NFL Picks Week 5: Green Bay Packers and 3 Road Teams Sure to Win

It’s never a good idea to underestimate home-field advantage in the NFL, but sometimes home cooking just isn’t enough. These three teams will come away with road victories in Week 5:

Green Bay (at Atlanta)

This NFC title-game rematch looked terrific on paper when the schedule came out, but inconsistent Atlanta is just 2-2. Even when Matt Ryan threw four TDs in a home win over Philly, he only managed 195 yards.

The Falcons’ offense simply isn’t clicking well enough to outscore Aaron Rodgers, especially given how much trouble Atlanta’s pass defense has had this season. It won’t be a runaway, but Green Bay will come out on top in the end.

Tennessee (at Pittsburgh)

The surprising Titans have won three straight, largely on the strength of a rejuvenated Matt Hasselbeck and a tough defense. Pittsburgh, which has managed just 17 points in its two losses combined, will have its work cut out for it trying to score on Tennessee.

The key question here is whether struggling Chris Johnson (a paltry 199 rushing yards) can get on track against Pittsburgh’s 22nd-ranked run defense. If he can provide even a token running game, the Titans’ defense should be able to do the rest.

New Orleans (at Carolina)

Cam Newton has been as good as advertised, but he’s not getting much help from a defense whose only good game was in a monsoon against the Jaguars. Unless the weather decides to intervene again, the Panthers won’t be able to contain Drew Brees’ offense.

Carolina’s 31st-ranked run defense could be vulnerable to big plays from Darren Sproles or Mark Ingram, and even the pass defense (sixth in the league in yardage) will be hard-pressed to slow down the prolific Brees.

Newton will put up his share of points, but it won’t be enough to outmatch the totals New Orleans will put on the scoreboard.