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NFL Week 5: Picks and predictions

By Matt Verderame

CHARLOTTE, NC - AUGUST 26: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots stays loose on the sideline in the 3rd quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on August 26, 2016 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - AUGUST 26: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots stays loose on the sideline in the 3rd quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on August 26, 2016 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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Sep 11, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) passes the ball against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first quarter at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) passes the ball against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first quarter at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

Atlanta Falcons at Denver Broncos (-6)

This is the best game of the week. Atlanta (3-1) is hammering teams with the lethal combination of Matt Ryan and Julio Jones. Denver (4-0) has the best defense since the Legion of Boom was at its peak. Take the defense, and the home team.

Pick: Denver 20, Atlanta 17

Buffalo Bills at Los Angeles Rams (-2.5)

Do you love scoreless drives? Do you love bad quarterback play? Do you love two teams that are pretending to be decent on the same field? You will love Buffalo (2-2) and Los Angeles (3-1)!

Pick: Los Angeles 13, Buffalo 10

San Diego Chargers at Oakland Raiders (-3.5)

Vegas’ line is basically saying San Diego (1-3) and Oakland (3-1) are on the same level. Frankly, I agree. The Raiders have been fortunate to win a few of the games they won. San Diego can say the same the other way. Still, Mike McCoy is the difference here.

Pick: Oakland 30, San Diego 28

Cincinnati Bengals at Dallas Cowboys (EVEN)

An under-the-radar game this weekend. Cincinnati (2-2) needs to win if it wants to keep up in the AFC North. Dallas (3-1) has to defend its home turf and stay in lockstep with the Eagles.

Pick: Dallas 20, Cincinnati 19

New York Giants at Green Bay Packers (-7.5)

Green Bay (2-1) is the better team here and had an extra week to gameplan. New York (2-2) has the feel of a team coming apart at the seams thanks to Odell Beckham Jr. having the maturity of a 5-year-old.

Pick: Green Bay 33, New York 17

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Carolina Panthers (NO LINE)

Who the hell knows? Does Cam Newton play? Does it even matter? Carolina (1-3) is in legitimate trouble. Tampa Bay (1-3) is terrible. This game is unfortunate.

Pick: Carolina 21, Tampa Bay 16

Last Week: 7-8
Record: 31-32

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