Week 5 NFL Predix

By Jacob Sanders

Say hello to Week 5 where we officially enter the second quarter of the season. After four weeks, things are starting to shape up but I am going to let y’all know that you should proceed with cautions on the assumptions you have about teams. It’s usually not till November that these teams have fully figured themselves out. So, around Week 10 is probably when your assumptions of a team are more accurate than they currently are. In any case, here I am, being hypocritical of my own advice, and judging teams after 4 weeks of performance without any caution. Why would I not follow my own advice? Well 1. No one said I was smart and 2. I kinda have to judge teams if I want to make picks, no? Speaking of picks….

Sanders went 6-9 last week putting him to 39-24-1 on the season. He also picked Seattle to win 27-24 on Thursday (it ended 30-29 in Seattle’s favor) and is 1-0 for Week 5 so far.

JAX Jaguars vs CAR Panthers

This game will probably be way better than I am imagining. I definitely thought Kyle Allen’s performance in Arizona was a fluke but then he did well against Houston so here I sit eating some crow. Speaking of eating crow, I am doing the same thing for Minschew. For whatever reason, I had every reason to think all of these backup QBs would disappoint their teams, but here they are doing good so far. Now you get a matchup between two backups who have both lead their teams to two wins so far. Sounds like a fun matchup to me. Although, Christian McCaffrey gives the Panthers the slight edge here. He’s just more dynamic than what JAX has on their side of the ball offensively.

Jaguars 17 Panthers 20

ARI Cardinals vs CIN Bengals

I am so ready to be burned here. Two winless teams are playing, but one offense has certainly looked alive while another has not. I am picking the Cardinals here, and I’m so ready to be wrong. You see, I’ve got some misplaced faith that the Cardinals defense might show up and not get burned by Cincinatti’s tight ends. Wish me luck…….okay but on a serious note, the Cardinals offense has been decent while the Bengals offense has been crumby. Also, the Bengals defense is just as bad as the Cardinals. Cardinals take their first W of the season.

Cardinals 28 Bengals 27

ATL Falcons vs HOU Texans

Can you believe that the Falcons are 1-3 right now? What. The. ****. That’s really my only response to the Falcons. The offense has been alright but even though the defensive starters got healthy, they look horrible. Dan Quinn’s gotta figure something out before he gets fired. Meanwhile, the Texans offense had a poor outing last week against Carolina. While a little surprising, everyone has their bad days. I anticipate the Texans to bounceback and take advantage of a poor defense at home.

Falcons 19 Texans 23

TB Buccaneers vs NO Saints

The Bucs offense and defense showed some life last week against the Rams. A surprising upset and one that probably caught the attention of the NFC South. However, it didn’t do much to give me confidence in this Bucs team. In other words, despite dropping a 50 burger on the Rams, I want to see them win against a quality team again before I change my mind on them. Meanwhile, the Saints are cruising even without Brees. Is it pretty? Not at all. But they’re 2-0 without him and getting the job done. That’s all you can ask for from this Saints team for now.

Bucs 17 Saints 28

MIN Vikings vs NY Giants

Okay. So maybe I need to join everyone else on the Kirk Cousins hate train if there is any room left. Wow. What an ugly performance against the Bears defense. I understand that they are the best defense in the NFL. But Cousins, quite literally, did nothing last Sunday. It’s concerning that this offense has Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen, but the passing game can’t do anything. Meanwhile, their opponent, the Giants, have started 2-0 with Daniel Jones at the helm. That’s pretty nice. Even if he’s not going to bring the Giants to the playoffs this season, it’s nice to see that Giants games aren’t going to be doom and gloom anymore. In fact, I’m sure they’re gonna take care of business at home against a Vikings team that under a vast amount of pressure to perform. Don’t think they do it here either.

Vikings 14 Giants 21

Chicago Bears vs Oakland Raiders

Chase Daniel took care of business against the Vikings last week. He’ll get another opportunity to do more of that vs the Raiders in Oakland with Trubisky being out. Call me a hater, but I think that’s a good thing for the Bears. Their offense looked functional last week once Trubisky stepped out. Speaking of functional, did anyone see that Raiders-Colts game last week? Absolutely crazy how hot the Raiders started. The Raiders are slowly convincing me that they may not be playoff contenders, but they can certainly play spoiler to a lot of teams’ seasons this year which is more than what they could have hoped for last year. That being said, is this Raiders offense moving the ball against the Bears defense? Survey says…...probably not.

