NFL 2024 (Week 5)

How bad have my picks been the last three weeks?  So bad that I've already been eliminated from my Survival league.  I was eliminated in Week 4 in a three strikes league...and I won in Week 1!  So, basically what I'm saying is that I have no idea what's going on the NFL!  Maybe this week I can finally start to get back on track after three subpar weeks in a row.  Although, if Thursday night is any indication, maybe not.

Thursday Night: Tampa Bay (Loss)

Jets (2-2) vs Vikings (4-0): Minnesota-The fans in London are actually treated with a pretty good matchup for their first game of the year.  I'm ready to adjust my take on both of these teams.  Minnesota's one of two remaining undefeated teams, and their wins have been impressive, too.  The Jets, meanwhile, haven't been what I expected either.  I thought they would be much better than they've looked so far.  Of course, there's still time.  And, knowing my luck, they're gonna blow the Vikings out.

Panthers (1-3) at Bears (2-2): Chicago-Swapping the No. 1 pick in 2023 has certainly worked out better for the Bears than the Panthers.  Bryce Young has been benched, and the Panthers' offense has looked much better in two games under Andy Dalton.  Chicago, meanwhile, actually has an offense now, and it has made quite a difference.  The Bears beat the Rams last week and are also better than the Panthers, so expect them to make it two in a row.

Ravens (2-2) at Bengals (1-3): Baltimore-It's been a tough go of it so far for everybody in the AFC North except for the Steelers.  Although, both the Ravens and Bengals got a win last week when they really needed one.  Baltimore's was impressive, too.  They dominated the Bills from start to finish on Monday night.  A win here, and they're right back on track.  That would also pretty much sink Cincinnati, so expect the Bengals to come out like their season depends on it.

Dolphins (1-3) at Patriots (1-3): New England-Miami hasn't had a lead through four games this season.  The Dolphins' only win came on a last-second field goal against Jacksonville.  When they gave that stat at the end of the game on Monday, I was just like "Wow!"  It really sums up Miami's season in a nutshell, too.  When Brady was in New England, they were the team that always gave the Patriots trouble.  Now, it's a chance for the Patriots to extend the Dolphins' streak to five games without a lead.

Browns (1-3) at Commanders (3-1): Washington-Are the Commanders actually good?!  It looks like they've finally got a keeper at quarterback in Chase Daniels, who's the clear Rookie of the Year frontrunner (if not an MVP candidate) through the first quarter of the season.  And playing Washington is suddenly no longer a guaranteed win.  In fact, the Commanders currently lead the NFC East.  Cleveland badly needs a win, but I'm not sure they get it here.

Colts (2-2) at Jaguars (0-4): Indianapolis-Remember the middle of last season when we were all talking about how good Jacksonville was?  It seems like such a long time ago, doesn't it?  Now we're back to the Jaguars of old, sitting at 0-4 as the only winless team in the league.  Can they get their first win of the year against Indianapolis?  Or will the Colts follow up their victory over the Steelers with a division win?

Bills (3-1) at Texans (3-1): Buffalo-Buffalo losing wasn't the shocking thing last week.  They were playing a good Ravens team that needed a win badly.  It's how they were beaten so soundly that was the surprise.  This week, they've got another road game against a division winner from last season.  How will they bounce back?  I don't see Josh Allen having two bad games in a row, so probably just fine.

Raiders (2-2) at Broncos (2-2): Denver-When Sean Payton took over in Denver, he said to give it time.  That patience is finally being rewarded.  And the Broncos' defense is really the reason why.  In their last three games, they've given up a total of 29 points.  Sure, their offense hasn't been great, only scoring 39 in those same three games.  But, they've won two of them.  Can they make it three against their hated rivals from Las Vegas?

Cardinals (1-3) at 49ers (2-2): San Francisco-You put the 49ers back in their own stadium, and suddenly they look like the 49ers again.  They've played two home games this season, won them both, and scored over 30 points each time.  Arizona, meanwhile, gave up 42 last week against Washington.  This is a game San Francisco should win.

Packers (2-2) at Rams (1-3): Green Bay-Is there a team in the NFC that needs a win more than the Rams?  They're a very confusing team, too.  Because they almost (and should've) won their opener in Detroit, then got their butts kicked in Arizona, then beat San Francisco before scoring just 18 points in Chicago.  Are they good or not?  With the Packers, we know what we're getting.  Even last week, they easily could've won that game had a couple things gone their way.  If those things do go their way this week, I can see them pulling it out.

Giants (1-3) at Seahawks (3-1): Seattle-Last Monday, the Seahawks suffered their first loss of the season, as Detroit emphatically made a statement and scored seemingly at will on Seattle's defense.  The ease with which the Lions did it was surprising for sure.  The good news for the Seahawks is that this week they play the Giants.  Which means they'll have plenty of opportunity to get back into their offensive groove.

Cowboys (2-2) at Steelers (3-1): Dallas-Somehow, Dallas and Pittsburgh haven't met in a regular season primetime game since 1980.  They've obviously played in a Super Bowl, and I know they don't play in the regular season that often.  But, you'd figure that's exactly why they'd get a Monday or Sunday night game.  Because they're two of the more popular teams in the league and they don't play each other often.  Anyway, the result of this game really depends on which Cowboys team shows up.  It's also weird how Dallas is 2-0 on the road and 0-2 at home.  Since this one's on the road, I'm going with the Week 1 & 4 Cowboys, not the Week 2 & 3 Cowboys.

Saints (2-2) at Chiefs (4-0): Kansas City-Seven, one, five and seven.  Those are the margins of victory in each of Kansas City's four games this season.  The most important number, though, is 4-0.  They haven't played their best football yet, and they're still one of two undefeated teams left.  Just imagine when they get rolling!  Now, they'll probably have a bad game in them at some point.  I don't think it'll be this week, though.

This Week: 0-1
Last Week: 7-9
Overall: 34-31