don't like this matchup for them. The only thing that gives me hope is that Detroit is about due for a loss, but the personnel is an absolute mismatch. With Braylon Edwards out for at least another week and Joshua Morgan gone for the year, the 49ers are down to three healthy wide receivers. On top of that, while the San Francisco offensive line is coming off their best game of the year, they still are a work in progress. That's not good with Ndamukong Suh and the boys ready to roll. Finally, there is the Calvin Johnson problem. Fortunately for San Fran, they should be able to pressure Matthew Stafford and are great at stuffing the run, but their secondary is merely adequate. Plus, let's face it; there isn't a player in the league who can defend Megatron. I think the pressure on Alex Smith from the Lions’ front four and the physical dominance of Calvin Johnson will be the difference between these two good teams. The Niners will keep things close but won't be able to keep pace.
San Francisco 49ers at Detroit Lions
As much as I want to pick my boys, especially after an impressive win over a solid Buccaneers team, I just don't like this matchup for them. The only thing that gives me hope is that Detroit is about due for a loss, but the personnel is an absolute mismatch. With Braylon Edwards out for at least another week and Joshua Morgan gone for the year, the 49ers are down to three healthy wide receivers. On top of that, while the San Francisco offensive line is coming off their best game of the year, they still are a work in progress. That's not good with Ndamukong Suh and the boys ready to roll. Finally, there is the Calvin Johnson problem. Fortunately for San Fran, they should be able to pressure Matthew Stafford and are great at stuffing the run, but their secondary is merely adequate. Plus, let's face it; there isn't a player in the league who can defend Megatron. I think the pressure on Alex Smith from the Lions’ front four and the physical dominance of Calvin Johnson will be the difference between these two good teams. The Niners will keep things close but won't be able to keep pace.
Prediction: Lions 27 – 49ers 17
St. Louis Rams at Green Bay Packers
When the schedule came out this game looked to have the makings of a shootout. Now it just looks like a blowout. Aaron Rodgers should absolutely shred the Rams despite not having his mainstay at left tackle, Chad Clifton. It looks as though second-year tackle Brian Bulaga will play, and Marshall Newhouse or Derek Sherrod will fill in/add depth at the other tackle spot. Either way, Rodgers reads defenses so well, is so mobile, and has such a quick release that he can compensate for less time in the pocket. Meanwhile, the Rams offense has been atrocious, and Sam Bradford appears to have regressed in his second season, completing fewer than 50% of his throws. I'm predicting a bust out game for Clay Matthews, at least two sacks, and for the Packers to win the turnover battle and the game by a healthy margin. Side note: the poor Rams go to Dallas and then host the Saints after this Packer showdown. 0-7 is not only possible, it's probable.
St. Louis Rams at Green Bay Packers
When the schedule came out this game looked to have the makings of a shootout. Now it just looks like a blowout. Aaron Rodgers should absolutely shred the Rams despite not having his mainstay at left tackle, Chad Clifton. It looks as though second-year tackle Brian Bulaga will play, and Marshall Newhouse or Derek Sherrod will fill in/add depth at the other tackle spot. Either way, Rodgers reads defenses so well, is so mobile, and has such a quick release that he can compensate for less time in the pocket. Meanwhile, the Rams offense has been atrocious, and Sam Bradford appears to have regressed in his second season, completing fewer than 50% of his throws. I'm predicting a bust out game for Clay Matthews, at least two sacks, and for the Packers to win the turnover battle and the game by a healthy margin. Side note: the poor Rams go to Dallas and then host the Saints after this Packer showdown. 0-7 is not only possible, it's probable.
Prediction: Packers 33 – Rams 14
Buffalo Bills at New York Giants
I would hope the Giants are a little peeved about losing to Seattle at home, but maybe that's a sign of things to come more than it is an aberration. The Bills are a really solid football team, and if the Giants sleepwalk in this game, as they are sometimes prone to do, they'll get beat. I haven't given the Bills their due respect this year, but I think this is a tight-knit group that is playing really well on offense and doing just enough on defense, so I'll circle the wagons and pick the Bills in a close one.
Buffalo Bills at New York Giants
I would hope the Giants are a little peeved about losing to Seattle at home, but maybe that's a sign of things to come more than it is an aberration. The Bills are a really solid football team, and if the Giants sleepwalk in this game, as they are sometimes prone to do, they'll get beat. I haven't given the Bills their due respect this year, but I think this is a tight-knit group that is playing really well on offense and doing just enough on defense, so I'll circle the wagons and pick the Bills in a close one.
Prediction: Bills 27 – Giants 23
Jacksonville Jaguars at Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers had by far their best game of the year last week pounding the Titans, but I don't sense a great amount of consistency with this Pittsburgh team. I think they'll find a way to navigate a victory in this matchup against a bad Jags team, but they'll make it ugly.
Jacksonville Jaguars at Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers had by far their best game of the year last week pounding the Titans, but I don't sense a great amount of consistency with this Pittsburgh team. I think they'll find a way to navigate a victory in this matchup against a bad Jags team, but they'll make it ugly.
