NFL Week 5 picks: Rams/49ers face off in primetime for first place

Apparently my pick for Washington/Atlanta did make its way into the Week 4 picks, so I voided that game to avoid any discrepancy. Week 4 was another get right week; posting 10 correct picks and a … TIE (thanks a lot Green Bay). Week 5 will feature the first week in which we have teams on a bye week, four of them to be exact. So here are my picks for the Week 5 slate…

Week 4 picks: 10-4-1, Cumulative picks: 39-23-1

Week 5 Matchups & Predictions

(Thursday) San Francisco 49ers @ Los Angeles Rams, 8:15 PM EST

First place for the NFC West is on the line between two franchises that hate each other. Kyle Shanahan vs. Sean McVay. The two have battled every matchup since they were named Head Coaches in 2017. I don’t expect this game to be anything less.

Because of the nature of the division clash, I still expect it to be close with Shanahan finding ways to scheme Pearsall open against an underwhelming Rams cornerback room.

But, the 49ers are nursing injuries and that makes them more vulnerable. Nick Bosa tore his ACL in Week 3. Brock Purdy reaggravated his turf toe. George Kittle is working through a hamstring injury. This should be a win by all accounts and purposes for the Rams. And the Rams have a dangerous thing called … PUKA.

Pick: Rams win 24-20

Minnesota Vikings @ Cleveland Browns (Tottenham, England) 9:30 AM EST

I actually see a possibility of Cleveland winning this game. Minnesota could be feeling the effects of international travel. And the Browns do have a run game & defensive front to pressure Wentz.

But, there is too much quarterback uncertainty for Cleveland to the point that Shadeur Sanders is an option. Yikes.

Pick: Vikings win 27-17

Houston Texans @ Baltimore Ravens, 1:00 PM EST

Is Lamar Jackson healthy? Reports are saying he will miss 2-3 weeks. The 1-3 Texans will take the advantage and find a win on the road despite a slow start to 2025.

Pick: Texans win 24-16

New York Giants @ New Orleans Saints, 1:00 PM EST

Jaxson Dart will have rookie moments but he is an upgrade over Russell Wilson any way that you spin it. What made have been ignored was how well the Giants defense played against Justin Herbert and company…

Pick: Giants win 20-17

Denver Broncos @ Philadelphia Eagles, 1:00 PM EST

As much as I want to believe the Broncos will pull off the upset against an overrated Eagles offense, I’m not sure I can with Bo Nix traveling into Philadelphia. If it was at Mile High, then maybe I pull the trigger.

The Eagles may be 4-0 but they won’t be able to continue to remain unbeaten if they have to rely on special teams touchdowns, endure the AJ Brown drama, and Jalen Hurts missing throws throughout a half. Sure, the Eagles have the opportunity to play better, but so do other teams…

In this game, the Denver...