Is the passing game back in the NFL? The last two games have seen the Lions complete 100% of their passes and we were treated to Thursday night’s spectacle where Kirk Cousins threw for 509 yards in a win over Tampa Bay. I can only hope this leads to better results this weekend since there are some quality games in Jets-Vikings, Bills-Texans, Ravens-Bengals, Cowboys-Steelers, and Saints-Chiefs.
But there are some revenge-themed games here too with Stefon Diggs taking on the Bills for the first time since the trade, and Sam Darnold already beat the Jets with Carolina in 2021, but he’ll get his crack at them in the first London game of the season with the 4-0 Vikings. Steelers-Cowboys is also a classic rivalry from the 70s with flagship franchises, and that Ravens-Bengals game should be a good one with both teams knowing how important it is after their slow starts.
This Week’s Articles
- 2024 NFL Quarterback Rankings Week 5 – Are Jayden Daniels and Sam Darnold for real? I am having trouble detecting fraud in this Darnold start.
- Scott’s Seven NFL Picks Week 5 – Honestly, all I want to do this weekend is best on 1st quarter props, but here’s some other picks I like.
- Cowboys-Steelers preview and picks
NFL 2024 Week 5 Predictions
The Falcons really had no business winning that game, but that’s the third time this season I can say that about that team.
I wanted to pick more underdogs this week but found it difficult. Sure, I can see some wild things happening like the Jets spanking the Vikings, the Bengals staying alive against Baltimore, Washington getting exposed defensively and a learning curve experience for Jayden Daniels.
Jets-Vikings: I am starting to believe in this Minnesota team as it’s the only team that hasn’t played a game with a 4QC attempt yet. Maybe that changes here, but when an old Aaron Rodgers is on the other side, I feel okay with trusting Minnesota to go to 5-0.
Ravens-Bengals: When Lamar Jackson is healthy, he usually beats the Bengals. Period. They’ve looked great with Derrick Henry running over everyone the last two weeks, but the Bengals have also perked up offensively. It should be a good game and I’m going Baltimore again.
Panthers-Bears: Are we trusting Chicago again? I think it’s a tight game and I’m on the Diontae Johnson props again.
Dolphins-Patriots: I’d pick Miami in Miami but give me the Patriots at home. Tyler Huntley should be better than Monday night, but that team is a mess right now and injuries are piling up too.
Bills-Texans: Big one here. I had the Texans winning it in my preseason picks and I’m sticking to it. I think C.J. Stroud uses all of his weapons and throws for over 300 yards in a close win.
Colts-Jaguars: It looks like Joe Flacco at QB, but there’s no Jonathan Taylor, and the Colts haven’t won in Jacksonville since 2014. It’s time to end the losing streak, and by that I mean Trevor Lawrence losing 9 straight starts. Something has to give here and I’m giving the Jags a win or else they’ll be ready to fire Doug Pederson by the end of the month.
Browns-Commanders: My Commanders look to go 4-1 and I hope they do for obvious reasons. But I do like an Amari Cooper TD to continue the trend of No. 1 WRs abusing that secondary. It’d also raise his draft stock.
Cardinals-49ers: Four straight blowouts of Arizona by the 49ers, and I think that continues here.
Raiders-Broncos: Speaking of revenge, do you know the Raiders are 8-0 against Denver since 2020? I think the streak continues here as Maxx Crosby returns to the defense, and I just don’t trust Bo Nix yet.
Packers-Rams: LaFleur gets the best of McVay again and hopefully Josh Jacobs finally finds the end zone.
Giants-Seahawks: An upset wouldn’t shock me with Seattle’s injured defense, but they need Malik Nabers for that. Seattle bounces back at home.
Cowboys-Steelers: I would pick the Cowboys if they had their pass rushers (or just Parsons), or if I trusted the offense beyond CeeDee. But I think the Steelers squeak out a 23-20 win. Just remember Justin Fields is 0-22 when the opponent scores 21+ points. But if you have Mike McCarthy in a close game, we know how that usually goes.
Saints-Chiefs: Screw it, give me the upset in the first game without Rashee Rice. The Saints in a 4QC win to end the KC winning streak.
Captain Comeback: NFL Analysis by Scott Kacsmar 