NFL Week 5 Picks: Going Against the Spread

The marquee game of Week 5 is the Monday night showdown between the Minnesota Vikings and the New York Jets.

Randy Moss' return to Minnesota is interesting for a number of reasons, and his second matchup this season with Jets All-Pro cornerback Darrelle Revis is at the top of the list.

Week 5 has many matchups of similarly skilled teams, games that could go in either team's favor.

If you are a guy who favors the underdog, this is your week, as there are many favorites who could suffer this Sunday.

All the NFL spreads in this article will come from the MGM Mirage at www.vegasinsider.com.

Denver at Baltimore (-7)

Grant Halverson/Getty Images

NASHVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 03: Quarterback Kyle Orton #8 of the Denver Broncos looks to pass against the Tennessee Titans at LP Field on October 3, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. Denver won 26-20. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

Even on the road, I am picking the Broncos to win the game in addition to beating the spread.

The reason? Denver quarterback Kyle Orton is playing at an all-time level through for games this season.

Orton leads the NFL in passing yards with 1,419, which is the second highest passing yards total ever through four games.

The Broncos would rather Orton have to pass less than he's needed to, but the Broncos running game has been awful.

Orton actually leads the Broncos in yards per carry, and combined with his passing stats and sack totals, Orton has accounted for nearly 88 percent of the Broncos total offense, leading the NFL.

This week Denver faces the top-ranked pass defense in Baltimore, but Orton will once again produce a big game, and according to his coach, Josh McDaniels, Orton is ready.

In a story by Lee Rasizer on cbssports.com, McDaniels is quoted saying, "The burden has to be placed somewhere, and I think Kyle has readily accepted that challenge along with the rest of our offense."

Ravens running back Ray Rice was bothered by a knee injury last week and will return Sunday in good health. But the Ravens offense is finding it difficult to score points, and quarterback Joe Flacco has thrown too many interceptions that have killed drives.

Orton's test Sunday will be hard, but there is no doubt in my mind he will pass it.

Kansas City at Indianapolis (-7)

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - OCTOBER 03: Quarterback Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts throws while taking on the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field on October 3, 2010 in Jacksonville, Florida. The Jaguars won 31-28. (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Ima

The NFL's surprise team of the young season is the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs are the only undefeated team left in the league, but their biggest test so far is this Sunday vs. the struggling Colts.

The words struggling and Colts are not often mentioned in the same breath, but Indy has had loads of trouble on defense this season, and Peyton Manning has been burdened with the task of needing to win the Colts every game by himself.

The Colts are 2-2, and a loss would put their season in a dark place. They have not lost three games through five weeks in many years.

Kansas City has a young and speedy defense and lots of playmakers on offense. Running back Jamaal Charles is a big play waiting to happen, and quarterback Matt Cassel is a very solid pocket passer.

The lack of a running game will make Manning's job much tougher this week, and the Colts shouldn't think of this game as a tune-up.

The Colts may still win, but Kansas City will beat the spread and could even win the game.

New York Giants at Houston (-3)

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 03: Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants drops back against the Chicago Bears at New Meadowlands Stadium on October 3, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images)

Houston hosts the New York Giants Sunday afternoon as a three-point favorite. The Giants are preparing on a short week after literally crushing the Bears last Monday night, recording 10 sacks on defense.

The Giants have finally found their prolific pass rush, which has made them top contenders since wining Super Bowl XLII.

Houston will find it difficult to run the ball against the Giants' front seven, but Arian Foster has played like a superstar this season. However, he has yet to face a defense as daunting as the Giants.

Houston's defense is helped by the return of the reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year, linebacker Brian Cushing. Cushing has served a four-game suspension for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy.

The Giants offense will be too much for the Houston defense, whose secondary is young and playing poorly this season.

Ahmad Bradshaw has rejuvenated the New York rushing attack, and Hakeem Nicks is becoming a No. 1 wide receiver for quarterback Eli Manning.

The Giants will beat the spread and beat the Texans on Sunday.

Philadelphia at San Francisco (-3)

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ATLANTA - OCTOBER 03: Frank Gore #21 of the San Francisco 49ers breaks a tackle by Stephen Nicholas #54 of the Atlanta Falcons at Georgia Dome on October 3, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

NBC's Sunday night prime time matchup this week is the Eagles traveling to San Francisco to take on the 49ers.

The 49ers are three-point favorites on Sunday night, and many are expecting them to win, something they have not done once this season. Many picked San Francisco to win the NFC West, but if they want to still accomplish that, they have to win this game.

Unfortunately, they will not, and without Michael Vick playing due to a rib injury suffered last week, the Eagles still have a quality quarterback to start.

Kevin Kolb will make his second start of 2010 Sunday after being knocked out of Week 1 with a concussion versus Green Bay.

Kolb has plenty of receiving weapons, including tight end Brent Celek and deep threat DeSean Jackson.

The Eagles will beat the 49ers, giving San Fran their worst start since 1979, when they began that season 0-7.

The Eagles will beat the spread and beat the 49ers Sunday night.

Minnesota at New York Jets (-4)

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EDEN PRAIRIE, MN - OCTOBER 7: Wide receiver Randy Moss #84 of the Minnesota Vikings takes his first practice after re-joining the Vikings at Winter Park on October 7, 2010 in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)

Randy Moss and the Vikings have been the story of the week in the sports world after Minnesota acquired Moss from New England for a third-round pick on Tuesday

Minnesota needed Moss badly, as their passing game has been awful this season, and Pro Bowl receiver Sidney Rice is still weeks away from returning from offseason hip surgery.

Moss will make his second trip to New Meadowlands Stadium this season, losing with the Patriots in Week 2.

The Jets come into this game as four-point favorites and have won three in a row after losing the season opener to Baltimore.

Darrelle Revis will attempt to relegate Moss to "Revis Island" again, but Moss got the better of him in Week 2 with New England, burning Revis with a quick move and using one hand to reel in a great touchdown catch.

The Jets will also have to worry about Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, who is playing at his usual All-Pro level this season. The acquisition of Moss will likely lessen the offensive burden on Peterson and allow quarterback Brett Favre to be more comfortable calling pass plays in key situations.

The Vikings have an elite defense and now have an elite receiver to pair with an All-Pro running back. 

Minnesota will get their season on the right track Monday night, beating the spread and the Jets on the road.