NFL 2023 Week 5 Picks

Hello readers! Another week of National Football League action is coming upon us yet again! The regular season is 28% complete but there is plenty of season left for those who are making a playoff push and win some games here and there. For games I'll keep an eye on this week will be the Jaguars-Bills, Texans-Falcons, Eagles-Rams, Chiefs-Vikings and Cowboys-49ers contests. In this post I'll do a rant of the week, a preview and picks for Week 5 and the Early & Late TV Broadcast pairings. Let's get to work!

NFL Rant of the Week

Hear me out, instead of having the week start on Thursday night, let's just have there be a Friday night football on Amazon. I get that the NFL doesn't want to compete with high school football on Friday's but I'd rather have the extra day of rest and preparation instead of having to play on three days rest. 

Week 5 Preview

The fifth week of the National Football League's regular season will start in Landover, Maryland and ends in Paradise, Nevada. Truly an east coast to west coast kind of week. There will be 14 games being played this week where 28 teams will play. The Cleveland Browns, LA Chargers, Seattle Seahawks and Tampa Bay Buccaneers have the bye this week. The week features a Thursday night game, a Sunday morning game, six early games, four late games, a Sunday night game and a Monday night game. FOX will have the single, regional game while CBS will have the doubleheader this week. Let's get to the picks! 

Week 5 Picks

Note: TW is me and CV is Cardinal Viking, my former roommate. All gametimes are in US Eastern.

Chicago (0-4) @ Washington (2-2) (Amazon; 8:15 pm): TW: Commanders; CV: Commanders

The Bears lost to the Broncos and the Commanders lost to the Eagles last week. An okay matchup to start Week 5. Both teams have had a string of losses. Last week both teams had opportunities to take victory from the opposition but faltered. Chicago is kind of a mess with their team as they really don't have much of an identity. Washington seems to have a identity as a running team that plays physical defense. It feels like this could come down to whether if Sam Howell can rebound after a couple of tough weeks. I don't trust the Bears all that much. 

Jacksonville (2-2) @ Buffalo (3-1) (NFL Network; 9:30 am): TW: Bills; CV: Bills

The Jaguars beat the Falcons and the Bills beat the Dolphins last week. Both teams coming off really good wins against NFC South and fellow AFC East brethren. I have to feel good if you're Buffalo, you beat the best offensive team in the NFL and you beat them by 28 points. If you're Jacksonville you really should try to keep the ball away from Josh Allen and eat up as much clock as possible while scoring points. It'll be an entertaining game in Tottenham Hotspur Stadium but I'll take the Bills. 

Baltimore (3-1) @ Pittsburgh (2-2) (CBS; 1:00 pm): TW: Ravens; CV: Ravens
The Ravens beat the Browns and the Steelers lost to the Texans last week. The Ravens-Steelers rivalry renews for another chapter. This reiteration of the series could be a Ravens victory as their defense looked unbeatable last week against Cleveland. Baltimore has given up just 58 points thus far in the campaign. They could feast on an Steelers offense that seems to be more predicable each and every week. The predictability of their offense has costed their fans some sanity and hope. It could be an interesting game but I'll take the Ravens. 

Carolina (0-4) @ Detroit (3-1) (FOX; 1:00 pm): TW: Lions; CV: Lions
The Panthers lost to the Vikings and the Lions beat the Packers last week. Carolina has had a rough go of it in 2023. They haven't won a game but have been rather close in a few contests. They'll have an interesting time of it as they go up against Detroit who look pretty unbeatable. The Lions secret to success is aggressive play calling on offense like going for it on 4th down a lot. They have a stingy defense that can go up against anyone. If there is a weakness is that they have a weaker record at home than they are on the road. They'll need to do good at home if they want to be among the elite. I'll take the Lions. 

Houston (2-2) @ Atlanta (2-2) (FOX; 1:00 pm): TW: Texans; CV: Texans

The Texans beat the Steelers and the Falcons lost to the Jaguars last week. Houston has been a bit of a surprise this year. They could barely win a game last year and now they have two wins under the belt. They have gotten it done on offense with CJ Stroud at quarterback. The guy has to be the front-runner for the Offensive Rookie of the Year award at this point. For the Falcons, they got off to a 2-0 record and then losses to Detroit and Jacksonville happened. They've turned the ball over a few times during those games and it usually came to bite them in the butt. Desmond Ridder needs to protect the ball and make some good percentage throws. It could be an entertaining game but I'll take the Texans. 

