NFL – Week Five predictions

Washington celebrated last week as the 'Skins marched into Texas Stadium and took care of the Cowboys with Santana Moss showing what he can do when he's healthy. The Broncos' undefeated streak ended at the hands of the then-winless Chiefs. But a new week brings new match-ups to keep an eye on. The hometown Redskins head to Philly for another division battle against the possibly Brian Westbrook-less Eagles. The Titans and Ravens square off in a battle of tough defenses as the Titans try to remain undefeated along with the New York Giants and Buffalo Bills.

Kevin still maintains a solid lead at 40-20, but veteran Anshul is close behind at 37-23. Jon and Sean remain tied for last. Will this week see a change in the SCO standings, or will Kevin's lead only grow? Only one way to find out. Let the picks fall where they may…

Standings:

	This week	Season total
Anshul	8-5	37-23
Jon	5-8	34-26
Kevin	7-6	40-20
Sean	6-7	34-26

Sunday October 5, 2008

Tennessee Titans (4-0) at Baltimore Ravens (2-1)

Anshul	Jon	Kevin	Sean
Tennessee	Tennessee	Tennessee	Tennessee

Anshul says:
Both teams have run-stopping defenses and defensive backs that most quarterbacks fear. But the Titans have a pass offense, something the Ravens are still struggling to develop. The Titans roll to 5-0.

Jon says:
One question arises from this match: Who can stop the Titans? The Ravens' offense is no match for the Titans' dominant front seven.

Kevin says:
The Ravens almost beat the Steelers last week. However, that doesn't make them a good team; just look at their irregular quarterback. The Titans handled the Vikings last week, so I have no doubt that they should do well this week against the Ravens.

Sean says:
The Titans are amazing this year and the Ravens are amazing only once in a blue moon.

Kansas City Chiefs (1-3) at Carolina Panthers (3-1)

Anshul	Jon	Kevin	Sean
Carolina	Carolina	Carolina	Carolina

Anshul says:
So what if Kansas City ended Denver's undefeated hopes? That does not make them a good team.

Jon says:
I picked against both of these teams last week. Surprises on both ends - Chiefs over the high-flying Broncos and somehow Carolina beat Chicago back in week one. Carolina is the better team thus far, with excellent receivers. However, I cannot ignore Kansas City. Larry Johnson will put up a fight, but not like the one against Denver (who turned the ball over four times). Get this win, Carolina.

Kevin says:
A surprising upset against the Broncos won't help the Chiefs take on the Panthers. Compare the opposing quarterbacks and you should see a clear answer.

Sean says:
How did the Chiefs beat the Broncos? Why do we have advisory? Where are my pants? Yet another one of life's pressing mysteries. I'd better consult my magic eight ball. Oh magic eight ball, will the Panthers win this Sunday? "Yes."

Chicago Bears (2-2) at Detroit Lions (0-3)

Anshul	Jon	Kevin	Sean
Chicago	Detroit	Chicago	Chicago

Anshul says:
Chicago beat a tough Philly team, so the Lions should be no problem. A secondary as poor as the Lions' should give quarterback Kyle Orton a great game.

Jon says:
John Kitna has performed beautifully over the past few weeks, but gets no credit with a 0-3 record. I feel so bad for him... Yet again, Da` Bears have somehow managed to have the deepest receiving core in the league and even with cornerback Charles Tillman out, Chicago will prevail (but I hope Detroit wins).

Kevin says:
The Lions are like a blocked field goal - NO GOOD! The Bears on the other hand won a clincher against the Eagles, disproving Anshul's theory about NFC teams losing only to other NFC teams.

Sean says:
Detroit depresses me, in more ways than one.

Atlanta Falcons (2-2) at Green Bay (2-2)

Anshul	Jon	Kevin	Sean
Green Bay	Green Bay	Green Bay	Green Bay

Anshul says:
No more pick-less season for A-Rodg, but no matter. Wins are what really matter and here is a great chance for the Packers to pick one up.

Jon says:
Michael Turner is still a beast. Same record, drastically different teams. Green Bay has got the stuff.

