Well, the 2016 NFL Season is now truly underway, and with week five coming up we have some really interesting match-ups. Some of the Superbowl favorites have started good, others didn’t, but generally there weren’t too many surprises during the first four weeks. With many interesting duels to watch, we will single out the Patriots vs. Browns match. Why do you ask? The Deflategate is officially over! Tom Brady has finished his four game suspension and will start in Cleveland. That’s why we are starting our picking with this match.
Week Five Picks
Patriots vs. Browns
The Cleveland Browns have a 0-4 start. They are probably the best team in NFL history that had this kind of a result in first four weeks of the new season. Looking at their lineup and knowing what they can do we can easily say that they are definitely better than 0-4, but for their first win, they will just have to look beyond week five. Patriots are ruthless when coming of-of a defeat, with Brady coming back and with his favorite target Rob Gronkowski being fully fit they will march through Cleveland.
Our pick: Patriots
Cardinals vs. 49ers
NFC West showdown between 49ers and Cardinals should be interesting and uncertain. Both teams started the season with 1-3 and are coming to this match of-of a defeat. 49ers lost to Cowboys in a game where they were leading 14-0. At the same time, Cardinals lost to Rams 17-14, but that wasn’t the only loss of the day for them. Carson Palmer suffered an injury and probably won’t start against the Niners. With Palmer, Cardinals would be favorites for the win, because 49ers were more about Kaepernick than about football, but even with Drew Stanton as starter Cardinals should win this one.
Our pick: Cardinals
Texans vs. Vikings
This game has Vikings win written all over it. There is just something about Vikings playing an AFC team. The thing is, they win in 80% of the matches. Also, there is a small tradition of Vikings playing Texans. They have played three times, and the score is 3-0 in Vikings favor. This season both of the teams have started good, Vikings even excellent and with the 4-0 score they look like early Superbowl favorites, while the Texans have a 3-1 score with their only defeat coming in the hands of Patriots. Considering how good is the Vikings defense in front of the home crowd and with Brock Osweiler doomed to make at least one interception like he has every time he has played this season we pick Vikings as favorites for this one.
Our pick: Vikings
Titans vs. Dolphins
Certainly, this game is a tough one to predict. Dolphins and Titans are to a 1-3 start and didn’t look really comfortable on the field in any of the first four matches. A team from Tennessee is generally bad on the road and are statistically the worst road team in NFL since 2013. While the Dolphins have home turf advantage, it’s not the safest thing in the world to bet on them. Why? Well, they are boasting league’s worst defense when you count yards surrendered. On the other hand, it is expected for Ryan Tannehill to sort up his offense and that could be Dolphins advantage.
Our pick: Dolphins
Jets vs. Steelers
Jets are to a 1-3 start, and we must admit they are better than this. Unfortunately, this week they are playing the Steelers. Pittsburgh is strong at home, and they are coming of-of a win. Chiefs paid the tool last week in a Steelers 43-14 demolition. Despite solid Jets defense, they are definitely in for a beating. Offensively they are missing Eric Decker who is injured and are starring Ryan Fitzpatrick who threw ten interceptions in first four games. Let’s just say it honestly, that’s quite a few too many. Pittsburgh shouldn’t fail to deliver a win for its fans.
Our pick: Steelers
Redskins vs. Ravens
Last time Redskins played Ravens in Baltimore was in 2008, and they lost. Actually, they have lost all of their three duels in Baltimore. This doesn’t mean much now, but the fact that Redskins are not reliable on the road does. Another fact that is important is the reliability of Ravens defense. They lost last week’s match against the Raiders who have one of the best offensive lines in the league, a loss that came by one point with only 261 yards allowed. Derek Carr was also kept under 200 yards passing. Redskins QB Kirk Cousins who is playing under huge pressure to deliver should also have a tough time at the M&T Bank Stadium. On the other side is the 2013 Superbowl MVP Joe Flacco who has led his team to a 3-1 start. It should be 4-1 in just a few days.
