NFL Predictions: Week Five

Week Five of the NFL season is almost upon us. What have we learned so far from the first quarter of it?

Peyton and Eli Manning basically rule the NFL like they do in the Doubled-Stuffed Oreo League.

Tony Romo can't win big games if his life or blonde-haired girlfriends depended on it.

Brett Favre was out for revenge on Monday night and got it against the Packers, but still doesn't admit to it, and he never will.

The Giants, Colts, Vikings, Broncos and Saints are all undefeated at 4-0 and right now, are the class of the NFL.

The Chiefs, Browns, Rams, Titans, Buccaneers and Panthers are all winless. What's sad is some of these teams have a legit chance to go 0-16, just like the Lions did a year ago.

Oh, and Michael Crabtree FINALLY signed a contract with the 49ers, so he will not be re-entering the 2010 NFL Draft.

Last week, I went 12-2 with my only losses coming from the Bills to the Dolphins and the Titans to the Jaguars. Overall in 2009, I am 47-15 on the year.

Let's take a look at the schedule of games for Week Five and see who squares off this weekend.

Oakland Raiders @ New York Giants

Eli Manning is a game-time decision with a bruised heel, but the chances are that he will play. If he does, I expect him to play three of the four quarters, so David Carr will probably get the fourth quarter if the Giants are well ahead.

The running game for the Giants is starting to get back on track with Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw playing very well. The Raiders defense will have a tough time trying to stop both of them.

The Raiders will also have trouble stopping the combination of receivers being thrown at them of Steve Smith, Mario Manningham, and Hakeem Nicks.

Nicks returned from injury last week and caught his first NFL touchdown. He should only continue to get better with more playing time.

JaMarcus Russell will be in for a long afternoon at Giants Stadium. He's getting worse each week and the Raiders know it. But do they care enough to bench him? Probably not. Expect Russell to be pounded and punished all game.

Final Score: Giants 37, Raiders 10

Dallas Cowboys @ Kansas City Chiefs

The Cowboys lost a tough game to the Broncos last week, and Tony Romo failed again at trying to win a game in the fourth quarter for the Cowboys.

The pressure shouldn't be on as much this week, because the Chiefs and their defense are that horrible.

The Cowboys should be able to run the football effectively with Marion Barber, who is probable for the game. Felix Jones is listed as questionable with a knee injury, so Tashard Choice may see more playing time if Jones can't go.

Roy Williams is also questionable with a rib injury, but he hasn't been a major factor in 2009 with just 11 catches. The Cowboys have been relying on guys like Miles Austin, Sam Hurd and Jason Witten in the passing game.

The Matt Cassel experiment in Kansas City has failed so far and against Dallas, it won't get any easier. Dallas is desperate for a win, so look for DeMarcus Ware and company on defense to rip off Cassel's head on every play. Dallas should win this game easily.

Final Score: Cowboys 27, Chiefs 13

Washington Redskins @ Carolina Panthers

The Panthers are 0-3 and had a bye week to rest and really think long and hard about their 2009 season.

Do they really want it to go down the toilet? Does Jake Delhomme want to get benched? Does John Fox want to be fired? They need a win desperately this week.

Jonathan Stewart is questionable for the game, so DeAngelo Williams will probably get most of the carries against Washington's defense that hasn't been terrible, but not great, either.

Jim Zorn is coaching his way out of a job one game at a time. He's nearly blown two home games to the Rams and Buccaneers, but barely held on.

They gave the Lions their first win in two years and are 0-2 on the road. Jason Campbell also doesn't look like he has any more confidence in himself and in this team.

I expect the Redskins to give confidence back to the Panthers by dropping another road game and moving one step closer to getting Zorn fired.

Final Score: Panthers 23, Redskins 14

Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Philadelphia Eagles

For the first time since Week One, Donovan McNabb will be playing in a game for the Eagles, so good news for the Philadelphia fans there.

Truthfully, they wouldn't have really needed him this week, because Tampa Bay and their defense are so terrible, even Kevin Kolb could easily handle this team.

This game will hardly look like the NFC Championship of 2003, where the Buccaneers came into Philly and kicked the Eagles in the face en route to the Super Bowl. Those days are long gone.

The Buccaneers are 0-4 and will more than likely give up somewhere between 400-500 yards of offense to the Eagles and go to 0-5.

Some might even wonder if Tampa will even win a game this year. They certainly don't look like a team that will.

Final Score: Eagles 35, Buccaneers 6

Minnesota Vikings @ St. Louis Rams

Brett Favre has the Vikings rolling after their victory over the Packers on Monday Night Football. Now, they can get back to business and worry about regular football games.

The Rams won't be as much of a challenge as the Packers were, but Jared Allen might be having another field day on either Marc Bulger or Kyle Boller, whoever gets the unfortunate nod to start this game. Allen had 4 1/2 sacks last week against Green Bay.

