Wednesday, October 7, 2020

NFL 2020 Week 5 Picks

 Hello readers! Another week of National Football League action is soon upon us. After the spike of positive coronavirus tests, perhaps this week will see a full slate of games without anyone getting sick. Last week in picks was good for me with a 11-4 record, we shall see if this week will bring more good luck. In this post, I'll talk about my picks for the week's games. Let's get to work!

Week 5 Picks

Week 5 of the National Football League's regular season starts in Chicago, Illinois and finishes in New Orleans, Louisiana. There will be 15 games shown this week. The week includes: a Thursday night game, eight early games, four late games, a Sunday night game, and a Monday night game. FOX will have the single, regional game and CBS will have the doubleheader. Green Bay and Detroit have bye weeks this week. Let's get to the picks!

Tampa Bay (3-1) @ Chicago (3-1) (FOX/NFL Network): TW: Buccaneers; CV: Buccaneers
The Buccaneers beat the Chargers and the Bears lost to the Colts last week. Week 5 starts with a pretty good match up on paper. Both have short rest after playing on Sunday. It would seem to me that the Bears were exposed last week against the Colts as they shut down Chicago's running attack and make their quarterbacks beat them. The key is if they can get Brady pressured early and often. I don't trust Chicago enough to beat them, I'll go with Tampa. 

Jacksonville (1-3) @ Houston (0-4) (CBS): TW: Texans; CV: Jaguars
Both teams lost last week as the Jaguars lost to the Bengals and the Texans lost to the Vikings. The Bill O'Brien era is over and Romeo Crennel takes over as interim. The matchup of the Texans offense vs Jaguars defense seems to lean more into Houston's favor. I feel Houston's time to get a win is due. Don't let me down, please.

Cincinnati (1-2-1) @ Baltimore (3-1) (CBS): TW: Ravens; CV: Ravens
Both teams got a win as the Bengals beat the Jaguars and the Ravens beat the Football Team. The Bungles got their first dub of the season last week and now they face off against the class of the division. Safe to say I can't trust to pick Cincy in this one. Baltimore is literally favored by 13 points according to Vegas. Who can blame them? On both sides of the ball, Baltimore has them beat. Sorry Bungles. It was nice while it lasted.

LA Rams (3-1) @ Washington (1-3) (FOX): TW: Rams; CV: Rams
The Rams beat the Giants and the Football Team lost to the Ravens. LA has been playing better this season and I feel its more of the lower expectations is what got them to where they are at right now. They will also play against Kyle Allen who will start over Dwayne Haskins in this game. It would seem that the Rams have what it takes on both sides of the ball to take care of business in this one. Kyle Allen had a mixed season last year who had some glimpses of stardom and most of it was a dud. I'll take LA.

Las Vegas (2-2) @ Kansas City (4-0) (CBS): TW: Chiefs; CV: Chiefs
The Raiders lost to the Bills and the Chiefs beat the Patriots. Several Raiders players tested positive for COVID today, so we shall see if this one will be played. Nevertheless, I think the Chiefs got this one in the bag but when it comes to the Raiders-Chiefs rivalry, all bets are off in this one. If Mahomes is healthy, Las Vegas has no chance. 

Philadelphia (1-2-1) @ Pittsburgh (3-0) (FOX): TW: Steelers; CV: Steelers
The Eagles beat the 49ers and the Steelers didn't play their game last week due to postponement due to COVID. It's the Philly Cheese Steaks vs the Yinzers in this Battle of Pennsylvania. The Eagles are banged up and got through to a win in San Francisco. I like the Steelers in spite of the amount of rest that they have. You have to remember that they last played a game in Week 3 against the Texans. I'll take the safe bet with the Steelers. 

Carolina (2-2) @ Atlanta (0-4) (FOX): TW: Falcons; CV: Panthers
The Panthers beat the Cardinals and the Falcons lost to the Packers. I know what you're saying Carolina, why no respect? I get ya. At some point the Falcons have to get a win and let Dan Quinn keep his job for at least another week. With the way that Teddy Bridgewater has been playing I can see them pulling off a win but I just don't see them keeping up with Atlanta's offense. Please Atlanta, for the sake of killing memes for a week please win a game. 

Buffalo (4-0) @ Tennessee (3-0) (CBS): TW: Bills; CV: Bills
The Bills beat the Raiders and the Titans game last week was postponed due to COVID. After bailing on Buffalo last week, the Bills Mafia will likely be happy with me as I will take the Bills to beat the Titans in this one. Josh Allen has been playing really well this season and I can see him taking apart this Titans defense apart. If the Bills defense can take Derrick Henry out of the game I think Buffalo will get to 5-0. Assuming this game will be played come Sunday as the Titans might have more positive tests looming. 

