NFL - Week Five Preview

When the NFL schedule was released back in the spring, the Week Five game between the defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots and the Dallas Cowboys looked to possibly be the tops for the season.
But no one can predict injuries and the Cowboys are decimated by them heading into the game this weekend in Dallas. Meanwhile, the Patriots are looking a lot like the offensive juggernaut that dominated the NFL in 2007 when they went unbeaten in the regular season.
In fact, New England is a big favorite in this game with Dallas being without quarterback Tony Romo and star wide receiver Dez Bryant.
There are a couple of other interesting match ups in Week Five as the Seattle Seahawks (2-2) travel to face the undefeated Cincinnati Bengals, who have looked dominant in three of their four games this season.
The Monday Night Football game will see the Pittsburgh Steelers playing against the San Diego Chargers on the West Coast. Both teams are 2-2 and need this game.
Both teams are also beat up with injuries early on. The Steelers won't have quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (knee) for at least another three or four weeks and the Chargers' roster looks like a M*A*S*H unit with numerous players nursing injuries.

Here's a quick look at the games on tap for this weekend, with the Heftyinfo predictions following up.

Washington (2-2) at Atlanta (4-0) - The Falcons soar again.

Cleveland (1-3) at Baltimore (1-3) - The loser of this game can start making plans for next season's NFL draft.

Seattle (2-2) at Cincinnati (4-0) - The Bengals looking strong; Seahawks still finding their way so far in 2015.

St. Louis (2-2) at Green Bay (4-0) - The Packers looking unbeatable at home ... Rams play good defense. Take the Pack!

Chicago (1-3) at Kansas City (1-3) - Chiefs are in desperation mode.

New Orleans (1-3) at Philadelphia (1-3) - Two struggling teams going at it in Philly.

Jacksonville (1-3) at Tampa Bay (1-3) - Who cares?

Buffalo (2-2) at Tennessee (1-2) - Flip a coin and take your pick.

Arizona (3-1) at Detroit (0-4) - Upset special ... Take the Lions.

New England (3-0) at Dallas (2-2) - Patriots roll!

Denver (4-0) at Oakland (2-2) - Broncos haven't been real impressive even if they are undefeated... Beware!

San Francisco (1-3) at New York Giants (2-2) - The 'Niners are struggling mightily and the Giants are on a roll after 0-2 start.

Pittsburgh (2-2) at San Diego (2-2) - Philip Rivers and company shine on the Monday night stage.

The Heftyinfo picks for Week Five . . . . .   (Home teams are listed in BOLD; Lock of the Week is listed in BOLD CAPS)

Indianapolis over Houston
ATLANTA over Washington
Baltimore over Cleveland
Seattle over Cincinnati
Green Bay over St. Louis
Kansas City over Chicago
Philadelphia over New Orleans
Tampa Bay over Jacksonville
Tennessee over Buffalo
Detroit over Arizona
New England over Dallas
Denver over Oakland
NY Giants over San Francisco
San Diego over Pittsburgh


Last Week's Record:  11-4

SEASON RECORD:  43-20

Lock of the Week Record:  3-1