NFL Picks, Week 5: Predicting The Weekend's Matchups

You probably don't know me. And I probably don't know you. I write about the Seahawks. If you're reading this and planning on basing your Las Vegas sports betting spree on my choices, you're probably not the smartest tool on the tree.

That being said, I did go 12-4 straight up last week, and am 34-14 overall in the last three weeks. I crapped the bed in week one (8-8) and now sit at 42-22 (straight up) on the season. Not great, not terrible - probably on pace with a lot of the so-called 'experts' at this kind of thing (the idea is to aim for 65%, which I'm sitting at).

Even if you're not in it for the money, it's fun to guess and keep track of how smart you are. Or how stupid, I guess. You should do it too. 

Here are my picks, with the current odds, as they come courtesy of Odds Shark. Now you go.

Tennesee @ Pittsburgh (-3): This is going to be a good game, methinks. Pittsburgh has been struggling, Big Ben has come up lame as of late, and Matt Hasselbeck, somehow, is playing lights out football. He's also near tops in the NFL in red zone efficiency. I have to go with the Steelers here though because of the home-field advantage. Pick: Steelers

Seattle @ NY Giants (-11): The Seahawks suck on the road. They really suck on the road against the Giants, losing every game they've played at New York since 1983. Yeesh. This Seahawks team, though improving, will have some trouble in New York. Or Jersey. Or wherever they play. Pick: Giants

Arizona @ Minnesota (-1): Interesting line, and an interesting game, despite the two mediocre teams playing each other. I'm a little surprised Minnesota is favored here, and that's why I'm going to pick Kevin Kolb's team. He'll have a good game, and the Cards will pull it out. Pick: Cardinals

Cincinnati @ Jacksonville (-1): Andy Dalton is playing well. The Bengals' defense has been pretty good. I don't know much about the Jaguars -- they haven't really impressed much this season and now have Blaine Gabbert leading them at QB. It's an interesting storyline, with two rookies starting for each team, but I'm going with... Pick: Bengals

Kansas City @ Indianapolis (-1): I don't think that Indianapolis is as bad as everyone assumes they are. Kansas City might be. I'm picking the home team. Pick: Colts

Oakland @ Houston (-5.5): This will be a game I am looking forward to watching. Houston has been tearing it up lately, and the Raaaaaaaidas are a total wild-card. I picked the Raiders to beat the Jets two weeks ago, but I think that Houston gets the best of them this week. Pick: Texans

New Orleans @ Carolina (+7): I suppose you have to pick the Saints to lose sometime, and I suppose this would be a game that not many people would predict. Still, tough to say I see the Panthers pulling this one off. Pick: Saints

Philadelphia @ Buffalo (+1.5): Another very tough call. Philly is favored but Buffalo has been very exciting, and are playing at home. The Eagles have been a disappointment at 1-3 thus far, but it's very hard to discount such a talented team. That said, I gotta go with the team with the hot hand here, Buffalo. Pick: Bills

Tampa Bay @ San Francisco (-1): Tough call again, as both teams are playing pretty well. Overall though, I have more faith in Josh Freeman than I do in Alex Smith and that's the difference in this game. Pick: Buccaneers 

NY Jets @ New England (-10.5): I have to say that I'm a bit surprised at the size of the line here. I think this will be a close game, but New England is so tough at home. Tom Brady > Mark Sanchez. Pick: Patriots

San Diego @ Denver (+3.5): Denver is a tough place to play, but the Chargers will be too much for the Broncos here. Pick: Chargers. 

Green Bay @ Atlanta (+7): Looking forward to this game as well. Green Bay is a Juggernaut, and if there's one team I'm betting on going forward, it's the Packers. Pick: the Pack

Chicago @ Detroit (-5): Another awesome matchup this weekend and should be a close matchup. The Lions are on a roll and the Bears are playing solidly. The home field advantage will be big for the Lions but I'm going with the road-dogs here with a surprise upset. Pick: Bears