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NFL Week 5 Predictions

Christopher Coppock, Law Murray, Russell Simon, David Tobia, Matthew Tufts |
October 6, 2013 | 9:17 a.m. PDT

Sports Staff

Drew Brees has never won at Solider Field. (Wikimedia Commons)
Drew Brees has never won at Solider Field. (Wikimedia Commons)
New Orleans Saints (4-0) @ Chicago Bears (3-1)

Christopher Coppock: Saints 35, Bears 28

Chicago seemed to have just about everything going for them, but following a blowout loss to the Lions it is time to reevaluate. The offense still managed to put up 32 points, but the defense is going to have to tighten things up this week if they're going to give Jay Cutler and the offense any chance against New Orleans' potent attack. Through four games the Saints have proven that they will simply continue to pass the ball until you drown, just as they did last week during their dismantling of a strong Dolphins squad. New Orleans will simply put up too many points for Chicago to keep up. 

Law Murray: Bears 28, Saints 21

Last time Saints QB Drew Brees played against the Bears, he hit them up for three TDs in the Superdome. Even though the game is at Chicago, Brees still figures to figures to lead the offense to a few scoring drives. The Bears have to do a better job against RB Darren Sproles than they did against Detroit RB Reggie Bush in Week 4. The Bears are going to challenge New Orleans with matchup problems Brandon Marshall, Martellus Bennett, Alshon Jeffrey, and Matt Forte, and if QB Jay Cutler can do a better job protecting the football, than Chicago should be able to keep Brees winless at Soldier Field.

Russell Simon: Saints 28, Bears 17

The Saints offense looked unstoppable on Monday Night when they beat Miami 38-17. Drew Brees continued to dominate, throwing for 413 yards and four touchdowns in the rout, including two to tight end Jimmy Graham. Brees now has 10 400-yard passing games and the Saints offense seems to be hitting its stride. They should dominate a Bears D that ranks 23rd in the league against the pass. 

David Tobia: Saints 27, Bears 25

The Saints defense has forced 47 hurries and 12 sacks this season as they've reimplemented the attacking style of defense that made them so dangerous during their Super Bowl run. The Bears haven't allowed many sacks this year, but Jay Cutler has had to deal with 58 hurries. Cutler has had a 49.6 quarterback rating when under pressure verses 104.9 when not. Expect more pressure on Cutler on Sunday.

Matthew Tufts: Saints 38, Bears 31

Matt Forte and Jay Cutler have shown significant improvement since last year as the Bears' offense really seems to be clicking, putting up over 30 points in three of their four games this year. However, Brees and Co. proved they could put on an offensive display of power in their 38-17 thrashing of Miami. Expect a lot of points to be scored in this shootout, with Brees pulling out a win with a late touchdown drive.

Tom Brady has led the Patriots to a perfect start despite little help from his receivers. (Wikimedia Commons)
Tom Brady has led the Patriots to a perfect start despite little help from his receivers. (Wikimedia Commons)
New England Patriots (4-0) @ Cincinnati Bengals (2-2)

Coppock: Patriots 20, Bengals 17

It might seem as though the logical choice here is Cincinnati, but I've picked the Patriots this season because they simply find a way to win games. It might sound like a poor excuse for picking them, especially when they just lost one of the best nose tackles in the league in Vince Wilkfork, but Tom Brady and Bill Belichick usually have that magic touch. The Patriots' Aqib Talib is rapidly earning himself his own island, and his ability to shut down AJ Green all by himself will allow the New England defense to cue on the Bengals other impact players on offense. 

Murray: Patriots 23, Bengals 17

It’s been awhile since the Patriots last played the Bengals (2010), and even longer since they played at Cincinnati (2007). It’s going to be tough for the Patriots to move the ball at Cincinnati, and QB Tom Brady’s TD streak will definitely be in jeopardy against a Bengals defense that made Super Bowl-winning passers Ben Roethlisberger and Aaron Rodgers look bad. Patriots CB Aqib Talib and Bengals WR A.J. Green will be the matchup of the game, and it will be interesting to see how the Patriots hold up without DT Vince Wilfork. The Bengals need to feature rookie RB Giovani Bernard over former Patriots RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis. I do see the Patriots forcing Bengals QB Andy Dalton into critical turnovers.