Prediction: Steelers 19 – Jaguars 10
Philadelphia Eagles at Washington Redskins
This is an abandon ship game for the Eagles. If they lose here, the "Dream Team" sits at 1-5 with virtually no hope of making the playoffs. I think more than motivation I sense dissension in the Eagle ranks. The Redskins are playing at home, smell blood in the NFC East water, and have a dynamic pair of pass rushers in Brian Orakpo and Ryan Kerrigan that might knock Mike Vick out early. I'll go with the Redskins, especially coming off a bye week rested and prepared.
Philadelphia Eagles at Washington Redskins
This is an abandon ship game for the Eagles. If they lose here, the "Dream Team" sits at 1-5 with virtually no hope of making the playoffs. I think more than motivation I sense dissension in the Eagle ranks. The Redskins are playing at home, smell blood in the NFC East water, and have a dynamic pair of pass rushers in Brian Orakpo and Ryan Kerrigan that might knock Mike Vick out early. I'll go with the Redskins, especially coming off a bye week rested and prepared.
Prediction: Redskins 23 – Eagles 13
Cleveland Browns at Oakland Raiders
Pretty simple here: two ground-it-out teams that like to control the clock, pass when they have to, and shorten the game. I just think the Raiders are better at implementing that strategy than Cleveland is, and I like Oakland's personnel better, especially playing at home.
Cleveland Browns at Oakland Raiders
Pretty simple here: two ground-it-out teams that like to control the clock, pass when they have to, and shorten the game. I just think the Raiders are better at implementing that strategy than Cleveland is, and I like Oakland's personnel better, especially playing at home.
Prediction: Raiders 24 – Browns 10
Houston Texans at Baltimore Ravens
Mario Williams is gone for the year, Andre Johnson won't play, and Arian Foster is still gimpy. That is not good when you have to go into Baltimore and face the powerful Ravens, who should be fresh after their bye.
Houston Texans at Baltimore Ravens
Mario Williams is gone for the year, Andre Johnson won't play, and Arian Foster is still gimpy. That is not good when you have to go into Baltimore and face the powerful Ravens, who should be fresh after their bye.
Prediction: Ravens 27 – Texans 14
Dallas Cowboys at New England Patriots
I think this game will be closer than most believe. Miles Austin and Dez Bryant both practiced this week, and though the Cowboys have had offensive line issues, the Patriots have no pass rush, so Tony Romo should have time to locate Bryant, Austin, Jason Witten, and others. Conversely, DeMarcus Ware is a one man pass rushing machine that should give Tom Brady some issues. The NFC East is up for grabs and this would be a statement win for a Dallas team that, when healthy, can play with the big boys. Give me Dallas on the road to surprise the Pats in a shootout.
Dallas Cowboys at New England Patriots
I think this game will be closer than most believe. Miles Austin and Dez Bryant both practiced this week, and though the Cowboys have had offensive line issues, the Patriots have no pass rush, so Tony Romo should have time to locate Bryant, Austin, Jason Witten, and others. Conversely, DeMarcus Ware is a one man pass rushing machine that should give Tom Brady some issues. The NFC East is up for grabs and this would be a statement win for a Dallas team that, when healthy, can play with the big boys. Give me Dallas on the road to surprise the Pats in a shootout.
Prediction: Cowboys 37 – Patriots 31
New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
I’m really not sure what to do with this game. The Bucs certainly are not as bad as the team we saw last week in San Fran, and NFC South games are under league mandate to be close. I like Raheem Morris, and I like the Bucs to bounce back on the ground. I also look for Josh Freeman to start playing more like he did last year, protecting the ball, making plays vertically down the field, and putting up points.
New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
I’m really not sure what to do with this game. The Bucs certainly are not as bad as the team we saw last week in San Fran, and NFC South games are under league mandate to be close. I like Raheem Morris, and I like the Bucs to bounce back on the ground. I also look for Josh Freeman to start playing more like he did last year, protecting the ball, making plays vertically down the field, and putting up points.
Prediction: Buccaneers 28 – Saints 27
Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears
This is the battle for the cellar in the NFC North. The Bears’ offensive line is so bad that I think I have to give the nod to Minnesota. I look for Donovan McNabb to be competent in the short passing game, to protect the ball and ride the Adrian Peterson express. I also look for Jay Cutler to get knocked around all night by Jared Allen and Kevin Williams.
Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears
This is the battle for the cellar in the NFC North. The Bears’ offensive line is so bad that I think I have to give the nod to Minnesota. I look for Donovan McNabb to be competent in the short passing game, to protect the ball and ride the Adrian Peterson express. I also look for Jay Cutler to get knocked around all night by Jared Allen and Kevin Williams.
Prediction: Vikings 17 – Bears 13
Miami Dolphins at New York Jets
This might be a trap game for the Jets if they were sitting at 4-1, but New York needs every win they can get with the Bills and Pats riding high right now. With the ineffective running game, I look for New York to start relying more on Mark Sanchez to carry the offense. I also just don't think Matt Moore can lead a bad Dolphins team to enough points against a solid Jets defense.
Miami Dolphins at New York Jets
This might be a trap game for the Jets if they were sitting at 4-1, but New York needs every win they can get with the Bills and Pats riding high right now. With the ineffective running game, I look for New York to start relying more on Mark Sanchez to carry the offense. I also just don't think Matt Moore can lead a bad Dolphins team to enough points against a solid Jets defense.
Prediction: Jets 17 – Dolphins 6
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