NFL Week 5 picks

Still not a great week for us. But I did go 3-3 while Loren went 1-5. This gives me a 1 game lead for the first time this season. Derek 10-14, Loren 9-15.

Chicago at Carolina
Derek - Carolina. The Panthers and the Bears have had up and down seasons so far. But I think the Panthers offense can handle the Bears D easily at home and score in the high 20's. Forte won't have a good game in this one.
Loren – Chicago. The Panthers are hurt on offense and near the cellar in run defense. On defense, Chicago sits back on routes knowing that Cam has to throw the ball. On offense, they can abuse Carolina’s tackles or get it to Forte in the flat and let him do his thing. If Chicago gets out to an early lead, that just plays even more into their hand.

Atlanta at New York Giants
Derek - New York Giants. What am I doing with this pick? The Giants? Oh wait they're playing a NFC South team at home. Nevermind nuff said. I think the NFC South could combine teams and still not win on the road.
Loren – New York Giants. Don’t bet against Eli on a roll. Both teams should have crazy numbers through the air, but Atlanta’s defense is absolutely putrid. Slight edge there to NY plus factor in playing at home and you can see another confounding loss for the Falcons.

Houston at Dallas
Derek - Dallas. DeMarco Murray has been a machine so far this year. If he can keep it up the Texans have no answer. They don't throw it well and they have to stuff Foster down your throat just to have a chance.
Loren – Dallas. What a difference a running back makes. I’m still not sold on Dallas and if DeMarco Murray goes down, so do the Cowboys. But Romo does a convincing impression of an effective QB when defenses have to bring seven up front or risk getting gouged. Houston has been playing solid, but they’ve also had a cream puff schedule. We’ll see who they really are over the next 5 weeks (Dallas, Indy, Pittsburgh, Philly).

Baltimore at Indianapolis
Derek - Inianapolis. The Colts are rolling right now. Luck might be the top MVP canadate and their D is doing ok. Imagine if they could actually run. Either way they have enough to get past the Ravens.
Loren – Indianapolis. There’s room for Luck to sling the ball against a pretty weak Raven’s secondary. The question is whether Indy’s defense can hold on. They’ve played to good teams and lost, albeit closely. They’ve played two terrible teams and won in blowouts. I give Indy the nod based on home field advantage and not much more.

Kansas City at San Francisco
Derek - San Francisco. I'm going with the home team this time. KC played a hell of a game on Monday night but they won't have an easy of time in the Bay. Still this will be a close one but the 49ers O will previeal.
Loren – San Francisco. What was that talk of a depleted 49ers defense? Well, they’re giving up points, but not giving up yards. It’s early enough in the season for these irregularities to be present, but you’d have to a stingy defense will eventually start keeping teams out of the end zone. A home game against a one dimensional team is just what the doctor ordered.

Cincinnati at New England
Derek - Cincinnati. This would be a game that NE wins but not this year. Are we finally seeing the end of the dynasty? As a Dolphin fan I hope so but as a footbal fan...yeah I still hope so.
Loren – Cincinnati. Quiet, efficient Cincy. They’re not dazzling, they’re not flashy, but they are effective. I almost feel sorry for Brady. Almost.