NFL Predictions Week 5: Steelers, Eagles and 5 Guaranteed Losers

They are losers, every last one of them. At least, that is what Week 5 deems. 

It's time to predict, prognosticate and preview. The Steelers and Eagles are just two of the teams that are headed into certain doom. 

I don't take any pleasure in calling out these squads mired in the doldrums. I just call them as I see them. The first four weeks have demolished what we thought we knew about the NFL landscape. 

Super Bowl contenders are still tying to get out of the gate. I know the NFL is a parity haven, but this is just ridiculous. 

Nearly every team that was expected to cruise into the playoffs is having immense struggles at the moment. The Green Bay Packers and New England Patriots are the only stalwarts that continue to roll. 

Even those teams have their issues in the form of very suspect secondaries. The NFL has become a zany place where up is down, left is right and some star-studded teams can't catch a break. 

Let's break down another weekend of marvelous football. All of these upsets mean just one thing, football is as exciting as it has ever been. 

There is no such thing as certainty anymore. Any contender can be cut down as if they were the Miami Dolphins. 

It's bye week time, and five teams can only wish they were enjoying an off week as they are dealt guaranteed losses. It's a long and winding road to the postseason. For the following teams, it is about to get even more difficult. 

Saddle up, because it's losing time.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Prediction: Titans 24, Steelers 20

Seeing the Pittsburgh Steelers crumble has been hard to watch. The team sits at a mediocre 2-2. And it could be worse had they not held off a passionate Colts squad two weeks ago. 

The defense and grit lies all with the Titans on this one. Ben Roethlisberger and Rashard Mendenhall are banged up. The defense was hit hard by the loss of James Harrison. 

None of that is as pivotal as the offensive line which has cost the Steelers at every turn. The Titans will serve the Steelers a third loss on Sunday. 

Philadelphia Eagles

Prediction: Bills 30, Eagles 23

It's hard to argue that the Eagles are going to figure it all out anytime soon. They were punished by Frank Gore last week in the second half, and they have a better running back to contain this week. 

Fred Jackson is just one weapon the versatile Bills team has in tow. The Eagles have not been the dangerous defense that we thought they would be. 

Ryan Fitzpatrick will pick them apart, and Jackson will finish the job. 

Chicago Bears

Prediction: Lions 24, Bears 20

This game will be all about Matt Forte. The Bears will rely on the running back to give them the bulk of an offense that has been mired inconsistency. 

What worries me is the Lions pass rush, which will have Jay Cutler making some very questionable decisions in the pocket. 

Aside from that, the Bears have been subpar against the passing game. Matthew Stafford will put enough points on the board to assert the Lions as the NFC North stalwarts they are. 

New York Jets

Prediction: Patriots 30, Jets 20

The Jets offense looked bad against the Ravens. There was nothing worse in Week 4 as they looked confused and disheveled. 

The Patriots have nowhere near the defense of the Ravens, and the Jets are getting back a savior of sorts in Nick Mangold. 

However, there is no telling how fit Mangold is going into what should be a shootout. The Patriots will get their numbers. I don't care what defense that are up against, because this machine just works. 

I have no confidence that the Jets can keep up with the Patriots pace, Nick Mangold or not. 

Atlanta Falcons

Prediction: Packers 34, Falcons 24

Matt Ryan has been hit or miss through four games. You have to like his chances against the Packers secondary which is absent at the moment. 

That is it for the good news. The Packers are very good guarding against the run and will stifle Michael Turner at every turn. 

I still have to side with Aaron Rodgers to keep the Packers in a neck and neck tie with the Lions for control of the NFC North.