New Orleans (2-2) @ New England (1-3) (CBS; 1:00 pm): TW: Saints; CV: Saints

Both teams lost last week as the Saints lost to the Buccaneers and the Patriots lost to the Cowboys. In the scope of things, the Saints look like the better team but that's saying a lot. Their passing situation with Derek Carr has been mediocre at best. They'll have a decent chance to put some hurt on a little banged up Patriots defense. New England took a whooping last week against Dallas. It would be Bill Belichick's worst loss as a head coach in that 38-3 drubbing. Their offense should be better but injuries to a makeshift offensive line don't really help a lot if your quarterback has little to no time throwing the ball. The offensive woes are on a share of Mac Jones. The quarterback has thrown at least one interception on average in four games. I personally think that the Pats are a running team with a few passes here and there. I'll take the Saints as a safer bet.

NY Giants (1-3) @ Miami (3-1) (FOX; 1:00 pm): TW: Dolphins; CV: Dolphins

The Giants lost to the Seahawks and the Dolphins lost to the Bills last week. A matchup of polar opposites in terms of offensive play. New York made the playoffs on the basis of their offense last year and thus far the G-men have put up just 45 points in four games. While giving up 122 thus far in 2023. They need to stop giving up the ball so much and they have offensive line woes that makes it difficult to do anything in the offensive side of the ball. Miami is the opposite of New York, they can put up points at will. Despite the 28-point loss to Buffalo last week, they could kind of hang around with them for the first part of the game. They have so much weapons that they can beat you in so many ways. If the Giants have any shot in this game, they need to keep Tua Tagovailoa on the bench sipping on a Gatorade watching the Giants go up and down the field. It seems like a crazy pick to go with the Giants but I'm not crazy. At least not that crazy.  

Tennessee (2-2) @ Indianapolis (2-2) (CBS; 1:00 pm): TW: Titans; CV: Titans

The Titans beat the Bengals and the Colts lost to the Rams last week. Tennessee finally got back on track against Cincinnati after a dismal performance against Cleveland in Week 3. They managed to get a decent day out of Ryan Tannehill as a supporting role while Derrick Henry proceeded to do Derrick Henry things. Indianapolis got down early against the Rams and fought into overtime to try and beat them. I wouldn't count the Colts out. They've faced some tough opponents that are better than they actually are like the Texans. Their quarterback situation has kind of figured itself out but Anthony Richardson is still growing and will need to slowly mature into a competent quarterback. It could go either way but I will take the Titans. 

Cincinnati (1-3) @ Arizona (1-3) (FOX; 4:05 pm): TW: Bengals; CV: Cardinals

Both teams lost last week as the Bengals lost to the Titans and the Cardinals lost to the 49ers. Cincy has been the biggest disappointment thus far in 2023. They've tried to do everything in the offseason to get Joe Burrow some pass protection but that somehow has failed. The Joe Burrow to Ja'Marr Chase combination just hasn't been the same in the last few seasons. Their pass offense has been nowhere to be found at times. Arizona has been kind of a team like the Bengals but their offense has been one of the better ones in 2023. Putting up an average of 337.8 yards/game they definitely got the capabilities to put some yardage on anyone. Their defense has to be somewhat of a concern in this time of the year. They got a defense that can put some pressure but not just enough. I think its a toss-up of a game but I'll take the Bengals. 

Philadelphia (4-0) @ LA Rams (2-2) (FOX; 4:05 pm): TW: Rams; CV: Eagles

The Eagles beat the Commanders and the Rams beat the Colts last week. Philly has looked good as the other undefeated team in the NFL. Last week was their week to look a little bit shaky against their rivals from Washington. Then again, its a rivalry game and those games usually bring a lot more intensity and some extra effort. The Rams have had some shaky games as well but they certainly have the capabilities to limit Philly where it matters most, on offense. Matthew Stafford was shake n up last week but he is capable to play this week. If the Rams can be unpredictable on offense and let Puka Nacua get loose they should find a way to get a dub. I'll take the Rams in an upset.

