NFL Week 5 Game by Game Predictions

Ernie Sims is tired of hearing about Peyton Manning. After a couple of series, he will be tired of playing him

   
     Who is the most dominant team in the NFL so far? Denver, without a doubt. They are still missing Champ Bailey and Von Miller, but still look like a team that can win the Super Bowl in 2014. And although Peyton Manning still has a reputation of not winning the bug playoff games, I don't think we have ever seen Manning play this well in his storied career. Well, if Denver is the best team in the league then who is the 2nd best? Seattle? Kansas City? Nope. New Orleans. The reason I say this is because the Saints play in a less competitive division than the Seahawks, and the Chiefs still have to prove that they can compete on the level of the Denver Broncos.With all this said, it's time to pick to pick every game from Week 5 in the NFL.


Denver Broncos @ Dallas Cowboys

By now everyone in the world knows how well Peyton Manning is playing. At some point this season I expect the Broncos to lose a game, but I don't expect it to be on this Sunday. Denver just has too many offensive weapons for the Cowboys to handle for 60 minutes and I don't see Tony Romo being clutch against the Broncos defense. This game might be closer than advertised because of Dez Bryant and Jason Witten, but Dallas won't pull off this upset. Denver by 3

Baltimore Ravens @ Miami Dolphins

This is a very tough game to call. Not only does Miami have a better record, they have a better defense as well. Joe Flacco needs to make sure that he throws accurately instead of tossing 5 picks in one outing as he did against Buffalo last week. In my opinion, Baltimore's defense will force Ryan Tanehill to throw a couple of interceptions and maybe even fumble while getting sacked. Baltimore losing two games in a row? I don't see it. Ravens by 1

Having Ed Reed makes a world of a difference for Houston

Houston Texans @ San Francisco 49ers


 I know the Texans are a good team, but they will be in jeopardy of losing two straight if the San Fran scores 27 or more points. It will certainly help Houston's cause to have Ed Reed in the secondary, who picked off Colin Kaepernick in the Super Bowl. As a matter of fact, I believe that Houston has a better defense than the 49ers and will pull off the upset. Arian Foster might not break 100 yards but he will reach the endzone once or twice. Texans win a shocker in Candlestick Park by 2

Jacksonville Jaguars @ St. Louis Rams

In a tale of what might be the two worst teams in the NFL, Jacksonville visit the St. Louis Rams. I have been reading all week about how Sam Bradford needs to get back on track and they will do so by running the ball on the Jaguars, who have the worst run defense in the league. The problem? St. Louis is DEAD LAST in rushing yards per game. I mean, if it weren't for the Rams pass rush I would call Jacksonville to beat them on the road because of Justin Blackmon's return. Hopefully Chad Henne will play QB so that we can see Blackmon's talents utilized but it won't matter in this one. Rams by 4


New York Jets @ Atlanta Falcons

Who would have thought that the Jets would come into this game with more wins than the Falcons? Geno Smith looks awful but New York still has a defense that can keep their team in the game. If Smith turns the ball over two times in this game, you might see Matt Simms come off the bench for the Jets. Atlanta won't lose this game at home and like I said last week....I'm not picking the Jets away from home until I see Geno Smith win a road game. He might play better against the Falcons' lackluster D but they still don't stand a chance without Stephen Hill or Santonio Holmes. Atlanta by 6

New Orleans Saints @ Chicago Bears

This just in: New Orleans is the most complete team in the NFC. And while they bring a 4-0 record into Soldier field, you can't fail to mention the fact that Drew Brees is 0-4 all-time in Chicago. I don't care how well you expect he Saints to play, they will finally have a bad game against Chicago's stout D. I know the Bears didn't look too good against Detroit last week but it was a small hiccup that every good team will have this season. Bears by 3

Giants fans are sick of DeSean Jackson having big plays against their team

Philadelphia Eagles @ New York Giants

I am sick and tired of talking about how good Philly's offense is and how bad their defense is. But I am MORE exhausted trying to pick the New York football Giants to win their first game of the season. I predicted the Giants to win at least two games by now but they have shocked the entire football world by laying an egg in every contest to date. If there was ever a game that the Giants could take advantage of an awful defense, it's this one. Still...I am concerned about New York's ability to rush Michael Vick and run the ball on offense. It has led to a dismal season thus far and should continue. Eagles by 1

Carolina Panthers @ Arizona Cardinals

Carson Palmer better be on his A-game against Carolina's D if he wants to keep his team in this one. Palmer has played terrible the past two weeks and is starting to look like he doesn't know the offense that well. On the flipside, Cam Newton is starting to look like the #1 draft pick that torched the NFL during his rookie season. Daryl Washington returns this week, and that is very bad news for Carolina's offense. They already aren't considered elite, so adding a Pro-Bowl linebacker to the Arizona's defense is a very key aspect of this match-up. I think it will be enough to take the Cards over the top and beat Carolina at home. Arizona by 3

New England Patriots @ Cincinnati Bengals

I tried to tell everyone that the Patriots would be very dangerous once Tom Brady's young receivers got experience. There is just something about Brady's leadership skills that separate him from any other QB in the league. Peyton Manning is a close 2nd but he has ALOT more to work with on his team. I don't care how good Cincinnati is or the fact that they beat the Packers at home. I'm calling the Patriots by 2

Beast Mode is going to have a huge day against Indy

Seattle Seahawks @ Indianapolis Colts

In what should be the best match-up of the day, Seattle hits the road once again for another tough game. First, they beat the Texans in Houston and now they face the challenge of beating Andrew Luck. Not having Ahmad Bradshaw will hurt the Colts more than you think, because Trent Richardson still hasn't broken the 100 yard mark this season. Seattle has one of the best young QBs in the league with Russell Wilson at the helm, but he still isn't better than Andrew Luck. Look for Marshawn Lynch to gash the Colts D as the Seahawks come up with another big road victory. Seattle by 3

Detroit Lions @ Green Bay Packers

As much as I would like to say that the Lions will beat the Packers, I can't say that win will come at Lambeau field. Maybe at Ford Field, but not in Green Bay.  Aaron Rodgers is coming off a bye week and the Lions haven't won on the road against the Packers in 22 contests. This is an easy game to call. Green Bay by 4

San Diego Chargers @ Oakland Raiders

San Diego might be the most surprising team in the NFL behind Tennessee this year. Antonio Gates is re-emerging as one of the best tight ends on the league and Philip Rivers is finally playing with consistency. On top of that, Ryan Matthews doesn't look too bad himself this season. Oakland has looked better than expected with Terrelle Pryor at QB, but that is by default because Matt Flynn is absolute garbage. How in the heck do you get sacked SEVEN times, fumble TWICE and AND throw an interception? Ayway...Darren McFadden is not playing so Pryor will lead the Raiders in rushing yards. That won't get it done against the new-look Chargers, even is Rivers turns the ball over a couple of times. San Diego by 3

Kansas City Chiefs @ Tennesee Titans

To me, this is the 2nd best match-up of the weekend as two defensive minded teams take the field in Nashville. Jake Locker not paying in this match-up might hurt the Titans more than I believe, but I still think Tennessee has a solid chance of beating Kansas City because of two things: 1) Their defense and 2) they are playing at home. The question is how good/bad will Ryan Fitzpatrick will play in Locker's absence. As we saw in Buffalo, he has the ability to win or lose a game for your team. And that's why the Bills got rid of him. Kansas City wins a nail-biter by 3.