Predicting The Entire NFL Season: Week 5 (Eagles v. Rams)
My Week 4 way-too-early predictions drew some reactions.
Austin New wrote, “You must hate the Chiefs..?”
No, Austin, I really don’t. The Chiefs, like my Philadelphia Eagles, have a tortured fan base and a coach who was the best the Eagles had ever seen in Andy Reid. But, the Chiefs had a lot of breaks last year and things tend to even out. They may find themselves in the hunt by the time this is done (I have no idea how these predictions will unfold), but they’re not going to be chasing a first-round bye.
And Cutler2Marshall312 accused me of drug use and not ever watching any Green Bay-Chicago games, etc., after picking the Packers to defeat his Bears. I give you credit for the handle, but not much credit for your Bears. I was at the Philly-Chicago game last year. The Bears showed no heart. I haven’t seen anything to lead me believe that will change.
Now, let’s take a look at where we’re at after four weeks.
[table id=10 /]
A few things that jump out:
– New England, Baltimore and Seattle are the only unbeatens remaining.
– Tennessee, Jacksonville and Minnesota are winless.
– The Philadelphia Eagles are stuck in quite a pack in the NFC East.
This week only the Miami Dolphins and Oakland Raiders have bye weeks. On to the picks…
Vikings @ Packers: At some point, I have to pick the Vikings to win a football game. I just don’t see it happening yet. Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson can’t do it all. Green Bay 24, Minnesota 21
Bears @ Panthers: Carolina will start coming back to earth this week. I don’t see the Bears doing too much this season, but this is a game they will win on the road. Chicago 26, Carolina 19
Browns @ Titans: A winless team finally catches a break. Sorry, Cleveland. Tennessee 21, Cleveland 20
Falcons @ Giants: If this game is on the road, give me Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan over New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning. But at home, coming off a loss, I think the Giants will be too much. New York Giants 32, Atlanta 27
Buccaneers @ Saints: This is one of those division games that will make no sense. The Saints should win. On paper, they win 10 out of 10 times. But somehow, some way….Tampa Bay 25, New Orleans 20
Texans @ Cowboys: I have the Houston Texans at 3-1 and I really don’t understand how we got here. And now I’m going to have them at 4-1 and I still won’t understand. Houston 34, Dallas 31
Bills @ Lions: They stumbled last week. They won’t this week. Buffalo 29, Detroit 23
Ravens @ Colts: And another unbeaten team falls. Indianapolis 20, Baltimore 18
Steelers @ Jaguars: One day, Jacksonville will be good. Not yet. Pittsburgh 30, Jacksonville 21
Cardinals @ Broncos: Let’s add these things together – Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning gets a rematch with Seattle on the road, he gets a bye in the fourth week of the season, and coming off the bye he gets another team coming off a bye. Someone doesn’t like Peyton very much. Arizona 27, Denver 26
Chiefs @ 49ers: Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith gets a win in his return to San Francisco, setting off a fun week of debate over whether the 49ers made the right decision. Kansas City 20, San Francisco 16
Jets @ Chargers: These teams are evenly matched at most spots, with the exception of quarterback, where San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers gives them an edge. Plus, they’re at home. San Diego 23, New York Jets 13
Bengals @ Patriots: And another unbeaten bites the dust. Cincinnati 31, New England 24
Seahawks @ Redskins: This is going to be an ugly game for Washington Redskins wide receiver Desean Jackson. Seattle 27, Washington 3
As for the Birds…
Rams @ Eagles: The Philadelphia Eagles are 2-2 after four weeks, but they’ve played solid football. Now, they’re going to begin making their move. It’s going to be tough considering the Rams are coming off a bye week and the Eagles are coming off a game on the West Coast, but head coach Chip Kelly and the boys will get it done. This might be a breakout game for Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Jordan Matthews. Philadelphia 36, St. Louis 33