TNF Preview, Week 5

Thursday Night Games have sometimes been an adventure. The NFL Kickoff is always a marquee matchup, but then for a few Thursdays the games shuffle off Prime Time. While the Giants vs. Washington and Jaguars vs. Bengals turned into good games, they didn’t scream Prime-Time matchups. But as the Thursday Night Football package debuts for the 2021 season on FOX tonight, we’ve got an interesting NFC West battle.

It’s arguable the NFC West is the strongest division in football, with the Cardinals the lone unbeaten team and the 49ers a strong competitor. So, too, are the two teams clashing tonight as the Los Angeles Rams (3-1) head to Seattle to battle the Seahawks (2-2).

Both these teams were in the playoffs in 2020 and both are making a strong case to return. The Rams started the season 3-0 behind a great stretch from new quarterback Matthew Stafford. That included a big home win in Week 3 against the defending Super Bowl Champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers that pushed the Rams to 3-0. But in last week’s clash of the unbeatens, it was the Cardinals that got the upper hand in Sofi Stadium, handing the Rams their first loss of the season.

The Rams came into the season with Super Bowl aspirations, so they can’t drop two division games early. That puts the pressure on tonight as they travel to Seattle.

The Seahawks, meanwhile, have had an up-and-down season. The team won in Indianapolis in Week 1 then lost at home in Week 2 to Tennessee and fell in Week 3 in Minnesota. The Seahawks rallied to even their record with a big divisional win in San Francisco in Week 4. Now, with the Rams in town, the Seahawks are in position to win a second divisional game and move up right behind the Cardinals.

This is a fantasy rich battle as well. Stafford and Seahawks’ QB Russell Wilson are both in my Top 12 for the week, while receivers Cooper Kupp (Rams) and Tyler Lockett (Seahawks) are in my Top 12 as well. D.K. Metcalf is a WR2 for me as I suspect Jalen Ramsey ends up shadowing him. I also like Rams’ receiver Robert Woods, tight end Tyler Higbee and running back Darrell Henderson, Jr., as plays tonight. Meanwhile, I’m not starting Seahawks’ running back Chris Carson, who is battling injury and has struggled in recent weeks.

This figures to be a fun game but I’m picking the Rams to get the win and move to 4-1. Now, for the rest of my Week 5 picks!

Weekly Picks

Week 4 wasn’t my best week as I went just 10-6. There were some upsets that didn’t break my way. Lindsay had the same struggle, finishing 8-8 on the week. We remain close through four weeks with plenty of season left.

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

Last Week: 10-6
Season: 43-21

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

Last Week: 8-8
Season: 39-25

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.