NFL Predictions Week 5: Detroit Lions and 5 Teams That Will Make Home Fans Happy

Generally speaking, the home team has an advantage in an NFL game. It doesn't always work that way, but home teams generally win.

These are some of the weekend's best games where the home fans will leave happy.

In a parity driven NFL, these games can always go the other way, but I am expecting these teams to be quite optimistic about the remainder of their seasons.

In some cases, it may be a surprisingly optimistic outlook. Other teams were expected to be good.

Regardless of the circumstances, these home fans are likely to be happy come Monday, or Tuesday morning.

Detroit Lions

I can certainly understand some doubt here. The Lions are 4-0, but have had to resort to late comebacks to win the last two games. They could very easily be 2-2.

But I like their pass rush against a beaten up Chicago offensive line. I also like Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson against the Bears secondary, which has had issues this year.

The Bears will be desperate in this one. But in front of a revitalized Detroit fan base on a Monday night, I think the Lions take this one pretty easily.

Buffalo Bills

The Bengals did expose some flaws in the Bills. Actually, the Raiders and Patriots did too, but the Bills managed wins there.

What works well for Buffalo is that the Eagles defense has also been exposed in the last three weeks. With Fred Jackson, the Bills have the running game to run all over the Eagles.

In Buffalo, I am going with the Bills to keep their magic season going, at least for another week.

Houston Texans

The loss of Andre Johnson will hurt the Texans, but they do have plenty of weapons to work with. Jacoby Jones and Kevin Walter still make a formidable receiving duo, while Owen Daniels at tight end will also help.

Oh, and they also have Arian Foster at running back.

The Raiders had a hard time defending the run against the Patriots, who don't have anywhere near as good of a ground game as Houston has.

Now, Oakland will score some points, but the Texans have the better team. In Oakland, I might reconsider this opinion. But In Houston, the Texans will emerge victorious.

San Francisco 49ers

The Buccaneers are good, but they could be 0-4 right now. Actually, the 49ers could also be 0-4, or at least 1-3, but against better opponents. 

Both teams enter this game at 3-1, not 0-4.

As a 49ers' fan, I am a little nervous about everyone jumping on the bandwagon. I remember 2009, which was the last time they started 3-1. They ended up finishing 8-8, and needed a good run at the end of the year to do that.

But at home, I like them to contain the Buccaneers offense and take advantage of the opportunities created by the defense.

I am expecting a close, low scoring game. But I'll go with Patrick Willis and the 49ers' defense to carry the day.

New England Patriots

The Jets offense just leaves too much to be desired here. Yes, their defense will do a better job of containing the Patriots offense than their previous opponents have.

But in New England, I like the Patriots in this one.

The Patriots are still remembering the playoff loss from last year, and are moving the ball at an incredibly high level. 

The matchups are there for the Patriots to move the ball up and down the field. They may have to settle for more field goals than they're used to, but not enough to cost them a win.