The New Orleans Saints return to America and head home to host the Seattle Seahawks this week. Seattle comes into this new one off the back of a Techmo Bowl-type win at Detroit, while the Saints look to bounce back from a brutal last-second loss against Minnesota. Now these once-favored franchises are looking to restore some shine to their image and a win may remove some tarnish in public opinion.
These franchises used to be the cornerstones of success in the NFC for the past decade and a half. Both franchises boast seven division titles since 2006. The Saints and Seahawks were kings in their divisions and conferences with their future Hall of Fame quarterbacks leading the way, but those eras have come to an end, and now we see franchises in states of change. The immediate future may be bleak or bright, but this Sunday’s winner may be headed for the latter, while the loser may have the former in store. Hopefully the Saints get this victory.
Let’s take a look at this and all the matchups in Week 5.
Last week I went 9-7
I told you: 49ers over Rams!
What do I know: Panthers over Cardinals?
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WEEK 5
Thursday, October 6 – Thursday Night Football
Colts (1-2-1) at Broncos (2-2)
Denver will control the game by shutting down Indy’s running game, forcing them to become one-dimensional and forcing Matt Ryan to fumble. Denver wins 24-14.
To choose: broncos
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Sunday, October 9 – Game very early
Giants (3-1) at packers(3-1) – Tottenham Hotspur Stadium – London, England
Green Bay’s defense will once again benefit from facing backup quarterbacks for the second week in a row, allowing them to focus on shutting down Saquon Barkley and thus shutting down the Giants. The NFC North leaves London with the victory, again. Green Bay wins 31-14.
To choose: packers
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Sunday, October 9 – Early Games
steelmakers(1-3) in Banknotes (3-1)
Buffalo continues to solidify its place among the AFC’s elite with another win here. Buffalo wins 24-20.
To choose: Bills
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chargers(2-2) in browns(2-2)
Justin Herbert vs. the Cleveland defense is going to be a great matchup, but Herbert is going to make the most of it. Los Angeles wins 34-21.
To choose: chargers
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jeans(0-3-1) at Jaguars (2-2)
Moral wins don’t count in the win/loss column, but the Jaguars pulled off a big one in their close loss to undefeated Philly last week. That will give them a huge confidence boost against a winless Houston at home. Jacksonville wins 34-19.
To choose: jaguars
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Bears (2-2) at Vikings (3-1)
Chicago’s lack of an air attack will hurt them badly after falling into a hole they just can’t get out of. Justin Jefferson has another set of monsters in this one. Minnesota wins 31-9.
To choose: vikings
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Lions (1-3) at Patriots (1-3)
Detroit has shown it can put up a lot of points and yards on offense, but slowing down opponents is where they’ve stumbled. They won’t have that problem against whoever starts at QB for New England this week. Detroit wins 31-20.
To choose: lions
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dolphins(3-1) at Jets (2-2)
Teddy Bridgewater will do what he excels at, running the offense and taking what the opposing defense gives him, but he will do it with a multitude of weapons. However, Miami’s defense will ultimately be the story of this game. Miami wins 31-17.
To choose: dolphins
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Falcons (2-2) in buccaneers(2-2)
This battle for the lead in the NFC South (yuck) will come down to a simple factor, will Tom Brady play well despite personal distractions to lead his team to victory? This week he will. Tampa Bay wins 38-21.
To choose: buccaneers
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Titans (2-2) at Commanders (1-3)
Unsurprisingly, Derrick Henry will be the star of this one, leading Tennessee to victory along the way. Tennessee wins 25-17.
To choose: titans
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Seahawks (2-2) at Santos (1-3)
The biggest key to this game is Alvin Kamara. Kamara has to be ready to lead a Saints running game that no longer has the best running back from last Sunday. Kamara has to be ready to be the main security outlet of the passing game, with Michael Thomas out (again). Kamara not only has to carry the ball this Sunday, he has to carry the production of the offense. While all of this sounds daunting, Kamara can pull it off, especially against a defense that shows so many weaknesses.
If Andy Dalton returns to start for the Saints on this one, Kamara is just what he needs, a big missing piece in last week’s tense loss. Dalton, along with the rest of this Saints offense, needs to protect the ball, just protect the ball. This offense doesn’t need to be flashy, they need to be consistent and smart. Although Seattle’s offense looked like “everyone else” a week ago, the Saints’ defense is thankfully much better than Detroit’s. The Saints’ defense will give their offense and special teams a chance to win and it’s up to them, so take it the rest of the way. for the first time since the first week, they will finally get a victory. Saints win 24-20.
To choose: Saints
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Sunday, October 9 – Late Games
49ers (2-2) at Panthers (1-3)
San Francisco has yet to hit their groove here in the first half of the season, but they’ll have another dominant performance to show they’re still among the NFC’s elite Super Bowl contenders. San Francisco wins 38-10.
To choose: 49ers
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Eagles (4-0) at Cardinals (2-2)
Philly’s defense will put on its best performance of the season thus far, in a breakneck performance in the desert. Philadelphia wins 28-14.
To choose: Eagles
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Cowboys (3-1) at Rams (2-2) – Game of the Week
The Rams have struggled this season, especially against last season’s playoff teams, but Matthew Stafford finds a way to barely survive the Dallas defense and earn a hard-fought win at the end. Los Angeles wins 28-27.
To choose: rams
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Sunday night football
Bengals (2-2) at Ravens (2-2)
Most will expect this to be the most competitive game of Week 5, but don’t be surprised when Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and company have an absolutely monster game against a defense that hasn’t played as well as the Ravens brand. is usually up to par. Cincy will stun their AFC North rivals on this prime-time stage. Cincinnati wins 41-19.
To choose: Bengalis
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Monday, October 10 – Monday Night Football
Raiders (1-3) at Chiefs (3-1)
Surprise surprise. It will be Patrick Mahomes who has a monster night against the Las Vegas defense in this AFC West rivalry. For the second straight primetime game, Mahomes will solidify some MVP votes from earlier in the season. Kansas City wins 45-12.
To choose: bosses
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There we go, Week 5 is shaping up to be quite interesting. Leave us your picks, comments, and insights below!