Hello readers! Another week of National Football League action is coming upon us yet again. Through four week of play, only one team remains undefeated. Also through four weeks all 32 teams have at least half of a win to their name. If the 2022 season could be put into one word it would be: parity. In this post I'll do a preview of the week, my picks for the week's games and the broadcast pairings for the early and late game windows. I'm stoked to get started. Let's get to work!
Week 5 Preview
The fifth week of the NFL's regular season starts in Denver, Colorado and ends in Kansas City, Missouri. The week features a 16-game slate where all 32 teams will play. No teams are on a bye. Week 5 features a Thursday night game, a Sunday morning game, nine early games, three late games, a Sunday night game and a Monday night game. FOX will have the doubleheader this week and CBS will carry the single, regional game. Let's get to the picks!
Week 5 Picks
Note: All game times are in US Eastern. TW is me and CV is Cardinal Viking my roommate.
Indianapolis (1-2-1) @ Denver (2-2) (Amazon; 8:15 pm): TW: Broncos; CV: Broncos
Both teams lost last week as the Colts lost to the Titans and the Broncos lost to the Raiders. The week starts with a decent matchup with two veteran quarterbacks with two of them missing their star running backs. Jonathan Taylor and Javonte Williams will force both teams to go with their other runners in this game. The Colts have been a disappointment thus far this season and their turnover margin will need to improve to get them back into the AFC South hunt. The loss of Taylor will have to give Colts fans frights of their offense being one-dimensional. Denver has been somewhat of a decent team that is trying to figure themselves out on offense. Russell Wilson has had a tough start. I think the game will come down to whoever gets stuffed the most on the rush offense. If either team will be forced to go to the air a lot will likely mean they're losing. I'll take the Broncos.
NY Giants (3-1) @ Green Bay (3-1) (NFL Network; 9:30 am): TW: Packers; CV: Giants
Both teams earned wins last week as the Giants beat the Bears and the Packers beat the Patriots. It's the second straight week in London. How about that breakfast football? New York has had a resurgence and have been the biggest surprise of the season and the reason for the turnaround has been their rush offense. It's currently tops in the league with 192.5 yards/game. It's going to face a test in the Packers defense. Green Bay has been guiding the ship ahead but the loss of Davante Adams has been noticeable as the Packers passing attack isn't quite in the top 10 yet. Like the Giants, the Packers have a tough rushing attack of their own and will have to exploit it to get a win. I'll take the Packers.
Chicago (2-2) @ Minnesota (3-1) (FOX; 1:00 pm): TW: Vikings; CV: Vikings
The Bears lost to the Giants and the Vikings beat the Saints last week. A old black and blue division battle as the Bears face off against the Vikings. The Bears go into this matchup with a tough loss to the Giants. They go up against a real tough test as they face off against the division leading Vikings. It's going to come down to Justin Fields playing his best game of the year thus far. As for the Vikings, they have had a successful year despite their team at times likes to smell their own farts and make things difficult. A loss for them could possibly set them back in the division race and losing a division game is not acceptable if you're the Vikings. I think the Vikings will go forth and put up points against the Bears.
Atlanta (2-2) @ Tampa Bay (2-2) (FOX; 1:00 pm): TW: Buccaneers; CV: Buccaneers
The Falcons beat the Browns and the Buccaneers lost to the Chiefs last week. Atlanta has been a surprise somewhat. Their offense has stepped up to the challenge and their biggest star has been Cordarrelle Patterson. The man has lead the Falcons to the 4th highest rushing yards/game in the NFL. Tampa Bay has had a bit of a sluggish start compared to the last few seasons. With the news of Tom Brady and Gisele Bundchen, his wife, hiring lawyers for divorce it could spell a trying time for the quarterback. On football terms, I think the Buccaneers will have enough talent to play well and beat their division rival. They will have to rush the ball a lot more to do that.
Detroit (1-3) @ New England (1-3) (FOX; 1:00 pm): TW: Patriots; CV: Lions
Both teams lost their games last week as the Lions lost to the Seahawks and the Patriots lost to the Packers. A tale of two team's seasons spiraling out of control. You have a Lions squad that can't keep opponents out of the endzone and you have the Patriots who can't keep a quarterback healthy. Detroit is on pace to break the most points scored in a season record held by the 1981 Baltimore Colts. Bailey Zappe will likely get the start and wasn't terrible against the Packers. I think the Patriots will take the dub because of their strong running game and Zappe looks to be not like Tom Brady but more of a field general. Not flashy but not a gambler either. I'll risk it ant take the Pats.