Our pick: Ravens
Eagles vs. Lions
Philadelphia Eagles are to a 3-0 start and are looking really comfortable. They are averaging more than 30 points per game, and they probably won’t stop against the Lions. Defensively they look solid, and with allowing only 3 points to Steelers, they don’t have much to prove. Their opponents, Detroit Lions, are on a streak of three losses and will find it very hard to bounce back against this Eagles team.
Our pick: Eagles
Bears vs. Colts
This game will probably be decided by two factors. First one is the Colts last game. They have played it in London and are the first team that didn’t get a week of since these games were introduced into the schedule. They will be more tired than usual, with some players stating that they found it hard to adjust to the time zone in GB and difference in weather conditions. Another factor is the Bears starting QB. Jay Cutler is injured and will probably miss the game against the Colts. Hoyer did well against the Lions and led the Bears to their first win of the season. Will he be able to do the same against free-scoring Colts? This remains to be seen.
Our pick: Colts
Falcons vs. Broncos
The game between the Falcons and Broncos could be described as a classic showdown between offense and defense. That’s just what this match is. Falcons are to a 3-1 start with the offensive play that has no pair in the league. The thing is they didn’t have to battle against the top-tier defense playing at their best, and that just what Broncos defense is. The only problem for Broncos could be a matter of starting QB. With Siemian as starter Broncos should win this one, but with Lynch, it would be more difficult. This game would be his first start in the NFL, but he would be protected by world’s best defense, so that would make it easier for him. To be honest, with their D-line, Broncos could be winning games even without a QB.
Our pick: Broncos
Bills vs. Rams
Unexpectedly Rams have started the season with a 3-1 score and currently are on a 3-0 streak coming of-of a two road wins. Now they are back in L.A. where the home turf has been good to them. Only thing opposing their easy win are the Bills. A team from Buffalo is equally good at home and on the road. They are currently standing at 2-2 score, but their latest win came against the Patriots. Playing with third QB made New England offensively ineffective, but Bills defense did their job. Tyrod Taylor had an impressive 2015 season, and this time around he wants to do better and to show the world he has an ability to be a franchise quarterback after signing $92 million contract extension. Week five game against the Rams should be the one that top QB knows how to win.
Our pick: Bills
Charger vs. Raiders
There are lots of roles to play in the NFL, but the role of favorites is the one that Raiders are finding hard to accept. They are sitting on a 3-1 score and are having one of the best starts in recent years. They have excellent QB, good offensive line and solid secondary. Winning should come naturally to them. On the other hand Chargers currently stand on 1-3, with all of their defeats coming after 4th quarter turnarounds. One of these two teams will find stability soon enough, and we tip on the Raiders.
Our pick: Raiders
Bengals vs. Cowboys
Bengals are excellent when playing against NFC teams. Their QB Andy Dalton has been terrorizing NFC since his rookie season. He currently stands at 14-1-1 with his streak starting in 2011. They are on a 2-2 score but are coming to this match after a win against the Dolphins. Cowboys have a 3-1 score and have high spirits for the rest of the season. They are slowly putting the pieces of the puzzle together playing with their new QB Prescott while waiting for Romo return. Home turf is always a boost for America’s team, but maybe the Bengals are too big of a bite to chew.
Our pick: Bengals
Giants vs. Packers
This season’s Packers have been playing good defensively. Against the running game, that is. For stopping the opponents conquering the yard by passing they haven’t been quite up to the task. With their offense not being at the top of their game, Aaron Rodgers will have a tough time penetrating Giants defense. At the same time, Elli Manning and Odell Beckham should have good matches, and that should guaranty Giants win. They currently stand at 2-2 with deserved lose against the Vikings and unfortunate one against the Redskins. Their fortune will turn around at Lambeau Field.
Our pick: Giants
Buccaneers vs. Panthers
Panthers don’t look like last year’s Superbowl participants, but more like one of the worst teams in NFL. They conceded 48 points against the Falcons, and not so long ago they were considered NFL’s top end defensive team. With all of this and a 1-3 score, they would still be considered favorites against the Buccaneers but the question of Cam Newton remains in the air. He was diagnosed with a concussion after Sunday’s match, and it’s not sure whether he will be ready for week five game. This could give the advantage to Jameis Winston and Tampa Bay, but with Cam, the Panthers are clear favorites.
Our pick: Panthers
