Site Editor Matt Loede’s NFL Picks for Week 5

Last Week: 7-7
Season: 35-26

Chicago at Carolina – Todd Collins vs Jimmy Clausen. Yawn…..The Bears are in big trouble when it comes to protecting the QB, but the Panthers are not very good, and Collins will find a way to win this one with handoffs to Matt Forte and a defense that will get to Clausen. Chicago 13 Carolina 7

Tampa Bay at Cincinnati – The Bengals lost to the Browns last week, showing more and more the chinks in their armor. They play at home this week vs a Tampa Bay team that is coming off a bye after a bad loss to the Steelers. Look for the Cincy D to dominate, and for Palmer and his two WR’s to finally hit a few plays. Cincinnati 23 Tampa Bay 14

St.Louis at Detroit – The Rams may be the best team in the NFC West, which isn’t saying much, but they are on a two game win streak, and I think they will put off win three here. The Lions have played OK with Shaun Hill, but the Rams have a mojo with Sam Bradford, and they will find a way to win it late. St.Louis 26 Detroit 17

New York Giants at Houston – The GMen laid the hammer down on Jay Cutler and the Bears last week, but against the Texans, they won’t get to Matt Schaub nearly as much as they did Cutler, and look for the Texans with the Rookie of the Year Arian Foster hitting some plays. Eli Manning needs to make some plays, but it won’t be easy here. Houston 29 NY Giants 21

Denver at Baltimore – Kyle Orton is making a push for NFL MVP through four weeks, throwing for over 1400 yards for the 2-2 Broncos. Problem is they are running into a Ravens team that is playing awfully well on defense, and the Ravens should be able to do enough on each side of the ball to pull this one out and improve to 4-1. Baltimore 20 Denver 14

Atlanta at Cleveland – Peyton Hillis ran over the Bengals for the first Browns win last week, and this week they get Jake Delhomme back, which could be a lift as well. Cleveland did enough to hold on to a 13-point lead, problem is, the Falcons are playing good ball, and should feed Michael Turner 25 times and get some big plays from Roddy White to pull out a close road win. Atlanta 23 Cleveland 20

Kansas City at Indianapolis – The Colts have issues. They are weak at the safety spot, can’t stop teams at big times in games, and this past week fell to a Jags team they clearly were better against. This week they play a dangerous Chiefs team that is 3-0 and playing better than anyone expected. The Chiefs defense is going to make life tough for Peyton, but it’s a spot where the Colts will do enough to get it done. Indianapolis 20 Kansas City 14

Jacksonville at Buffalo – Last week the Jags kicked their way to a huge win over the Colts, and this week they should be able to easily handle the Bills. Buffalo is terrible, and can’t get out of their own way. The Jags are not that great, but it would take a lot in my opinion for them to fall here, even on the road where the game will be blacked out. Jacksonville 27 Buffalo 13

Green Bay at Washington – Aaron Rodgers and the Packers will need to pick up their defense, which has injuries and has now lost Nick Barnett. Nevertheless, look for Rodgers to do enough to outduel Donovan McNabb, who will miss Clinton Portis for 4-6 weeks, and the Packers LB’s will get to him for a few big plays. The Packers remain a solid NFC team, and will prove it here. Green Bay 17 Washington 13

New Orleans at Arizona – One name – Max Hall. At this point I don’t have enough faith for an undrafted rookie to do enough to beat the world champs. The Cardinals best QB is going to be part of the broadcasting crew for FOX – Kurt Warner. New Orleans 27 Arizona 10

Tennessee at Dallas – The question is – can Dallas build off their win two weeks ago vs the Texans? I’m guessing yes, as the Titans are having problems closing out games, as shown last week in their 26-20 loss to the Broncos. Look for the Cowboys to take advantage of a Titans team that doesn’t seem to know if they are a contender or pretender in 2010. Dallas 24 Tennessee 17

San Diego at Oakland – The Raiders hung in with the Texans last week, and are a better team with Bruce Gradkowski at the QB spot. This week through they play a Chargers team that hit their stride against the Cardinals, and it looks like they should have enough with a getting healthier Ryan Mathews to top the Raiders on the road. San Diego 28 Oakland 20

Philadelphia at San Francisco – San Fran hasn’t won a game, but that will change this week. The Eagles wings were clipped with the injury to Michael Vick, and Kevin Kolb is proving he is not a starting QB in this league as he checks down on almost every play. Look for Mike Singletary’s crew to finally do enough to get a win, and they will do it with Frank Gore having a big night. San Francisco 27 Philadelphia 17

Monday Night:

Minnesota at New York Jets – Great game to end the week, Brett Favre and his new pal, Randy Moss, vs the Jets and Rex Ryan on the road. I think Moss will give Favre another solid target, but the Jets are playing great ball, and their defense is going to do enough to stop both Favre and Moss and get the job done in a hard hitting game to wrap up the week. New York Jets 20 Minnesota 10