NFL 2012 Week 5 picks

I'm picking a bunch of visiting teams again, but that didn't sting me too badly last week.  Hopefully the picks will hold out.

Thursday game: Arizona Cardinals at St Louis Rams:  The Rams shocked Seattle last week, but the Cards have been doing some amazing things.  The Dolphins almost tripped them up last week, so the Rams have a chance to give the Cards their first loss of the season, but I'll pick the visitors to keep their Cinderella season going.  CARDS, 30-13

Sunday early games
Atlanta Falcons at Washington Redskins: Can the Falcons maintain their unbeaten record?  The Redskins can score, but their defense is porous.  The real question is, can Washington score as much and as often as the Falcons?  I don't think so.  FALCONS, 30-23

Baltimore Ravens at Kansas City Chiefs:  This is a visiting team I have no hesitation in picking.  The Chiefs offense is sputtering, and they face one of the stiffest defenses in the league.  That is not a formula for success.  RAVENS, 34-20

Cleveland Browns at New York Giants: Finally, a home team I feel comfortable picking!  The Browns offense is starting to improve, but not enough to overcome the pressure of the Giants defense.  The Browns defense still needs work, so the inconsistent Giants offense has a chance to have a good game.  GIANTS, 27-17

Green Bay Packers at Indianapolis Colts:  The Colts defense is okay, so the Pack will not put up tons of points, but the offense still needs work, so they won't put up much on the scoreboard, either.  PACK, 24-14

Miami Dolphins at Cincinnati Bengals:  The Dolphins pushed Arizona last week, so the Bengals have a right to be concerned.  Moreover, the Dolphins have a decent defense, which could frustrate the Bengals.  However, the Bengals have more talent than the Dolphins; if they play up to their potential, they should have no trouble winning.  BENGALS, 23-17

Philadelphia Eagles at Pittsburgh Steelers: The Eagles win close games, but I don't think this one will be close.  The Eagles have averaged more turnovers than any other team, and the Steelers are excellent at exploiting opponents' turnovers.  Once the Steelers take a ten-point lead off Eagle mistakes, the game is basically over.  STEELERS, 26-16

Sunday late games
Buffalo Bills at San Francisco 49ers:  This game won't be a shutout, as the Bills offense is producing better than the Jets, but it will still be a loss.  The Bills defense lacks punch, so the 49ers will gain some ground.  49ERS, 27-16

Chicago Bears at Jacksonville Jaguars:  This is the type of team that Chicago loves to play!  The Jags are mostly a ground team, and the Bears defense is tough on running opponents.  The Jags defense doesn't frequently rush, so Cutler will have the time to carve them up.  BEARS, 27-13

Denver Broncos at New England Patriots:  Peyton is starting to play like his old self, but his even his old self has struggled against the Patriots.  While the Pats haven't exactly played like they usually do, I think they'll once again give Peyton fits.  PATS, 27-23

Seattle Seahawks at Carolina Panthers:  Here's a home team I want to pick, but I don't think Seattle will allow themselves to lose two in a row.  I'll pick Seatlle, but a Panthers win would not surprise me at all.  SEAHAWKS, 16-13

Tennessee Titans at Minnesota Vikings:  If the Cardinals are the surprise team of the season so far, the 3-1 Vikings would be next.  Their defense is tight, and the offense is capable enough to keep the ball moving.  That offense should get a boost this week, facing the worst defense in the league.  VIKINGS, 30-16

Sunday night: San Diego Chargers at New Orleans Saints:  At some point the Saints will win, but I don't think it'll be this game.  The Saints biggest problem?  It's not the struggles of QB Drew Brees, but the defense.  San Diego has a good offense, and they will overpower the pathetic Saints defense.  CHARGERS, 30-24

Monday Night Football -- Houston Texans at New York Jets:  Could the Jets suffer a second consecutive shutout?  It's possible, but it is such a rare occasion that I hesitate to pick that.  A Texans victory, though, is easy to pick.  TEXANS, 31-10