NFL Week 5 Previews and Predictions, Part 2

“Xandro’s Fearless Predictions” and Previews are brought to you by Alexandro H. Zatarain.

Xandro’s Overall Record: 34-27 (Last Week: 7-6)

Bye Week: Dolphins, Raiders

Sunday, October 5th

 Chicago Bears (2-2) @  Carolina Panthers (2-2)

1:00 pm ET @ Bank of America Stadium (FOX)

Both teams are coming off of pretty bad losses. The Panthers, losing two straight, haven’t looked as strong as many expected. Running into a Ravens with a RED HOT Steve Smith spelled doom from the get go. The Bears, on the other hand, just happened to run into a Packers team that began to catch it’s stride. This match-up can help determine which team will have the harder road towards catching their division rivals.

Xandro’s Fearless Prediction: I REALLY like Carolina at home but I’m not too confident on how they’ll perform. It will come down to offense and QB play. Jay Cutler vs Cam Newton, y’all!

Final Score: Bears 24-Panthers 21

 Cleveland Browns (1-2) @  Tennessee Titans (1-3)

1:00 pm ET @ LP Field (CBS)

Last weekend, the Titans played victim in the Colts’ 41-17 butt whooping. The Browns got to watch it unfold at home since they had the bye week. In the first three weeks, despite the two losses, the Browns have proved to be a tough team to beat. Their two losses, to the Steelers and Ravens, have come by a combined 5 points.

Xandro’s Fearless Prediction: Another game in which I’m pulling for the visitor. The Titans look very vulnerable and the Browns have the defense to expose the weak offense.

Final Score: Browns 27-Titans 17

 St. Louis Rams (1-2) @  Philadelphia Eagles (3-1)

1:00 pm ET @ Lincoln Financial Field (FOX)

First things first, Chip Kelly screwed up the last game vs the 49ers. To not go with the run was a bit ridiculous, especially after having it work so well so far. Now, the Rams, who are coming off of a bye week, come into town. I’ve always liked the Rams defense, which ranks 12th in the NFL but their offense isn’t up to par.

Xandro’s Fearless Prediction: Chip will learn from his mistake last week and implement some more running.

Final Score: Rams 14-Eagles 31

 Atlanta Falcons (2-2) @  New York Giants (2-2)

1:00 pm ET @ MetLife Stadium (FOX)

In one of the most interesting match-ups this Sunday, Eli Manning and Matt Ryan go head-to-head. The Falcons’ defense was exposed by the Vikings ground game. That’s what happens when you have the #31 defense in the league. A loaded offense can only do so much. In recent weeks, the Giants have lit themselves up. Manning may be revitalized and the defense has picked it up.

Xandro’s Fearless Prediction: Defense is the name of the game and the Falcons don’t have one.

Final Score: Falcons 17-Giants 24

 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-3) @  New Orleans Saints (1-3)

1:00 pm ET @ Mercedes-Benz Superdome (FOX)

After this game, one of these two teams will be sitting at the bottom of the NFC South. The Bucs shocked the Steelers while the Saints were demolished by the Cowboys. The Saints just hit a huge snag with FS Jairus Byrd now out for the season. It’s not a question of whether or not the offense can perform, it’s whether DC Rob Ryan can shape his defense up or not.

Xandro’s Fearless Prediction: The Saints are VERY good at home and we all know they’re terrible in away games, in comparison of course. This one may be tighter than most think

Final Score: Buccaneers 20-Saints 21

 Houston Texans (3-1) @  Dallas Cowboys (3-1)

1:00 pm ET AT&T Stadium (CBS)

The Battle of Texas. How opportune that both teams are looking to prove themselves despite their winning records. Now, without looking it up, where do you guys think the Texans defense ranks in the NFL? 1? Top-5? Try #21. Interesting figure that shouldn’t necessarily define a squad that has played a role in deciding games. But when you have a “so-so” offense, the defense will have more numbers against them. Now, the Cowboys have a VERY solid offense and a defense that is coming together, which will make this interesting.

Xandro’s Fearless Prediction: I’m going with offense. Ryan Fitzpatrick, you may be a great guy, but I would take Tony Romo any day. Cowboys claim Texas on their own home turf.

Final Score: Texans 13-Cowboys 27

 Buffalo Bills (2-2) @  Detroit Lions (3-1)

1:00 pm ET @ Ford Field (FOX)

After a strong start, we may be looking at the Bills of old. The good news, they’re still well in the race for the AFC East. In fact, tied for first! The Lions sit alone on top, for now. Now, pressure is on for both. The Packers are catching their stride and the Bills don’t know who will begin to take over their division.

