NFL Picks Week 5: Parity Reigns

Folks, we are a fourth of the way through the NFL regular season, and the division leaders are as follows:

North: AFC—Baltimore, NFC—Chicago

East: AFC—New York Jets, NFC—Washington

South: AFC—Houston, NFC—Atlanta

West: AFC—Kansas City, NFC—St. Louis

Wow. As of right now, every division leader is different from the conclusion of last year's season.

It will be interesting to see if this keeps up. Baltimore looks legit, Chicago has issues that need dealing with, and the Jets may be the best team in football right now as they anticipate the debut of Santonio Holmes and the return of Revis Island.

Meanwhile, Washington is very suspect, while Houston is in the driver's seat in the South. Atlanta is impressing in its division, the Chiefs are scary on D and special teams, while their offense is finally coming around, and St. Louis could win this division with six or seven wins.

But now let's take a look at the matchups for Week 5.

Jacksonville (2-2) @ Buffalo (0-4)

Rick Stewart/Getty Images

ORCHARD PARK, NY - OCTOBER 03: Ryan Fitzpatrick #14 of the Buffalo Bills walks down the tunnell to the field prior to playing the New York Jets at Ralph Wilson Stadium on October 3, 2010 in Orchard Park, New York. The Jets won 38-14. (Photo by Rick Stewa

First off: How epic is that picture?

Now that that's out of the way:

Jacksonville travels north to take on the winless Bills. The Jaguars are riding high after their nail-biting win over the Colts, while the Bills have yet to win a game.

Though Jacksonville comes into this game heavily favored, the Bills are going to shock. The NFL is all about matchups, and on Sunday the one to watch will be Ryan Fitzpatrick vs. the Jaguar secondary.

BUF 21 - JAX 17

Tampa Bay (2-1) @ Cincinnati (2-2)

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

CHARLOTTE, NC - SEPTEMBER 19: Josh Freeman #5 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throws a pass against the Carolina Panthers during their game at Bank of America Stadium on September 19, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Tampa goes to the jungle to face the Bengals this Sunday after coming off its bye week. Cincinnati lost to the Browns last weekend, and right now they are just a bad team.

As of right now, the only team to beat the Bucs was the Steelers, and though the Bucs are not yet elite, they do have a good football team.

TAM 24 - CIN 12

Atlanta (3-1) @ Cleveland (1-3)

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

ATLANTA - OCTOBER 03: Quarterback Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons reacts after tossing a touchdown reception against the San Francisco 49ers at Georgia Dome on October 3, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Atlanta travels to Cleveland to take on the Browns after outlasting the Niners last weekend. The Browns got their first win against the Bungles.

This game really could go either way. The Browns are not as bad as their record, but they will have no shot if Jake Delhomme starts.

ATL 35 - CLE 24

St. Louis (2-2) @ Detroit (0-4)

Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

ST. LOUIS - OCTOBER 3: Sam Bradford #8 of the St. Louis Rams looks to pass against the Seattle Seahawks at the Edward Jones Dome on October 3, 2010 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Rams beat the Seahawks 20-3. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

Sam Bradford has made me a believer—a believer that the Rams just might make the playoffs. They are on a two-game win streak and have a great chance to make it three.

The Lions really aren't bad, but neither are the Rams. Bradford will be the deciding factor in this one, but the Lions will be fine when they get Matthew Stafford back.

STL 31 - DET 19

Kansas City (3-0) @ Indianapolis (2-2)

Joe Robbins/Getty Images

KANSAS CITY, MO - SEPTEMBER 26: Matt Cassel #7 of the Kansas City Chiefs passes the ball while under pressure from Justin Smith #94 and Parys Haralson #98 of the San Francisco 49ers at Arrowhead Stadium on September 26, 2010 in Kansas City, Missouri. The

SHOCKER OF THE WEEK

The Kansas City Chiefs, the NFL's last unbeaten team, head to Indianapolis, who are just .500 so far—and ladies and gentlemen, they will remain unbeaten for at least one more week.

That's right—the Chiefs are going to beat the Colts in their own building. Peyton Manning is going to struggle all day long against the relentless pass rush that the Chiefs throw at teams, and the Colts' secondary is suspect at best. The only QB that hasn't looked good against them was Eli Manning. 

KC 34 - IND 26

Green Bay (3-1) @ Washington (2-2)

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

GREEN BAY, WI - OCTOBER 03: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers moves to avoid Cliff Avril #92 of the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field on October 3, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Green Bay travels to the nation's capital to take on the Skins on Sunday. A-Rod and Co. did just enough to hold off Detroit's attempt at a comeback, and the Skins just came off an emotional win in Philadelphia that was one dropped catch away from being a heartbreaking loss.

The bottom line in this one: Washington does not have enough offense to stay in this game.

