NFL

2014 NFL Picks: Week 5 Edition

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By @GilAlcarazIV

Picking Week 5 of NFL Action

Peyton Manning Cover
Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Somehow, we’re already a quarter of the way through the 2014 NFL season. It’s flying by, but that just means we have to pay more attention than ever to what happens each and every week. That’s why I’ve put together my picks for Week 5.

I don’t promise to be right, but with a respectable 38-23 record on the season, you could certainly do worse.

Minnesota Vikings (2-2) @ Green Bay Packers (2-2)

Green Bay Packers v Chicago Bears
Getty Images

Minnesota Vikings (2-2) @ Green Bay Packers (2-2)

Green Bay Packers v Chicago Bears
Getty Images

Pick: Packers

I’d like to think the Vikings have a chance of winning this one, but it’s just not going to happen. Even if Teddy Bridgewater is healthy enough to play, the game is at Lambeau and the Packers are coming off of a huge divisional win. Optimism and good vibes won’t be enough for the Vikings this time around.

Chicago Bears (2-2) @ Carolina Panthers (2-2)

Jeffery Marshall
Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

Chicago Bears (2-2) @ Carolina Panthers (2-2)

Jeffery Marshall
Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

Pick: Bears

The Bears are coming off of a demoralizing loss to the Packers, but still have plenty to fight for with the division crown still within reach. The Panthers got smoked last week by an average Ravens passing game, and should get mauled by Jay Cutler, Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery.

Houston Texans (3-1) @ Dallas Cowboys (3-1)

DeMarco Murray
Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Houston Texans (3-1) @ Dallas Cowboys (3-1)

DeMarco Murray
Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Pick: Cowboys

For some strange reason, the Cowboys are actually playing like a quality team right now. Putting an emphasis on the run is doing wonders for the Dallas offense, which should help them overcome a Texans team bound to come back down to Earth sooner than later.

Buffalo Bills (2-2) @ Detroit Lions (3-1)

Matthew Stafford
Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

Buffalo Bills (2-2) @ Detroit Lions (3-1)

Matthew Stafford
Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

Pick: Lions

At this point in the season, the Lions are rolling while the Bills are still trying to figure out how to move forward offensively. Buffalo made the switch to Kyle Orton as its starting quarterback this week, which shouldn’t bode well considering he’ll be up against a surprisingly-solid Detroit pass defense.

Baltimore Ravens (3-1) @ Indianapolis Colts (1-3)

Andrew Luck
Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Baltimore Ravens (3-1) @ Indianapolis Colts (1-3)

Andrew Luck
Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Pick: Colts

Despite their opposite records, something tells me the Colts are headed for an upset win here. Not only has the Indianapolis offense been firing on all cylinders with the help of Andrew Luck, but Ahmad Bradshaw is coming into his own. It’ll be a high-scoring affair with the Ravens falling just short.

Pittsburgh Steelers (2-2) @ Jacksonville Jaguars (0-4)

Blake Bortles
Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Pittsburgh Steelers (2-2) @ Jacksonville Jaguars (0-4)

Blake Bortles
Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Pick: Jaguars

This is obviously my “blatantly against the grain” pick for Week 5. While I’m not blind to the fact that the Jaguars are terrible, the Steelers haven’t exactly been great this season either. Blake Bortles is looking for his first win in the NFL, and faces a Pittsburgh defense that has been downright awful in 2014.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-3) @ New Orleans Saints (1-3)

Drew Brees
Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-3) @ New Orleans Saints (1-3)

Drew Brees
Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Pick: Saints

Neither of these teams is off to a good start this season, but the Saints are clearly the better team. While they’ve struggled away from home, the friendly confines of the Super Dome should help Drew Brees and Co. put together a resounding victory against a subpar Buccaneers team.

Atlanta Falcons (2-2) @ New York Giants (2-2)

Rashad Jennings
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Atlanta Falcons (2-2) @ New York Giants (2-2)

Rashad Jennings
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Pick: Giants

The Falcons have been terribly inconsistent this season, and so have the Giants. However, considering the G-Men are coming off of a huge win against a divisional rival while Atlanta got embarrassed by a rookie quarterback in Week 4, momentum and home-field advantage should be enough for New York.

St. Louis Rams (1-3) @ Philadelphia Eagles (3-1)

Nick Foles
Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports

St. Louis Rams (1-3) @ Philadelphia Eagles (3-1)

Nick Foles
Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports

Pick: Eagles

As off as the Eagles were last week, the Rams will provide them with the perfect opportunity for a bounce-back win. Without its top quarterback, the St. Louis offense has been inept this season. Meanwhile, Nick Foles should have no trouble getting back on track against the Rams’ leaky pass defense.

Cleveland Browns (1-2) @ Tennessee Titans (1-3)

Isaiah Crowell
Ron Schwane-USA TODAY Sports

Cleveland Browns (1-2) @ Tennessee Titans (1-3)

Isaiah Crowell
Ron Schwane-USA TODAY Sports

Pick: Browns

Both of these teams haven’t been great this season, but the Titans have been so much worse. Despite their 1-2 record, the Browns actually look like a solid team that was a few plays away from being undefeated. Look for Cleveland’s running game to pound Tennessee’s defense into submission.

Arizona Cardinals (3-0) @ Denver Broncos (2-1)

Peyton Manning
Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

Arizona Cardinals (3-0) @ Denver Broncos (2-1)

Peyton Manning
Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

Pick: Broncos

It’s been great talking about the Cardinals going undefeated to start the season, but that time is almost up. As poor as the Broncos passing defense has been in 2014, Drew Stanton simply doesn’t have it in him to keep the trend going. Peyton Manning will carve up Arizona’s defense en route to a win.

New York Jets (1-3) @ San Diego Chargers (3-1)

Philip Rivers
Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

New York Jets (1-3) @ San Diego Chargers (3-1)

Philip Rivers
Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Pick: Chargers

If you really thinks the Jets have a chance in this one, you need to get your head checked. After a Week 1 surprise, New York has been an absolute joke this season. Geno Smith can’t get it together and the running game isn’t much better. Philip Rivers will help the Chargers cruise to victory.

Kansas City Chiefs (2-2) @ San Francisco 49ers (2-2)

Alex Smith
John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

Kansas City Chiefs (2-2) @ San Francisco 49ers (2-2)

Alex Smith
John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

Pick: Chiefs

Both of these teams have plenty to be embarrassed about this season, but this game will offer a chance to turn things around. Momentum is on both team’s sides, so the team that makes the least amount of mistakes will win. That’s why Alex Smith and the Chiefs will come out victorious in Week 5.

Cincinnati Bengals (3-0) @ New England Patriots (2-2)

Andy Dalton
Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Cincinnati Bengals (3-0) @ New England Patriots (2-2)

Andy Dalton
Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Pick: Bengals

New England is currently caught in a downward spiral as poor play and off-the-field comments continue to hurt team chemistry. The Bengals, however, are flying high as Andy Dalton continues to earn that massive contract. Don’t be surprised to see Cincinnati hand the Patriots another crushing loss.

Seattle Seahawks (2-1) @ Washington Redskins (1-3)

Richard Sherman
Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Seattle Seahawks (2-1) @ Washington Redskins (1-3)

Richard Sherman
Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Pick: Seahawks

Let’s be honest. The Redskins are a mess right now, especially after last week’s shellacking at the hands of the Giants. Meanwhile, the Seahawks have looked strong this season on both sides of the ball. Barring some unforeseen event, Seattle should cruise to an easy win in this one.

Gil Alcaraz IV is the Director of Content for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @GilAlcarazIV, like him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

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