Kevin says:
The Packers' defense should be able to take the Falcons' failure of a red-zone offense, as long as Rodgers plays his role.

Sean says:
MICHAEL VICK! I choose you! (Sigh.) This game goes to the Bay.

Indianapolis Colts (1-2) at Houston Texans (0-3)

Anshul	Jon	Kevin	Sean
Indianapolis	Indianapolis	Indianapolis	Indianapolis

Anshul says:
The Colts are in desperate need of getting back on track to winning, and this is the perfect chance for them to do so. Look for Marvin Harrison to re-establish himself as one of the greatest receivers in the game today.

Jon says:
I too look forward to a game where Houston has a chance. Every dog has its day, but not here. The Colts will spin the Texans faster than the Indianapolis 500. Zing.

Kevin says:
I'm surprised the Texans were able to score so many against the Jaguars last week. This should be the blowout of the week.

Sean says:
Oh the Texans - my Houstonian brethren just never get a break, unless its the Raiders or the 49ers or the Rams.

San Diego Chargers (2-2) at Miami Dolphins (1-2)

Anshul	Jon	Kevin	Sean
San Diego	San Diego	Miami	Miami

Anshul says:
Lightning shocks water, and it smokes dolphins.

Jon says:
At first glance, this is an easy pick. But 2008 is a much different year, thus we must examine deeper. OK, never mind - the Chargers are still much better.

Kevin says:
I'm very surprised that the Dolphins were so easily able to take the Patriots two weeks ago. Because the Chargers nearly lost to the Raiders and the Dolphins are coming off of a bye week, I'll pick the upset.

Sean says:
If the Dolphins can beat the Patriots without Tom Brady and the Chargers can almost fall to the Raiders, then who knows? I'm inclined to say that this is the work of His Holiness Bill Parcells and that the Dolphins could win even without divine intervention.

Seattle Seahawks (1-2) at New York Giants (3-0)

Anshul	Jon	Kevin	Sean
New York	Seattle	New York	New York

Anshul says:
The Giants have clearly established themselves as the defending champs and should make quick work of Seattle.

Jon says:
Hello and goodbye to the Seahawks after a bye week. Or maybe they can upset based on a strong running game and a tough schedule.

Kevin says:
Eli Manning and his boys better take down the Seahawks. I don't know what a bye week will do to these teams, but from the way the Giants have been playing so far, it's clear that they should do well.

Sean says:
The Seahawks miss Zorn. They might be missing their dignity after they play the Giants.

Washington Redskins (3-1) at Philadelphia Eagles (2-2)

Anshul	Jon	Kevin	Sean
Washington	Philadelphia	Washington	Philadelphia

Anshul says:
First Big D goes down, now on to the city of brotherly love. The Eagles will come crashing down at the hands of the ever-improving Jason Campbell.

Jon says:
I love Sean's imagery below. Really, it's excellent, so bravo. Back to business. Philadelphia is the better team, but you cannot argue with the massive momentum the 'Skins are boasting. I have to pick against them.

Kevin says:
This decision is clear based on the morale difference between these two teams. If we look at the Redskins after they tooled the Cowboys and the Eagles after they were stunned by the Bears, we can deduce that the Redskins will win.

Sean says:
My my my, what have we here? The Redskins flying ever so close to the sun and and the Eagles ready to bring them back down to Earth. I put my money on the Eagles but it would be nice to see Washington keep winning (if only to see them reliably fail in the end).

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-1) at Denver Broncos (3-1)

Anshul	Jon	Kevin	Sean
Denver	Tampa Bay	Denver	Denver

Anshul says:
Denver's dominance was slowed down last week by the Chiefs, but that was a fluke game. Don't be fooled by Tampa Bay's record; they are not nearly as good as the Broncos.

Jon says:
Same record, but yet again there is a huge mismatch. I am tempted to vote for the Bucs, so I will! Here's why: Denver's record, although impressive, has relied on wins from losing teams (Oakland, Atlanta) while Tampa Bay has earned every win they've gotten. Similarly, I must spite my colleagues.