Simon: Patriots 31, Bengals 20

After a hot start, the Bengals have fallen back to earth after losing last week to the upstart Cleveland Browns. The Patriots are another offense that seems to be hitting its stride, as Tom Brady has looked much more comfortable with his new batch of receivers over the last couple of weeks. The Bengals have the 13th-ranked passing D in the NFL, and won’t be able to contain Tom Brady.

Tobia: Bengals 20, Patriots 10

The Patriots might be the worst 4-0 in NFL history. The Bengals are 2-0 at home and 0-2 on the road. The Bengals are at home. The Bengals will win.

Tufts: Patriots 28, Bengals 24

Brady continues to make it work no matter who he has in his receiving corps. Danny Amendola is scheduled to return this week, giving Brady two options he can count on in Amendola and Edelman. Vince Wilfork's injury will be very to overcome, though. The Pats will come out with the win, but the defense will struggle.

Harvard's own Ryan Fitzpatrick is back as a starter, as he looks to guide the Titans past the Chiefs' impressive defense. (Wikimedia Commons)
Harvard's own Ryan Fitzpatrick is back as a starter, as he looks to guide the Titans past the Chiefs' impressive defense. (Wikimedia Commons)
Kansas City Chiefs (4-0) @ Tennessee Titans (3-1)

Coppock: Chiefs 30, Titans 14

The Titans would have had a fighting chance against the 4-0 Chiefs had they not just lost their quarterback in Jake Locker. Without a quality replacement, the Titans have almost zero chance against a team that hasn't looked like slowing down. After putting up more than 25 points in three out of their four games this season, expect the Chiefs to have no trouble dispatching a Titans squad that will almost certainly struggle to score. Giving them 14 points is generous here. 

Murray: Titans 19, Chiefs 14

The Titans are starting backup QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, but if there’s one team Fitzpatrick loves to face, it’s the Chiefs. Fitzpatrick went 3-1 against the Chiefs during his four years in Buffalo, throwing eight TD passes and two INTs in those games. The Titans are going to try to run the ball heavily, as they’ve done all season, but RB Chris Johnson needs to step up and help his QB out in this one. Tennessee’s ability to bring pressure needs to result in turnovers, which has been hard to do against Kansas City QB Alex Smith. It will be close, but I expect the Titans to defend their home turf for a third week in a row.

Simon: Chiefs 35, Titans 10

The Chiefs look a lot better under Andy Reid, while the Titans are hurting after Jake Locker's injury. Kansas City can score compared to last year, and should embarrass the Titans at home.  

Tobia: Chiefs 22, Titans 10

Jake Locker to Ryan Fitzpatrick doesn't seem like a huge downgrade, because it's not. Fitzpatrick brings more consistency than Locker could, but lacks Locker's rushing ability and huge arm. This is a hugely important distinction for this game, as the Chiefs will take advantage of an already one-dimensional Titans offense. The Chiefs have the best linebackers in the league and will keep the Titans' rushing attack in check.

Tufts: Chiefs 23, Titans 10

The Chiefs looked dominant yet again last week (or the Giants really are that bad). Alex Smith has looked solid, but the defense has been the real story this season. This defense hasn't given up over 16 points yet this season and they won't this week against a Titans offense without quarterback Jake Locker.

Russell Wilson didn't get drafted as high as Andrew Luck, but he's had just as much NFL success. (Wikimedia Commons)
Russell Wilson didn't get drafted as high as Andrew Luck, but he's had just as much NFL success. (Wikimedia Commons)
Seattle Seahawks (4-0) @ Indianapolis Colts (3-1)

Coppock: Seahawks 24, Colts 20

This game will be closer than most people expect, due mainly to the fact that offenses seem to be slowly figuring out the Seahawks defense. Being able to score a few times against the best defense in the league is one thing, however, scoring enough to keep up with Russell Wilson and Beast Mode is an entirely different proposition. Trent Richardson will help, but Indy doesn't have the talent. The Seahawks will reach 5-0 this weekend. 

