NFL Week Five Predictions
Srikar Kalapala
Through the first four weeks of the season, a lot of teams have under or over performed to their expectations heading into the season, and the year of the backup quarterbacks continues. Here are my predictions for week five.
Overall Record: 38-25-1
Denver Broncos (2-2) vs. Indianapolis Colts (1-2-1)
Broncos. I’m not a huge fan of either of these teams, and both teams are suffering from injuries: The Broncos with Javonte Williams, who is out for the season, and the Colts with Jonathan Taylor and Shaquille Leonard. Although as of when this article is being written, JT might give it a go, so if he does, the Colts could pull it off, but this is one of those picks I have no confidence in whatsoever.
–Srikar Kalapala
Green Bay Packers (3-1) vs. New York Giants (3-1)
Packers. This game is being played in London, in the first overseas trip for the Packers. Coming off a game that shouldn’t have been close, the Packers face off against the Giants this week in a battle between two 3-1 teams. The big question is if Daniel Jones can play this week, but either way this game shouldn’t be close, but because it is a London game, perhaps there will be some jet lag.
–Srikar Kalapala
New England Patriots (1-3) vs. Detroit Lions (1-3)
Lions. I don’t feel great about this pick, but assuming Mac Jones doesn’t play and the Patriots are forced to roll out with Bailey Zappe again, I like the Lions OFFENSE, because who knows, they might be able to pull some randoms off the street to play defense for them. I like the Lions offense vs. the Patriots offense in what could be another shootout.
–Srikar Kalapala
Cleveland Browns (2-2) vs. Los Angeles Chargers (2-2)
Chargers. Despite their loss last week against the Falcons (which featured a lot of coaching mistakes), the Browns have been doing just fine with Jacoby Brissett at the helm. What a touchdown run by the way from #7. On the other side, Justin Herbert and the Chargers are coming off a game that got a lot closer at the end than it should have been, but I really like this defense against the Browns O.
–Srikar Kalapala
Jacksonville Jaguars (2-2) vs. Houston Texans (0-3-1)
Jaguars. The Jaguars raced out to a fast start last week, leading the undefeated Eagles 14-0. But Jalen Hurts and the Eagles turned up a gear and came back to win it. I still like the potential of this team, and I think they can cruise to a win against this Texans team.
–Srikar Kalapala
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-2) vs. Atlanta Falcons (2-2)
Bucs. Who would have thought these two teams would have the same record through four weeks? The Bucs offense started to take off a little bit towards the end of that Chiefs game, but that might have been because the Chiefs were winning by so much. The Bucs have got to figure out how to start faster, and I think this is the perfect game to do so.
–Srikar Kalapala
Buffalo Bills (3-1) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (1-3)
Bills. The Steelers made the call to turn to their rookie QB Kenny Pickett at halftime and… he threw three picks. Despite that, I don’t think Mike Tomlin will revert back to Trubisky, so it will be Pickett’s time to shine with a full week of practice with the ones. The Bills are coming off a comeback win against the Ravens, in which they were down big early, and their offense looked lost. Then, Josh Allen started doing Josh Allen things, and the Bills marched down the field and kicked a chip shot to win it. This Bills defense is still very good despite the loss of Micah Hyde, and I think they will smother Kenny Pickett in his first start.
–Srikar Kalapala
New York Jets (2-2) vs. Miami Dolphins (3-1)
Dolphins. Prayers up to Tua. No idea how he was cleared to play in the first place, and I’m sure the league will investigate this, but man that injury was a horrifying sight to see, and I hope he has a speedy recovery. That being said, Teddy Bridgewater is one of the best backups in the league, and I like the Dolphins defense against the Jets offense just enough for the Dolphins to find a way to win.
–Srikar Kalapala
Minnesota Vikings (3-1) vs. Chicago Bears (2-2)
Vikings. This Bears offense looks extremely mid right now, and Justin Fields has not been able to get into a flow. I think this Vikings pass rush can take advantage of this offense, and Justin Jefferson will have another feel-good game.
–Srikar Kalapala
Washington Commanders (1-3) vs. Tennessee Titans (2-2)
Titans. The Titans were able to beat the Colts last week despite a little scare towards the end of that game. Carson Wentz has not been able to stay upright this season, and I think the Titans can feed Derrick Henry and win this game.
–Srikar Kalapala
New Orleans Saints (1-3) vs. Seattle Seahawks (2-2)
Saints. The Seahawks offense seems to be gelling nicely to start this season, and Geno Smith looks like he has finally found a home, and he could be a long-term starter. That being said, this Saints defense is no joke, and I think the Saints offense can do just enough to scrape out the win.
–Srikar Kalapala
Carolina Panthers (1-3) vs. San Francisco 49ers (2-2)
49ers. The 49ers always seem to beat the Rams at home, and that story repeated again on Monday. Now, they take on a Carolina team that just lost to Arizona. Carolina just looks in shambles right now, so I think the 49ers can cruise to a win.
–Srikar Kalapala
Arizona Cardinals (2-2) vs. Philadelphia Eagles (4-0)
Eagles. The Eagles have continued to make their claim as the best in the NFC after coming back to win against their former HC. The Cardinals don’t look like a great team, and unless Kyler Murray starts doing Kyler Murray things, it doesn’t look good for the Cardinals against this team.
–Srikar Kalapala
Los Angeles Rams (2-2) vs. Dallas Cowboys (3-1)
Rams. The Cooper Rush story continued last week in a blowout against the Commanders. That pass rush made sure that Carson Wentz was either on the ground, or being forced to make mistakes. But this week they will be taking on the defending champs, who just came off a tough loss against the Niners. I think Cooper Rush’s perfect record comes to an end here.
–Srikar Kalapala
Baltimore Ravens (2-2) vs. Cincinnati Bengals (2-2)
Ravens. Despite their struggles against the Bengals the past couple years, I think the Ravens will come out with something to prove. But the question remains about how they finish, as that is the reason they are not 4-0 right now. I think the Ravens can hang on this week against their rivals.
–Srikar Kalapala
Kansas City Chiefs (3-1) vs. Las Vegas Raiders (1-3)
Chiefs. The Chiefs clearly looked like a team that was looking for vengeance last week against Tampa, and boy did that show. Patrick Mahomes was throwing it, tossing it, shoveling it, who knows what he was doing, but he looked unstoppable. This Raiders team looked to be getting in a groove in their win last week against the Broncos, but I think the Chiefs cruise at home.
–Srikar Kalapala
