RJ's Pick - LIONS BY 2
Tampa Bay (3-1) at Indianapolis (4-0) - 4:05 PM (Sheridan's Line: Indianapolis by 10)
Tampa Bay beat Carolina last week, 20-7. They've given up a total of just 10 points the past two weeks, and have allowed the fewest points in the NFC. RB Cadillac Williams is out for the season, as is offensive lineman Luke Petitgout. The Colts beat Denver last week, 38-20. They have now won nine games in a row, going back to last year. Indianapolis is third in the league in points scored, but their defense is giving up 18.5 points per game. Both RB Joseph Addai and WR Marvin Harrison are likely to miss this Sunday's game due to injury. I expect a much closer game than the oddsmakers do.
RJ's Pick - COLTS BY 4
San Diego (1-3) at Denver (2-2) - 4:15 PM (Sheridan's Line: Denver by 1½)
San Diego lost at home to the Chiefs last week, their third straight defeat. But at least RB LaDainian Tomlinson finally broke the 100-yards rushing barrier. The Broncos lost to the Colts in Week Four, 38-20. They've allowed an average of over 180 yards rushing per game so far this season. WR Javon Walker is likely to sit out this Sunday's game due to a knee injury. Also, RB Travis Henry and RB Mike Bell are both banged up. I predict a big game from Tomlinson and a much-needed win for the Chargers.
RJ's Pick - CHARGERS BY 3
Baltimore (2-2) at San Francisco (2-2) - 4:15 PM (Sheridan's Line: Baltimore by 3½)
The Ravens got whipped by the Browns last week, 27-13. Their once-fearsome defense has allowed 22.5 points per game so far this year. Hobbled and under-performing QB Steve McNair is expected to start, but Kyle Boller could always make an appearance. The 49ers were embarrassed in front of their home crowd last week, losing to the Seahawks 23-3. That's their second loss in a row, after winning a pair of close contests to start the season. QB Alex Smith has a shoulder injury, so Trent Dilfer will be starting under center this week. He'll have his work cut out for him, as the 49ers rank last in the NFL in passing yards and in total yards. Don't expect much scoring in this one.
RJ's Pick - SAN FRANCISCO BY 1
Chicago (1-3) at Green Bay (4-0) - 8:15 PM (Sheridan's Line: Green Bay by 3½)
Chicago blew a 4th quarter lead and lost to the Lions last week, 37-27. QB Brian Griese had no more success than benched QB Rex Grossman, throwing 3 INTs in the loss. So far this year, the Bears have allowed 95 points, or 23.75 per game. They've scored just four offensive touchdowns. Weak. The Packers won again last week, 23-16 in Minnesota. Despite an almost nonexistent running game, Green Bay is third in the NFC in points scored. And Packers fans can thank Brett Favre's ageless arm for that. With 8 TDs, only 2 INTs, over 1200 yards passing, and a 97.3 QB rating, Brett Favre is making everyone who encouraged him to retire over the last couple of years (myself included) look like buffoons. Brett Favre has found the fabled fountain of youth, and while we don't yet have all the details, apparently it involves a giant block of cheese worn as a chapeau.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - JJ
I don't know about the Chargers at Denver. Denver's defense is pretty bad at stopping the run, but the Chargers are awful at stopping just about anything. I predict a high scoring game, well into the 30's. Denver wins by 8.
2 - DOM @ HSU
HOU
TENN
KC
NYG
NO
ST. LOUIS
NE
PITT
WAS santana moss only missed wed's practice
INDY
SD
SF
CHICAGO
DAL
3 - The Theory
I'm only picking this week due to the fact that if I don't, I'll kill myself later in the season. But I have too much on my mind (like a critical Phillies game tonight, school, a female, and work) to really care. Ah my. I didn't even check to see what my record last week was. That is how much I'm not caring right now. (Example: I didn't know until just now that somehow Atlanta won. WTF??)
Miami (0-4) at Houston (2-2)... Houston. Because it is outside my realm of comprehension for a Miami win.
Atlanta (1-3) at Tennessee (2-1)... I really don't like Atlanta at all, something I have felt for years. Probably due to the Braves winning way too much over my Phillies for too many years. Regardless, I watched the Vick collapse this off season with no small amount of glee. And I want the team to just crumble this year. And I want Tennessee to win. And they won't. Atlanta will. I hate my life.
Jacksonville (2-1) at Kansas City (2-2)... KC.
New York Jets (1-3) at New York Giants (2-2)... Giants.
Carolina (2-2) at New Orleans (0-3)... New Orleans fall from grace has been almost as surprising as both Detroit and Green Bay's resurgence. They won't win this one, either.
Arizona (2-2) at St. Louis (0-4)... Everyone has to win one game, right? I predict that Arizona (still only a 2-2 team) will be feeling satisfied with themselves for beating Pittsburgh and won't bring their A game. St. Louis is going to steal it from them.
Cleveland (2-2) at New England (4-0)... Picking against New England would be foolish. Just. don't. do it.
Seattle (3-1) at Pittsburgh (3-1)... Pittsburgh.
Detroit (3-1) at Washington (2-1)... Detroit. And weird is the year that I can say that with a straight face. Boy howdy!