Arizona (2-2) @ NY Jets (0-4) (FOX): TW: Cardinals; CV: Cardinals
The Cardinals lost to the Panthers and the Jets lost to the Broncos last week. Arizona has been stumbling a bit for the past couple of weeks. I would give most of the blame to Kyler Murray as the turnovers really jumped up quite a bit. If the Cards plan to win I think the running game of the Cardinals needs to pick up and lessen the pressure on Murray. For the Jets, scoring points off turnovers will be a must in order to win as your offense is horrendous. I think Arizona gets back on track. 

Miami (1-3) @ San Francisco (2-2) (FOX): TW: 49ers; CV: 49ers
The Dolphins lost to the Seahawks and the 49ers lost to the Eagles last week. San Fran got somewhat embarrassed last week and they need to get Jimmy Garoppolo back ASAP as the QB situation is a mess. Ultimately, I'll take the 49ers running game to pick up the slack in this one where the rest of the offense lacks. Miami could be good enough to win but turnovers need to be down to a minimum in order to win. 

Denver (1-3) @ New England (2-2) (CBS): TW: Patriots; CV: Patriots
The Broncos beat the Jets and the Patriots lost to the Chiefs last week. What did we learn last week without Cam Newton with the Patriots? It was a struggle to get anything going on offense. Should he return I would say the Patriots have a better shot to get a dub but the Broncos have proven that they've been underachievers so far. I like the Pats running game and secondary but this game could get postponed as well so it might not matter if they play this game.

Indianapolis (3-1) @ Cleveland (3-1) (CBS): TW: Browns; CV: Browns
Both teams got wins last week as the Colts beat the Bears and the Browns beat the Cowboys. Sadly, this game isn't getting more attention as both teams are actually good this year, at least for Cleveland. The Brownies will be without Nick Chubb due to injury but I feel Kareem Hunt will do fine as a runner. I question how well Baker Mayfield will do against a much improved Colts defense that took Chicago to town last week. Browns defense needs to play better as well as they nearly gave up 40 points to the Cowboys last week. 

NY Giants (0-4) @ Dallas (1-3) (CBS): TW: Cowboys; CV: Giants
Both teams lost last week as the Giants lost to the Rams and the Cowboys lost to the Browns. Old school NFC on CBS matchup. Dallas should have the upper hand in this game based on their offensive power but their defense gave up 49 points last week to the Browns of all teams. As well as letting Cleveland's running backs walk all over them. 

Minnesota (1-3) @ Seattle (4-0) (NBC): TW: Seahawks; CV: Seahawks
Both teams got wins last week as the Vikings beat the Texans and the Seahawks beat the Dolphins. The Vikes finally got a dub last week and unfortunately they're facing off against the class of the NFC in Seattle. Minnesota could have success in passing the ball as Seattle is 32nd in pass defense yards allowed. The thing that has kept them winning has been turnovers from the secondary and Russell Wilson who has currently 16 touchdowns and just two interceptions. Keep the Seattle offense off the field for Minnesota, and keep the Vikings running game quiet for Seattle.

LA Chargers (1-3) @ New Orleans (2-2) (ESPN): TW: Saints; CV: Saints
The Chargers lost to the Buccaneers and the Saints beat the Lions last week. Week finishes up with a fairly spicy matchup as the rookie takes on the hardy veteran in quarterback. Austin Ekeler will be out for this one as he was hampered with a hamstring injury last week. He will likely miss 4-6 weeks. Joshua Kelley will have to be the one to help Justin Herbert out in the offense as well as Keenan Allen. I think the Saints are still the better team but this one could be quite a good one to watch. I'll take Nawlins. 

Local TV Schedule:

FOX Single:
Philadelphia @ Pittsburgh
Kenny Albert, Jonathan Vilma

CBS Early:
Las Vegas @ Kansas City
Ian Eagle, Charles Davis

CBS Late:
NY Giants @ Dallas
Jim Nantz, Tony Romo

2020 Week by Week Record

TW's record:

Week 1: 8-8
Week 2: 15-1
Week 3: 9-6-1
Week 4: 11-4
Total: 43-19-1

Cardinal Viking's record:

Week 1: 10-6
Week 2: 11-5
Week 3: 8-7-1
Week 4: 7-8
Total: 36-26-1

Previous Picking Records:

Cardinal Viking:

2017: 167-89
2018: 156-98-2
2019: 151-104-1

My record: 
2012: 164-90-2
2013: 162-92-1
2014: 172-83-1
2017: 164-92
2018: 156-98-2
2019: 161-94-1

See you guys on Tuesday for the Week 5 recap post! Enjoy the games
-Tom

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