GB 38 - WAS 17

Chicago (3-1) @ Carolina (0-4)

Andrew Burton/Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 03: Justin Tuck #91 of the New York Giants sacks Caleb Hanie #12 of the Chicago Bear at New Meadowlands Stadium on October 3, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images)

The Bears travel to Carolina to face the winless Panthers after a beatdown at the hands of the Giants.

Though Jay Cutler and Todd Collins both suffered concussions in the loss, and it looks like Caleb Hanie will get his first start, the Bears could honestly start Jeff George right now and win on Sunday. Jimmy Clausen is gonna have a day to forget, if he can even remember it when it's all said and done.

CHI 20 - CAR 10

New York [G] (2-2) @ Houston (3-1)

Thearon W, Henderson/Getty Images

OAKLAND, CA - OCTOBER 3: Quarterback Matt Schaub #8 of the Houston Texans drops back to pass against the Oakland Raiders during an NFL football game October 3, 2010 at The Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, California. The Texans won the game 3

The G-Men travel to Houston to take on the league's worst passing defense. After absolutely dominating Jay Cutler on Sunday night, the Giants' defensive front will look to take advantage of Houston's suspect O-line.

However, with Matt Schaub's quick release and the fact this game is in Houston, the Texans will outlast the Giants in this one.

HOU 24 - NYG 21

New Orleans (3-1) @ Arizona (2-2)

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

NEW ORLEANS - OCTOBER 03: Quarterback Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints celebrates a touchdown in the first quarter against the Carolina Panthers at the Louisiana Superdome on October 3, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Ge

The Saints head to the desert to take on the Cardinals in this conference matchup. Arizona just got spanked by the Chargers, while the Saints withstood a Carolina comeback.

Rookie Max Hall will likely get the nod over Derek Anderson, so this one could get ugly.

NO 41 - ARI 28

San Diego (2-2) @ Oakland (1-3)

Thearon W, Henderson/Getty Images

OAKLAND, CA - OCTOBER 3: Running Back Darren McFadden #20 of the Oakland Raider tries to avoid the tackle of linebacker Zac Diles #54 of the Houston Texans during an NFL football game October 3, 2010 at The Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, Cal

The Bolts head to the Black Hole this weekend to take on the Raiders in this bitter AFC West rivalry. San Diego plays terrible on the road, and it kind of feels like teams in the AFC West have got the Chargers figured out.

The Broncos discovered the last couple years that Philip Rivers does not like pressure. The Chiefs used that blueprint to stun the league in Week 1. Expect Oakland to follow suit and make it a rough day for Rivers; also expect Darren McFadden to run all over the Chargers' D.

OAK 34 - SD 26

Tennessee (2-2) @ Dallas (1-2)

Bob Levey/Getty Images

HOUSTON - SEPTEMBER 26: Quarterback Tony Romo #9 of the Dallas Cowboys makes an adjustment at the line of scrimmage against the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium on September 26, 2010 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

GAME OF THE WEEK

The Titans, coming off a heartbreaker against the Denver Broncos, must travel to Dallas, who are coming off a bye week. The Cowboys look to have tidied things up, as we last saw them dispose of the Houston Texans.

The Cowboys have all the talent; they just need to make it click. Meanwhile, the Titans are a very good team. They get after the QB, and they can put up points on offense.

This one will go down to the wire, maybe even overtime.

DAL 34 - TEN 31

Philadelphia (2-2) @ San Francisco (0-4)

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

ATLANTA - OCTOBER 03: Alex Smith #11 of the San Francisco 49ers looks to pass upfield against the Atlanta Falcons at Georgia Dome on October 3, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

The Niners will finally grab their first win against the Vick-less Eagles in the prime time game. With Kevin Kolb starting and the game in San Fran, the Niners will have no excuse not to win this one. If they find a way to lose, it will be very hard for Mike Singletary to retain his job.

SF 26 - PHI 17

Minnesota (1-2) @ New York [J] (3-1)

Rick Stewart/Getty Images

ORCHARD PARK, NY - OCTOBER 03: Mark Sanchez #6 of the New York Jets throws a pass against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium on October 3, 2010 in Orchard Park, New York. The Jets won 38-14. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

The Jets are the best team in football. Period. Their QB has yet to turn the ball over, their rushing attack is a two-headed monster, their defense is ridiculous (even without Darrelle Revis), and they are about to get better.

Santonio Holmes will make his Gang Green debut on Monday night, no doubt making Mark Sanchez look even better.

In case you haven't heard, though, the Jets aren't the only team that has a new toy. Randy Moss is back with the Vikes after his shocking trade Wednesday, but he will not be enough to help the Purple People Eaters come away victorious.

NYJ 39 - MIN 18

Denver (2-2) @ Baltimore (3-1)

Larry French/Getty Images

BALTIMORE - NOVEMBER 1: Casey Wiegmann #62 of the Denver Broncos snaps the ball during the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on November 1, 2009 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens defeated the Broncos 30-7. (Photo by Larry French/Gett

As usual, I don't pick this one, so let me know who wins and why in the comments. Thanks for the read!

Last week: 9-4

Season: 17-11