NFL Picks Week 5: Pittsburgh Steelers and 5 Teams Desperate for a Win

Week 5 of the NFL season is the time when you start seeing teams that were supposed to be good but have failed to live up to expectations go into desperation mode.

The teams at the top of that list both reside in the state of Pennsylvania: Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.

The Steelers have been a virtual lock for the postseason since Mike Tomlin took over as head coach in 2007, but this year their resolve is being tested due to injuries and poor performance on both sides of the ball.

The Eagles were labeling themselves as a "Dream Team" before the season even started thanks to a number of big free-agent signings. But the new additions haven't meshed well with the old players that were already in town, and the team finds itself bringing up the rear in the NFC East with a 1-3 record.

If they plan on turning their seasons around, they need to show marked improvement this week, otherwise it's going to be a long, lonely January in Pennsylvania.

They are not alone, though. Here are six teams that have to win in Week 5.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Matchup: Tennessee Titans at Pittsburgh Steelers

Say what you want about Matt Hasselbeck, but when he is healthy he is dangerous. He is having a terrific season, and the Titans are making a lot of noise in the AFC South.

The Steelers enter this game trying to find something to be positive about after losing last week against Houston.

Ben Roethlisberger injured his ankle last week and was walking around in a boot after the game, but he is expected to play. How effective he is depends on how much protection his offensive line gives him, which has not been much in the first four games.

Star linebacker James Harrison is going to miss a few games with a fractured orbital bone, so as bad as their run defense has been this season, things could get worse.

When the Steelers have had their back to the wall in the past, they have always responded in impressive fashion. It's easy to bet against them right now, but something tells me they are going to walk away with a victory.

Prediction: Steelers 23, Titans 17

Philadelphia Eagles

Matchup: Philadelphia Eagles at Buffalo Bills

Lofty preseason expectations are the worst possible thing that a team can have. If they start the season slow, then analysts and fans will say that the hype was overblown or the team has no chemistry and someone has to pay for that.

The Eagles were crowned champions before the season started, but are 1-3 heading into their showdown with Buffalo.

The biggest problem for this team has been in the trenches. The offensive line isn't protecting Michael Vick long enough to let him create plays. The defensive line isn't getting any pressure on opposing quarterbacks, which makes the secondary have to work that much harder.

A game against the Bills is not going to cure what ails them because they have a dynamic offense led by quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick.

The Eagles will have to match the Bills score for score if they want to get back on track. I believe they can do it, because Vick is that good.

Prediction: Eagles 34, Bills 30

New York Jets

Matchup: New York Jets at New England Patriots

The Jets are reeling after two straight losses, and a game against the high-octane Patriots is not going to be a cure for what's ailing them.

Mark Sanchez has to play better than he did against Baltimore last week. He went 11-for-35 with 119 yards and one interception in that game. Going against the worst defense in the NFL should help him get back to playing like his old, mediocre self.

The defense has played well, but they are getting scored on more than we are accustomed to seeing. Their biggest problem has been stopping the run, which should not hurt them against a Patriots team that wants to throw the ball around as much as possible.

Unless Sanchez can match Tom Brady pass for pass and point for point, the Jets are going to have a hard time winning this game.

Rex Ryan will need every ounce of optimism he has in his body because his team will be faced with a three-game losing streak heading into next Monday's game against Miami.

Prediction: Patriots 37, Jets 24

Atlanta Falcons

Matchup: Green Bay Packers at Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons were supposed to build on their 13-win season in 2010 and become the dominant team in the NFC South.

Instead, they have taken several steps back and will struggle to make it back to the postseason. The biggest problem for this team has been on defense.

The revamped defensive line is not putting pressure on opposing quarterbacks the way that it was supposed to. The secondary, which was a weakness last season, is left to cover receivers longer than it is capable of doing.

And now they have to contain Aaron Rodgers, arguably the best quarterback in the NFL today. The Packers offense has picked up right where it left off at the end of last season, and they are itching to go up against this Falcons defense.

The Falcons were able to knock off the Packers in the regular season last year, so hope is not lost for them in this game. But unless the defensive line can find whatever it has been missing this season, their chances are slim.

Prediction: Packers 35, Falcons 21

San Francisco 49ers

Matchup: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers stole a victory last week against Philadelphia and lead the NFC West with a 3-1 record. But just how good is this team?

That is a question they will have to answer this week against Tampa Bay. They believe they are moving in the right direction and can compete for a Super Bowl.

The problem is when you look at their overall numbers, they are terrible. With the exception of run defense, they rank in the bottom 10 in the league in passing offense, rushing offense and pass defense.

I know the only thing that matters is who is ahead on the scoreboard, but those numbers tell you a lot about where this team is at right now.

The 49ers desperation stems from their desire to prove that they are legitimate contenders. If they beat Tampa Bay, then we can put them in the playoff conversation.

Prediction: Buccaneers 31, 49ers 17

Chicago Bears

Matchup: Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions

The Bears have not played poorly this season, and their 2-2 record is very respectable after four weeks. But they play in a division with Detroit and Green Bay, the only two undefeated teams in the NFL, and are in danger of falling three games behind the division leader if they lose this game.

Plus, a loss to Detroit would make the Bears 0-2 against the big boys in the NFC North. If they want to stay in the division race they have to win this game.

The Lions are going to have a little more motivation for this game because it is the franchise's first Monday night game since 2001. Matthew Stafford, Calvin Johnson and everyone else on the team wants to make a statement on a national stage.

The Bears did make a point to get Matt Forte more involved in the offense last week against Carolina, and they will have to do that again in this game if they want to have a chance.

Since Mike Martz is the offensive coordinator, I have my doubts that will happen.

Prediction: Lions 34, Bears 20