Murray: Seahawks 24, Colts 20

The last time the Seahawks brought an undersized QB to Indianapolis, the 2009 Colts and Peyton Manning smashed Seneca Wallace and the 2009 Seahawks. The Seahawks also haven’t won back-to-back road games since 2007. This sets up another “prove-it” game for the 2013 Seahawks and undersized QB Russell Wilson. I like Seahawks RB Marshawn Lynch in this game against the Indianapolis front seven. And I really like the hyperactive Seattle defense (matching up with whatever Indianapolis will try and do (Seahawks CB Richard Sherman might eliminate Colts WR Reggie Wayne).

Simon: Seahawks 38, Colts 20

The Colts looked impressive in their blowout of the 49ers two weeks ago, but Seattle is on a different level right now. Russell Wilson and Marshawn Lynch will keep it up, while the Seahawks' defense will propel them to another easy victory.

Tobia: Colts 19, Seahawks 15

The Seahawks and the Colts may be the two most promising, young teams in the NFL. The Seahawks' defense gets deserved credit for its incredible pass rush and coverage, but it's vulnerable in the running game. Expect Trent Richardson to help wear out the defense and allow Andrew Luck to lead another game-winning drive.

Tufts: Seahawks 20, Colts 14

Some weeks Seattle looks like the most dominant team in the league; other weeks they only just squeak by with a win. Indianapolis has played very well this season and will be a good test for the Seahawks. If Seattle can shut down Luck and score against a defense that has given up 10 points total in the past two games, they'll be in good shape for the remainder of the season.

Lamar Miller leads the Dolphins' rushing attack, as they hope to continue their early season success. (Wikimedia Commons)
Lamar Miller leads the Dolphins' rushing attack, as they hope to continue their early season success. (Wikimedia Commons)
Baltimore Ravens (2-2) @ Miami Dolphins (3-1)

Coppock: Dolphins 30, Ravens 21

Most people seem convinced the Ravens have the potential to be something special again this year. While it might be too soon to judge one way or another, their initial results are not helping their case. Following a 2-2 start in which Baltimore has only looked impressive in spurts, their game against the against the Dolphins this weekend will be a big measuring stick. Miami, coming off a loss to New Orleans in which they looked decidedly second-best, will want to remind the league that they remain major competitors. Baltimore will hang around for a few quarters, but Miami will win it in the end. 

Murray: Ravens 17, Dolphins 10

The Ravens have never lost to Miami under head coach John Harbaugh (3-0). The Dolphins are coming off of a short week. The Dolphins don’t defend TEs, but the Ravens can’t trust their TEs. The next best option is for RB Ray Rice to prove his health, and Baltimore’s acquisition of OT Eugene Monroe should help Rice and RB Bernard Pierce get going. It’s going to be a long day for Dolphins QB Ryan Tannehill against Baltimore’s pass rush.

Simon: Dolphins 28, Ravens 21

Both of these teams are coming off of bad losses last week. Joe Flacco threw 5 interceptions in the Ravens loss to Buffalo and the Dolphins got embarrassed by New Orleans. The Ravens have struggled mightily to run the ball, and I expect this trend to continue this week as Miami escapes in a close battle.  

Tobia: Dolphins 26, Ravens 19

Ryan Tannehill's 2013 salary: $495,000. Joe Flacco's total salary: $120.6 million. I just compared apples to oranges. Ryan Tannehill is better than Joe Flacco. 

Tufts: Dolphins 27, Ravens 23

Baltimore looked like they had everything in order after its big Week 3 win over Houston, but then a loss to the Bills last week raised some questions. Miami, likewise, was on a roll until last week's dismantling in New Orleans. This one will be close, but the winner will prove themselves a legitimate contender.  

Standings after Week 2

Law Murray 14-6

David Tobia 13-7

Christopher Coppock 12-8

Russell Simon 9-11

Matthew Tufts 8-12



 

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