Well, that happened. A 10-6 week (well, 9-7-1 but everyone got credit for the win for the Green Bay/Dallas tie) as I went on a couple reaches that didn't fire combined with a few games that I was never expecting what happened.
Congratulations to Tony McIntosh from Fort Edward, the Week 4 winner of the Bogie's Pub Bar and Grill gift certificate worth $50. He went 12-4 in Week 4. Now, can you topple Tony and become the North Country's top picker and win?
15 games on tap for Week 5 as the bye weeks begin. The next time all 32 teams will be in play is Thanksgiving week. Let's take a look.
San Francisco 49'ers at Los Angeles Rams - Thurs 8:15pm, Amazon Prime
San Francisco is going to be without Brock Purdy, which will move me to side with Los Angeles as I think the Stafford-Nacua team are on fire through the first four weeks of the season and will add more to the top receiver's chart line.
Rick's Pick: Los Angeles Rams
Minnesota Vikings vs. Cleveland Browns in London - Sun 9:30am, NFL Network
Minnesota gets the benefit of getting to only come down from Ireland for this international tilt, whereas Cleveland has questions, including a rookie quarterback and other turmoil going on in the background. Even if Carson Wentz doesn't look as hot as he did two weeks ago, I'm more prone to pick the Vikings here.
Rick's Pick: Minnesota
Houston Texans vs. Baltimore Ravens - Sun 1:00pm
Houston got a big confidence win as they shut out the Tennessee Titans, and now they get a Baltimore squad who may be without Lamar Jackson. Even had Jackson remained in the game, they were not beating Kansas City. I can't be confident in Houston's ability after beating winless Tennessee, and I don't know if I can trust Baltimore either. But I like Derrick Henry even if his hands are soapy.
Rick's Pick: Baltimore
Miami Dolphins at Carolina Panthers - Sun 1:00pm
Dysfunction entered a whole new level after the Dolphins lost Tyreek Hill for the season, and maybe for good, to his knee injury against the New York Jets. Carolina got served up some humble pie against the New England Patriots. This game could be closer than one would of thought a few weeks ago.
Rick's Pick: Carolina
Las Vegas Raiders at Indianapolis Colts - Sun 1:00pm
Geno Smith and the Las Vegas Raiders have to stop turning the ball over, and now they face a team that feasted on turnovers a couple weeks ago. While Indianapolis got served their first loss last week, it was a team that has been strong against good teams. And with one of the strongest backs in the league, the Colts should roll.
Rick's Pick: Indianapolis
New York Giants at New Orleans Saints - Sun 1:00pm WRGB CBS 6
The Giants looked respectable with Jaxson Dart under center against the Los Angeles Chargers, however the Giants now have to figure out who will get the ball with Nebor's ACL tear. New Orleans has played teams tight, but the fruits of their labor has not shown up in the WIN column. If Dart improves off his first start the Giants might be able to pull off the upset.
Rick's Pick: New York Giants
Dallas Cowboys at New York Jets - Sun 1:00pm WXXA FOX 23
The Dallas Cowboys defense is very suspect and was exposed big time against the New York Giants. However, the Jets offense has been rather inconsistent as they have had to go between Justin Fields and Tyrod Taylor as their quarterback. What didn't help the Jets last week was three turnovers to the Miami Dolphins. Got to take better care of the football if you're going to come away with your first win.
Rick's Pick: Dallas
Denver Broncos at Philadelphia Eagles - Sun 1:00pm
The Philadelphia Eagles of 2025 have been very perplexing. The game against Tampa Bay was very nerve-wrecking, and they had to take advantage of a blocked field goal in order to survive their game against the Rams, one where they came out slow. These Eagles will need to play a full 60 minute game at some point. I would like Denver here but I am not sold on Bo Nix yet. 326 yards against a very questionable Cincinnati defense a week after getting less than half that yardage against the Chargers is an inconsistency that isn't making me confident.
Rick's Pick: Philadelphia
Tennessee Titans at Arizona Cardinals - Sun 4:05pm
The Cardinals have a running back problem. A week after James Connor gets knocked out for the season, Trey Benson goes to the IR. Emari Demercado will be the lead back on the Cardinals depth chart. Marvin Harrison Jr. picked up a big touchdown last Thursday, but needs to overcome his drops big time if the Cardinals are going to be serious contenders in the west. For now, they're up against a Tennessee squad reeling from a bad loss to Houston last week.
Rick's Pick: Arizona
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Seattle Seahawks - Sun 4:05pm
This game's a challenge. Tampa Bay lost a game they could very well have won against the Eagles. The previous week, they won a game they could very well have lost against the Jets. Baker Mayfield has more than proven himself to be a capable quarterback once again, and Sam Darnold has done the same through the first four weeks for the Seahawks. This game could very well come down to the 12's.
Rick's Pick: Seattle
Detroit Lions at Cincinnati Bengals - Sun 4:25pm
Cincinnati's defense is floundering, and their offense without Joe Burrow is doing the same. Having the Detroit Lions who seem to have figured things out after their Week 1 loss may not be a good thing for the Bengals right now.
Rick's Pick: Detroit
Washington Commanders at Los Angeles Chargers - Sun 4:25pm, WXXA FOX 23
Bad news, Chargers fans. A week after a stunning loss to the New York Giants and Jaxson Dart, they return home to face a Commanders team eager to welcome Jayden Daniels back from injury. The return of Daniels should reignite the Commanders offense and should make this a very interesting contest. Especially since the Chargers have to handle things without Najee Harris.
Rick's Pick: Washington
New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills - Sun 8:20pm, WNYT NBC Channel 13
Hey, Buffalo. This is your third trap game, and it's against a Drake Maye who looked pretty good against the Carolina Panthers last week. What I'm saying is you better not overlook these Patriots as you think about that upcoming battle with the Kansas City Chiefs, otherwise you're going to be served up some humble pie by these Patriots. Josh Allen and James Cook should still be electric, but the Bills defense really needs to tighten up before they're finding a 1 in the loss column.
Rick's Pick: Buffalo
Kansas City Chiefs at Jacksonville Jaguars - Mon 8:15pm, WTEN ABC 10 + ESPN
PICK + THOUGHTS COMING MONDAY.
Think you can do better than me? Get your picks on the Q101.7 app for your chance to be eligible to win great prizes, including a $50 gift certificate to Bogie's Pub and Grill at Bay Meadows, on Cronin Road in Queensbury. Plus all those who beat me will be in the running to win concert tickets to a show in 2026.
