NFL Week 5: Picks, predictions and more

Baltimore Ravens at Oakland Raiders (-2.5)

This game will drive you to drink. Joe Flacco is an abomination, and yet he’s better than EJ Manuel. It’s a race to 16 points. I’ll take the home team, although the Raiders (2-2) defense is atrocious. Still, the Ravens (2-2) can’t score a point. Consider this: Jeremy Maclin, Breshad Perriman and Mike Wallace have 21 receptions for 203 yards. Combined.

Pick: Oakland 16, Baltimore 13

Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Rams (PICK)

This is where the Rams (3-1) make an unmistakable statement. They are better than the Seahawks (2-2), who look old defensively and awful offensively. Seattle is a playoff team, but right now, it’s the second-best team in the NFC West.

Pick: Los Angeles 28, Seattle 20

Green Bay Packers at Dallas Cowboys (-1)

This should be fun to watch. The Packers (3-1) and Cowboys (2-2) will race up and down the field. The difference here is Aaron Rodgers can win with almost no help whatsoever. Dak Prescott needs Ezekiel Elliott to control the game, and Elliott is averaging 3.6 yards per carry. Not good enough.

Pick: Green Bay 35, Dallas 31

Kansas City Chiefs at Houston Texans (PICK)

This is a great game. Deshaun Watson against Marcus Peters, Justin Houston and the rest of the Chiefs (4-0) defense. This could go either way, but the difference is coaching. I trust Andy Reid to manufacture points against the Texans (2-2). I don’t trust Bill O’Brien to figure out the Chiefs.

Pick: Kansas City 23, Houston 20

Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears (PICK)

Mitchell Trubisky is making his first start, which serves as ample reason to watch for Bears (1-3) fans. The Vikings (2-2) need this game, but can they get it without a quarterback and running back? The defense leads the way.

Pick: Minnesota 20, Chicago 10

Last Week: 11-5
Season: 35-28