NFL - Week Five Preview

The NFL season heads into October and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Atlanta Falcons are the Thursday night game in a big NFC South divisional battle in Atlanta. The Bucs (3-1) are off to a hot start and quarterback Baker Mayfield (984 passing yards, 70.4 percent completions, 8 touchdowns, two interceptions) has been solid in that span. Meanwhile, the Falcons (2-2) have been so-so and QB Kirk Cousins (864 passing yards, four TD, four INT) has been just that as well through the first four games. 

The game should be a close one and it will likely come down to which teams defense makes the big play (goal line stand, huge turnover or sack on third down) in crunch time. The call here is for the Falcons to pull out a close win.

 

The New York Jets and Minnesota Vikings will kickoff their game in London, England and the 4-0 Vikes are strutting around like world beaters and who can blame them? Minnesota has scored 116 points (29 PPG average) and allowed just 59 points so far. The Jets are 2-2 and Aaron Rodgers and company were kept out of the end zone last Sunday against Denver in a 10-9 loss. 

The Vikings will look to pressure Rodgers and they have averaged four sacks per game. Avoiding turnovers will be the priority for the Jets if they want to win this one. In addition, the Vikings have intercepted eight passes already while the Jets defense has just one. The Jets defense has to stop Vikings QB Sam Darnold (932 passing yards, 11 TD, three INT) and wide receiver Justin Jefferson, who already has 20 receptions for a 16 YPC average and four touchdowns. 

The Buffalo Bills will take on the Houston Texans in Houston and both teams come in with 3-1 records. The Texans have a strong pass defense and that will be the key for them shutting down the high powered Buffalo offense, which has averaged 30.5 PPG, but was held to just ten points in a blowout loss against Baltimore last week. The Texans offense has been sputtering so far this season, averaging just 20 PPG even with quarterback C.J. Stroud throwing for 1,054 yards with six touchdowns and just two picks thrown. The Bills defense allows just under 21 PPG and has 12 sacks, but linebacker Von Miller is out after being suspended four games by the league. 

The Sunday night game in Pittsburgh looks like an interesting one with the Steelers (3-1) taking on the Dallas Cowboys (2-2) in what could be one that comes down to the final possession. The Steelers lost at Indianapolis last week while the 'Pokes halted a two-game skid with a 20-15 win against the New York Giants. Steelers QB Justin Fields has been good so far in 2024, scoring three rushing touchdowns and passing 830 yards with three touchdowns and one interception. Cowboys QB Dak Prescott has thrown for 1,072 yards with six TD and two interceptions. The Steelers will likely pound the football as Dallas has been terrible against the run so far while also looking to contain the Cowboys air attack while on defense. 

The rest of the NFL action for Week Five is featured in the capsule style previews and the Heftyinfo picks (nice rebound last weekend) follow up. 

Baltimore Ravens (2-2) at Cincinnati Bengals (1-3) - The Ravens look to have their mojo going once again. The Bengals had a hard time, but did get their first win this season in Carolina. Take the Ravens in this one. 

Indianapolis Colts (2-2) at Jacksonville Jaguars (0-4) - Just going on hunch with this one and picking the Jaguars to get their first victory on Sunday. 

Miami Dolphins (1-3) at New England Patriots (1-3) - Toss up in the NFL stinker game of the week. 

Cleveland Browns (1-3) at Washington Commanders (3-1) - Everything points to Washington in this one and it should. Browns have played poorly so far while the Commanders are rolling hot. 

Carolina Panthers (1-3) at Chicago Bears (2-2) - If the Bears don't get the win at home in this one, it might be time to start panicking in the Windy City. 

Las Vegas Raiders (2-2) at Denver Broncos (2-2) - This game should be a tight one with the Broncos defense coming up big to earn a win. 

Arizona Cardinals (1-3) at San Francisco 49ers (2-2) - The 49ers looking to outscore the Cardinals in this game and they should. 

Green Bay Packers (2-2) at Los Angeles Rams (1-3) - This game could be close and don't be surprised if the Rams get the win. Packers need to get it going early in this one. 

New York Giants (1-3) at Seattle Seahawks (3-1) - Seattle looking to atone for last week's debacle in Detroit. The Giants are a team that battles their opponents for the entire game. Seahawks should get the win here. 

New Orleans Saints (2-2) at Kansas City Chiefs (4-0) - The Monday night game at Arrowhead Stadium between two teams that like to throw the ball around the field. K.C. quarterback Patrick Mahomes and company have been slow starters on offense so far, but they are unbeaten. The Saints can score, but so can their opponents. Chiefs win another thriller at home. 

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

Atlanta over Tampa Bay 

Minnesota over N.Y. Jets (game played in London, England) 

Baltimore over Cincinnati 

Jacksonville over Indianapolis 

New England over Miami 

Washington over Cleveland 

Houston over Buffalo 

CHICAGO over Carolina 

Denver over Las Vegas 

San Francisco over Arizona 

Green Bay over L.A. Rams 

Seattle over N.Y. Giants 

Pittsburgh over Dallas 

Kansas City over New Orleans 

Last Week's Record - 12-4 

SEASON RECORD - 38-26 

Lock of the Week Record - 1-3