Houston (0-3-1) @ Jacksonville (2-2) (CBS; 1:00 pm): TW: Jaguars; CV: Jaguars
Both teams lost last week as the Texans lost to the Chargers and the Jaguars lost to the Eagles. Houston has been as to be expected, in a rebuilding mode. Jacksonville nearly beat the undefeated Eagles and that has to say a lot about them. The resurgence of the Jaguars has been their head coach Doug Pederson and the maturity of sophomore quarterback Trevor Lawrence. I really don't trust Houston to win this game. Jacksonville just has too much talent to afford to lose to the hapless Texans.
LA Chargers (2-2) @ Cleveland (2-2) (CBS; 1:00 pm): TW: Chargers; CV: Chargers
The Chargers beat the Texans and the Browns lost to the Falcons last week. A matchup between two 2-2 teams. The Chargers have been explosive on offense as to much of everyone's liking. Justin Herbert looked good throwing the ball and I feel the good feelings will resonate again. Cleveland does have something that can be lethal to a high scoring offense: a running game. If the Browns can utilize their running attack and keep Justin Herbert on the bench they do have a solid chance to win. This would have to mean that the Chargers would have to eat clock themselves. I do like the Browns in the game but I can't convince myself that the Chargers will let the Browns hang around.
Miami (3-1) @ NY Jets (2-2) (CBS; 1:00 pm): TW: Dolphins; CV: Dolphins
The Dolphins lost to the Bengals and the Jets beat the Steelers last week. Tua Tagovailoa will be out for this game. With controversy surrounding the handling of his injuries last week, I think it was the right call. In his place will be journeyman, Teddy Bridgewater, who will get the start. I think the offense will be fine with Bridgewater as long as he doesn't drive the offensive machine off the cliff. The Jets will definitely have their hands full in this game. Zach Wilson made his 2022 debut and wasn't great but wasn't god awful either. I'm still scratching my head how they won that game last week. Anyway, I'll take the Dolphins.
Pittsburgh (1-3) @ Buffalo (3-1) (CBS; 1:00 pm): TW: Bills; CV: Bills
The Steelers lost to the Jets and the Bills beat the Ravens last week. Pittsburgh hasn't gotten off to the start that we've all expected. They finally gave their offense a spark and played rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett against the Jets. They will have a huge question mark on who should start. I personally think that their offensive troubles start with offensive coordinator Matt Canada who is just unwilling to adapt and switch things up on offense. At least not run the ball on a 2nd and long play. The Bills have been playing well up to expectations and are heavily favored to win this game. Josh Allen has been masterful in the offense and he has been instrumental to their success the last few years. If the Steelers have a shot to win, I would say it would have to be getting better balance on offense and try to take shots down the field.
Seattle (2-2) @ New Orleans (1-3) (FOX; 1:00 pm): TW: Seahawks; CV: Seahawks
The Seahawks beat the Lions and the Saints lost to the Vikings. Seattle put up numbers against Detroit last week. Will they have the same offensive explosion against the directionless Saints. Probably not. The Saints have a offense to match but have a question mark at quarterback as Andy Dalton played alright against the Vikings. He certainly will have a good shot to win with the offense he has. New Orleans has been suspect this season. I feel that they really went to Jameis Winston for too long. I'll take the Seahawks for the upset.
Tennessee (2-2) @ Washington (1-3) (CBS: 1:00 pm): TW: Titans; CV: Titans
The Titans beat the Colts and the Commanders lost to the Cowboys last week. Tennessee has been playing some decent ball this week and their offense has been playing well. Derrick Henry has been returning to form and it's probably a good thing too. Ryan Tannehill has been mixed this year but he could yet be good in this game. Washington has been a bit of a mess so far with Carson Wentz at the helm. Turnovers have been handed out like Washington are the NFL's official baker. If they want to get back on track they're going to have to play better football and not giveaway the ball. I'll take the Titans.