Xandro’s Fearless Prediction: The Lions beat the Jets last week. Time to beat another AFC East team, this time at home.

Final Score: Bills 14-Lions 27

 Baltimore Ravens (3-1) @  Indianapolis Colts (2-2)

1:00 pm ET @ Lucas Oil Stadium (CBS)

Both of these teams are coming in HOT! Many argue that the Colts had the benefit of playing bad teams but what do you do with bad teams? BEAT ‘EM. Not only did they win, the Colts beat both the Jaguars and the Titans to a pulp. The Ravens, like the Chargers, lost in week 1 but have won 3 since then. Both teams looking to stay near the top of the division or even gain ground.

Xandro’s Fearless Prediction: I’m a bit torn on this one but I’m positive the Colts can keep this offensive explosiveness going. It should be a shoot out.

Final Score: Ravens 27-Colts 34

 Pittsburgh Steelers (2 -2) @  Jacksonville Jaguars (0-4)

1:00 pm ET @ EverBank Stadium (CBS)

After a very disappointing loss last week, the Steelers are looking for redemption. Now, the Jaguars don’t have much to talk about. Having Blake Bortles starting may give them a fighting chance but it doesn’t look good for this team.

Xandro’s Fearless Prediction: Another one of those “easy picks”. Sorry Jags.

Final Score: Steelers 21-Jaguars 13

 Arizona Cardinals (3-0) @  Denver Broncos (2-1)

4:05 pm ET @ Sports Authority Field (FOX)

Probably the game most people are excited to see. The Cardinals will, once again, be without Carson Palmer and will give the load to Drew Stanton, who has done an adequate job. To point out, both teams are pretty much identical when it comes to offensive stats. The big difference, defense. The Broncos are ranked at #27 while the Cardinals are #5. Big difference.

Xandro’s Fearless Prediction: Cardinals have three things that the Broncos don’t have. A running game, a defense, and a perfect record.

Final Score: Cardinals 27-Broncos 24

 Kansas City Chiefs (2-2) @  San Francisco 49ers (2-2)

4:25 pm ET@ Levi’s Stadium (CBS)

The 49ers are slowly losing the locket room. The Chiefs are coming together. This game will tell us a few things about both teams.

Xandro’s s Fearless Prediction: Alex Smith coming back to San Francisco will be fun.

Final Score: Chiefs 24-49ers 20

 New York Jets (1-3) @  San Diego Chargers (3-1)

4:25 pm ET @ Qualcomm Stadium (CBS)

After their week 1 win over the Raiders, the Jets have played terrible ball. Well, even that game was pretty terrible. It’s been the opposite for the Chargers. They lost game one by 1 point but have dominated each opponent since. The Jets, who somewhat survive off of defense, will need to work their hardest because they now face a high octane offense and a stiff defense.

Xandro’s Fearless Prediction: At this point, there should be nothing fearless about this pick.

Final Score: Jets 14-Chargers 27

 Cincinnati Bengals (3-0) @  New England Patriots (2-2)

8:30 pm ET @ Gillette Stadium (NBC)

Last week, I picked the Pats to lose against the Chiefs. Little did I think that it would be as bad as it was. The Bengals enjoyed their bye week and having a 3-0 record coming into this match-up. But to clear the air, Tom Brady isn’t finished. This is the product of a bad o-line and the fact that Brady is now losing weapons. So, let’s not act surprised if he gets the team back on track.

Xandro’s Fearless Prediction: It feels too easy to pick the Patriots in this one. Facing a team coming off the bye at home. But with how terrible they’re doing, I don’t see it happening.

Final Score: Bengals 24-Patriots 17

Monday, October 6th

 Seattle Seahawks (2-1) @  Washington Redskins (1-3)

8:30 pm ET @ FedEx Field (ESPN)

This is a very interesting match-up. The Seahawks have MANY weapons at their disposal but the Redskins have a defense that wouldn’t take too kindly to that. Now, it will all be up on Kirk Cousins and the offense to get something going. They would need to take advantage of every possession. The Seahawks aren’t your typical team, even when it comes out of a bye.

Xandro’s Fearless Prediction: For the last pick of this week, I say the road team takes it, again.

Final Score: Seahawks 23-Redskins 13