NFL Week 5 picks

The last unbeaten team in the NFC toppled last week, and the Cleveland Browns gained their first win.  That leaves the league with only one unbeaten team, the surprising Kansas City Chiefs, and four winless teams.  I'm picking one of those to upset their opponent, and two others have a good chance to win.  Who are they?  Let's see...

Sunday early games:
Atlanta Falcons (3-1) at Cleveland Browns (1-3):  The Browns beat their hated rival Cincinnati last week.  Can the Browns win two in a row?  Their defense is good, and the offense is improving, but Matt Ryan and company are getting their mojo back.  That spells trouble for opponents.  FALCONS, 27-17

Chicago Bears (3-1) at Carolina Panthers (0-4):  The Bears are atop the NFC North, but they need to win this one to stay there.  The Panthers offense has been totally confused this season.  The Bears defense is healthy enough to keep them confused.  BEARS, 24-10

Denver Broncos (2-2) at Baltimore Ravens (3-1):  Orton looked good last week, but the Ravens defense can be crushing.  The Broncos don't have a running game to back up Orton, so all the Ravens have to do is upset the passing game.  RAVENS, 17-13

Green Bay Packers (3-1) at Washington Redskins (2-2):  Aaron Rodgers is the most productive QB so far this season, even more than Drew Brees or Peyton Manning.  The Redskins defense is good, but not good enough to slow that down.  PACK, 31-20

Jacksonville Jaguars (2-2) at Buffalo Bills (0-4):  The Jaguars are a true Jekyll-Hyde entity this season.  When they are doing well, they look great.  That was last week, when they upset Indy.  When they're bad, they look pathetic.  The Bills have lost all of their games, but they've played hard in most of them.  If the Jgs go Hyde, the Bills will register their first win.  They could do that, still high on the Indy upset, but I think that Colts game will boost their intensity and keep them playing well.  JAGS, 16-13

Kansas City Chiefs (3-0) at Indianapolis Colts (2-2):  Indy doesn't want a losing record, and they want to redeem themselves after the Jags loss.  The Chiefs have been having a Cinderella season, but the clock is about to strike midnight, although it'll happen on a late drive.  COLTS, 24-23

New York Giants (2-2) at Houston Texans (3-1):  Houston has been having a charmed season.  Matt Schaub is running this team with precision.  While the Giants improved last week to beat Chicago, that precision has been missing for them this season.  TEXANS, 21-16

St Louis Rams (2-2) at Detroit Lions (0-4):  Top draft pick Sam Bradford has the Rams clicking.  Could he lead them to a winning record?  The Lions have played most of their opponents close, losing three games by less than six points each.  Could this be the week they finally emerge victorious?  I know it'll happen, but the Rams seem to have things together right now.  Watch out for Detroit, though.  RAMS, 26-23

Tampa Bay Bucs (2-1) at Cincinnati Bengals (2-2):  This game could go either way.  The Dynamic Duo in Cincy haven't been producing, and both defenses are tight.  Which team will emerge victorious?  I think it'll be the one who wins the turnover battle, so I have to pick the Bucs.  BUCS, 20-17

Sunday late games:
New Orleans Saints (3-1) at Arizona Cardinals (2-2):  The Saints haven't been winning big, bnt they've been winning.  Arizona's offense isn't consistent, so I have to pick the defending Super Bowl Champs.  SAINTS, 23-16

San Diego Chargers (2-2) at Oakland Raiders (1-3): Since being beaten to death by Tennessee in Week One, the Raiders have played their opponents close.  I don't think they'll do that here.  After a rough start, the offense in San Diego is clicking again.  When that's happening, they're almost unstoppable.  CHARGERS, 34-20

Tennessee Titans (2-2) at Dallas Cowboys (1-2):  The Cowboys took the week to heal up and get into sync, while Chris Johnson's numbers are down from last year.  Can the Titans get it together to win?  With Vince Young under center, he's always dangerous, but I have to think the Cowboys will have taken the extra week to prepare for this.  COWBOYS, 20-13

Sunday Night Football: Philadelphia Eagles (2-2) at San Francisco 49ers (0-4):  We're down to our last winless team, so this is obviously my pick (remember how this column started?).  Michael Vick is injured, so Kevin Kolb returns under center.  I don't think he'll feel the same, though.  His starting job was yanked from him, the team and coach don't have as much faith in him, and the 49ers are hungry for a victory.  The 49ers will rush Kolb and throw off his timing.  I also think they'll pick him off at least twice, one returned for a touchdown.  49ERS, 17-13

Monday Night Football:  Minnesota Vikings (1-2) at New York Jets (3-1):  So the Patriots let Randy Moss return to Minnesota just as they are about to face the Jets, a team who beat New England earlier this season?  Does anyone else smell a vengeance plot?  Brett Favre has been horribly off, but Moss has already sparked new life in the Vikings locker room.  I think the Vikings will keep the game close, and Moss will score a late fourth quarter touchdown on a jumping grab.  VIKINGS, 23-20