Friday Five, Week 5

Remember when Sunday used to be the biggest day of the week for NFL Games? Well, the 2020 season is trying its best to change that. Last week we had two Monday games because of COVID tests, and this week we have two Monday games and a Tuesday game thanks to re-shuffled schedules. Plus, we had a game last night and two teams on a bye.

That leaves 11 games to be played on Sunday. While that’s still a good share, this marks the second week in a row that a Sunday game that was, or would have been, on this list was moved to another day. Last week it was Patriots vs Chiefs, and this week it’s the Bills vs the Titans. But there are still 11 games Sunday (for now, the Jets are trying to make it 10), so let’s look at five I’m pumped to see in Week 5.

Early Games:

Las Vegas Raiders (2-2) vs Kansas City Chiefs (4-0)
About: Division games are always fun, and this should be no exception. The Chiefs have looked great and beaten a number of playoff teams from 2019 already, including the Patriots, Ravens and Texans. They’re coming in on a short week and facing a hungry Raiders team. The Raiders started the season 2-0, but a loss to the Patriots in New England and to the Bills at home have dropped them back to earth a bit. If the Raiders want to be contenders and be in the playoffs, they have to win some of these big games. Can they get it done this week and stop Patrick Mahomes? We’ll find out.

Los Angeles Rams (3-1) vs Washington Football Team (1-3)
About: The Rams are off to a hot start, and they need it to keep pace in a division where no team is below .500. The team has a strong offense, but it didn’t look like it last week as the Rams finished with just 17 points against the winless Giants. This week they travel to Washington to battle a somewhat desperate team, one that is moving from Dwayne Haskins to Kyle Allen. Will the QB change make a difference? We’ll find out Sunday.

Jacksonville Jaguars (1-3) vs Houston Texans (0-4)
About: Minshew Mania has returned to Jacksonville, but to this point its brought just a single win. The Jaguars have gotten some good work from rookie running back James Robinson and receiver D.J. Chark, but it hasn’t resulted in a lot of success on the field. The Texans, meanwhile, have started winless against a brutal early schedule. This lack of success, and rumors of off-field squabbles has resulted in head coach and GM Bill O’Brien being fired. Will it spark the Texans? We’ll find out on Sunday.

Sunday Late Games:

Indianapolis Colts (3-1) vs Cleveland Browns (3-1)
About: This ends up being a battle of two early AFC contenders. The Colts haven’t been flashy on offense, and they’ve dealt with a ton of injuries, but the team has moved to 3-1 on the season. It’s a hot start, but the Colts started hot in 2019 before fading. Can they keep it going? This week they travel to Cleveland to battle another team that’s started strong, the Browns. Cleveland lost in Week 1 to the Baltimore Ravens, but have won three straight since. That includes rolling up 49 points last week in Dallas. The Colts have a stout defense, the Browns are now missing Nick Chubb. Which of those things, if any, will make a difference? One of these teams will jump to 4-1, and both are desperate to do so.

New York Giants (0-4) vs Dallas Cowboys (1-3)
About: The Giants are winless and have looked bad on the field. The Cowboys have an incredible offense but little else going for them. In fact, the Cowboys are one miraculous comeback away from starting 0-4 themselves. Neither of these defenses is great, and this division matchup is usually always a tight one. Will the Giants’ offense rise to the occasion? We’ll find out on Sunday.

Weekly Picks:

Last week Lindsay had a small lead heading into the week, but I was able to erase it and we ended Week 4 tied. The pattern has been poor odd weeks for me and strong even weeks. We’re in Week 5, and I started by losing a game to Lindsay last night, so it seems like the pattern might continue.

Matt’s Week 5 Picks:
Buccaneers Over Bears
Panthers Over Falcons
Bills Over Titans
Chiefs Over Raiders
Ravens Over Bengals
Rams Over Washington
Cardinals Over Jets
Steelers Over Eagles
Jaguars Over Texans
49ers Over Dolphins
Browns Over Colts
Patriots Over Broncos
Cowboys Over Giants
Seahawks Over Vikings
Saints Over Chargers

Last Week: 10-5
Season: 38-25

Lindsay’s Week 5 Picks:
Bears Over Buccaneers
Panthers Over Falcons
Ravens Over Bengals
Chiefs Over Raiders
Rams Over Washington
Cardinals Over Jets
Steelers Over Eagles
Jaguars Over Texans
49ers Over Dolphins
Colts Over Browns
Cowboys Over Giants
Seahawks Over Vikings
Broncos Over Patriots
Saints Over Chargers
Bills Over Titans

Last Week: 8-8
Season: 38-25

Matt’s Week 5 Picks Against the Spread:
Buccaneers -5.5 Over Bears
Panthers +3.5 Over Falcons
Bengals +13.5 Over Ravens
Raiders +12.5 Over Chiefs
Rams -8.5 Over Washington
Cardinals -6.5 Over Jets
Steelers -6.5 Over Eagles
Jaguars +6.5 Over Texans
Dolphins +8.5 Over 49ers
Browns +2.5 Over Colts
Cowboys -9.5 Over Giants
Seahawks -7.5 Over Vikings
Broncos +10.5 Over Patriots
Chargers +7.5 Over Saints
Bills -1.5 Over Titans

Last Week: 5-10
Season: 28-35

Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.