NFL Week Five Pigskin Predictions

THURSDAY

RAMS over cards

Despite a dreadful rushing attack, head coach Jeff Fisher has his Rams playing some solid football. The Cardinals are 4-0, but its overtime defeat of the Dolphins last week appeared an omen of a long overdue loss this week.

PREDICTION: RAMS 17, cards 13 [RESULT: RAMS 17, cards 3]

SUNDAY (NOON)

BENGALS over fins

Andy Dalton is far from flashy in today’s quarterback-driven league. But the Bengals helmsman has quietly put up quality numbers (67.5% passing percentage for 1,111 yards and 8 TDs) and has his team 3-0 since suffering a 44-13 romp on opening night in Baltimore. Dalton’s Bengals hold its home field advantage against the Dophins today and improve to 4-1.

PREDICTION: BENGALS 20, fins 12

pack over COLTS

The future versus the present is on display this afternoon at Indianapolis’ Lucas Oil Stadium, where Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers faces the Colts’ Andrew Luck. The Packers get all they can handle from Mr. Luck, but even a lucky horseshoe isn’t enough for an Indy upset. Green Bay wins a close one.

PREDICTION: pack 27, COLTS 24

ravens over CHIEFS

It’s true … Baltimore’s offense just might be better than its vaunted defense. A potpourri of Joe Flacco, Ray Rice, Torrey Smith and Anquan Boldin leads the Ravens past the Chiefs in Kansas City today.

PREDICTION: ravens 27, CHIEFS 17

GIANTS over browns

The Super Bowl champions have had its share of injury problems and fell to 2-2 after a crushing two-point loss in Philadelphia last week. But while the G-Men will be without star wide-out Hakeem Nicks today, the team regains its starting running back. Ahmad Bradshaw rushes hard and plows the host Giants past the winless Browns.

PREDICTION: GIANTS 31, browns 10

STEEL over eagles

A fierce competition ensues in Pittsburgh today, as the Steelers host Philadelphia in desperate need of a win. It takes an extra frame, but a raucous home crowd gives Big Ben’s team a boost and enables Pittsburgh to prevail in overtime.

PREDICTION: STEEL 20, eagles 17 (in OT)

falcons over SKINS

Atlanta heads into D.C. as the NFC’s lone remaining undefeated team. Rookie Robert Griffin III is up to the challenge, but the Redskins defense is not enough to stop the high-flying Falcons. Matt Ryan continues his hot play as Atlanta improves to 5-0.

PREDICTION: falcons 33, SKINS 27

SUNDAY (LATE)

VIKES over titans

Minnesota won last week at Detroit and feels good about its 3-1 start. But the team also knows it must continue to improve if it wants to be a playoff contender. A visit by the woeful Titans helps them to do so. Jared Allen gets two sacks and Christian Ponder throws for 300 yards and 3 touchdowns, as the Vikings double up Tennessee at home.

PREDICTION: VIKES 34, titans 17

hawks over PANTHERS

Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson was abysmal last week – completing 18 of 34 passes for 153 yards and 3 picks. But the rookie rebounds to have a much better game this afternoon at Carolina. Better ball management by Wilson, combined with a strong defensive effort and a 100-yard rushing game from Marshawn Lynch, leads the Seahawks past the Panthers.

PREDICTION: hawks 23, PANTHERS 17

bears over JAGS

Jacksonville quarterback Blaine Gabbert has thrown just one mere interception this season. However, in four games he’s passed for only 654 yards on 113 throws (an NFL-low 5.79 yards per attempt). This is not a recipe for success. Whether it's Gabbert, his receiving corps or something else, the Bears capitalize on its opponent's ineptitude and roll over the Jaguars en route to its third straight win.

PREDICTION: bears 24, JAGS 13

PATS over broncos

An appetite-whetting quarterback matchup is revived this afternoon in New England, where the Patriots’ Tom Brady faces Peyton Manning and the Broncos. Both QBs perform well, but it will be Brady’s team that comes away with the win. New England defeats Denver by five.

PREDICTON: PATS 31, broncos 26

NINERS over bills

The 49ers pick up where they left off in New York last week, pounding its opponent with impenetrable defense. The Bills don’t stand a chance in this one. San Francisco destroys Buffalo and improves to 4-1 for the season.

PREDICTION: NINERS 27, bills 6

SNF

SAINTS over chargers

On one hand, Saints quarterback Drew Brees leads the league in passing (throwing for 1,350 yards); on the other, he ranks 18^th (with a QB Rating of 86.1). Why the disparity? Perhaps it’s partly Brees’ fault. Perhaps it’s his team’s NFL-worst defense – whose 1,853 yards allowed is nearly 200 yards more than 31^st-ranked Tennessee …  The season does not look good for the 0-4 Saints, who are staring at its first playoff absence since 2008. And facing a strong 3-1 Chargers team doesn’t help. But an impressive Brees effort does not go for naught in New Orleans tonight. In a game that amasses 1,000 combined total yards, the Saints beat San Diego in the Superdome.

 

PREDICTION: SAINTS 37, chargers 27

MNF

texans over JETS

Taking to the Monday Night stage in New York tomorrow night, Houston convinces many that they boast the best team in the NFL. Led by its relentless defense, the Texans dispatch the Jets in workman-like fashion.

PREDICTION: texans 23, JETS 3

Bye teams: Dallas, Detroit, Oakland, Tampa Bay