NFL Picks Week 5: Quick Projections for Every Game

With all the comebacks we've seen so far in the NFL season, predicting games has been that much more difficult. 

In Week 5 we've got some interesting matchups including the Carolina Panthers hosting the New Orleans Saints, the struggling Philadelphia Eagles traveling Buffalo to take on the Bills, and the undefeated Detroit Lions welcoming the Chicago Bears to Ford Field on Monday Night Football. 

Even with though it's the first round of bye weeks, this weekend should be a good one in the NFL. 

Here are my Week 5 predictions:

Tennessee Titans at Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers injury problems and offensive line deficiencies are the main storylines heading into this game. 

Ben Roethlisberger will play with a protective boot on his foot, James Harrison is out and Rashard Mendenhall will be limited at best. 

Tennessee has a balanced attack with Chris Johnson and Matt Hasselbeck and has a very underrated defense. 

I like the Titans to leave the Steel City with a win. 

Titans 24, Steelers 20

Seattle Seahawks at New York Giants

I don't think the fact that the Seahawks are traveling across country will be the reason they lose this game—the Giants are just far more talented and has a very disruptive defensive front. 

Too much pressure on Tarvaris Jackson and too much offensive fire-power with Hakeem Nicks, Mario Manningham and Victor Cruz. 

Giants 31, Seahawks 13

Cincinnati Bengals at Jacksonville Jaguars 

The Bengals still have a ways to go, but their defense and running game will be keep them competitive. 

I think Cincinnati will stymie Blaine Gabbert and relatively hold Maurice Jones-Drew in check. 

They'll do enough on offense to get the win, especially because it looks like Cedric Benson will be in the lineup. 

Bengals 17, Jaguars 7

New Orleans Saints at Carolina Panthers

I think this game will be a lot closer than people think because of the offensive explosiveness of both teams. 

Cam Newton and Drew Brees will put on a show with the Super Bowl-winning quarterback leading his team to victory in crunch time. 

Saints 38, Panthers 31

Oakland Raiders at Houston Texans

This is an interesting game because of Andre Johnson's hamstring injury. 

I still think the Texans will be able to move the ball with Arian Foster while occasionally making the big play through the air against a sub-par Raiders secondary. 

McFadden with a big day, but not enough. 

Texans 31, Raiders 21

Philadelphia Eagles at Buffalo Bills

This one has shootout written all over it.

I think both Mike Vick and Ryan Fitzpatrick have huge statistical outputs in this one, but LeSean McCoy and Fred Jackson steal the show.

Buffalo's defense forces key turnovers and rides their rowdy fanbase to another win. 

Bills 34, Eagles 31

Kansas City Chiefs at Indianapolis Colts

Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis will cause enough havoc in the Chiefs secondary that should give Indy great field position for most of the afternoon. 

It'll be a low scoring affair with the Colts emerging victorious. 

Don't count out Curtis Painter. 

Colts 17, Chiefs 13

Arizona Cardinals at Minnesota Vikings

I simply cannot see the Vikings losing another game at home. 

Adrian Peterson is primed for a big day and the Cardinals secondary will allow Donovan McNabb to break out of his "slump."

Vikings 27, Cardinals 21

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at San Francisco 49ers

Both teams are more efficient than they are dynamic and I like what the 49ers are doing right now—running the football and stopping the run. 

Josh Freeman has an extremely bright future, but I need to see more from him as a pure passer. 

Frank Gore and Kendall Hunter get the job done at home. 

49ers 23, Buccaneers 20

New York Jets at New England Patriots

Tom Brady has won 29 consecutive regular season starts at home.

I don't expect that to change this weekend. 

The Jets defense did have success against Brady last year in the postseason, but Bill Belichick will make adjustments. 

I'm not sold on New  York's running game or Mark Sanchez enough for them to pull off another win in Foxboro. 

Patriots 28, Jets 17

San Diego Chargers at Denver Broncos

Did you see what Aaron Rodgers did to the Broncos secondary last week?

Expect more of the same from Philip Rivers, despite the Chargers not being overly impressive in any of their three victories thus far. 

Keep your eye on Ryan Mathews in this one, and emerging star. 

Chargers 34, Broncos 21

Green Bay Packers at Atlanta Falcons

No one is operating their offense more efficiently than Aaron Rodgers, and the Falcons are allowing 275 yards through the air right now. 

Huge game for Green Bay's offense, and their defense will be able to pressure Matt Ryan enough to keep him out of his comfort zone. 

Packers 34, Falcons 27

Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions

I really don't like his matchup for the Bears. 

Jay Cutler has been sacked 15 times so far, and the Lions defensive front could finally be getting rookie Nick Fairley back from injury.

Oh yea, Calvin Johnson cannot be stopped. 

Bedlam in Detroit. 

Lions 30, Bears 17