NFL Picks Week 5: Which Teams Are Locks or Toss-Ups in Week 5?

It's Friday, which means it is time to start picking the locks and toss-ups for Week 5 of the NFL schedule. 

Tennessee Titans at Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers have that injured but still dangerous appeal to them, and the Titans are starting to get the love. The Steelers win what's sure to be one of the more physical games of the week.  

Verdict: Toss-up 

Seattle Seahawks at New York Giants

This is a tough matchup for the Seahawks, especially considering the West to East Coast trip they have to make. Receiver Hakeem Nicks puts up big numbers against a small secondary and the Giants roll.  

Verdict: Lock  

Cincinnati Bengals at Jacksonville Jaguars

An interesting rookie quarterback matchup on paper will almost certainly be a defensive battle. It's hard not to like how the Bengals' defense has looked most of this season, and they'll ride that unit to a close win on the road.

Verdict: Toss up 

New Orleans Saints at Carolina Panthers

Cam Newton vs. Drew Brees is going to be all the talk, and why shouldn't they be? The most exciting rookie quarterback since Michael Vick taking on the veteran surgeon? Brees gets the best of Newton in round 1.  

Verdict: Lock 

Oakland Raiders at Houston Texans 

This should be a nice test for the Texans' run defense, and they'll likely be without star receiver Andre Johnson on offense. That's a big loss for a team that used up a lot of emotional energy in beating the Steelers a week ago. The Raiders win on the road.

Verdict: Toss up 

Philadelphia Eagles at Buffalo Bills

Both of these teams need a bounce-back win, but there isn't a franchise in football that is seeking a victory more than the Eagles. This game doesn't come down to Michael Vick—it's in the hands of the Eagles' run defense. I don't think they can keep Fred Jackson and co. from racking up yards.

Verdict: Toss up 

Kansas City Chiefs at Indianapolis Colts

The Chiefs play a winless team for the second straight week, and the Colts are coming off a short week with a quarterback that has no business starting in the NFL. Chiefs get their second win of the season, and the Colts continue to see visions of Andrew Luck. 

Verdict: Lock 

Arizona Cardinals at Minnesota Vikings

Larry Fitzgerald returns to his home state, where the Vikings have gotten off to an 0-4 start. They've been in every game, however, and the Cardinals are beatable. Minnesota finally gets into the win column.  

Verdict: Toss up 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at San Francisco 49ers

This quietly is one of the more intriguing matchups of the weekend, as two 3-1 teams face off in San Fran. In fact, this is the only 3-1 vs. 3-1 game of Week 5. Josh Freeman will ultimately be the difference, and the Bucs get to 4-1 with a narrow win.

Verdict: Toss up  

New York Jets at New England Patriots

There's always going to be hoopla surrounding this game, and rightfully so. It has slowly turned into one of the game's best rivalries. The Jets just have two many issues on both sides of the ball to knock off the Pats on the road. 

Verdict: Lock 

San Diego Chargers at Denver Broncos

The Broncos will keep this closer than you think, even with Tebow-mania continually causing disdain among the fans. The Chargers will pull away in the end, however, as Kyle Orton can't escape the boo birds.  

Verdict: Lock 

Green Bay Packers at Atlanta Falcons

Matt Ryan and Mike Smith will say this isn't about revenge, but the fans in the Georgia Dome will likely think differently. Unfortunately for the home team, they don't have Aaron Rodgers on their sidelines. There's no sane reason to pick against him right now. 

Verdict: Lock 

Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions

The Lions play on Monday night for the first time since 2001, and they welcome the defending NFC North champions from Chicago. The Bears are going to give them a rude awakening on national television, as another slow Lions start finally gives them the loss they've had coming. 

Verdict: Toss up