2018 NFL Week 5: Quick pick winners for every game
By Erik Lambert
The 2018 NFL week 5 games feature a lot of what one might call “traps”. In other words, some good teams playing against teams they should beat.
This is often dangerous territory because parity is alive and well. Teams that look bad in the standings can suddenly turn around and deliver a shocking upset to a team that looks like a contender. It will be fascinating to see if any such landmines are stepped on. There is a big slate of games to get through, many of which can determine the outcome of the NFC and AFC races.
Get ready for a few surprises, starting with a lot of road teams getting a victory this week. Something that isn’t always typical.
EARLY
Tennessee Titans at Buffalo Bills
The Titans are feeling it right now. They’ve scored some hard-fought victories over two good teams in Philadelphia and Jacksonville. Their defense is quietly one of the better ones in the league while Marcus Mariota appears to be regaining his old form. Buffalo? Well, they can at least say they won’t go 0-16.
TEN 24, BUF 10
New York Giants at Carolina Panthers
Eli Manning looked like he might be finding himself against in Houston but then fell back to earth against New Orleans. Now he has to go in Carolina to face a good defense that just got better with a motivated Eric Reid. Cam Newton is quietly having one of the better starts of his career and that New York defense may not have enough bodies to stop him.
NYG 17, CAR 27
Miami Dolphins at Cincinnati Bengals
Two teams that are hard to figure out. They’ve looked really good most of the time but have one nasty blemish on their 3-1 records. Miami got blown out by the Patriots last week, leading many to think their start has been a mirage. This game will determine if that’s the case. Unfortunately, they’ll have to face that strong Bengals offense without Cameron Wake.
MIA 20, CIN 28
Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns
The Browns have definitely been more competitive in games since Baker Mayfield entered the lineup and that’s a good thing. However, he’s never faced a defense as disciplined and talented as the Ravens are bringing to bear. Joe Flacco is on course for one of his best seasons after getting sent a message by the organization in April.
BAL 21, CLE 13
Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions
The Lions beat suffered a heartbreaker last week against Dallas. Now they have to try collecting themselves for a do-or-die homestand against the Packers who remains as dangerous as ever. Can their undermanned defense, who won’t have Ezekiel Ansah, possibly slow down Aaron Rodgers enough to give Matthew Stafford a chance? Don’t count on it.
GB 30, DET 24
Jacksonville Jaguars at Kansas City Chiefs
This is by far the best defense young stud QB Patrick Mahomes has seen to date. He likely won’t have a lot of the easy throws he’s enjoyed through the first quarter of the season. Jacksonville is also good at applying pressure, something he hasn’t seen too much of either. Despite no Leonard Fournette, the Chiefs defense would be wise not to overlook Blake Bortles.
JAX 23, KC 19
Denver Broncos at New York Jets
The Broncos had the win in their hands last week and they threw it away. Literally. Case Keenum continues to show that what happened last year in Minnesota was a fluke. He’s back to being the players he’s been most of his career, which is erratic and overmatched. The Jets defense should take advantage of that, providing Sam Darnold doesn’t outdo him in turnovers.
DEN 16, NYJ 20
Atlanta Falcons at Pittsburgh Steelers
This is a case where two teams are reeling because of their awful defenses. Atlanta is severely banged up on that side of the ball while the Steelers simply haven’t performed well enough. So this game feels like it will come down to which stacked offense puts up more points. A key development is the return of running back Devonta Freeman for the Falcons.
ATL 34, PIT 31