2018 NFL Week 5 Predix

Written by Sam DeCoste

It's hard to believe, but already a quarter of the season has passed us by, and we still can't separate the contenders from the pretenders, if the Browns are legit, if the Steelers aren't legit, or if the two undefeated teams remaining can be stopped. Week 5 should present explosive entertainment for us, as many matchups carry significant implications.
Look no further than Kansas City, where Jacksonville makes their vaunted defense to shut down Patrick Mahomes and their top five scoring offense. The Falcons also take on the Steelers in Pittsburgh in a game where both teams are desperate to sustain a winning run, the Vikings and Eagles square off in a rematch of last postseason's NFC Championship, and the Cowboys and Texans match up in a Texas bragging rights contest. There's lots to get to, so let's hop right into it!

Here are my season records: 

Lock of the Week record: 2-2

Last week's record: 11-4

Regular season record: 36-25-2

    IND @ NE

The Patriots bounced back against Miami in very impressive fashion, squashing the Dolphins, 38-7. The Patriots should coast to a winning record versus the Colts, who scored 34 points last week at home and still found a way to lose. Not to mention Andrew Luck is winless in his career versus New England in five tries, including the postseason.

Prediction: IND 13, NE 28

    JAX @ KC

Apart from last week, the Chiefs arguably sailed through the first quarter of the season, scoring 36 points per game. Patrick Mahomes looks unstoppable in this offense, at least when he plays average to below average defenses. This Jags defense is no joke, they are the best in the conference. This is a huge game for Mahomes to prove he can chuck it when it matters, against a championship caliber defense. But I am not sold that he can against Jacksonville. Not to mention Kansas City's defense is ranked bottom of the league in yards allowed, so Bortles could move the ball on them.

Prediction: JAX 27, KC 14

 ATL @ PIT

Both teams need a win in the worst way. Atlanta lost three of their first four games, suffering critical injuries across the back half of the defense. Atlanta played three shootouts the past three weeks, and they will be in shootouts for the rest of the year, especially when they square off against an offense like Pittsburgh's. But where has Pittsburgh been lately? The Steelers desperately miss Le'Veon Bell and Ryan Shazier for that matter, and they badly need to win. But I feel more confident in the Falcons that they can outlast the Steelers, with the way their offense is clicking.

Prediction: ATL 40, PIT 34

 GB @ DET

Clearly, Aaron Rodgers is not right. The injury he suffered against Chicago on opening nights kept him from playing at the highest level. He missed throws against the Bills last week, including an interception he threw early in the game. But Matt Patricia's Lions are not right, either. The Lions need to find a consistent running game and capable defense to compete, and so Patricia doesn't lose his job. I feel that I can count on Green Bay, who has won 2 of their last 3 visits to Ford Field, to start a winning streak here.

Prediction: GB 23, DET 17

 MIA @ CIN

Two of the more surprising teams of the season square off, both at 3-1. Miami was humbled against their big brother, New England, last week to end their winning streak, while the Bengals offense hummed once again in Atlanta. This game carries massive implications, as an AFC head-to-head tiebreaker. The winner is in an admirable position, 4-1 by Week 5 with a critical AFC victory, while the loser falls to 3-2 with a massive conference loss. I pick the Bengals to score points and be too much for Miami to contain.

Prediction: MIA 16, CIN 29

    BAL @ CLE

Only the Browns could score 42 points on the road and still lose. To be fair though, they were unlucky to lose, as the referees missed some pretty clear calls that cost the Browns in the end, but the Browns still couldn't finish Oakland off. As for the Ravens, coming off of a fantastic divisional win at Pittsburgh, momentum is riding high. Usually, teams who manage an incredible upset tend to lay an egg the next week. The Ravens are absolutely susceptible to that in Cleveland, but the Ravens know too well how to win, and the Browns how too well how to lose, so I will stick with what I know.

Prediction: BAL 24, CLE 10

  TEN @ BUF

If not for the longest game in NFL history Week 1, the Titans could be undefeated. They've knocked off Houston, Jacksonville, and Philadelphia in their three wins. That is impressive. Now you have to go to Buffalo. Easy, right? Maybe not. The Bills are 6-3 at home under Sean McDermott, and Buffalo is known as a very hostile place for road teams. Their defense gave Aaron Rodgers a lot of trouble, while Josh Allen showed why he is considered a project. However, with the backing of 75,000 Bills fans, as the underdog once again, I think the Bills will pull off another upset.