Kansas City (3-1) @ Minnesota (1-3) (CBS; 4:25 pm): TW: Chiefs; CV: Chiefs

The Chiefs beat the Jets and the Vikings beat the Panthers last week. Kansas City has been kind of the center of the football universe for a while. Let alone the center of the Swifties universe. Such distractions could have had an effect on the Chiefs last week in what should've been a blowout. Patrick Mahomes looked not great last week. He'll need to get back to better play this week. Minnesota finally got the 0-3 in one-score games monkey off its back and won a game by as you guessed it... one score. Minnesota has the capabilities on offense to do some work on the Chiefs defense. Justin Jefferson has to be watched at all times if you're on the defensive side of the ball for the Chiefs. I'll take the Chiefs. 

NY Jets (1-3) @ Denver (1-3) (CBS; 4:25 pm): TW: Jets; CV: Jets 

The Jets lost to the Chiefs and the Broncos beat the Bears last week. New York nearly came back and got a win against the defending champs. The Jets defense is quite good as they can pressure you and have a good secondary. A good combo indeed. Their offense did have their flashes of brilliance and they might have a good shot to put up some good numbers. For the Broncos, they looked dead in the saddle and then all of a sudden they woke up and somehow eked out a win against the Bears. Denver's defense is not quite good as they gave up 70 in Week 3 against Miami. It could be a feast for Breece Hall and the Jets running game. Darn shame that Aaron Rodgers is hurt otherwise this game might've been more dramatic. 

Dallas (3-1) @ San Francisco (4-0) (NBC; 8:20 pm): TW: 49ers; CV: Cowboys

The Cowboys beat the Patriots and the 49ers beat the Cardinals last week. A rematch of the NFC divisional game in last year's playoffs. Dallas pretty much handled the Patriots good with their offense and opportunistic defense. What they will face this week is an opponent that's considered to be the class of the NFC. San Francisco has looked good and well they should as they are the other undefeated team left in the NFL. They've gotten it done by using a lot of Christian McCaffrey as well as their passing attack. Brock Purdy has a good group of wide receivers and a backfield that looks good. Their defense is arguably just as good if not better. I think it'll be a close game but I'll take the 49ers. 

Green Bay (2-2) @ Las Vegas (1-3) (ABC/ESPN; 8:15 pm): TW: Packers; CV: Packers

The Packers lost to the Lions and the Raiders lost to the Chargers last week. The week finishes up in Vegas. Green Bay has had its ups and downs this season which is somewhat warranted with first year full-time starter Jordan Love. The book on Love has been somewhat good as he has eight touchdowns and three interceptions. Packer fans would like to see their offense pick it up a bit, especially on the ground as they only have 74.5 rush yards/game. Las Vegas has lost three straight games. It feels longer since that 17-16 win against Denver in Week 1. Their problems seems to range with their offense as the Jimmy Garoppolo era has resulted in six interceptions and just five touchdowns. The book is still out on Aidan O'Connell which could have a decent day against the Packers defense. It's a risk but I'll go Pack.

Early & Late Game TV Broadcast Pairings

Note: Games in bold are being shown in my area, check local listings.

FOX Single

NY Giants @ Miami

Kenny Albert, Jonathan Vilma

Carolina @ Detroit

Chris Myers, Daryl Johnston

Houston @ Atlanta

Brandon Gaudin, Mark Schlereth

Philadelphia @ LA Rams (Late)
Kevin Burkhardt, Greg Olson

Cincinnati @ Arizona (Late)
Kevin Kugler, Mark Sanchez

CBS Early

Baltimore @ Pittsburgh

Ian Eagle, Charles Davis

New Orleans @ New England
Kevin Harlan, Trent Green

Tennessee @ Indianapolis
Spero Dedes, Adam Archuleta

CBS Late

Kansas City @ Minnesota

Jim Nantz, Tony Romo

NY Jets @ Denver

Andrew Catalon, Tiki Barber, Matt Ryan

For more information on which game is being shown in your area check out: NFL 2023: Week 5 Maps

Records

Cardinal Viking:

2023: 
Week 1: 10-6

Week 2: 10-6

Week 3: 8-8

Week 4: 13-3

Total: 41-23

2017: 167-89
2018: 156-98-2
2019: 151-104-1
2020: 163-92-1
2021: 167-104-1
2022: 157-112-2

My record: 

2023:
Week 1: 9-7

Week 2: 11-5
Week 3: 11-5

Week 4: 14-2

Total: 45-19

2012: 164-90-2

2013: 162-92-1

2014: 172-83-1

2017: 164-92

2018: 156-98-2
2019: 161-94-1

2020: 167-88-1 

2021: 173-98-1
2022: 166-103-2

See you all after the Monday night game for the Week 5 recap post! Enjoy the games!

-Tom