NFL Week 5 Results

I came in the week with a 38-25 record and while I realize I really blew one game big, it’s only one loss still. Ha.

Cardinals at Rams:
Played yesterday…I had the Rams by 4; they won by 14. Starting the week 1-0, woot!

Eagles at Steelers: Steelers by 5
Troy Polamalu played for a minute then got hurt again. Vick forgot to take the cough drops named after him as he coughed it up in the red zone twice.
Final: Steelers by 2

Packers at Colts: Packers by 35
Remember last week when I said I’d call one in the 30+ range if I saw it…and look even sillier when the other team won straight-up? Seems as if I predicted my own demise with this one! I had figured it could go 2 ways. 1) The Colts with a rookie QB and no HC on the sidelines (a la Saints but with Brees) should be confused and after an initial burst of emotion, fold under the confusion or 2) Play way in over their heads in an emotional game for their falling coach in an unlikely last-second victory. I bet 1; 2 is what happened. Good for the Colts, but it also makes one wonder how good – or how bad – the Packers really are. And why?
Final: Colts by 3

Sep 23, 2012; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Trent Richardson (33) runs the ball at Buffalo Bills outside linebacker Arthur Moats (52) during the second half at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Buffalo won 24-14. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-US PRESSWIRE

Browns at Giants: Giants by 16
Ahmad Bradshaw had 200 yards rushing and Victor Cruz caught 3 TD passes from Eli. I had THOUGHT the Browns actually had a defense, but apparently not.
Final: Giants by 14

Falcons at Redskins: Falcons by 9
Not quite as much scoring as I thought there would be but RG3 got knocked out of the game with an apparently mild concussion. Folks…this is the issue with a Vick-sized smaller running QB. Cam, Andrew Luck and Jake Locker have the size and can take those hits; RG3 not so much.
Final: Falcons by 7

Dolphins at Bengals: Bengals by 6
The Dolphins are surprisingly good statistically if not in the W-L column, having lost 2 straight overtime games. Cincy loves to beat up non-winning teams and can’t beat winning teams. They’re consistent at least. The fact that Miami leads the NFL in rushing defense shouldn’t be a huge problem for the pass-oriented Bengals, and Cincy at home should give them enough of an edge to win in another close one for Miami. I’m going with the Bengals, but caution people on taking the Bengals in “Eliminator” games this week – I wouldn’t be the least surprised if Miami wins it outright. Miami WR Brian Hartline leads the NFL in receiving yards…after everyone (myself included) belittled their group as being talentless. Tell that to rookie Ryan Tannehill as he loves his 6’5″ target. I left the original text up to illustrate my point on this one. Miami is coming along very, very nicely under their own rookie head coach.
Final: Dolphins by 4

September 27, 2012; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice (27) runs for a gain against diving Cleveland Browns defensive back Trevin Wade (26) at M

Ravens at Chiefs: Ravens by 21
Looks like the Chiefs might just be waking up on defense there. Matt Cassel got knocked out, literally, with a concussion and Brady Quinn may start next week. That’s what the fans wanted (Quinn, not Cassel being hurt) and they should be careful in what they ask for.
Final: Ravens by 3

Seahawks at Panthers: Panthers by 3
The Carolina defense showed up but the offense is still out of synch. They better fix it soon, or the Panthers will be drafting in the top ten again in 2012 and Rivera will be on the hot seat. I had gotten one thing correct: I had said the first team to 15 wins. Seattle won, 16-10.
Final: Seahawks by 6

Bears at Jaguars: Bears by 22
Shoulda picked this one for the 30+ point victory. Jags are worst team in the NFL.
Final: Bears by 38

Broncos at Patriots: Broncos by 2
I’m almost always wrong when I pick against the Pats at home, but this game seemed like a good candidate at the time. Looks like BB and Brady have the team hitting on all cylinders after a very rough start to the season.
Final: Pats by 10

Bills at 49’ers: 49’ers by 24
I almost did put this one as an over-30 margin of victory but thought again…the Niners just aren’t a big high-octane offense in style, but the Bills spent all that money on defense for nothing. Shame.
Final: 49’ers by 42

Titans at Vikings: Vikings by 11
No surprises here…the Titans will fight the Raiders and Jaguars before it’s all said and done for the top draft pick next year.
Final: Vikings by 23

Sept 30, 2012; Green Bay, WI, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) throws an 80-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Joe Morgan (13) (not pictured) in the 3rd quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-US PRESSWIRE

Chargers at Saints: Saints by 13
This one actually panned out as I had thought it would, unlike the Packers/Colts game. The Saints had Sean Payton in the building and that was the recipe for victory.
Final: Saints by 7

Monday Night Football – Texans at Jets:Texans by 19
It was a better game and offensive showing than I thought we’d see from the Jets although they still have some big problems. Can’t run the ball at all and can’t catch perfectly thrown passes from Tim Tebow, apparently. It was interesting to watch Antonio Cromartie line up at WR and nearly make a circus catch on a deep ball. Maybe they can do more with Stephen Hill back next week?
Final: Texans by 6

Whew, 10-4 this week…harder and harder to keep up the double-digit wins in picks with the bye weeks stealing a pair of games each week until week 10 now…but I managed it again, taking my season record to 48-29 now.

“Eliminator” picks:

Packers over Colts
Bears over Jags
Vikings over Titans
Niners over Bills
Texans over Jets
Ravens over Chiefs

5 out of 6 options for “Eliminator” were correct this week…unlike the 2 losses I have in my regular challenge already!

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