NFL Week 5 Picks/Previews

Chargers (-2.5) at Ravens: The Chargers crushed arguably the worst two teams in football, but the Ravens didn’t exactly beat the cream of the crop either. If the Baltimore defense can stop LaDainian Tomlinson, the game will fall in the hands of Phillip Rivers. Take the Ravens at home.
Week 5 Prediction: Ravens 17 Chargers 13

Vikings at Bills (-1): Buffalo has done nothing to warrant being a favorite against a playoff contender. The win over the Dolphins gave the Bills false hope. Meanwhile, the Vikings gave the Bears all they could handle and have kept opposing teams’ scoring in the teens in every game.
Week 5 Prediction: Vikings 20 Bills 10

Cowboys (-9.5) at Titans: The latest chapter in the Terrell Owens saga can’t do anything positive for the Cowboys’ demeanor going into this game. Luckily for Dallas, Tennessee is just awful and can’t seem to do anything right. Week 5 Prediction: Cowboys 26 Titans 14

49ers at Chiefs (-7): The 49ers seem to be able to put points on the board, while the Chiefs will be without Trent Green for the second straight game. While Larry Johnson could run for his season-high in this one, a touchdown is still too many points to lay.
Week 5 Prediction: Chiefs 23 49ers 20

Saints at Panthers (-7.5): The Saints can’t get any respect. After improving to 3-0 by beating a team that many considered to be a Super Bowl contender in the Atlanta Falcons, New Orleans is still more than a seven-point dog at a 1-2 Carolina team that squeaked by the Bucs. Take the points.
Week 5 Prediction: Saints 23 Panthers 17

Cardinals at Falcons (-7): The Cardinals can’t stop the run, but the Falcons can’t pass the ball. This will play out just like Monday night. If the Cardinals can get ahead, they will stay up. However, if the Falcons can run to an early lead, they should be OK. The ‘Zona offense should be able to keep the
Cards in the game. Week 5 Prediction: Falcons 24 Cardinals 21

Dolphins (-3.5) at Texans: Besides the fact that the Texans are horrible, nothing warrants Miami being favored. Stay away, but if you must, take the Dolphins. Score???
Week 5 Prediction: Dolphins 4 Texans 0

Lions at Rams (-5.5): The Rams have been up-and-down to start the season. With two outright wins as dogs, St. Louis needs to be able to play well at home to prove that it is a postseason contender.
Week 5 Prediction: Rams 27 Lions 21

Patriots at Bengals (-6): Cincy didn’t look all that impressive in its win over the Steelers. The Patriots haven’t clicked yet, but Tom Brady is bound to
find a groove at any moment. Look for an upset.
Prediction: Patriots 31 Bengals 28

Jaguars (-2.5) at Redskins: Washington hasn’t been able to move the ball on anybody with a semblance of a defense. Too bad the Jacksonville D is stacked. This will be a game with a tight score, but it won’t be as close as the score would lead you to believe. Week 5 Prediction: Jaguars 13 Redskins 6

Browns (-1.5) at Raiders: This week’s toilet bowl! As boring and blah as the Browns look, there is no way anybody can put their hard-earned money on the Raiders. They are getting points at home from the Browns, that tells you something.
Week 5 Prediction: Browns 17 Raiders 10

Seahawks at Bears (-3.5): No Shaun Alexander for Seattle, but that might not matter against the Bears. The Seahawks weren’t going to be able to run the ball anyway. Matt Hasselbeck will try to spread the ball out to his allotment of wideouts, but he won’t be successful.
Week 5 Prediction: Bears 19 Seahawks 13

Packers at Eagles (-11): This line just seems too high for a team that continues to get dominated in the second half. Expect the Eagles to jump out to an early lead, only to let the Packers back within breathing distance and making for a garbage-time touchdown to be the difference in covering.
Week 5 Prediction: Eagles 31 Packers 24

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