UTTQ Predictions: Week 5

With Week 5 comes the first wave of byes which present us here at UTTQ with an odd number of games. We'll both be picking the Monday Night game to make up for this so without further delay, the early picks for Sunday's ballgames.

PHILADELPHIA 27, BUFFALO 24
Who woulda thunk it? The 1-3 Eagles bring their three game losing streak into the 3-1 Bills who are fresh off their first loss of the season. Phily's biggest problem has been closing their opponents exemplified by losing to San Fran after leading 24-3 early in the third quarter. The Bills showed their youth a week ago losing their lead late to the Bengals and then giving up the game winning drive to Andy Dalton's crew. Despite how successful and effective Buffalo has been through a quarter of the season, I just can't see the Eagles being 1-4 with all the talent they have. With Andy Reid's job security getting weaker by the week, look for Phily to squeak this one out.

KANSAS CITY 24, INDIANAPOLIS 10
In a match of bad vs. "badder", the Chiefs come into Indy fresh off their first win of the season. Both these teams have been devastated by injuries and after both made the playoffs last year, it wouldn't be surprising to see them picking in the top ten of next year's draft. Curtis Painter will once again get the start for Indy after an okay performance against Tampa Bay. Matt Cassell and crew are still dangerous through the air if they can get into a rhythm and that should lead them to victory come Sunday.

ARIZONA 14, MINNESOTA 21
The Vikings have been hapless through four games this season and Donovan McNabb has been one of their central issues. Brought in to provide stability to a QB situation that was fluid, to say the least after Brett Favre's retirement, McNabb has been a disappointment. On the other side, Kevin Kolb hasn't shown all that much to Cardinals fans with the team's 1-3 start. Kolb has the benefit of being a young inexperienced player while McNabb has no excuses and his job will very much be on the line this weekend. Something tells me that Donovan isn't ready to be benched just yet and combined with a strong showing by Adrian Peterson, the Vikings will pull this out.

SEATTLE 17, NEW YORK GIANTS 28
A year ago, this game was dominated early and often by the Giants in Seattle. The Giants are playing even better on offense then they did a year ago though the Seahawks did make a valiant comeback effort against the Falcons. Tavaris Jackson and company have looked played fairly well at home this season and should make this game closer then last year's debacle. Giants still win this one though.

TENNESSEE 28, PITTSBURGH 27
Another who the heck saw this one coming? The Steelers are struggling mightily this season despite the 2-2 record while the Titans have been dominating their oppositions thus far. Matt Hasselbeck is playing better than he ever did in Seattle and in a weak AFC South, the Titans are eyeing a playoff bid through the first quarter of the season. Big Ben's guys have been beaten up in past weeks and the O Line must play better if the Steelers want to make a run to the postseason. Remember though that these Titans handily beat the same Ravens that absolutely torched the Steelers in Week One. Tennessee is red hot and that should give them just enough of an edge to sneak out of Pittsburgh with a W.

NEW ORLEANS 31, CAROLINA 24
Remember when everyone doubted Cam Newton as the first overall pick? Where are those folks now? Newton has been spectacular and Panthers fans must be ecstatic at what he's shown through four weeks despite the team's 1-3 record. Unfortunately Carolina plays in the toughest division in football and gets the high powered Saints this week. Drew Brees and company have been rolling on offense and should continue that this weekend. But don't expect the Panthers to just roll over. This has the potential to be a shootout that will be closer than many expect. Look for Newton and crew to put up a fight, though New Orleans should come out on top.

Chicago 33, Detroit 30
Man, the Lions offense has looked spectacular so far this season as Matt Stafford has emerged as a star quarterback and Calvin Johnson has established his position as the best receiver in the league. Chicago on the other hand has looked just okay on offense as they haven't been able to get the running and passing games clicking at the same time. Matt Forte ran wild last week and it just feels like Jay Cutler is bound to have a huge game soon. With the stout Lion's D Line in place, I say this is the week where Jay lets it fly. Being entirely realistic, the Lions had no business winning against Dallas last week and don't expect the Bears to have such a dramatic meltdown. Expect a shootout on Monday night with Cutler's Bears getting that last crucial score.