If it weren't for his three missed field goals in the Lions/Bills game, I'd have had a perfect Week 5 picking NFL games. As it is, I still went 14-1 and that rocketed my record up to 49-27. It'll be tough to try and live up to this genius bar, but I will certainly try here for Week 6.
Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans
Solid win for Indy at home over Baltimore while the Texans suffered a tough overtime loss in Dallas. Being at home helps, but it'll only help so much when Houston is so outmatched at the QB spot. Great QBs tend to win; and Andrew Luck is one of those great QBs. He'll guide the Colts to a game winning touchdown in the 4th quarter to make the difference.
My Call: Colts 27, Texans 20
Jacksonville Jaguars at Tennessee Titans
Tough pick between two God awful teams. I'll go with the Titans just because it's in Nashville, but if Jake Locker doesn't go, I wouldn't be too surprised to see the Jags get their first win of the year. Then again, it wouldn't surprise me too much anyway.
My Call: Titans 17, Jaguars 13
Baltimore Ravens at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Second straight road game for the Ravens as they look to bounce back from a 7 point loss in Indianapolis. Two straight road games are never easy, but I think they can survive against a team they're clearly superior to. Although the Bucs will make it interesting.
My Call: Ravens 23, Buccaneers 20
Denver Broncos at New York Jets
Peyton Manning vs. Geno Smith or QB Dog Killer? LOL this won't be a contest.
My Call: Broncos 27, Jets 10
Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings
Calvin Johnson is struggling with a high ankle sprain while it appears the Vikings will get Teddy Bridgewater back for injury in time for this game. Those two factors have me leaning towards Minnesota in a game I would otherwise pick Detroit in.
My Call: Vikings 21, Lions 17
New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills
Prime letdown chance for the Patriots after they were doubted leading up to the Cincinnati game and then proceeded to crush the Bengals. But the good news for them is I don't think the Bills have enough to take advantage. Kyle Orton should be good for a mistake or two to allow New England to escape Orchard Park victorious.
My Call: Patriots 20, Bills 14
Carolina Panthers at Cincinnati Bengals
Thanks to a Robbie Gould missed field goal and Jay Cutler throwing a couple boneheaded interceptions, the Panthers were able to escape against Chicago in a game I think they should have lost. Meantime, as I just mentioned, the Bengals suffered their first loss of the season in blowout fashion to New England. Not such a big deal, they weren't gonna go 16-0 and were going against a Patriots team being doubted; and they made a huge statement. What is a big deal though is the status of star WR A.J. Green, who was carted off the field at practice due to a toe injury. Even if Green can't go, I think the defense can get them by at home against a team like Carolina.
My Call: Bengals 19, Panthers 16
Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns
Given how the Steelers normally play down to the level of their competition and how the Browns have been competitive in every game, it's logical to expect a close game here. In Pittsburgh, these two teams battled in a game that was a tale of two halves. The Steelers jumped out to a 27-3 halftime lead, Cleveland dominated in the second half and tied it at 27, but Shaun Suisham kicked a field goal as time expired to give the Steelers the win. I'll go with another three point win for Pittsburgh here, this time I'm thinking it'll be more of a back and forth affair for 60 minutes rather than one team dominating the first half and the other team dominating the second half. Plus I don't really trust the Browns to fully take advantage of a vulnerable team.
My Call: Steelers 27, Browns 24
Green Bay Packers at Miami Dolphins
Packers appear to be on a roll and they're taking on a Miami team not many people seem to think stand a chance. However, the Phins aren't that bad and as we've constantly seen, the NFL has a lot of surprises in store during the season. I think Miami will surprise by jumping out to a 10-0 or 14-0 lead, but that Aaron Rodgers will gradually get Green Bay back in it to make it close going to the 4th quarter where Rodgers leads a 90 yard game winning drive to rip out the hearts of the Dolphins.
My Call: Packers 28, Dolphins 27
San Diego Chargers at Oakland Raiders
Remember how I just said the NFL can have a lot of surprises in store? Well, this won't be one of them. Oakland is terrible and the Chargers don't have an incompetent Norv Turner as head coach to give even the worst of teams hope in this one. Tony Sparano loses in his interim Raiders debut.
My Call: Chargers 31, Raiders 14
Chicago Bears at Atlanta Falcons
Awesome offensive matchup in the Georgia Dome is set to take place. Jay Cutler, Matt Forte, Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery vs. Matt Ryan, Roddy White and Julio Jones. I have to go with the home team. The Falcons are a far superior team at home than they are on the road. There won't be much defense played in this one, but I trust Matt Ryan to make fewer mistakes than Cutler.
My Call: Falcons 34, Bears 31
Dallas Cowboys at Seattle Seahawks
Been a very nice 4-1 start to 2014 for the Cowboys. Seattle is 3-1 after Monday night's win on the road in Washington. Back at home, they should humble Dallas just a bit. Russell Wilson and Co. will be flawless while Tony Romo has a horrible day. Seahawks BIG.
My Call: Seahawks 38, Cowboys 17
Washington Redskins at Arizona Cardinals
I am gonna wait till Saturday night or Sunday afternoon to make this prediction. If the Cardinals don't have Carson Palmer or Drew Stanton available and have to roll with Logan Thomas, I'll be going with the Redskins. If one of them can go, I'll go with the Cardinals.
New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles
Upset on Sunday night! Eli Manning is playing well, LeSean McCoy isn't and the Eagle defense isn't very good. Rolling with Big Blue.
My Call: Giants 27, Eagles 24
San Francisco 49ers at St. Louis Rams
Austin Davis has certainly had his ups and downs as the Rams starting QB. After a down last four weeks, Colin Kaepernick just seems due for a big game against a St. Louis defense that's been a disappointment thus far this year. I think he gets it and the Niners get a comfortable victory.
My Call: 49ers 31, Rams 17