Bears 19 Raiders 16

NY Jets vs PHI Eagles

The Jets are coming off a bye hoping to turn their fortunes around with a now healthier squad. What’s unfortunate is they are facing an Eagles team that just came off a season defining game. Is it too early to call that win season defining? Not at all. They tore up a defense believed to be one of the best IN LAMBEAU FIELD. That’s really hard to do. Don’t get it twisted though. The Eagles are 2-2 and still have a long way to go. Getting the Jets is a nice way to continue getting back near the top of the NFC and into the playoff conversation. Despite the fact the Jets get Sam Darnold and CJ Mosley back this week, it’s hard to ignore the fact that the Eagles are just more talented and have a better coaching staff.

Jets 17 Eagles 31

BAL Ravens vs PIT Steelers

Call me skeptical here. I truly think this game is the Steelers to take or give away. I’m not saying the Ravens can’t come in and just stomp a Steelers team that’s been questionable at defense and offense this season. But what I am saying, is this feels like the type of game where most people would expect Baltimore to win, but Pittsburgh shows why they are a much better team playing at home. That being said, I just can’t get past the fact their ONE win this season so far is against Cincinatti. I feel like even the Dolphins could possibly beat the Bengals. That being said, it was nice to see the Steelers look vastly improved in prime time. Does it mean I’m picking the Steelers? Psh. No. I’m with “most people” and picking Baltimore here as well. It’s just hard to think the Steelers have bounced back THIS quickly. And if you wanna call me bias, I’d pick the Raiders or Browns to win here as well against Pittsburgh. I need to see them win again before I’m convinced.

Ravens 20 Steelers 17

BUF Bills vs TEN Titans

It’s quite hysterical that I heavily considered picking Tennessee last week but did not. Mariota is just not a good QB. But every year he shows flashes where he just pops off for 2-3 TDs and leads his team to victory. That week was last week. It’s not happening again this week. The Bills showed a lot of grit last week against an AFC titan and just came up short. With Josh Allen reportedly playing on Sunday, I’m pretty the Bills D clamps down on Mariota and Co. while Allen and Co. sling the ball around all day to victory.

Bills 23 Titans 10

NE Patriots vs WAS Redskins

The way I view the Redskins has become the same way that I view the Dolphins. They’re a bad team. They have no idea what to do at QB. And they are a free win for the Patriots. That’s all I got for you. It ain’t happening for the Redskins.

Patriots 35 Redskins 7

DEN Broncos vs LA Chargers

Alright. So Denver hasn’t shown up. And their defense is massively disappointing this season. Sounds like a great opportunity for Philip Rivers and Co. to throw the ball everywhere and run the score board up. While that’s where my thinking is at, I have to consider whether the Broncos can win a shootout against the Chargers. With Bosa and Ingram running at a static Flacco all day? Not a chance.

Broncos 17 Chargers 24

GB Packers vs DAL Cowboys

Ah yes. A classic matchup. A classic matchup that has been defined by many offensive shootouts and breath-taking endings where the Packers sideline is ecstatic and the Cowboys sideline filled with disappointment and regret. This time around? It’s funny. The defenses are the prime sides of the ball to talk about for both of these teams. Crazy how just a few years ago, one of the best playoff games of this decade was defined by an edge of your seat shootout, and these same teams won’t be expected to put up that type of game this time around. A dream come true for me since I love defensive games. That being said, I gotta pick a winner. And let me tell you, it bothers me that Davante Adams won’t be playing this week. I was ready to pick the Packers again in this classic matchup, but after hearing the Packers No. 1 playmaker won’t be in the game, I’m leaning towards a Dallas W here.

Packers 20 Cowboys 21

IND Colts vs KC Chiefs

Even at 2-2, I am in love with this Colts team. They are really fun to watch and I seriously thought they were gonna make the comeback last week until Brissett through the ill-fated pick-six to seal the deal for the Raiders. Even with that loss, it’s clear to me the Colts will never be an easy out. That being said, they’re playing the Chiefs….in Arrowhead….on Sunday night. That spells disaster to me. While I’m very excited for this matchup and do believe Jacoby Brissett will live up to primetime expectations, I just know Mahomes is gonna blow this Colts defense wide open. Like, WIDE open. Just look at my predicted score.

Colts 27 Chiefs 41

CLE Browns vs SF 49ers

Wow did the Browns have a coming out party last week. They dropped 40 points on Baltimore IN Baltimore without any sort of mercy. An impressive performance and one many folks believe the Browns would be doing consistently this year. I am not one of those people and still am not. I recognize the talent on this team. I also recognize how good Baker Mayfield can be. However, it was Nick Chubb that stole the show and pounded the Ravens. Is that same 160+ yard performance going to happen again from Chubb? Well, sure but not this week. This 49ers team has got me excited. While I still maintain the belief that this 9ers team is unproven, I like their chances coming off a bye week and playing in primetime at home. I think this where we see that this 49ers team might be for real. However, I anticipate the Browns to keep this one a high-flying dogfight.

49ers 28 Browns 27