Free NFL Picks: Week Five

Are those tasty treats?

Nope.

That my friend is the out-of-division schedule played by the NFC East.

I can't wait until these teams are done with this pathetic schedule and actually start playing legitimate teams outside of the division.

Now I must admit that I am a diehard Philadelphia Eagles fan, but even they are the beneficiaries of an incredibly soft schedule thus far.

The best team in the division is the New York Giants and there is not much of a debate about that right now.

But how legit are they?

The Giants have wins over the Redskins (2-2), Dallas (2-2), Tampa Bay (0-4), and Kansas City (0-4). That is a combined 4-12 record.

The sad part is that it is the best record compared to the rest of the division.

Check this out.

The Eagles have wins over Carolina (0-3) and Kansas City (0-4). A quick use of the calculator shows the Birds have beaten teams with a combined 0-7 record.

The Redskins have wins over the Rams (0-4) and Tampa Bay (0-4). That's an 0-8 record.

As for the Dallas Cowboys, they have wins over Tampa Bay (0-4) and Carolina (0-3). You got it, a combined 0-7.

This means that only the New York Giants have registered a win against another team that has picked up a win this season.

But wait, it gets better.

The Eagles play Tampa Bay this week (0-4), the Giants get the Raiders (0-4), the Redskins get the Panthers (0-4) and the Cowboys get Kansas City (0-4).

Is this really going on? Can we get an investigation into this?

Anyway, four weeks are in the books and each one has brought me a winning week. It was only a 4-3 week, but the record goes up to 17-11 and the winning percentage sits at 60 percent.

I think it is safe to say that the Giants, Eagles, and Cowboys will pick up wins. The Redskins could definitely go down on the road. But the real question is: Who will cover the number?

My selection for each game is the first team in the heading. Read what I got and maybe you'll blow your entire life savings.

Raiders (+17) @ N.Y. Giants

I honestly believe that Eli Manning sits this one out or sees limited playing time. I could also see the entire Giants team looking ahead to the Saints game next week. The Giants might be up by as many as 30 and get backdoored.

N.Y. Giants 30, Oakland 17

Philadelphia (-15) vs. Tampa Bay

The Eagles feast on teams like this at home. I can't help but think back to games like Detroit and St. Louis when the Eagles put up some points. They did the same thing this year to the Chiefs, but then again who hasn’t?

Donovan McNabb will have a huge day and the Eagles defense will look impressive against another dreadful offense.

Philadelphia 45, Tampa Bay 13

Denver (+3.5) vs. New England

Let me get this straight. New England won 41-7 last year against the Broncos, they are coming off a win against one of the best teams in the NFL, and they are only laying 3.5 points against the Broncos?

The line doesn't make sense to me at all.

I think the Broncos got pretty lucky in wins against Cincinnati and Dallas. They should be at least six-point dogs here, but the line maker says otherwise so I will go with the line maker here.

Denver 27, New England 20

Arizona (-5.5) vs. Houston

I know what you're thinking. "This game is going to be a shootout so whatever team gets hot with the passing game will win."

I think the run game is more vital to either team's success.

Houston needs to run the ball better to open up their passing attack. Unfortunately for them the Cardinals are pretty stout against the run at home.

Arizona 32, Houston 20

Carolina (-4) vs. Washington

Whenever I see a team with no wins, and they're a favorite I take them.

This game is going to be boring and flat out ugly. Could Jim Zorn get fired after this game?

Carolina 27, Washington 16

Cincinnati (+8.5) vs. Baltimore

The Ravens are coming off an emotionally and physically draining loss, and the Bengals come off an emotionally and physically draining win.

I expect both teams to come out flat, which means points are a premium here.

Toss in the fact that the Ravens are giving up too many points and I can't resist the temptation to take the Bengals

Baltimore 20, Cincinnati 14

Miami (+1.5) vs. N.Y. Jets

So last week Miami was a pick ‘em against the Bills. This week they get a Jets team that everyone thinks is a top-10 team and they are only catching 1.5 points?

What is going on here?

Aren't the mighty Jets supposed to bounce back in a big way against a Dolphins squad that is starting...gulp, Chad Henne?

Someone knows something so I'm trusting that someone.

Miami 17, N.Y. Jets 9