NFL 2018 Week 5 results and Week 6 picks

Arizona won their first game this week, ensuring that every single team has won at least one game.  Cleveland won their second game, and played their fourth overtime game in five weeks.  The Browns have now won more games than the previous two seasons combined.  If they double their win count, they will have won as many as the previous three seasons combined.  The Jets and Lions channeled the Rams and Chiefs and had offensive explosions. 

Top Ten [Last week]
1. Los Angeles Rams (5-0) [1]
2. Kansas City Chiefs (5-0) [2]
3. Chicago Bears (3-1) [4]
4. New Orleans Saints (4-1) [6]
5. Baltimore Ravens (3-2) [3]
6. Cincinnati Bengals (4-1) [7]
7. New England Patriots (3-2) [10]
8. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-2) [5]
9. Tennessee Titans (3-2) [8]
10. Carolina Panthers (3-1) [12]

Kudos to the AFC North.  This is the only division that does not have a team with a losing record. It has been years since that statement could be made at this point in the season -- thanks to the Cleveland Browns' improvement in making that possible.

Thursday night game
Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants:  The Super Bowl Champion Eagles are having difficulties, but they have an excellent opportunity to get on track.  How? They play the hapless Giants, whose locker room squabbles are already bubbling over.  EAGLES, 24-13

Sunday early games
Arizona Cardinals at Minnesota Vikings:  The Cards won their first game, but I don't think they'll get their second so soon.  Despite a dearth of talented receivers, Kirk Cousins continues to excel and propel these Vikings.  The more they play, the more these players will get used to him.  This offense is certainly better than the Cardinals defense can stop.  VIKINGS, 23-16

Buffalo Bills at Houston Texans:  After an 0-3 start, the Texans are righting themselves.  As expected, it is their defense that is leading the revival, and the Bills crumble against tough defenses.  TEXANS, 24-13

Carolina Panthers at Washington Redskins:  Man, these two teams are pretty evenly matched.  This game really could go either way.  I have to give a slight nod to the magic Alex Smith can cause with his arm over the magic Cam Newton causes with his legs.  REDSKINS, 20-17

Chicago Bears at Miami Dolphins:   After a 3-0 start, the Dolphins are struggling.  They might be hoping to find some ground this week, but the intense Bears defense will keep the Dolphins offense off-center.  BEARS, 27-17

Indianapolis Colts at New York Jets:  The Colts offense showed some life against the Patriots, but they still remain an inconsistent mystery.  Sam Darnold returned to brilliance last week.  He seems to do well against teams with a weak secondary.  Wait, that's the Colts.  JETS, 24-20

Los Angeles Chargers at Cleveland Browns:  How much do I believe in the Browns' revival?  I am considering this upset pick.  The Browns seem to thrive on close games this season, and I think this will be a close game.  BROWNS, 24-23

Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals:  The Steelers poured on the offense last week, seemingly over their woes over LeVeon Bell.  However, that was against a porous Falcons defense.  Cincy won't prove as easy to overcome.  The Bengals are rolling, which they often do in the regular season.  BENGALS, 27-23

Seattle Seahawks at Oakland Raiders:  The Raiders still seem like a ship with no tiller, having no clear direction.  Seattle's defense may not be what it was, but they won't need a strong defense to shred the listless Raiders.  SEAHAWKS, 23-16

Tampa Bay Bucs at Atlanta Falcons:  The Bucs had a week off to contemplate just how poorly they played against the Bears.  I wouldn't need that week; I've already identified the problem.  What was the main difference in that game?  The presence of Jameis Winston.  So long as he plays, the Bucs are reflective of his "shoot from the hip" style.  FALCONS, 28-20

Sunday late games
Baltimore Ravens at Tennessee Titans:  The Ravens and Titans both have strong defenses, so this will be a low-scoring affair.  Baltimore has the offensive edge, so they'll creep out with the win on a strong fourth-quarter drive.  RAVENS, 20-16

Jacksonville Jaguars at Dallas Cowboys:  Do you think that decision to punt on fourth and one will stick in the head of Jason Garrett?  The Jags hope so.  If they can make the offense question some of their calls, their defense can create mayhem.  JAGS, 20-16

Los Angeles Rams at Denver Broncos:  The Rams offense will roll, as the Broncos don't have a strong defense.  On the other hand, the Rams defense gets the job done, which is something the Broncos offense cannot always do.  RAMS, 35-20

Sunday night game
Kansas City Chiefs at New England Patriots:  If there was ever an environment and situation for a team to upset the unbeaten Chiefs, it would be Sunday night in New England.  The Pats have not looked as strong this year as usual, but they can be sneaky, and a hyped-up home crowd plays right into their hands.  I'll pick the Chiefs, because an upset of a 5-0 team should be an upset, but watch out for those Patriots.  CHIEFS, 30-26

Monday Night Football
San Francisco 49ers at Green Bay Packers:  Aaron Rodgers is playing hurt, but at least he's playing.  San Fran has lost Jimmy Garopollo, and CJ Beathard isn't cutting it.  PACKERS, 20-13