Going In: The Redskins are coming off an impressive win and the Giants are coming off a not-so-impressive loss and a bye. Regardless, both teams should be up for this fierce rivalry..
. Key Matchup: vs. the Washington secondary.
Young Eli still hasn't proven he can be very accurate, but he'll have a big chance at home against a depleted Redskin pass-stop unit. Team Notes: Giants' TE won't likely be suspended or benched for his public criticism of the coaching staff..
. New York LB will likely be out due to a torn pectoral muscle..
. The status of Redskins' CB remains cloudy, as he continues to recover from an abominal problem..
. In Week 4, Washington WR finally exploded, scoring three touchdowns..
. The Redskins are 1-1 on the road, while the Giants are 0-1 at home..
. Forecast: This one should be a shootout. The Redskins have the momentum but it's hard to see the Giants not getting up for this one.
Expect a close game regardless of who wins. The Line: Washington +4.5 -- Pick: Redskins; Straight up: Redskins.
Going In: Two great coaches, two great quarterbacks. Two different directions after four games. The win is more of a must for the 'Fins, but all the momentum is going in New England's favor.
.. Key Matchup: vs.
the New England secondary. The Pats still have issues stopping the pass, and Culpepper is in major need of a breakout game. Team Notes: New England LB seems to be rounding into form, and led the team in Week 4 with seven total tackles.
.. The Pats' passing game is slowly improving as newcomer gets more involved, but the offense continues to be carried by rookie RB .
.. Key Dolphins' DE/LB is a question mark due to sore ribs.
.. Miami QB has been mediocre so far, but his offensive line has been terrible, allowing him to be sacked an NFL-worst 21 times.
.. The Dolphins are 0-2 on the road, while the Patriots are 1-1 at home.
.. Forecast: The Dolphins have more talent, but that hasn't done them much good this season.
This should be all Pats, all day long. The Line: Miami +9.5 -- Pick: Patriots; Straight up: Patriots.
Going In: Tennessee can't seem to do anything right, and Indy can't seem to do anything wrong. That might normally create the makings for an upset, but how likely is that here?.
.. Key Matchup: vs.
. All things considered, Tennessee's best chance in this one will come from the defensive end. Team Notes: Titans' DE has been suspended five games for kicking the helmet-less head of Dallas C .
.. Rookie continues to be the starting QB for the team and they hope he will inject some life, but the running game remains stagnant.
Including last season, Tennesse has lost seven straight...
Colts' tight end is uncertain because of a sore back...
Indy K may stay out against the Titans to rest his sore groin...
The Titans are 0-2 on the road, while the Colts are 2-0 at home...
Forecast: Well...
Hmmm...
Let's see...
Wadda ya think? Going In: The Browns stole one in Oakland last week, while the Panthers are finally getting healthy after a slow start to the season. Is Carolina finally past its seeming spell of over-confidence?
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Key Matchup: vs. the Carolina secondary. The Panthers may struggle with the pass a little due to injury problems, and Frye is Cleveland's best hope regardless.
Team Notes: Cleveland RB played in Week 4, but continues to be bothered by a sore shoulder...
Browns' CB is limping with an ankle injury, and may not play...
Panthers usual starting CB came off the bench in Week 4 due to a sore shoulder/neck, but was replaced admirably by rookie ...
After a slow start to the season, top Carolina RB is finally running well and is holding off rookie for his starting job...
The Browns are 1-1 on the road, while the Panthers are 1-1 at home...
Forecast: This may be closer than many think, but the Pathers are finally getting it all together and a loss seems highly unlikely here. Going In: Surprisingly, the Bills have a young defense that might just be able to keep up with Chicago's. The offense is looking better too, but is Buffy's young core ready for the Bears' intimidation factor?
...
Key Matchup: vs. the Chicago run-stop. Both these foes are formidable and both are each team's greatest strength so far this season.
Team Notes: Buffalo OL has a high ankle sprain, meaning he's unlikely to play...
Buffalo's offensive Big 2 of RB and WR have been great yardage-wise, but have combined for a total of just one TD...
Bears' special teams ace is expected to be out due to a pulled hamstring...
Chicago's defense has been incredible, allowing only 7.3 points per game..
. The Bills are 1-1 on the road, while the Bears are 2-0 at home..
. Forecast: The Bears will probably keep rolling, but over-confidence may be a factor. The Bills have been sneaky-good this season.
Going In: It's not saying much, but the Lions may be the best 0-4 team in the NFL. The problem for them is, the Vikings are probably the best 2-2 team in the NFL. In other words, both these teams are better than their records.
.. Key Matchup: vs.
the Detroit secondary. The Lions have been improved in some areas, but stopping the pass hasn't really been one of them. Johnson may have a huge day.
Team Notes: Viking S is a question mark due to a sore quadriceps...
Minnesota LB has a sprained knee, and may not go on Sunday...
In Week 4, Detroit RB finally got rolling, scoring twice on 93 yards rushing...
The Lions got an unlikely source of scoring from WR in Week 4 (2 TDs) but continues to lobby for young to play more...
The Lions are 0-2 on the road, while the Vikings are 1-1 at home...
Forecast: This one should be high-scoring, but Minny should prevail. Their West Coast offense may be a nightmare for Detroit's shaky secondary. Going In: Both these rebuilding teams have new coaches, but so far it's gone much better for the Rams than the Pack.
The legendary Lambeau home field advantage hasn't really helped much this season, so Green Bay is in tough...
Key Matchup: vs. the rebuilt Rams' defense. St.
Loo's should have his way with the Packers' secondary, but it wll be up to Favre to keep pace. Team Notes: Packers' RB was a surprise scratch for Week 4 due to sore hamstrings. Back-up was solid filling in, and may get the call again.
.. Green Bay WR has an injured right foot, which should mean even more action for rookie wideout .
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