The Rams are an utter mess. They have scored a total of 24 points on offense and given up 108 on defense. That's not just bad. That's absolutely embarrassing.

I know Steve Spagnuolo deserved to be an NFL head coach, but he really should have waited another year before taking a job, because his Rams are another team that could be a possibility for 0-16.

The Vikings will win this game. The only question is, do the Rams even score a touchdown in the game?

Final Score: Vikings 31, Rams 6

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Detroit Lions

The Steelers got back to .500 and 2-2 with a dominating performance on offense against the disappointing Chargers.

Rashad Mendenhall broke out on Sunday night and had a tremendous game for Pittsburgh. With the lack of production out of Willie Parker in 2009, Mendenhall has a real chance to take over as the premier back of the Steelers.

Troy Polamalu is listed as questionable for Week Five, but we still haven't seen him since his injury in Week One, and I don't think Pittsburgh is in any rush to bring back their star defensive player and risk him getting hurt again, so when Polamalu is 100 perrcent healthy, that's when he'll be back on defense.

Matthew Stafford hurt his knee in the Lions game against the Bears last week and is listed as questionable for the game.

If he can't go, Daunte Culpepper will get to start. I don't expect any major upsets at Ford Field. The defending champions should take care of business in the Motor City.

Final Score: Steelers 28, Lions 16

Cincinnati Bengals @ Baltimore Ravens

This might actually be considered one of the week's top games since each team is at 3-1.

The Bengals just made it to 3-1 after squeaking by the Browns in overtime. They are playing very good football and are saving Marvin Lewis' job at the same time. Carson Palmer has stayed healthy, which is keeping the Bengals' chances alive.

Chad Ochocinco has had a bounce-back 2009, which is also keeping the Bengals chances alive.

The Ravens suffered their first loss last week, so they will be looking for redemption. Ray Lewis and Ed Reed were outspoken about the referee's calls, so they may try to take it out on Palmer, or Ochocinco, or Cedric Benson.

I also expect Joe Flacco to try and air out the ball at home, something he's been very successful at doing.

This is a divisional game and one that might come down to the final minute. But in the end, the Ravens should barely pull it off. But expect a fight from the feisty Bengals.

Final Score: Ravens 27, Bengals 24

Cleveland Browns @ Buffalo Bills

This is a game the Bills must win. Or else, Dick Jauron can start looking for a job come Monday morning.

The Browns defense is one of the worst in the league, so Trent Edwards should be able to get the ball to Terrell Owens this week. No excuses. The Browns can't cover anyone, so Owens and Lee Evans should have a good day on offense.

The Browns got rid of a problem this week by trading away troubling wide receiver Braylon Edwards for Chansi Stuckey, so the continued dismantling of the Browns under Eric Mangini continues.

One sports writer in Cleveland expects Mangini to be fired by Halloween, although Cleveland management has denied the rumors. Nobody would blame them if they did fire Mangini, because nobody expects Cleveland to win a single game in 2009.

The Bills should be able to win this game, or Jauron will be run out of Buffalo.

Final Score: Bills 24, Browns 9

Atlanta Falcons @ San Francisco 49ers

This is another intriguing game between two good teams.

The 49ers are a feel-good story of the NFL in 2009. They are 3-1 and in first place in the NFC West. Mike Singletary has his players believing in his system.

What's been amazing is Shaun Hill has played well and Vernon Davis doesn't look like a draft day bust, which is good news.

More good news was Michael Crabtree signed with the 49ers, but no word has been given if he will actually suit up and play.

The Falcons had a bye week to rest and relax. Matt Ryan should be able to move the football with Michael Turner and Tony Gonzalez.

This game was hard for me to pick, but because Frank Gore is still expected to be out, I couldn't pick the 49ers this week. I expect Atlanta to win, but it should still be an enjoyable game to watch.

Final Score: Falcons 24, 49ers 20

New England Patriots @ Denver Broncos

Teacher vs. student. Bill Belichick vs. Josh McDaniels.

The games get harder for the 4-0 Broncos as the Patriots come into town to face another feel-good story of 2009 in Denver.

McDaniels will have the opportunity to face his mentor in a key game this week. Denver's offense has been pretty good, but their defense has been very good so far.

Last week, Dallas was a test, and they passed it. New England is an even bigger and better test to see how far along Denver is in 2009. The Patriots, though, are getting back to full strength on offense, especially with Wes Welker's return.

With Tom Brady able to throw to Randy Moss and Welker, that might be too much for the Broncos to stop. But they will do their best to try, and they will give the Patriots a good fight.

This finally may be the week where Denver goes down, but not shamefully.

Final Score: Patriots 27, Broncos 23

Jacksonville Jaguars @ Seattle Seahawks

For the last two weeks, Matt Hasselbeck has been out with a rib injury while Seneca Wallace continues to play and lose in his place.

