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A quarter of the 2015 NFL season is in the books and for some the playoffs are already a goal for next year. The next 4 weeks should turn the pretenders into contenders. For others the clock will strike midnight and their Cinderella season will revert back to a smelly pumpkin. The Carolina Panthers, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, and New York Jets are all on bye this week so remember not to leave any key players in your starting line up.
Only eight teams have winning records going into week 5. The Patriots are 3-0 coming off their bye week and they play Dallas this week. The Falcons, Bengals, Packers, Broncos are all looking to go 5-0 before the weekend is over. Carolina is off this week so they are guaranteed to be undefeated another week.
Ok, I have stalled long enough. Here are you week 5 picks against the spread considering my record this season is just under 63% it goes without saying this is for entertainment purposes only.
Jacksonville Jaguars (+3) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Someone has to win this game right? These two teams are just short of horrid and it wouldn’t surprise me in the least if it ended in a tie in OT. Florida is not the place to be this year for hard-hitting football. The Dolphins are 1-3; they’ve already fired one coach but at least we know they can’t lose this week. All hail the football god Bye Week for that small favor and grace. Back to those other Florida teams. I doubt if anyone cares. Tune into see if Jameis throws another pic six. Maybe the Jags will find some magic. Technically the Bucs are favored by 3. I think that’s just because Vegas feels obligated to pick a lead horse. Jameis and his crew won’t fool me again. I don’t think you’d bet on this particular game, but if you must flip a coin. If that doesn’t work take Jags and the +3. They just might surprise you.
Prediction ATS: Jacksonville
Buffalo Bills (-2.5) at Tennessee Titans
Rex Ryan has a terrific track record against rookie quarterbacks, going 9-2 against them. The Bills were riddled with penalties last week. Ryan’s defense is probably chomping at the bit in anticipation of a Mariota sandwich. No matter how many penalties the Rex and the Bills end up with, the defense is strong enough to overcome them. It’s going to be a long day for Marcus Mariota. Rex and the Bills will cover the -2.5 and win by at least a FG.
Prediction ATS: Buffalo
Cleveland Browns (+6.5) at Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens probably gave all they had in week 4 taking down the Pittsburgh Steelers. This week they’re at home against another division rival and they are without the services of veteran receiver Steve Smith. Don’t get your hopes up about this one Ravens fans. It may get as murky as one of Edgar Allen Poe’s poems. Take the +6.5 and the dog pound all the way to the bank.
Prediction ATS: Cleveland
Washington Redskins (+7.5) at Atlanta Falcons
Devonta Freeman can’t possibly score 3 TD in 3 consecutive games – can he? Against Washington’s defense, it is quite possible. Julio Jones and Mattie Ice can easily cover the 7.5 points. When the Falcons take the field Sunday they won’t be playing against Washington, they’ll be playing against ego and team turmoil issues. If the Falcons can put their locker room issues to rest and work together and knock off the prima donna issues they’ll make short work of Washington.
Prediction ATS: Atlanta
Chicago Bears (+9.5) at Kansas City Chiefs
After losing three of their first four games, the Chiefs shouldn’t be favored by 9.5 points over any team. Not even my Bears. As bad as my Bears are they did manage to keep it close against Green Bay week 1 before losing by eight. The Chiefs are nowhere near the Packers’ zip code. You all know the drill I feel it only fair that I recuse myself. Use your best judgment but really almost a 10-point favorite over the Bears sounds suspicious to me.
Prediction ATS: 60 minutes of football will be played in Kansas City.
New Orleans Saints (+2.5) at Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles are having a little technical difficulty. The Saints despite an amazing win against Dallas on Monday are having their share of issues as well. Both teams have only managed to put 1 W in the win column so far this year. Still, New Orleans is 5-2 against the spread in their last seven road games, and they can certainly keep Sunday’s game within a FG. They may just win outright. Don’t mark your calendars. This is not the week Chip Kelly and his Eagles soar.
Prediction ATS: New Orleans
St. Louis Rams (+9) at Green Bay Packers
Aaron Rodgers hasn’t thrown an interception in Green Bay since 2012. That little factoid is sure to jinx him but oh well. The Packers are 4-0 against the spread. Look it pains me to write about the greatness of THE Cheese Heads. You already know what it is. Take Aaron and The Packers.
Prediction ATS: Green Bay
Seattle Seahawks (+3) at Cincinnati Bengals
Much to my fantasy football team’s dismay Marshawn Lynch has already been ruled out for Sunday’s game. Seattle hasn’t allowed an offensive touchdown in two games, coinciding with Kam Chancellor’s return. The kickers could have a great day. Seattle is playing on a short week. They played Detroit in a defensive battle Monday and then have to travel to Cincinnati. Don’t look for it to be a high scoring game. Somehow Seattle and Kam Chancellor manage to cover the +3.
Prediction ATS: Seattle
Arizona Cardinals (-2.5) at Detroit Lions
This is like taking candy from a baby.
Prediction ATS: Arizona
New England Patriots (-8.5) at Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys aren’t beating the Patriots with Brandon Weeden at quarterback. The Cowboys aren’t beating the Patriots with the Madden Hall of Fame team in for their rag a muffin crew. Bill Belichick has had two weeks to prepare for the Cowboys. Barring Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, and Michael Irvin suiting up for the Cowboys this one will be over about 5 minutes after kickoff.
Prediction ATS: New England
Denver Broncos (-4.5) at Oakland Raiders
Peyton Manning has already thrown five interceptions this season, and he looks more like Eli Manning than he does Peyton. All of the Broncos wins have been nail biters that come down to late in the fourth quarter. At some point your luck has to end and a division game against the Raiders with Raider Nation in full force is probably going to be the stage for the Broncos first loss this season.
Prediction ATS: Oakland
San Francisco 49ers (+7) at New York Giants
The Giants are the best team in the NFC East now that Tony Romo is injured. Considering how flaky the Giants have been this season that’s saying a lot. Meanwhile Colin Kaepernick doesn’t feel like he should be the least bit concerned about job security despite his dismal play. The Niners will probably lose their fourth game in a row.
Prediction ATS: New York
Pittsburgh Steelers (+3) at San Diego Chargers
Michael Vick leads the wounded Steelers into battle in San Diego. Philip Rivers hasn’t been all that great this season, but somehow the Chargers have managed to score 63 points in two home games this season. This one could get ugly before half time.
Prediction ATS: San Diego
Season Record: 22-35 ATS
