Week five of the 2012 NFL season will begins tonight with the Arizona Cardinals taking on the St. Louis Rams and I can't wait!. Last week was a wacky, wacky week of football, wouldn't you agree? Anyway, I'm going to brag a minute before I get into this week's picks.
Last week I went 13-2 picking games. I'm not normally one to stand up and boast about my mad skills, but in this case I'm going to. I totally crushed it. And it feels good. The only downer was that my New York Giants lost. But whatever. We'll bounce back this week against the sorry Cleveland Browns. So on that note, let's get to week five's picks:
Arizona Cardinals @ St. Louis Rams:
Going back to 2001, the Arizona Cardinals lead this series 12-8. They also won both contests last year. The St. Louis Rams are second in the NFL with eight picks and the have one of the best field goal kickers in the league. I think this game will be a low scoring affair and I'm taking the Rams here 17-13.
Miami Dolphins @ Cincinnati Bengals: These two teams don't play one another all that much. But go back to 2001 and you'll see that the Bengals lead the series 2-1 with their last win coming in 2007. The Bengals rank eighth in the NFL in scoring with 28.0 points a game and the Dolphins defense is ranked 30th. Give me the Bengals here 31-17.
Green Bay Packers @ Indianapolis Colts: The last time these two teams got together was in 2008 and the Pack won 34-14. That game was at Lambeau Field by the way. And since 2001 these teams have only played twice and the series is tied 1-1 so there's not really any history to go on. Give me the Packers here 27-21.
Baltimore Ravens @ Kansas City Chiefs: If you were to look back you would see that since 2001 the Ravens lead this series 3-2. And after this game they will lead it 4-2. The Chiefs are a terrible team and Ravens QB Joe Flacco is lighting it up. He's completing 39.3 percent of his throws of 20 yards or more and will complete several more in this game. Ravens win huge 34-10.
Cleveland Browns @ New York Giants: There is no way that my Giants are going to lose this game. The Browns are awful and they are going to get spanked on Sunday. The last time these two teams mixed it up the Browns actually won 35-14. But that was in 2008 so who cares. Give me the Giants 27-7.
Philadelphia Eagles @ Pittsburgh Steelers: All I can say here is that I hope the Steelers crush the Eagles. I think the odds favor a Pittsburgh win here. Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger is 13-1 in home games versus an NFC opponent. When Roethlisberger is sacked three times or less, the Steelers are 65-17. Give me the Steelers here in a close one 23-20.
Atlanta Falcons @ Washington Redskins: The Redskins have the 31st ranked secondary in the league and the Falcons have two of the best WRs in the NFL. The Falcons have prevailed in their last two tilts at Washington. Make it their last three because the Falcons will win here. Atlanta wins 38-24 in a very entertaining contest.
Seattle Seahawks @ Carolina Panthers: The Seahawks are the only team in the NFL that has more rushing yards than passing yards. The last time these two clubs mixed it up, Seattle RB Marshawn Lynch rushed for 83 yards and three touchdowns. Since 2001, the Seahawks are 3-1 versus the Panthers. But all that said, I think the Panthers win this one. Give me the Panthers 24-13.
Chicago Bears @ Jacksonville Jaguars: The Bears haven't been to Jacksonville since 2004 and they lost that match-up 22-3. In two games versus the Jaguars, Bears wideout Brandon Marshall has caught 16 balls for 231 yards. He'll have another big game this week and the Bears will take this one 28-10.
Tennessee Titans @ Minnesota Vikings: The last time these two teams played in Minnesota was back in 2004 and the Vikings won 20-3. I expect a similar result in this game. The Vikings may be for real and I'm kind of starting to believe in them. I'm taking the Vikings 23-14.
Denver Broncos @ New England Patriots: I'm excited about this one. There's nothing better than the Manning vs. Brady show. Since 2001, the Broncos are 6-4 against the Patriots and Peyton Manning is starting to look like Peyton Manning. However, I think that New England is a better team and I think they win here 38-35 in a classing Manning - Brady duel.
Buffalo Bills @ San Francisco 49ers: The road team has actually won the past two meetings in this series but that comes to an end this weekend. I just don't see the Bills going into San Francisco and getting a win. The 49ers defense is too much and the Bills are a turnover machine. Give me the 49ers 27-3.
San Diego Chargers @ New Orleans Saints:
The Saints can't keep losing, can they? The Chargers are 2-0 on the road this year and the Saints are 0-2 at home. Wow. Something has to give here. I'm taking the Saints but I don't feel good about it. Saints win in a high scoring affair 33-28.
Houston Texans @ New York Jets: Since 2001 the Jets are 5-0 against the Texans. The last time they played was in 2010 and Mark Sanchez hit Santonio Holmes for a game winning score. That was then. The Jets are without Holmes and Mark Sanchez is terrible. So are the Jets for that matter. Their five game win streak against the Texans ends here. Texans win 45-10.
Dylan Davis is an avid New York Giants fan and has seen his Giants win four Super Bowls. He is very optimistic about the 2012 season and is anticipating another Super Bowl title.
Source:
