Who’s going to win in Week 5? I know. And you don’t.
Cincinnati Bengals (3-1) @ Baltimore Ravens (3-1). As I mentioned in the power rankings, the ’09 Ravens look like the ’05 Steelers in both offense and defense, and the ’05 Steelers won a Super Bowl. I’m picking the Ravens because I believe the Bengals’ early success to be a fluke. They have had success through the air, so they’re going to go there in hopes that they can win. Unfortunately this strategy does not work against the Ravens defense.
Cleveland Browns (0-4) @ Buffalo Bills (1-3). What do you call it when a team has talent but it gets shipped off somewhere else? The Pittsburgh Pirates. Actually it’s called BAD OWNERSHIP. Who in their right mind would hire Eric Mangini right after he gets fired? Mangini didn’t lead the Jets to 9-7, the team’s raw talent did that all by themselves. Braylon Edwards was their best player, and now he’s on the Jets, as if they needed a stud receiver. Buffalo is not horrible, they’ve had a hard schedule though. They almost beat the Patriots in Week 1. I’m going with the Bills.
Washington Redskins (2-2) @ Carolina Panthers (0-3). If Jason Campbell can play like he did in the second half of the Tampa Bay game, this one goes to Washington. If Jake Delhomme can hook up with Steve Smith without getting picked off, this one goes to Carolina. So which scenario is more likely? Given the Redskins’ horrible coaching, I doubt Campbell can repeat last week’s success and the Panthers will win this game.
Pittsburgh Steelers (2-2) @ Detroit Lions (1-3). This will be the first meeting between Larry Foote and his former team. The Lions are much improved since last year, but they are not good enough to take on the Steelers’ explosive offense. Steelers CB Ike Taylor will be matched up against WR Calvin Johnson, and a safety should always double team him, because there are no other viable receivers for Daunte Culepper/Matt Stafford. The Steelers take this one easily, even without Willie Parker and Troy Polamalu.
Dallas Cowboys (2-2) @ Kansas City Chiefs (0-4). I don’t know why the Chiefs released their two best defensive players. But they have Matt Cassel, Dwayne Bowe, and Larry Johnson on offense. They still have a decent team. So do the Cowboys, but Tony Romo has been failing lately. Although I like the Chiefs in general and think they have more talent than they’re showing, the Cowboys will win this game.
Oakland Raiders (1-3) @ New York Giants (4-0). This game features the Oakland Raiders, playing at the home of the New York Giants. Based on that information alone, the Giants win.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-4) @ Philadelphia Eagles (2-1). This will be the game that Tampa Bay pulls it all together. Aqib Talib will have 3 or 4 picks on Donovan McNabb, and Michael Vick will gain no yards whatsoever. On the other side of the ball, Josh Johnson will pass and run all over the field. What Tampa Bay should do is run the wildcat with Josh Johnson, and Byron Leftwich in the slot. I think the Buccaneers will get their first win today.
Minnesota Vikings (4-0) @ St. Louis Rams (0-4). See the entry for the Raiders and Giants above. Hence, the Vikings win.
Atlanta Falcons (2-1) @ San Francisco 49ers (3-1). The Falcons’ pass offense has been mysteriously bad, considering they have Matt Ryan and Tony Gonzalez. You can’t have a major part of your game sucking against San Francisco. Their running game has always been good with Frank Gore, but now Shaun Hill is playing with great skill, and they’re going to edge out Atlanta. This is a 49ers win.
Houston Texans (2-2) @ Arizona Cardinals (1-2). The Cardinals’ offense has taken a step back since last year. QB Kurt Warner is on the decline, and former offensive coordinator Todd Haley is now head coach of the Chiefs. Adding to the Cardinals’ woes are three key injuries: WR Steve Breaston, DT Darnell Dockett, and CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie are all questionable for Sunday’s game. For the Texans, neither Matt Schaub or Steve Slaton have anything wrong with them at all. The Texans‘ offense will explode this week and down the Cardinals.
New England Patriots (3-1) @ Denver Broncos (4-0). Tom Brady’s play is improving, but he’s still not quite up to normal. The Patriots defense this year is mediocre this year. Denver, on the other hand, has a powerful offense and defense. Their weakest position may be at quarterback, but he’s behind a five-star offensive line. The Broncos are going to win this and go 5-0.
