NFL Week 5 schedule rankings and predictions
Un'Bear'able start...
The Chicago Bears, unfortunately, appear on national TV — OK, it is Amazon — on Thursday. They face Washington. Expect this game to differ from when Chicago beat Washington 73-0 — though it will be a bad one to watch. Prediction: Commanders 37, Bears 9
13. New York Jets at Denver Broncos
Hey, it is Wilson vs. Wilson at QB. Talk about your ugly matchup. Prediction: Broncos 17, Jets 14
12. Cincinnati Bengals at Arizona Cardinals
Who thought the Bengals would be in must-win territory when they take the trip to the desert? Well, they are, and the Cardinals aren’t a pushover. Will be competitive for sure. Prediction: Cardinals 23, Bengals 20
11. Green Bay Packers at Las Vegas Raiders
Good luck to Joe Buck and Troy Aikman trying to make this one interesting. What if Davante Adams can’t go due to injury? That would eliminate revenge game discussion. Prediction: Raiders 20, Packers 17
10. New York Giants at Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins, coming off a loss to Buffalo, get the Giants in Week 5. Talk about a wonderful time to face Big Blue. Prediction: Dolphins 38, Giants 10
9. New Orleans Saints at New England Patriots
Two teams going in the wrong direction. This should be a bounce-back game for New England after being thrashed by Dallas. However, New Orleans also has to rebound after a bad loss to Tampa Bay. Prediction: Patriots 27, Saints 23
8. Houston Texans at Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta is returning from a game in London, so expect the Falcons to get lit up by CJ Stroud and Houston. The jet lag won’t be an excuse for a team that is not intriguing. Prediction: Texans 27, Falcons 17
7. Tennessee Titans at Indianapolis Colts
An AFC South barnburner. The one thing that should happen — barring a tie — is one team will be 3-2 and the other will be 2-3. Prediction: Titans 24, Colts 21
6. Philadelphia Eagles at Los Angeles Rams
The Eagles look to remain perfect with a trip to the West Coast. After how the Rams almost blew their game last week at Indy it is hard to see how they will take down one of the best teams in the NFL. Prediction: Eagles, 31, Rams 21
5. Kansas City Chiefs at Minnesota Vikings
This game should see plenty of offensive power, with both teams featuring big passing attacks. The Vikings look to avoid as many losses in five weeks as they had in the 2022 regular season. They won’t. Prediction: Chiefs 33, Vikings28
4. Carolina Panthers at Detroit Lions
This game being in top 5 isn’t because of Bryce Young. It is because the Lions are a “buzz” team and living up to the hype. A fun bunch to watch and they can do it on all three facets of the game. Prediction: Lions 27, Panthers 7
3. Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers need to come back strong after being doused by the Texans. This is an AFC North rivalry and figures to be tight. A lot hinges on whether Kenny Pickett can go. If he can’t, the Steelers go to Mitchell Trubisky— and that isn’t a recipe for success. Prediction: Ravens 22, Steelers 17
2. Jacksonville Jaguars at Buffalo Bills (London)
Trevor Lawrence vs. Josh Allen. Divisional champions from 2022 meet in London. The Bills are on quite a roll and a trip across the pond doesn’t cool them off. Prediction: Bills 31, Jaguars 17
1. Dallas Cowboys at San Francisco 49ers
A huge matchup for Sunday Night Football. Will the Dallas defense be able to handle the San Francisco attack? Dak Prescott cannot make mistakes in this one. A great game that is a tossup. Prediction: 49ers 27, Cowboys 24.
