NFL Picks Week 5: 3 Road Teams With an Advantage

In Week 4 of the NFL, a total of eight teams won on the road. That is a total of half, meaning we will surely see some teams picking up road wins in Week 5 because of some sort of advantage. 

Road teams have actually fared quite well in 2011, and one could expect more of the same in Week 5. 

Home teams usually have the obvious advantage, but these three road teams will have the upper hand in Week 5, leading them to a victory. 

Tennessee Titans

Without Kenny Britt in Week 4, the Tennessee Titans were able to pick a road victory against the Cleveland Browns 31-13. The Titans let off the gas peddle in the fourth quarter as they had a very comfortable lead, 31-6 entering the fourth. 

Tennessee must now travel to face off against the banged up Pittsburgh Steelers. James Harrison will be out for a few weeks with an orbital fracture around his right eye, while Ben Roethlisberger and Rashard Mendenhall are questionable. 

Pittsburgh has been less than impressive on the season, as their 2-2 record represents. Tennessee has been the worst rushing team in the league, but look for Chris Johnson to get on track against the James Harrison-less Pittsburgh rush defense that ranks 22nd. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers didn't blow out the Peyton Manning-less Indianapolis Colts on Monday night, but they still looked impressive. Josh Freeman is becoming one of the better quarterbacks in the NFL, and LeGarrette Blount is an absolute bruiser. 

The San Francisco 49ers are coming off a big upset of the dysfunctional Philadelphia Eagles, but take it with a grain of salt. San Francisco is still not very good offensively, and their secondary is extremely weak. 

Tampa Bay sophomore receiver Mike Williams has been frustrated in 2011, as he has been held to 15 catches for 155 yards and a touchdown. Look for Josh Freeman to expose just how bad the 49ers secondary is even though they are coming off a short week.  

New Orleans Saints

Yes, the New Orleans Saints are the most obvious team on this list. No, the Carolina Panthers are not a pushover team anymore.

Carolina has battled in every game in 2011 but only have a 1-3 record to show for it. Their three losses have come by seven points or less and have an opportunity to make some noise against the Saints.

I'm not sure which New Orleans running back will go off against the Panthers, but the Panthers are 31st against the run, allowing 143.8 rushing yards per game. Just last week they allowed 205 rushing yards to Matt Forte, who had 119 total rushing yards coming into the game.