NFL Pick 'Em - Week 5

This will be interesting. Neither Derek or I know what each other will be picking this week. I'm not sure I've ever posted without knowing Derek's picks and it just feels like I'm breaking a lucky habit. Wouldn't be surprised to see some bad luck thrown my way with some great games this week. Many of them are too close to feel good picking either way.

Cincinnati at Baltimore

Loren - Baltimore. What a fantastic team they have up in Baltimore. There's consistent positive QB potential from Flacco, an ageless D that has recovered its fire, and the fans are going crazy with it. Too much for the Bengals who have looked decent but inconsistent.

Derek - Baltimore. Some people are pumping Cincinnati up and I can see why, that being said they are not on the same level as the Ravens. I don't think the Bengals will score more than twice in this game and that's not going to be enough.

Atlanta at San Francisco

Loren - Atlanta. The Falcons are physical enough to hang in a game with SF's new found killer D. Matt Ryan looks better every week and is really getting in sync with his targets, plus the Niners are a little banged up and distracted by the Crabtree saga. Oh, and MC Hammer and Deion Sanders will probably be there. Definitely have to go with Atlanta.

Derek - San Francisco. Getting Crabtree will help the 49ers, but not as much as getting Gore back would have, however the Falcons are traveling across country and as any good bookie will tell you it's going to be tough for them to win.

New England at Denver

Loren - Denver. OK, this is where my homer instinct kicks in...and inevitably kicks me right in the nuts. NE has an offense heads and shoulders above what this vaunted Denver D has faced so far. Plus the Pats have a defense far savvier than any Denver's seen. This game will say a lot about where both of these teams really are. The most interesting stat here, though, is that Kyle Orton is 25-12 as a starter. You'd take that from your starting QB.

Derek - New England. This should be a fairly easy game for the Pats. They are a far supieriour team and only need to battle the elements. Oh and Tom Brady is 100-26 as a starter.

NY Jets at Miami

Loren - Jets. Even if Edwards doesn't play this week, the Jets are still the pick here. Miami has no real direction offensively. Just when you think they look dangerous, a new and untested QB. Definitly bad karma to be playing the Jets that week. Not a good week to be Chad Henne.

Derek - Miami. Loren had is homer pick allow me to have mine. Chad Henne went on the road controlled the ball and beat the Bills. Now he has a tougher task but will be at home where the pound it out style of the Dolphins D will where down the Jets. If it's close in the fourth the Fins will win.

Houston at Arizona

Loren - Houston. Houston has to break out some time, right? They get on a 6 game tear and scare the bejeezus out of a lot of teams, right? That offense is surely too talented, right?

Derek - Arizona. Houston does need to break out but it won't be in this game. The Cards are at home and play so much better there than on the road. Look for Warner to find his big targets time and time again against a Houston D that has not lived up to expectations.