Week 5 Against the Spread NFL Picks

Brien's out of the loop this week, so he has instructed me to just have him pick against Russell. Last week, our cellar dweller Russell put up a sweet 5-0 week, while Jeremy also managed to post a 4-1. As the teams settle into more well-defined roles this year, hopefully all our records will improve.

Russell (8-11-1) and Brien (10-10-0)

After a perfect week, I'm just trying to stay on top of my game. Last week, not only were my picks 5-0 ATS, but all three underdogs won. Here are some more gems.

Seattle (+6) over PITTSBURGH - A little West Coast respect. Each team's only loss was in the desert. The Steelers offense needs to get better to be the elite team people think they are. FG's won't cut it. Brien takes PITTSBURGH.

Tampa Bay (+10) over INDIANAPOLIS - Tampa has the best D that the Colts have seen so far, and Garcia is elusive enough to keep the chains moving. Brien takes INDY.

Dallas (-10) over BUFFALO - The Big D is putting up 30+ a game, and Buffalo's got nothing. An ugly MNF blowout. Brien takes BUFFALO.

SAN FRANCISCO (+3.5) over Baltimore - Dilfer's one of the best backups in the league, and Baltimore hasn't shown much on either side of the ball. Baltimore is 0-2 on the road this year, with 6 TO's at Cinci and a poor showing at Cleveland last week, giving up 27 each time. Brien takes Baltimore.

NEW ORLEANS (-3) over Carolina - I'm going out on a limb thinking NO will be better after the bye, and the David Carr Panthers are certainly not world beaters. If NO goes 0-4, they're done for the year. Brien takes Carolina.

Jeremy and Magic 8 Ball (11-6-3, 10-7-3 respectively)

Well... my fantasy football teams are doing well and I have a winning record picking these games. Sounds like it's about time for the wheels to come crashing off, and this slate of football games is just the right medicine for that. That being said...

Jeremy's Picks:

Arizona (-3) over ST. LOUIS - Gus Frerotte starting against the Cardinals who handed the Steelers their first loss... home field can't be worth this much. Staying in this crappy division...

Baltimore (-3.5) over SAN FRANCISCO - Frank Gore isn't going to be able to run on the Ravens and Trent Dilfer is just a little too old to pull this week's Daunte Culpepper "statement game."

GREEN BAY (-3.5) over Chicago - Green Bay is just a much better team and with home field, I like them to cover this spread.

NEW YORK GIANTS (-3) over New York Jets - Giants are a better team, but my question is: Do the Jets dress in a visitor's locker room???

KANSAS CITY (+2.5) over Jacksonville - I wanted to pick a dawg and the Chiefs with their insane home field advantage and the Huard-to-Bowe connection heating up to take some pressure off LJ seem to be a good pick.

Magic 8 Ball Picks:

ST. LOUIS (+3) over Arizona - "My signs point to yes." [Rams beating spread]

SAN FRANCISCO (+3.5) over Baltimore - "Yes." [49ers beating spread]

NEW YORK GIANTS (-3) over New York Jets - "My sources say yes." [Giants beating spread]

Chicago (+3.5) over GREEN BAY - "My answer is no." [Packers beating spread]

Jacksonville (-2.5) over KANSAS CITY - "Don't count on it." [Chiefs beating spread]

J-Red (9-10-1)

Interconference rules are in effect this week:

Baltimore (-3.5) over SAN FRANCISCO - Baltimore is in the AFC.

INDIANAPOLIS (-10) over Tampa Bay - Indy is in the AFC.

PITTSBURGH (-6) over Seattle - Pittsburgh is in the AFC.

TENNESSEE (-8) over Atlanta - Tennessee is in the AFC.

Jets (+3) over GIANTS - Both teams are totally mediocre, but the Jets play in the AFC.

RECAP AND STANDINGS

(Percentage is Win/Tie %, which counts pushes as a half win and half loss.)

Jeremy - .625
Magic 8 Ball - .575
Brien - .500
J-Red - .475
Russell - .425

Russell - DAL, NO, SF, SEA, TB
Jeremy - ARI, BAL, GB, KC, NYG
Magic 8 - CHI, JAX, NYG, SF, STL
J-Red - BAL, IND, NYJ, PIT, TEN
Brien - BAL, BUF, CAR, IND, PIT

Nobody picked: WAS -3.5 Det, HOU -5.5 Mia, NE -16.5 Cle, DEN -1.5 Sd