Prediction: TEN 17, BUF 20

     DEN @ NYJ

Where have the Jets been? They were last spotted in the fourth quarter of the Jets-Lions game at Ford Field back in Week 1, and they have not been the same ever since. Sam Darnold has played poorly, turning the ball over, and failing to spread the ball around. Denver marches in after a solid defensive performance against the potent Chiefs, and Case Keenum has settled in nicely with his new team. That being said, the Jets are due for another win, and Denver is 1-8 on the road since 2017, so I will pick the Jets.

Prediction: DEN 17, NYJ 26

 NYG @ CAR

The Panthers return after a way too early Week 4 bye (Seriously, NFL?) to host the Giants, who could only muster a win versus the struggling Texans. In my humble opinion, the Panthers are the biggest favorite to win in Week 5, considering they have the rest, the health, and the talent to beat the Giants, who can't rely on Eli Manning to carry the team on his back anymore. And someone tell Eli to throw to Odell for once! Think about the fantasy owners. This is my Lock of the Week.

Prediction: NYG 10, CAR 27

     OAK @ LAC

The Raiders were due for a win, and they finally got it versus the Browns. Great. That's awesome. The Chargers have bigger and more realistic ambitions than the Raiders, so they should take care of the Raiders, despite the fact that there is no home field advantage to speak of for the home team this week. That's a problem, as well as the lack of pass rush. But the Chargers will be fine for another week.

Prediction: OAK 23, LAC 30

  MIN @ PHI

Once upon a time, I predicted the Vikings and Eagles to both miss the playoffs this season. Now at the quarter season mark, the Super Bowl champions are .500 and the Vikings are winless since opening day. The loser may be out of the running by this week, as the loser will have a critical NFC loss and will be even further behind in the standings. I know the Vikings will want revenge for their spanking at the hands of the champs last postseason, and they certainly could pull off a victory. But the Eagles are back at the Linc, and that's just a hard place to chase a victory when you're desperate.

Prediction: MIN 20, PHI 24

 LAR @ SEA

Remember when the Rams obliterated and embarrassed the Seahawks last season in Seattle? That marked the passing of the torch, if you will, in the NFC West. The 2013 Super Bowl winners have since started to rebuild, with the Legion of Boom completely out of the picture, with Earl Thomas giving the finger to his own franchise, and Russell Wilson playing stranded on an island. The Rams have ten days rest, and they are clicking in every facet right now. No question, the Rams should run away with it again.

Prediction: LAR 30, SEA 17

 ARZ @ SF

Josh Rosen will see better days in his career, but passing for 180 yards against the Seahawks is not good enough. This Cardinals team is the worst in the NFC. Period. Meanwhile, the 49ers almost beat the Chargers last week, and they played surprisingly solid. They can carry that performance going forward and outlast a woeful Arizona side.

Prediction: ARZ 13, SF 24

 DAL @ HOU

The NFL loves their Dallas Cowboys Sunday Night Football. But I don't. Why would any fan who wants to be excited and entertained want to the 27th ranked offense of Dallas in primetime? The Cowboys are not right, and have not been since Travis Frederick left the team. Dak Prescott has been exposed, Elliott has not had the gaps or the carries, nor have the Cowboys inspired at all away from home. The Texans are more talented on offense, and they should light Texas up on the scoreboard. 

Prediction: DAL 14, HOU 28

 WSH @ NO

The Saints seem to have found their rhythm now. Their Week 1 loss to the Bucs is behind them, they have rebounded very nicely indeed, winning three straight, scoring 97 points since. Unfortunately for the Redskins, their rhythm screeched to a halt when the NFL gave them a Week 4 bye, after an impressive upset versus Green Bay. The Redskins have played well to this point and could easily send shockwaves throughout the NFC by winning in New Orleans, but they won't. It's Monday Night Football in the dome. I can only see one winner.

Prediction: WSH 20, NO 31

Works Cited
“Jalen Ramsey Photos Photos: Jacksonville Jaguars v Kansas City Chiefs.” James L. Brooks Matt Groening Pictures, Photos & Images - Zimbio, www.zimbio.com/photos/Jalen%2BRamsey/Jacksonville%2BJaguars%2Bv%2BKansas%2BCity%2BChiefs/cP-gK0nm_A5.