Live Blog - Week 5 NFL Early Game Predictions

Whelp, I suck. My early season slump continues into last week as every single chance I took on a team collapse into loses, ensuring yet another embarrassing week of pick'em results for me to share with you. Rest assured, my pick'em abilities do eventually come on strong later in the year. Hopefully, I didn't just jinx myself there.

• Last Week: 6-7
• Season: 35-27

It seems like there are quite a few "easier" picks this week, but with my kiss of death picking we should be assured a week of upsets. I am traveling out of town this week to celebrate my 36th birthday next week, staying in a cabin up in Lake Tahoe, California. Unfortunately, I will only be able to watch the first part of the Denver Broncos game and then the rest on the radio. I'll be here in spirit though!

Let's get on with it. Here are my picks this week, tell us yours in the comments!

Houston Texans (3-1) at Dallas Cowboys (3-1)

Suffice to say, I am not a believer in the Dallas Cowboys or their general manager/owner. I had this team pegged for about five wins this year, but I completely underestimated the ease of their schedule early on. I'm not that high on the Houston Texans either, but this is a perfect matchup problem for the Cowboys. Tony Romo wilts under intense pressure and this defense is built to pressure quarterbacks. This could go one of two ways. Tony Romo goes all Peyton Manning today and blows out the Texans or the Texans defense harasses Romo all day long and helps their team win a close one. Let's go defense! Prediction: Texans 20, Cowboys 16.

Buffalo Bills (2-2) at Detroit Lions (3-1)

The Buffalo Bills have made a terrible decision this week by starting Kyle Orton and it is going to cost them. Matthew Stafford and the Detroit Lions are going to obliterate the Bills today and Orton doesn't even need to deal with wet balls this time, but hey, I don't see him leading a team to a 59-14 beat down today. He still loses though. Tim Tebow anyone? Prediction: Lions 27, Bills 7.

Cleveland Browns (1-2) at Tennessee Titans (1-3)

Brian Hoyer and the Cleveland Browns were red hot going into their Bye week, which means they've had two weeks to think about how great they have played and the result will be a surprisingly flat performance and probably a straight up loss. This game could go either way, so I'm going with the home team based on my gut telling me that the Browns are, well, the Browns and the good play will give way to the regular Browns play.  Prediction: Titans 24, Browns 14.

Baltimore Ravens (3-1) at Indianapolis Colts (2-2)

After a rough first two games, Andrew Luck and the Indianapolis Colts are back on track and ready to get back into the winning record column against the visiting Baltimore Ravens. This is a must win game for the Colts, so I am doubtful that the always-elite Joe Flacco can keep up with the Colts onslaught. Both teams will remain playoff contenders regardless of the outcome, though. Prediction: Colts 31, Ravens 20.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-3) at New Orleans Saints (1-3)

At some point, Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints are going to wake up with an offensive explosion similar to the Green Bay game on Thursday. If it's going to happen, this is about as good of a game for it to occur as any and really, the Buccaneers should not have won that game last week. Only the Steelers could let an inferior foe pull victory out of the jaws of defeat like that. Tim Tebow anyone? Prediction: Saints 34, Buccaneers 13.

Atlanta Falcons (2-2) at New York Giants (2-2)

I think the Atlanta Falcons are the better team, but their performances on the road this season leaves a lot to be desired, so even though I want to pick them and think they are the better team, I'll have to go with Eli Manning and the New York Giants here. And watch, I'll get burned yet again because stupid teams like the Falcons can't be consistent on the road enough for a guy like me to trust them. Prediction: Giants 26, Falcons 20.

St. Louis Rams (1-2) at Philadelphia Eagles (3-1)

The St. Louis Rams are going to end up with the first pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. Mark my words. The Philadelphia Eagles should mop the floor with them. Enough said. Prediction Eagles 38, Rams 10.

Chicago Bears (2-2) at Carolina Panthers (2-2)

If you've ever read my writing, you'll know I have no love for Jay Cutler. I think he is prefect at letting your team down when you need him the most as he did last week against the Packers, but he was also great at winning a game just when you thought he was packing it in for the year. Is that this week or does he need to lose another game or two before we get to that point? The Bears have a lot of talent, so maybe he wins one this week... Prediction: Bears 21, Panthers 13.

Jacksonville Jaguars (0-4) at Pittsburgh Steelers (2-2)

I want to fade the Pittsburgh Steelers so hard this week. After such a huge let down defeat in the final seconds last week against the hapless Buccaneers, they now face the equally hapless Jaguars. My gut is screaming Jaguars right now, but my head is telling me to never under any circumstances pick the Jaguars to win anything. Prediction: Steelers 28, Jaguars 17.