Well, Week 5 happened. Kudos to the Jets and the Bills, I didn't think they were going to get it done. I knew the Bills would keep it close, but I expected the defense to crack at the end.
I also expected the 12's to matter more in the San Francisco/Seattle game. But San Francisco persevered. And because the New York Giants and Washington tied, nobody was going to go 15-0.
I went 7-7-1, which meant anyone who picked better than .500 are now eligible for the concert tickets at the end of the season. 3 finished with 11 correct picks on top of the leaderboard, but when taking into consideration the correct Monday Night Football pick of the Buffalo Bills combined with the closest to the final score of 37-34, TOM BAPP of Gansevoort came away as the top picker in the North Country, winning the $50 in food and drink to UNCLE MARIO'S GARAGE on Route 9 in Queensbury.
That means after 5 weeks, we have had 5 unique winners, 4 who did not win last season!
Now onto Week 6. 14 games on the docket, with the Bengals, Lions, Dolphins and Vikings on their bye week. Let's take a look at the games.
Thursday Night Football
Seattle at Denver - After a deflating finish to the divisional battle against San Francisco, the Seahawks are challenged with a trip to Denver where they face off with Bo Nix and the Denver Broncos. The Denver Broncos will be without Pat Surtain II, nursing an ankle injury. This could help Sam Darnold recover ... as long as Jaxson Smith-Njigba isn't out. Smith-Njigba is questionable with a dinged ankle, but likely will play. But in what capacity? Seattle can ill afford to drop another game and be down potentially 3 games on the San Francisco 49'ers, with the 49'ers holding the tiebreak from last week's win.
Rick's Pick: SEATTLE
Sunday Morning - in London:
Houston vs. Jacksonville - Finally Houston showed a sign of life last week as C.J. Stroud was able to lead his team to victory, despite it being the Tennessee Titans. Jacksonville will provide a tougher task for the Texans, and will be better rested after playing last week's game in England against the Philadelphia Eagles. Jacksonville had a challenge against Philadelphia, but a late kick puts the Jags to 4-1 on the season, with the lone loss being to Denver in Week 2. As much as I would like to believe Houston is back, it's going to be tough to pick against the team that has been spending the better part of 1 1/2 weeks now adjusting to 5 hours ahead of their normal time.
Rick's Pick: JACKSONVILLE
Sunday Afternoon - Early Games:
Chicago at Atlanta - We're back to the question of who is going to be starting under center for Atlanta. The Falcons were competitive with Michael Penix Jr. under center, but the quarterback sustained another injury on Sunday night in their overtime loss to Baltimore. The MRI came back with good news, but practice will dictate whether or not Penix will be starting. If he doesn't, this pushes the weight onto Tua. Chicago got kicked back to reality by the Green Bay Packers, a far cry from their first game when they put 59 up on the Carolina Panthers. This game really depends on what happens with Penix.
Rick's Pick: CHICAGO (for now)
Baltimore at Cleveland - Likewise with Atlanta, this game could come down to whether or not Lamar Jackson plays this week. He's questionable, but some reports are saying that he will be back for this game against the Browns. There's some concern about the Browns next to Deshaun Watson, as Quishon Judkins was seen in a boot following their loss to the New York Jets. He's Questionable for this week. Two of their leading defense members are also questionable for this week.
Rick's Pick: CLEVELAND (for now)
Tennessee at Indianapolis - Sometime this season Tennessee will find a way to win, but they're up for a challenge with Daniel Jones and the Indianapolis Colts. It has not been the most stellar of performances for Daniel Jones so far this season for the Colts, at 3 touchdowns vs. 4 interceptions. But when you have Jonathan Taylor along you in the backfield, it helps raise your offense a bit. And that may be the edge that helps the Colts score the win at home.
Rick's Picks: INDIANAPOLIS
NY Jets at New England - This could be a trap. New England is favorites after their two big wins in the last two weeks over Buffalo and Las Vegas. Drake Maye is looking better over the past two weeks. But he may be challenged with a snarky Jets defense. Garrett Wilson has been a shining star for the 2-3 Jets, coming off a win over Cleveland on a raw Sunday at MetLife. The Patriots will be without TreVeyon Henderson in the backfield after taking a high-ankle sprain. A.J. Brown is possibly practicing this week, but will he be ready? Could this be a letdown divisional game for the Patriots, or will the winning continue to put pressure on the Bills later on?
Rick's Pick: NY JETS
New Orleans at NY Giants - The Giants really need to figure out what's going on with Cam Skattebo. The primary running back has only 1 touchdown, back in Week 1 against the Cowboys. And he was the focus of a critical fumble against the Washington Commanders and was the biggest benefactor of the Commanders goof in their tie last week. New Orleans has seen the highs and lows through Tyler Shough's work under center. The Giants defense could feast on these turnovers.
Rick's Pick: NY GIANTS
Carolina at Philadelphia - Carolina is fresh off their Week 5 bye, and Bryce Young comes in with 9 touchdowns thrown for the Panthers. The Panthers entered the bye week off a huge win over the Detroit Lions. Philadelphia came into London with 2 losses in a row and exited with more questions after losing their third straight at the legs of the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Eagles have had quite a bit of letdown games this season after surrendering the lead to the Los Angeles Rams and their Monday Night dud against the Chicago Bears. Their two close wins are against Tennessee and Washington... which is looking worse with each passing week. And they're now down Saquon Barkley and are resorting to their 3rd stringer running back. Carolina looks better by comparison.
Rick's Pick: CAROLINA
Pittsburgh at Tampa Bay - Jaylen Warren is emerging as a dual threat in the backfield, between being a rusher and a receiver. And Pat Freiermuth is emerging as a strong tight end over the past couple of weeks for the Steelers. Tampa Bay comes in after a huge win over the Dallas Cowboys, but the Buccaneers will still be without Baker Mayfield. The Bucs have been in five 1-score games, and against tough competition. If the Steelers play down to competition, Tampa Bay could be looking at their second win of the season.
Rick's Pick: TAMPA BAY
Sunday Afternoon - Late Games
Arizona at LA Rams - The Rams had multiple reasons why they should of won that game against the Buffalo Bills. But they didn't, and now they're looking at a 2-3 start to the season. Perfect medicine for this is a game with your divisional "also ran".
Rick's Pick: LA RAMS
LA Chargers at Kansas City - Kansas City comes in with one of the most dangerous offenses and fresh off their bye week. The Chargers need to play a full 60 minute game, something they haven't proven they have the ability to do just yet. And even if they do against the Chiefs, will it be enough?
Rick's Pick: KANSAS CITY
Buffalo at Las Vegas - The Bills got away with a huge Monday Night Football win over the LA Rams, and now have to head to Las Vegas on the continuation of their west coast trip. The Raiders come in after their humbling defeat against the New England Patriots where everything but Brock Bowers looked bad for them. How the defense will contain Josh Allen and James Cook III will play a role in how this game goes.
Rick's Pick: BUFFALO
Sunday Night Football
Dallas at Green Bay - Okay, who really won the Micha Parsons trade? I'm sure the audience will be told this storyline multiple times over the Sunday Night Football buildup. But Dallas fresh off an extended rest coming off their Thursday Night Football appearance against Tampa Bay now faces a Green Bay squad that maybe has figured stuff out. And that's dangerous. And at Lambeau?
Rick's Pick: DALLAS
Monday Night Football
Washington at San Francisco - Jayden Daniels looked good, but how good he looks against a team that is emerging as one of the best teams in the NFL so far is going to be a challenge.
Rick's Pick: SAN FRANCISCO (31-16)
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