2011 NFL Survivor Pools: Week 5 Picks and Analysis

This is by far the toughest week we’ve faced all year as survivors. There are lots of tough divisional games as well as trap games just luring you in: 

Eagles at the Bills is a trap game. We saw how hard these Bills played against the Patriots two weeks ago at home in a thrilling victory. They got upset on the road the next week against the Bengals and now return home. Buffalo will play the Eagles as tough as they did the Patriots, so there’s no predicting this game. 

Chiefs at the Colts. The Colts are bound to win one of these games. Stay away. 

Titans at the Steelers. The Titans are 3-1 and Matt Hasselbeck has quietly thrown for 1,152 yards, good for fourth in the NFL. Pittsburgh is most likely without Rashard Mendenhall and their offensive line has been pitiful. Stay away. 

Raiders at the Texans. Never trust the Raiders. They show up ready to play or not at all. 

Jets at the Patriots and the Packers at the Falcons are no-brainers to lay off.  That leaves us with the following:

Week 5 Games I Like:

Giants over the Seahawks 

They haven’t been pretty. They haven’t been consistent. But the Giants play a full 60 minutes and have a 3-1 record to show for it. Not only are they winning, but they are doing so with a depleted team. Every week, they seem to get someone back and lose a man as well. This week, Brandon Jacobs has been sitting out practice with a knee injury and his status is yet to be determined. Ahmad Bradshaw is more than capable of carrying the load and the Giants will jump out early and protect their lead all game.

Saints over the Panthers 

The Saints have been on a roll and WR Marques Colston is now fully healthy, according to Head Coach Sean Payton. Brees has been spreading the ball out well already and now to have his number one wide receiver back means more trouble for defenses. Cam Newton and the Panthers have been exciting, that’s about it. Steve Smith is second in the NFL in receiving yards and Cam Newton is on his way to Rookie of the Year, but they only have one win to show for it. Their schedule gives them no breaks and this week is no exception. Saints win.

Cardinals over the Vikings 

The Vikings are 0-4 and have proven they can’t hold a lead when they actually have one. The Cardinals are coming off a tough loss to the Giants in which they can play the “I got screwed by the refs card,” when Victor Cruz fumbled the ball but was credited with giving himself up. They will not hold back this week against the Vikings and Beanie Wells will carry this team to a much-needed victory.