The Ten Must-See Games Of Week 5 In The NFL

Four more teams won’t be in action this weekend, including St. Louis and Oakland. Notably, both teams will have two weeks to prepare under new head coaches: Jim Haslett as the Rams new interim coach and Tom Cable as the Raiders new leader. Meanwhile, both the Browns and Jets stroll into the off week coming off big wins in Week 4.

That being said, 28 other teams kick off the first action in what is sure to be an exciting month of October. Fire up your DVR and strap yourself in for………

The Top 10 Must-See Games of Week 5

(All times E.S.T.)

Might Be Worth Your Time…..

10. San Diego at Miami, 1:00 p.m., CBS

Any chance the Dolphins look as good against the Chargers as they did in New England? The answer lies in Ronnie Brown’s performance, and you can be sure San Diego will know where #23 is on the field at all times. That spells a familiar fate for Miami’s inept offense against San Diego’s 8^th-ranked defense. Chargers QB Philip Rivers could be in line for a career day against a paper-thin pass defense at the bottom of the league statistically. With some outside help, the Chargers are tied for the AFC West lead by the end of the day.

9. Chicago at Detroit, 1:00 p.m., FOX

Lions fans can feel the change in the air. No longer will they have former CEO Matt Millen to blame for the team’s failures. Now, after dropping all three games this year, Detroit has to deal with a hungry Bears team fresh off its huge win against Philadelphia. The Lions will win if the offense can fight off Chicago’s D and contain Kyle Orton; this seems about as likely as Millen returning to Motown anytime soon.

8. Minnesota at New Orleans, 8:30 p.m., ESPN (MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL)

How could a Monday Night Football primetime game be ranked so low on our list? It’s not hard to understand when looking at the Minnesota Vikings offense. No, scratch that, we should just say Adrian Peterson instead. The only productive part of the unit may have some success on the ground against a Saints defense still presumed to be soft, yet how could he possibly match the points put up by Drew Brees and company? If the Vikes D comes to play, we could have a good one in the “Big Easy”. If not, find something else to watch on Monday night.      

7. Indianapolis at Houston, 1:00 p.m., CBS

This matchup has been a laugher over the past…well, actually every season since the Texans franchise was formed. No surprise here, Houston is winless again going into October and despite playing into OT last week, it’s hard to see them as a contender down the stretch. The real storyline in this game, though, may be about which Colts team shows up in Texas. Indianapolis was but a field goal away from also being 0-3, which means the Colts playmakers (Manning, Wayne, Addai, and Harrison) need to make a statement. Both teams are looking up at unbeaten Tennessee and absolutely cannot afford to lose; makes things kind of interesting in Houston.  

Be Near a TV…..

6. New England at San Francisco, 4:15 p.m., CBS

The last time we saw the Patriots they were abused by Ronnie Brown. True, New England is 2-1 and has a shot at another AFC East crown, but they need to improve on both sides of the ball to climb out of the statistical basement. Matt Cassel needs to find some kind of chemistry with pro bowler Randy Moss and utilize weapons Wes Welker and Daniel Graham. The Niners need a home game badly after the Saints wiped the floor with them last weekend. QB J.T. O’Sullivan needs to reduce his turnovers and keep the 49ers defense off the field. Though, if Frank Gore racks up over 100 yards and a couple touchdowns for San Francisco, we may see more than four quarters to decide this one.   

5. Tennessee at Baltimore, 1:00 p.m., CBS

Think defense might be a factor in this one? Tennessee leads the NFL in takeaways while Baltimore’s top-ranked defense gives them a chance to steal wins almost every week. The Ravens lost running back Willis McGahee to injuries in Pittsburgh and now QB Joe Flacco will stare across at the 5^th-best defense in the game. It is similarly bleak for Kerry Collins and company: the Titans only offense is usually their defense. Prepare for injuries, interceptions, and a ton of hard hits.

4. Buffalo at Arizona, 4:15 p.m., CBS

The Bills aren’t blowing teams out, yet somehow they’re still undefeated. The Bills have found themselves trailing in their past three games in the 4^th quarter only to rally and win all three. Attribute that to QB Trent Edwards playing consistently and DT Marcus Stroud and co. applying pressure on opposing quarterbacks. This does not bode well for the reeling Arizona Cardinals, losers of their last two and victims of seven turnovers last week. Surely, they won’t be as bad holding onto the football as last week, but the offense may have problems coping with the loss of WR Anquan Boldin to a helmet-to-helmet hit. Buffalo is going to score points in this one, and the trouble posed for Arizona is whether their offense will show up.     

Getcha’ popcorn ready…..

3. Tampa Bay at Denver, 4:05 p.m., FOX

This game is Brian Griese’s second chance for revenge in three weeks. He faces off with another one of his former teams, Denver, in a matchup of big-name players. All eyes will be on Tampa Bay linebacker Barrett Ruud as well as Earnest Graham after strong performances last week. Under center across from Griese is upstart QB Jay Cutler who directs a potent offense that suddenly became mortal after a startling loss against winless Kansas City. Cutler has two of the best targets in the league in receivers Brandon Marshall and Eddie Royal. The two have 58 catches, 696 combined yards and five TDs, yet their value will really be measured against a tough Bucs defense that should keep this contest close late into the 4^th quarter.               

2. Pittsburgh at Jacksonville, 8:15 p.m., NBC, (SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL)

This matchup yielded two incredible games in Pittsburgh for viewers last season, including a 29-22 Jacksonville win in the snow and a last minute 31-29 victory in the Wildcard round of the AFC Playoffs. The Steelers could be in trouble without a solid starting running back and a tattered offensive line that has already given up 16 sacks this year. Although they squeaked out a victory over the Ravens on Monday Night, the Jaguars will prove to be a far tougher test. Jacksonville put up 30 points against Houston last week behind David Garrard’s best game of the season and Josh Scobee’s clutch kicking. The Jags are always a threat with their two-headed monster of Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew running the ball, which should clash nicely with Pittsburgh’s 2^nd-ranked defense.  

1. Washington at Philadelphia, 1:00 p.m., FOX

Anything goes in the juggernaut that is the NFC East. Four teams are all playing at .500 or above with all but a single loss coming from inside the division. The Redskins were dead in the water only a few weeks ago after being humiliated by the Giants on the Thursday Night opener. Now only seven days after shocking the Super Bowl favorite Cowboys, Washington will look to steal another road win in Philly. The Eagles defense be warned: QB Jason Campbell, RB Clinton Portis and WR Santana Moss all have hit their strides and appear to be back on track. Meanwhile, Philadelphia may again be without RB Brian Westbrook in the backfield and though Donovan McNabb should play, he is obviously still hurting. The team definitely took a step back in the loss to the Bears, but don't assume the Eagles to be underdogs on Sunday. Expect the unexpected in the NFC East arms race.