NFL Predictions Week 5: Matthew Stafford and 3 Young QBs Who Will Shine

There's nothing like being a struggling team in the offseason and then realizing you have a young quarterback that could lift you out of the doldrums.

It's also nice when you start winning some games with these young quarterbacks right out of the gate.

Here are three up-and-coming quarterbacks that will have a field day in Week 5.

Andy Dalton, Cincinnati Bengals

After a hot start (three touchdowns in two games), Andy Dalton has hit a bit of a bump in the road the last two games, tossing one touchdown to four interceptions against the San Francisco 49ers and Buffalo Bills.

But this is a rookie quarterback. Dalton's going to have his ups and downs throughout the season. I still believe in his ability, and he has a better matchup than it may seem in Week 5.

In Week 5, Dalton faces the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jaguars only give up 228 passing yards per game, but they also give up a completion percentage of 64 percent.

I expect Dalton to use his new weapon, tight end Jermaine Gresham, as well as rookie wideout A.J. Green, to defeat the Jaguars.

Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers

The New Orleans Saints are giving up 254 passing yards per game this season and they are naturally a team that is going to get in a lot of shootouts. They also do most of their damage with their pass rush, with 13 sacks already, but the Panthers' offensive line has been decent, only ceding eight sacks in four games. On top of that, Newton has a way of making defenders miss.

Newton has been dominating from the start. Why would anything change against a team that can be beaten through the air and has given up eight passing touchdowns so far?

Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions

There was a lot of room for Stafford to disappoint this season, given all the hype surrounding a quarterback who hadn't had continued success in the past.

But in his third season, Stafford has more than lived up to the hype, completing 62 percent of his passes for over 1,200 yards and 11 touchdowns to three interceptions so far. This kid is for real and he faces a Chicago Bears secondary that has inexplicably turned for the worse in 2011.

The Bears have allowed opponents to complete 66 percent of their passes for 301 yards per game this season. On top of that, they have just eight sacks on the season. Opponents are taking advantage and so will Stafford at home in Detroit.