San Francisco (2-2) @ Carolina (1-3) (CBS; 4:05 pm): TW: 49ers; CV: 49ers
The 49ers beat the Rams and the Panthers lost to the Cardinals last week. San Fran has been playing well and soundly beat the defending champions. They've done it with their balanced attack as well as Deebo Samuel. Their defense has been hitting people and taking away the ball. Carolina has seemed to be the team on the decline. It's to the point where Baker Mayfield could be benched for Sam Darnold. Matt Rhule's seat could boil over if they lose this game. Losing the locker room isn't quite the situation that he would want to be in.
Dallas (3-1) @ LA Rams (2-2) (FOX; 4:25 pm): TW: Rams; CV: Rams
The Cowboys beat the Commanders and the Rams lost to the 49ers last week. The marquee game of the week on FOX. Dallas comes into this game winning 3 of 4 games. Cooper Rush has been a steady backup. It is possible that Dak Prescott could return but honestly, I'd rest him for this game. The defending champions have been sluggish this season and it doesn't help that the turnovers have been killing them. If the Rams want to win they'll have to play their way and let Aaron Donald loose on the backup quarterback. If the Cowboys want to win they'll have to get their running game going. I'll take the defending champs.
Philadelphia (4-0) @ Arizona (2-2) (FOX; 4:25 pm): TW: Eagles; CV: Eagles
Both teams won last week as the Eagles beat the Jaguars and the Cardinals beat the Panthers. A battle of the birds! Philly has an undefeated record and it is warranted as they had a great offseason. Both sides of the ball have been playing well. The Cardinals have been either really good or bad. They played well against the Panthers but the Panthers have been not great. I think the unbeaten streak will continue but I feel the Cardinals will make it an interesting game.
Cincinnati (2-2) @ Baltimore (2-2) (NBC; 8:20 pm): TW: Ravens; CV: Bengals
The Bengals beat the Dolphins and the Ravens lost to the Bills last week. Cincy has been playing better as of late. They had a rough game against the Steelers and Cowboys but have had great wins against the Dolphins and Jets. The Ravens should honestly be 3-1 but they seem to have a habit of blowing leads. With the way that they let the Bills game slip away from them they really shouldn't afford to let a lead slip away against a good team like the Bengals. I'll take the home team.
Las Vegas (1-3) @ Kansas City (3-1) (ESPN; 8:15 pm): TW: Chiefs; CV: Chiefs
Both teams won last week as the Raiders beat the Broncos and the Chiefs beat the Buccaneers. Las Vegas has had a rough start to the season but finally got a win for Josh McDaniels. What they face against is their old rival in the Chiefs. The Chiefs have been playing well despite a flustered loss against the Colts. The win against the Buccaneers convinced me that they got a great shot to win against the Raiders. Perhaps momentum will finally go to the Raiders but I can't go against Patrick Mahomes in this game.
Early & Late Game TV Pairings
Note: games in bold are being shown in my area, check local listings for your area.
CBS Single
Pittsburgh @ Buffalo
Jim Nantz, Tony Romo
Miami @ NY Jets
Kevin Harlan, Trent Green
LA Chargers @ Cleveland
Greg Gumbel, Adam Archuleta
Tennessee @ Washington
Andrew Catalon, James Lofton
Houston @ Jacksonville
Spero Dedes, Jay Feely
San Francisco @ Carolina (LATE)
Ian Eagle, Charles Davis
FOX Early
Atlanta @ Tampa Bay
Joe Davis, Daryl Johnston
Chicago @ Minnesota
Adam Amin, Mark Schlereth
Detroit @ New England
Kenny Albert, Jonathan Vilma
Seattle @ New Orleans
Brandon Gaudin, Matt Millen
FOX Late
Dallas @ LA Rams
Kevin Burkhardt, Greg Olson
Philadelphia @ Arizona
Chris Myers, Robert Smith
For more information on which game is being shown in your area check out: NFL 2022: Week 5 Maps
2022 Pick ‘Em Records
My record:
Week 1: 8-7-1
Week 2: 8-8
Week 3: 5-11
Week 4: 11-5
Total: 32-31-1
Cardinal Viking's record:
Week 1: 6-9-1
Week 2: 11-5
Week 3: 5-11
Week 4: 6-10
Total: 29-35-1
Previous Picking Records:
2017: 167-89
2018: 156-98-2
2019: 151-104-1
2020: 163-92-1
2021: 167-104-1
2019: 161-94-1
2020: 167-88-1
2021: 173-98-1
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