The NFL continued its trend of unpredictability in week five with shocking upsets and wild finishes around the league. A 9-7 week brought our season total to 44-35 as we enter bye week season, so let’s bounce back in our first short week of the season.
Byes: Detroit Lions, Houston Texans, Las Vegas Raiders, Tennessee Titans
Thursday, October 13th (8:15 PM):
Washington Commanders (1-4) @ Chicago Bears (2-3)
After last Thursday night gave us one of the worst games of the season between the Colts and Broncos, we kick off week six with a contest between two of the league’s worst teams. Neither defense has been good in 2022, while both offenses have been mediocre at best. The Bears appear to be getting healthier and have looked slightly better than Washington this season, giving them the edge.
Prediction: Bears win 23-14
Sunday, October 16th (1:00 PM):
San Francisco 49ers (3-2) @ Atlanta Falcons (2-3)
San Francisco’s defense has been outstanding in 2022, leading the NFL in yards per game allowed and points per game allowed. Taking on a Falcons team that has struggled due to their quarterback situation should lead to another stout defensive performance. San Francisco’s offense struggles as they have, but they get the job done in Atlanta.
Prediction: 49ers win 17-10
New England Patriots (2-3) @ Cleveland Browns (2-3)
The Patriots dominated the Lions in week five in Bailey Zappe’s first NFL start. It is currently unknown whether Zappe will start against Cleveland or if it will be Mac Jones returning to the lineup after missing two games with a high ankle sprain. Whichever quarterback gets the nod will have to keep their head on a swivel against Myles Garrett and the Browns’ pass rush. Cleveland wins at home behind an inspired effort on both sides of the football.
Prediction: Browns win 33-24
New York Jets (3-2) @ Green Bay Packers (3-2)
The Jets are above .500 through five weeks and coming off a breakout game that ended in a 40-17 win over the rival Dolphins. They take on a Packers team flying back from London after a crushing defeat at the hands of the New York Giants. Aaron Rodgers has struggled to find chemistry with his young receiving corps this season, which could be trouble against a talented Jets secondary.
Prediction: Jets win 27-24 (Upset of the Week)
Jacksonville Jaguars (2-3) @ Indianapolis Colts (2-2-1)
The Jaguars have struggled in recent weeks but have already put up a dominating win against the Colts this season. Jonathan Taylor missed the Colts’ week five win against the Broncos and is questionable leading up to this game. Indianapolis’s offense has struggled with or without Taylor this season, and that isn’t likely to change this week as Jacksonville completes the sweep.
Prediction: Jaguars win 24-14
Minnesota Vikings (4-1) @ Miami Dolphins (3-2)
The Vikings are a quiet 4-1 on the season despite struggling defensively throughout the year. Traveling to Miami would be a perfect recipe for their second loss if Miami had either of their top two quarterbacks. However, Skylar Thompson struggled in his first action and is now in line to start a game that could turn into a shootout. Minnesota takes a stranglehold on the NFC North with their 5th win of 2022.
Prediction: Vikings win 30-24
Cincinnati Bengals (2-3) @ New Orleans Saints (2-3)
The Bengals sit at 2-3 early in the season after their Super Bowl run due to a brutal schedule and continued offensive line struggles. Now is the time to right the ship. The Saints have struggled offensively due to injuries and don’t have the defense to stop Cincinnati consistently enough to steal the win.
Prediction: Bengals win 24-14
Baltimore Ravens (3-2) @ New York Giants (4-1)
In a shockingly intriguing matchup, the 3-2 Baltimore Ravens travel to the Meadowlands to take on the 4-1 New York Giants. Brian Daboll has done a fantastic job early in his head coaching career, leading his team to wins with subpar quarterback and wide receiver play. However, Lamar Jackson should have answers for everything the Giants throw at him defensively, as he practiced against Wink Martindale’s defenses for years when Wink was the Ravens’ defensive coordinator.
Prediction: Ravens win 37-24
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-2) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (1-4)
The Steelers have been pitiful in the four weeks following their loan win against the Bengals, struggling to create anything offensively due to their porous offensive line. In a game that will require points to be put up in bulk to keep up with Tom Brady and the Buccaneers, the Steelers drop another game and fall deeper into tank season.
Prediction: Buccaneers win 28-10 (Lock of the Week)
Sunday, October 16th (4:05 PM):
Carolina Panthers (1-4) @ Los Angeles Rams (2-3)
Panthers fans rejoice. The team fired Matt Rhule after a terrible performance against the 49ers. Their first test with interim head coach Steve Wilkes is the defending Super Bowl Champions, who have lost two straight games and are 2-3 on the season. Carolina has talent, but offensive question marks make it difficult to trust them against an angry and dangerous Rams team.
Prediction: Rams win 23-17
Arizona Cardinals (2-3) @ Seattle Seahawks (2-3)
Arizona has had a rough start to their season with a challenging schedule that has them sitting at 2-3. They travel to Seattle to take on a resurgent Geno Smith and the rival Seattle Seahawks. In a game that should see tons of points put on the board for both teams, Kyler Murray leads the more talented Cardinals to a close win to reach .500 on the season.
Prediction: Cardinals win 34-30
Sunday, October 16th (4:25 PM):
Buffalo Bills (4-1) @ Kansas City Chiefs (4-1)
In a rematch of last year’s incredible playoff matchup, Josh Allen and the Bills travel to Arrowhead Stadium to take on Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. These offenses are on fire early in the season and should light the stadium on fire Sunday afternoon. The Bills get revenge for their postseason loss in a potential AFC championship preview that is extremely fun for everyone watching.
Prediction: Bills win 45-40
Sunday, October 16th (8:20 PM)
Dallas Cowboys (4-1) @ Philadelphia Eagles (5-0)
The Cowboys’ defense has been outstanding through five games and is the main reason they have won their last four games despite missing Dak Prescott. Under the lights in enemy territory, Cooper Rush faces, by far, his toughest test yet. If Rush can play mistake-free football and rely on the defense to perform up to their standard, Dallas can send the 1972 Miami Dolphins into celebration mode and knock off the undefeated Eagles in a great game.
Prediction: Cowboys win 20-13
Monday, October 17th (8:15 PM):
Denver Broncos (2-3) @ Los Angeles Chargers (3-2)
Denver’s offense is broken, with no signs of being fixed to be seen. Russell Wilson has struggled to get anything going through five games and has lost his top running back for the season. Their defense has been strong, but they face one of the best quarterbacks in the game on Monday night with Justin Herbert on the schedule. The Chargers have been inconsistent due to injuries but get the job done against the rival Broncos.
Prediction: Chargers win 24-13