Hasselbeck is listed as questionable again for this week. If the Seahawks want any chance of winning this season, they need Hasselbeck to be healthy and to play.

Seattle needs to run the football better with Julius Jones and Edgerrin James, and with Jacksonville's defense, they should be able to.

They should also be able to get the ball to T.J. Houshmandzadeh, who has been decent in his first year for Seattle.

The Jaguars have won two straight games and would love to win a third game at Qwest Field. Maurice Jones-Drew is having a fine season with five rushing touchdowns already, and David Garrard is throwing the ball better.

But Seattle is at home, and they desperately don't want to lose four in a row and drop to 1-4. It might be a fight for Seattle, but I'll take the Seahawks in a close one.

Final Score: Seahawks 24, Jaguars 20

Houston Texans @ Arizona Cardinals

This is a must-win game for both teams. The Texans are 2-2 and looking to go over .500 with a road victory. The Cardinals are 1-2 and looking to avoid getting beaten again at home after they were embarrassed by the Colts on national TV in their last game two weeks ago.

The Cardinals are going to come out and want to throw the football on Houston. Kurt Warner is going to want to get it to Larry Fitzgerald, who has been relatively quiet in 2009, and to Anquan Boldin, who again has been quiet in 2009. But I guess when you are 1-2, there isn't a lot to talk about.

The Texans defense ranks one of the worst in the NFL, which could spell trouble for them against a dynamic offense like the Cardinals. They can throw the ball very well, but they can't stop it.

In a game they must have, the Cardinals should win this week to get back to respectability and to .500.

Final Score: Cardinals 28, Texans 21

Sunday Night Football: Indianapolis Colts @ Tennessee Titans

The 4-0 Colts are facing the 0-4 Titans. I did not think Tennessee would be 0-4 at this point. Neither did NBC and the NFL when they made this a nationally televised game.

The Colts right now are the class of the AFC and Peyton Manning is making another run to be the NFL MVP by playing great football and finding new receivers to throw the ball to.

What has been a pleasant surprise for the Colts is their defense, which is holding onto leads, despite being ranked near the bottom of the league.

The Titans are desperate for a win. The only problem is, they can't stop anyone on defense. They miss Albert Haynesworth in the middle of their line.

The Titans didn't lose their fourth game until their playoff game last year. Now, they might be headed to an 0-5 start. This game also might be Kerry Collins' last chance to try and win.

Vince Young is still waiting and wondering when he'll get to return to starting. Going 0-5 might have to do it.

Final Score: Colts 37, Titans 17

Monday Night Football: New York Jets @ Miami Dolphins

The rivalry has returned to Monday Night Football!

One of the most memorable games played on Monday night between these two was on October 23, 2000 at Giants Stadium.

The Dolphins were up 37-7 after the end of the third quarter. But Vinny Testaverde threw four of his five touchdown passes in the fourth quarter and the Jets scored 30 points to tie the game at 37-37 to send it into overtime, where John Hall kicked a field goal to win the game 40-37 for the Jets.

I don't think this Monday night will be like that game nine years ago, but it should be an interesting game to watch, and one where Mark Sanchez needs a rebound game after a lousy three-interception game against the Saints.

Chad Henne is the starter, so the Jets won't see Chad Pennington, who is out for the season and can't torture them again. The Jets should get back to blitzing and getting after the quarterback, so Henne might have a long night ahead of him,

Monday night will also be the debut of the Jets newest wide receiver in Braylon Edwards, who they traded for on Wednesday. It'll be a matter of time to see how Edwards fits into the offense and if he can work on his dropping problem.

Miami needs to run the football if they want to win, because they can't pass it. But the Jets are prepared to shut that down. Expect the Jets to rebound on Monday night and get back on track with a win.

Final Score: Jets 30, Dolphins 16

Bye Week: Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, New Orleans Saints, San Diego Chargers

So, there we have the Week Five schedule. There might be some blowout games, especially coming from the games of the teams who are 0-4 and are 0-16 candidates.

The only upset game I picked this week was the Panthers defeating the Redskins, but Washington is a lot worse than their 2-2 record, and could be really 1-3 or 0-4, because they are that bad. But Carolina is 0-4, so if they won, it would be an upset.

The game that intrigues me the most is the Patriots-Broncos game because of the Belichick-McDaniels coaching contest, and to see if Denver can really go 5-0, or if they suffer their first setback.

Also, I wonder if Denver wins this game, will McDaniels get Belichick's famous "Eric Mangini/Rex Ryan Go F*** Yourself Treatment" of the weak handshake and walking away with the look of wanting to stab them. It wouldn't be the first time, but I guess we'll all have to tune in on Sunday.

Hope everyone enjoys the rest of their week and gets ready for some more NFL football this weekend.