Kevin says:
The Broncos will redeem themselves after getting pretty much blown out in the fourth quarter against the Chiefs. The Buccaneers have a failure of a quarterback in the starting position. There will be no upset in the Rockies.

Sean says:
Every time I say the word "buccaneer" part of me dies. It's as if Buccaneers weren't fearless or ruthless enough or hot enough (see Kiera Knightley) to be real pirates. By virtue of who has the better team name and their clear superiority, this one goes to the Broncos.

Buffalo Bills (4-0) at Arizona Cardinals (2-2)

Anshul	Jon	Kevin	Sean
Buffalo	Buffalo	Buffalo	Arizona

Anshul says:
I'm starting to jump on the Buffalo Bills bandwagon. And after watching the Cardinals' defense get torched, this is one of the easiest picks of the week.

Jon says:
I am so proud of the Bills. Go ahead, Buffalo - try and score more points than the Jets did in the first half against the Cardinals.

Kevin says:
The Bills came from behind to beat the worst team in the NFL. Talk about funny - the Cardinals let 56 points go to the Jets. I don't think this game will be quite a blowout, but it should be fun to watch.

Sean says:
The Cardinals can do better than what they did versus the Jets. Lest we forget that a ridiculous margin of victory does not mean a bad team (unless it was the Redskins last year versus the Patriots).

Cincinnati Bengals (0-4) at Dallas Cowboys (3-1)

Anshul	Jon	Kevin	Sean
Dallas	Dallas	Dallas	Dallas

Anshul says:
First I want to take this chance to laugh at Dallas after getting beat by the 'Skins. I have nothing to say about this game, I think it's pretty obvious.

Jon says:
[Laughter.]

Kevin says:
What a ridiculous matchup. If we compare the Bengals' secondary to T.O., T.O would be Sonic on Wii and the Bengals' secondary would be Samus on SNES.

Sean says:
That comparison just killed my childhood, Mr. Teng. But you do have a point. The Redskins caught the Cowboys off guard but we all know that the Skins will not win in Texas Stadium for another 10 years. As usual, DALLAS. ALL DAY, EVERYDAY.

New England Patriots (2-1) at San Francisco 49ers (2-2)

Anshul	Jon	Kevin	Sean
New England	New England	New England	New England

Anshul says:
(See Jon's comment below).

Jon says:
[Laughter again.]

Kevin says:
The Patriots lost to the Dolphins, which is pathetic. I don't really expect either of these teams to win after both teams had such pathetic showings in their last games.

Sean says:
What a terrible game. The Patriots are going to win.

Pittsburgh Steelers (3-1) at Jacksonville Jaguars (2-2)

Anshul	Jon	Kevin	Sean
Jacksonville	Pittsburgh	Jacksonville	Pittsburgh

Anshul says:
The Steelers are now without their top two running backs, and that is going to make a huge difference against the Jags.

Jon says:
Willie Parker is back and that means he will make a huge difference. Nevertheless, I will get this pick wrong no matter what I do.

Kevin says:
By now, it's clear that the Jaguars are one of the better teams in the NFL. The Steelers on the other hand, have gotten their luck in some of the clinch games that they've had. This one rightfully belongs to the home team.

Sean says:
I'd say that the Steelers can cling to life in this and perhaps win in flying colors. I have faith in Ben Rothlisberger.

Monday October 6, 2008

Minnesota Vikings (1-3) at New Orleans Saints (2-2)

Anshul	Jon	Kevin	Sean
New Orleans	Minnesota	Minnesota	New Orleans

Anshul says:
The Vikings can stop the run. So what? Reggie Bush is an all-around threat and the Vikings can only run the ball. New Orleans' poor secondary will get a nice rest here.

Jon says:
Minnesota will run all over the Saints. Also, who does Drew Brees pass to other than Bush?

Kevin says:
The Vikings have been underperforming and they need to win. The Saints are one of those teams that are half-good and half-terrible. We'll see which is which on Monday Night Football.

Sean says:
Just because the Saints narrowly lost the Redskins, this does not make them a terrible team (but I admire the thinking behind it). Perhaps the lackluster performance is a sign of something amiss in the Vikings line-up.