2016 NFL Week 5 Picks

Here are my picks for week five of the 2016 NFL season.

Thursday, October 6th
Arizona Cardinals (1-3) vs San Francisco 49ers (1-3)- 8:25, CBS/NFLN: Arizona is coming off a very disappointing home loss against the Los Angeles Rams. San Francisco is coming off a tough home loss against the Dallas Cowboys. This is a tough game to pick by so many factors, including whether Carson Palmer will play this week or not after leaving the game on Sunday with a concussion. Bruce Arians says there's a chance Palmer plays, but it's remain to be seen. That said, the Cardinals have to win this game and I believe they'll be desperate and force Blaine Gabbert into turnovers.
Prediction: Arizona 20, San Francisco 17.

Sunday, October 9th
New England Patriots (3-1) vs Cleveland Browns (0-4)- 1:00, CBS: Here is the much anticipated return of Tom Brady. New England is coming off a bad home loss against the Buffalo Bills. Cleveland is coming off a tough road loss in Landover against the Redskins. Brady is going to play angry and motivated and that is why the Patriots are my lock of the week.
Prediction: New England 30, Cleveland 16.

Philadelphia Eagles (3-0) vs Detroit Lions (1-3)- 1;00, FOX: Philadelphia is coming off their bye and prior to that they absolutely dominated in a home win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Detroit is coming off a brutal road loss in Chicago against the Bears. The bye week certainly helps the Eagles, but something tells me that Carson Wentz suffers his first NFL defeat against a Lions team that can certainly use a win here.
Prediction: Detroit 24, Philadelphia 20.

Chicago Bears (1-3) vs Indianapolis Colts (1-3)- 1:00, CBS: Chicago is coming off a nice divisional home win over the Detroit Lions. Indianapolis is coming off a brutal loss in London against the Jacksonville Jaguars. You can make a case here for the Bears, but Andrew Luck will carve up the Bears defense in a high scoring affair and lead the Colts to a much-mended win.
Prediction: Indianapolis 34, Chicago 26.

Tennessee Titans (1-3) vs Miami Dolphins (1-3)- 1:00, CBS: Tennessee is coming off a tough divisional road loss in Houston against the Texans. Miami is coming off a horrible road loss on Thursday night in Cincinnati against the Bengals in which AJ Green had more yards than the entire Miami Dolphins team. I see a big bounce back in Ryan Tannehill and the Dolphins here for a much needed win.
Prediction: Miami 27, Tennessee 19.

Washington Redskins (2-2) vs Baltimore Ravens (3-1)- 1:00, FOX: Washington is coming off a home win over the Cleveland Browns. Baltimore is coming off a tough home loss against the Oakland Raiders. This should be a fun one to watch between the in-state rivals but I like Joe Flacco to lead the way thanks to his deepball.
Prediction: Baltimore 26, Washington 23.

Houston Texans (3-1) vs Minnesota Vikings (4-0)- 1:00, CBS: Houston is coming off a divisional home win over the Tennessee Titans. Minnesota is coming off a great home win on Monday night over the New York Giants. The Vikings defense has been amazing and it will continue against Brock Osweiler and the Texans.
Prediction: Minnesota 26, Houston 13.

New York Jets (1-3) vs Pittsburgh Steelers (3-1)- 1:00, CBS: The Jets are coming off a brutal home loss against the Seattle Seahawks in which Ryan Fitzpatrick threw three interceptions in. Pittsburgh is coming off a dominant bounce back home win over the Kansas City Chiefs. The Steelers offense was unstoppable against a decent Chiefs defense, so it will be interesting to see if they keep this up or not. I say they do.
Prediction: Pittsburgh 30, NY Jets 20.

Atlanta Falcons (3-1) vs Denver Broncos (4-0)- 4:05, FOX: Atlanta is coming off a great divisional home win over the Carolina Panthers. Denver is coming off a great road win in Tampa against the Buccaneers. Denver's defense has been as outstanding as usual and it doesn't matter whether it's Trevor Semien or Paxton Lynch starting at quarterback. I believe they'll shut down Matt Ryan and Atlanta's offense.
Prediction: Denver 27, Atlanta 16.

Buffalo Bills (2-2) vs Los Angeles Rams (3-1)- 4:25, CBS: Buffalo is coming off a terrific divisional road win in Foxboro against the Patriots. Los Angeles is also coming off a great divisional road win in Glendale against the Cardinals. Expect a low scoring game here and I like the Rams here at home.
Prediction: Los Angeles 16, Buffalo 13.

Cincinnati Bengals (2-2) vs Dallas Cowboys (3-1)- 4:25, CBS: Cincinnati is coming off a big win on Thursday night over the Miami Dolphins. Dallas is coming off a nice come from behind road win in Santa Clara against the 49ers. The Bengals are missing Tyler Eifert due to injury and the Cowboys have played hard on defense for the most part. Give me Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott to lead the way for Dallas again.
Prediction: Dallas 24, Cincinnati 20.

New York Giants (2-2) vs Green Bay Packers (3-1)- 8:30, NBC: The Giants are coming off a brutal road loss on Monday night in Minneapolis against the Vikings. Green Bay is coming off their bye and two weeks ago they defeated the Detroit Lions at home. The Giants will keep this thing close and this is a better matchup for them than Minnesota was, but Aaron Rodgers is tough to bet against in night time games at Lambeau Field.
Prediction: Green Bay 30, NY Giants 27.

Monday, October 10th
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-3) vs Carolina Panthers (1-3)- 8:30, ESPN: Tampa Bay is coming off a disappointing home loss against the Denver Broncos. Carolina is coming off a brutal divisional road loss in Atlanta against the Falcons. Both of these teams have been disappointing so far whether that's due to injuries or poor play, but Cam Newton should be back for the Panthers and I'll take them to bounce back. If Newton doesn't play, this pick could change. Newton won't play. Give me Jameis Winston and the Bucs to pull off the road upset.
Prediction: Tampa Bay 23, Carolina 16.