Tampa Bay (3-1) at Indianapolis (4-0)...Indy. (God, these Patriot/Indy picks are boring. Way too predictable. I hope I missed this one, just to spice things up)
San Diego (1-3) at Denver (2-2)... San Diego.
Baltimore (2-2) at San Francisco (2-2)... San Fransisco. Mostly because I hate Baltimore.
Chicago (1-3) at Green Bay (4-0)... Chicago is playing like a shell of a team. Meanwhile, Green Bay is playing like they forgot they had a grandpa as their quarterback. Green Bay is gonna slice & dice through Chicago's not-too-fearsome-anymore defense and win.
Dallas (4-0) at Buffalo (1-3)... Dallas.
(Bonus prediction! Phillies beat Colorado today and tomorrow, and win again in Philadelphia to take the series and move on to the NLCS)
4 - alessandro
Texans, Titans, Chiefs, Giants, Panthers, Rams, Patriots, Steelers, Redskins, Colts, Chargers, Ravens, Packers, Cowboys
5 - RJ
12-hour warning...
6 - REMF
Steelers and Bears.
- Elizabeth Edwards
7 - DOM @ HSU
this might get ugly.. get ready for kickoff!!
8 - RJ
Final Scores:
Redskins 34, Lions 3(!) - RJ 0-1
Pats 34, Browns 17 - RJ 1-1
Jags 17, KC 7 - RJ 1-2
Titans 20, Falcons 13 - RJ 2-2
Carolina 16, NO 13 - RJ 3-2
Giants 35, Jets 24 - RJ 4-2
Steelers 21, Seattle 0 - RJ 4-3
Houston 22, Miami 19 - RJ 5-3 (nailed the spread!)
Arizona 34, Rams 31 - RJ 6-3
9 - RJ
ESPN's NFL "experts" -
Wickersham 6-3
Salisbury 8-1
Hoge 9-0(!)
Jaworski 8-1
Schlereth 8-1
Allen 7-2
Mortensen 8-1
Golic 7-2
Accuscore 8-1
10 - The Theory
The Experts are destroying you this week, RJ.
11 - Matthew T. Sussman
Imagine if Young's 3 interceptions would have led to a Titans loss. Ol' Hoge-y would have had a week-long chubby.
12 - DOM @ HSU
everything that could go wrong for GB did... i mean ya i picked CHICAGO but i didn't REALLY expect them to win..
13 - Mad Croc Chris MoneyMaker
Ya this is Chris here i just saw this blog and was interested at first to say the least. After review of the blog and you and your fellows pics/past pics and records going in to this week i found out it was jr high amateur hour here.. you guys dont even include the spread when you make your pics and your still this bad.. what do you guys do flip a coin when you make your pics.. RJ your about what like 45-30 overall including this week wow... Im 56-19 and thats bad for me with my past years of pics in which i INCLUDE the spread in with my pics on my espn blog so if you guys dont mind id like to post my pics along with the kids in here and teach you guys a little thing about making pics.. Chris-Out.
14 - Bennett
Hey MCCM,
Bring it on!
15 - REMF
Elizabeth Edwards 2-0(!)
16 - RJ
Final Scores:
Bears 27, Packers 20 - RJ 6-4
SD 41, Denver 3 - RJ 7-4
Ravens 9, 49ers 7 - RJ 7-5
Colts 33, TB 14 - RJ 8-5
17 - RJ
ESPN's NFL "experts" -
Wickersham 7-6
Salisbury 11-2
Hoge 11-2
Jaworski 10-3
Schlereth 10-3
Allen 9-4
Mortensen 11-2
Golic 10-3
Accuscore 11-2
18 - alessandro
The only thing I spread is peanut butter and jam.
19 - DOM @ HSU
lol chris moneymaker.. lol..
20 - RJ
Final Score:
Coboys 25, Bills 24 - RJ 9-5
(The 4th quarter of this game was some of the most exciting football I've ever seen...)
21 - RJ
ESPN's NFL "experts" -
Wickersham 8-6
Salisbury 12-2
Hoge 12-2
Jaworski 10-3
Schlereth 11-3
Allen 10-4
Mortensen 12-2
Golic 11-3
Accuscore 12-2
22 - RJ
Through five weeks:
Schlereth 51-25 (67.1%)
Jaworski 47-24 (66.2%)
Mortensen 49-27 (64.5%)
Accuscore 47-29 (61.8%)
RJ Elliott: 46-30 (60.5%)
Hoge 46-30 (60.5%)
Salisbury 45-31 (59.2%)
Theismann/Wickersham 44-31 (58.7%)
Golic 42-33 (56.0%)
Allen 41-35 (53.9%)
23 - RJ
I went 7-6-1 ATS this week.
(In Week Four, I was 10-4. In Week Three, I was 9-5-2. In Week Two, I was 6-10. In Week One, I was 4-11-1.)
For the season, I am 36-36-4 ATS. :-/
24 - RJ
BlogCritics elite pickers, Week Five:
RJ - 9-5
JJ - 0-1
DOM - 10-4
Theory - 8-6 (and the Phillies blew it, too...) :-/
Alessandro - 11-3
Elizabeth Edwards(?) - 2-0
"Mad Croc Chris MoneyMaker" - 1 big mouth - 0 spell checkers
25 - Matthew T. Sussman
10-4. One of these weeks I'll stop picking New Orleans and/or Detroit.