NFL Picks Week 5: Detroit Lions and 2 Teams Sure to Make Statements at Home

Two teams with loads to prove will get a chance to do just that against their hometown crowds this week.

The Detroit Lions and Buffalo Bills both host difficult teams in Week 5, but there are strong arguments as to why they will each notch another win on their seasons.

The Lions are one of just two undefeated squads headed into Week 5, and when the Chicago Bears exit town on Monday night, they will remain unbeaten. The Bears bested the Carolina Panthers in Week 4, but did so on the back of just one player—running back Matt Forte.

Otherwise, the Bears picked up just five first downs via the passing game. Quarterback Jay Cutler has been held down yet again by his poor offensive line and his lack of first-rate receivers, and as such, the Bears are becoming woefully one-dimensional on offense.

This will play right into the Lions' hands. While their rush defense is the team's only weakness, the fact that they can put necessary pressure on Cutler and force Forte to run gives them a great chance to stop the one thing Chicago has going for them.

In contrast, Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson has scored a touchdown once in every three catches, making him the most productive receiver in the league. Considering he's just one of a number of offensive weapons for quarterback Matthew Stafford, the Bears are going to find themselves in over their heads and significantly behind, rivalry or no.

The Buffalo Bills started the season as one of the most exciting teams in the NFL, and their Week 4 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals does little to change that in my mind.

Even the best teams get trapped by an easy-on-paper opponent, and their home game this week against the Philadelphia Eagles will prove that their 3-0 start was no fluke.

The Eagles are in crisis mode right now and have much to prove, which makes it seem like an uphill battle for the Bills in their quest to right a team that's done little more than disappoint in the last decade. But the Eagles' problems are likely to continue.

While Philadelphia has seen the red zone more times than any other team in the league, they've managed points just 76.2 percent of the time—the sixth worst in the NFL. In their Week 4 loss against the San Francisco 49ers, they blew a first half lead built by quarterback Michael Vick's arm by running the ball in the second half.

The defense isn't any better. The Eagles are one of three teams (the Bengals and Cleveland Browns are the other two) that has allowed points every time an opponent enters the red zone, and superstar cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha has been little more than a disappointment since joining the team.

These issues make a compelling case as to why the Bills will rebound at home this week. They've got one of the biggest aerial games in the league, augmented with the talents of running back Fred Jackson. Juan Castillo's Eagles defense is weak, and despite their best efforts, won't be able to contain the Bills' attack.

Even if the Bills' defense performs weakly, the fact that the offense will likely reach an early lead in what could devolve into a shootout actually is of benefit to Buffalo far more than it is to Philadelphia. After Sunday, the Bills will reinsert themselves into the playoff race, while the Eagles' season heads to an early end.