This Sunday, the Chicago Bears and Oakland Raiders will play the first of the four games over in London, England. The Bears are 3-1 while the Raiders are off to a 2-2 start and are coming off an upset road win against the Indianapolis Colts last week.
The Bears defense is among the best in pro football and will be a real test for Raiders quarterback Derek Carr and rookie running back Josh Jacobs, who is averaging five yards per carry. The Chicago offense has struggled through the first four games, averaging just 16.5 points per game. Chase Daniel will start at QB again as starter Mitch Trubisky suffered a dislocated left (non throwing) shoulder injury last Sunday.
The Baltimore Ravens (2-2) travel to face the Pittsburgh Steelers (1-3), who finally won their first game of the 2019 season last Monday night, a 27-3 trouncing of the visiting Cincinnati Bengals. The Ravens were blown out at home by the Cleveland Browns, 40-25 as their defense was obliterated by running back Nick Chubb for 165 rushing yards and three touchdowns. These two teams dislike each other and it should be a hard hitting affair as in years past.
The New Orleans Saints (3-1) will host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-2) on Sunday afternoon. The Saints defense dominated the Dallas Cowboys last Sunday night in a 12-10 win. Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay offense gained 464 yards in a 55-40 rout of the host L.A. Rams as QB Jameis Winston threw four TD passes. The Saints defense will look to limit the Bucs QB this week and they will look to QB Teddy Bridgewater once again to lead the offense as Drew Brees continues to sit out with the thumb injury suffered back in Week Two.
The Green Bay Packers (3-1) travel to face the 3-1 Dallas Cowboys and both of these teams suffered their first defeat of the season in Week Four action. The Cowboys offense had been rolling along until the New Orleans Saints held them in check last Sunday night, limiting QB Dak Prescott to no touchdown passes and running back Ezekiel Elliott to only 35 yards rushing.
Meanwhile, Packers QB Aaron Rodgers had a decent game in defeat against Philadelphia, but the Green Bay defense, which had been stellar in the first three games, struggled against the Eagles in a 34-27 loss at Lambeau Field.
The unbeaten Kansas City Chiefs (4-0) will host the Indianapolis Colts (2-2) in the Sunday night game. Kansas City survived a 34-30 victory in Detroit last Sunday, but for the first time in a long time, QB Patrick Mahomes didn't have a scoring pass. The Colts lost at home against Oakland, even though QB Jacoby Brissett had three TD passes.
This game could be a very high scoring one as Kansas City has been averaging 33.7 points per game so far this season while giving up 23.5 points a game. The Colts have averaged 23.5 ppg and have yielded 102 points in four games (25.5 ppg allowed average) so far in the 2019 season.
The rest of the games for Week Five are featured in the capsule style previews, followed up by the Heftyinfo picks for all the action.
New England (4-0) at Washington (0-4) - On any given Sunday it has been said through the years . . . yeah right. Patriots roll big time in this one.
Buffalo (3-1) at Tennessee (2-2) - Two teams looking to keep some early season momentum going. Take the Titans in a close one.
Baltimore (2-2) at Pittsburgh (1-3) - Can the Ravens bounce back after last weekend's debacle?
NY Jets (0-3) at Philadelphia (2-2) - Jets are coming off the bye week, but the Eagles are simply the better team.
Chicago (3-1) at Oakland (2-2) - (game being played in London) - The Bears defense should be strong enough to keep the Oakland attack in check.
Minnesota (2-2) at NY Giants (2-2) - Will Giants QB Daniel Jones suffer his first pro defeat?
Tampa Bay (2-2) at New Orleans (3-1) - This should be a good game between two divisional rivals.
Atlanta (1-3) at Houston (2-2) - What is up with the Falcons so far this season? Texans have been up and down so far as well, so something has to give.
Arizona (0-3-1) at Cincinnati (0-4) - The stinker game of the week. Bengals rate a slight edge as the home team.
Jacksonville (2-2) at Carolina (2-2) - Two teams getting it done so far with backup quarterbacks. Toss up in this one.
Denver (0-4) at L.A. Chargers (2-2) - The Broncos surprised the Chargers in L.A. last season. But that was then and this now . . . Take the Chargers.
Green Bay (3-1) at Dallas (3-1) - This should be a high scoring game as two of the hotter quarterbacks go at it in this game.
Indianapolis (2-2) at Kansas City (4-0) - Patrick Mahomes is looking for a bounce back game, so the Colts could be in for a very long night at Arrowhead Stadium in the "prime time" game.
Cleveland (2-2) at San Francisco (3-0) - Two young upstart teams go at it on Monday Night Football. Baker Mayfield vs. Jimmy G . . . should be a great game.
The Heftyinfo predictions for Week Five . . . . . . . . (Home teams are listed in bold; Lock of the Week is listed in BOLD CAPS)
Seattle over L.A. Rams
NEW ENGLAND over Washington
Tennessee over Buffalo
Baltimore over Pittsburgh
Philadelphia over N.Y. Jets
Chicago over Oakland (in London)
Minnesota over N.Y. Giants
New Orleans over Tampa Bay
Houston over Atlanta
Cincinnati over Arizona
Carolina over Jacksonville
L.A. Chargers over Denver
Dallas over Green Bay
Kansas City over Indianapolis
San Francisco over Cleveland
Last Week's Record - 9-6
SEASON RECORD - 40-22-1
Lock of the Week Record - 4-0
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