Jacksonville Jaguars (2-2) @ Seattle Seahawks (1-3). Seattle’s pass defense is awful. With the way Jaguars QB David Garrard played last week, that is bad news for Seahawks fans. The Jaguars are going to light it up with Garrard, Maurice Jones-Drew, and CB Derek Cox. Matt Hasselbeck has been unable to get any offense going, mostly because he’s been injured, as usual. Therefore, I’m picking the Jaguars to continue their streak and the Seahawks to continue their slide.
Indianapolis Colts (4-0) @ Tennessee Titans (0-4). The Titans’ team suddenly began to fail this year. What happened to the #3 defense of last year? Their run defense is mediocre at best, and their pass defense is horrendous. This does not bode well when facing the #1 quarterback in the league, Peyton Manning, who has found a new receiver in Pierre Garcon. When the Colts’ greatest strength is matched up against the Titans’ greatest weakness, you get a blowout. Peyton Manning is just playing better and better. This is an easy Colts victory.
New York Jets (3-1) @ Miami Dolphins (1-3). The Jets are so stacked this year it’s not even funny. A top 5 defense under new head coach Rex Ryan, with a 4-star offensive line protecting the best rookie QB this year, Mark Sanchez, who now has WR Braylon Edwards to throw to, in case he gets bored with Jericho Cotchery. Miami QB Chad Henne is not very good, and the wildcat will fail against the New York defense. This is a Jets win.
Standings after Week 4:
AFC North
- Baltimore Ravens (4-1)
- Cincinnati Bengals (3-2)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2)
- Cleveland Browns (0-5)
AFC South
- Indianapolis Colts (5-0)
- Jacksonville Jaguars (3-2)
- Houston Texans (3-2)
- Tennessee Titans (0-5)
AFC East
- New York Jets (4-1)
- New England Patriots (3-2)
- Buffalo Bills (2-3)
- Miami Dolphins (1-4)
AFC West
- Denver Broncos (5-0)
- San Diego Chargers (2-2)
- Oakland Raiders (1-4)
- Kansas City Chiefs (0-5)
NFC North
- Minnesota Vikings (5-0)
- Chicago Bears (3-1)
- Green Bay Packers (2-2)
- Detroit Lions (1-4)
NFC South
- New Orleans Saints (4-0)
- Atlanta Falcons (2-2)
- Carolina Panthers (1-3)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-4)
NFC East
- New York Giants (5-0)
- Dallas Cowboys (3-2)
- Philadelphia Eagles (2-2)
- Washington Redskins (2-3)
NFC West
- San Francisco 49ers (4-1)
- Arizona Cardinals (1-3)
- Seattle Seahawks (1-4)
- St. Louis Rams (0-5)
October 10th, 2009 at 9:45 pm
…okay I guess you do know now.
October 10th, 2009 at 9:47 pm
See, you just proved my point about the Steelers being third in the division.
October 10th, 2009 at 9:50 pm
It will take just one more week to get to our rightful position of dominance.
October 10th, 2009 at 9:55 pm
yeah! go steelers!
October 10th, 2009 at 10:02 pm
@Aaron J, You are giving the cowboys waay too much credit. tony romo is sort of a medium qb, not great by any means, and it seems like he is getting worse.
October 10th, 2009 at 10:06 pm
no way jose. the other day i was watching a show, and experts were debating whether romo would lead the cowboys to a suer bowl during his career. i hate the cowboys too but i think romo is a great quarterback.
October 10th, 2009 at 10:08 pm
Don’t put words in my mouth. I don’t hate the cowboys. but I do think Kansas City will get their first win of the season, this week.
October 11th, 2009 at 1:36 pm
I don’t WANT the Cowboys to win. I want the Chiefs to win. I just think the Cowboys will. Even though so far it’s been Bad Romo playing.
October 14th, 2009 at 12:14 pm
ahh! I think I like the new layout actualy.
October 14th, 2009 at 12:17 pm
aw too bad Aaron, Chiefs lost :(
October 14th, 2009 at 12:20 pm
Is Nick on this site? because he’s a big chiefs fan.
October 15th, 2009 at 2:06 am
Haha, you were so wrong about the seahawks!! huge shut out on the jags.