Derrick Gunn makes his picks for Week 5 of the NFL season.
Cardinals at Eagles (1 p.m. on FOX)
The Cardinals have been a hard team to figure out. They struggled to beat the Colts and 49ers, and got handled by the Lions and Cowboys. Their offense is ranked No. 11 overall, but they've struggled to score, averaging just 18.5 points per game. And they can't run the ball, either. Since star running back David Johnson went down with a dislocated wrist, the Cards' run game has been stagnant and they currently sit dead last in the league in rushing (57 yards per game).
Carson Palmer has the second most passing yards, but has been the most sacked QB in the league (17 times). Their No. 7 ranked defense is big and rugged, but suffered a big blow when LB Markus Golden was lost for the season with an ACL injury.
Carson Wentz has matured into his role in the offense making better decisions with the ball. The Birds' run game has given them a balance that takes pressure of the QB. Fletcher Cox has been ruled out, but there's still enough talent in the trenches to make life miserable for Palmer. The back end of the Birds' defense is giving up too many big plays and that could be a big problem this week because the Cardinals' speed at wide receiver is better than the Chargers'. If Jim Schwartz's guys get to Palmer, the Birds will get the win.
Pick: Eagles 24, Cardinals 20
Bills at Bengals (1 p.m. on CBS)
I see you Buffalo. When you beat Denver at home and go into Atlanta and win in back-to-back weeks people start to take notice. Sean McDermott has his guys believing in themselves. The Bills' offense isn"t flashy, but their defense is physical and stingy. Their defense is No. 8 overall and No. 1 in scoring, allowing just 13.5 points per game. The Bengals have this one at home, but the Bills will roll to their fourth win.
Pick: Bills
Philadelphia Eagles
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Jets at Browns (1 p.m. on FOX)
Who are these Jets? They lose their first two games of the season, but are now on a two-game winning streak. Over his last two outings, 38-year-old Josh McCown has completed 74 percent of his passes. The Browns' youth movement has been painful and 21-year-old rookie QB DeShone Kizer is at the center of it. Kizer's numbers say it all: 51.4 completion percentage with three touchdowns and eight interceptions. Cleveland will lose its fifth straight.
Pick: Jets
Panthers at Lions (1 p.m. on FOX)
This should be a fun game to watch as both teams are 3-1. Cam Newton and Matthew Stafford are two different styles of quarterbacks but they can both wing it. The Panthers have the No. 4-ranked defense, but the Lions are tied for the league lead in takeaways with 11. Slight edge to the Lions at home.
Pick: Lions
49ers at Colts (1 p.m. on FOX)
The 49ers gave the Cardinals all they could handle last week and even sacked Palmer six times. The Colts led the Seahawks by five at the half last week, but reality set in in the second half where Indy got outscored 36-3. Jacoby Brissett continues to improve, but the 49ers' defense will give him problems. I like winless San Fran in a mild upset.
Pick: 49ers
Titans at Dolphins (1 p.m. on CBS)
Tennessee is hurting. Marcus Mariota is dealing with a hamstring injury and may sit this one out. The Dolphins finally get to play a home game, but will Miami's offense show up? The Dolphins have only scored six points in their last two games. Who wins the the battle on the ground? The Dolphins' No. 4 run defense (77.7 yards per game) or the Titans' No. 6 rushing attack (138.8 yards per game)? Jay Cutler finally puts it all together.
Pick: Dolphins
Chargers at Giants (1 p.m. on CBS)
Both the Chargers and Giants have plenty of talent, they just don't have any wins. They both have two of the worst run defenses in the league. He who makes the fewest mistakes will come out on top. I'm just glad I don't have to watch this mess. Since the G-Men have the home field advantage, I will give them the advantage here.
Pick: Giants
Jaguars at Steelers (1 p.m. on CBS)
The Jags have two impressive wins this season but they've also had two disappointing losses. Their run defense is like Swiss cheese, ranked dead last allowing 165.5 yards per game. That's not a good sign going against the Steelers' Le'Veon Bell.
Blake Bortles still has not consistantly elevated his game. The Jags get deflated in the Burgh.
Pick: Steelers
Ravens at Raiders (4:05 p.m. on CBS)
Two teams doing some soul searching for different reasons. The Ravens have lost two straight, and in those games Joe Flacco has just one TD and four INTs. The good news for Baltimore is that Derek Carr is out two to six weeks with a fracture in his back. I don't trust EJ Manuel replacing Carr. The Ravens get back in the win column.
Pick: Ravens
Seahawks at Rams (4:05 p.m. on CBS)
One of the biggest surprise teams in the league is the Rams. Jared Goff is looking like a future star (seven TDs, one INT), Todd Gurley is running with authority again and the additions of WRs Sammy Watkins, Robert Woods and rookie Cooper Kupp have given the Rams a legit passing game. The Seahawks' secondary is nicked up, S Earl Thomas (knee) and CB Jeremy Lane (groin) havn't practiced this week. This is a big statement game for the Rams against their division rival. I think the Rams get it done at home.
Pick: Rams
Packers at Cowboys (4:25 p.m. FOX)
The Packers have had extended time off after their Thursday night blowout win over Chicago and should get some of their banged-up players back. Dallas' defense is also looking to get some much needed help back. Aaron Rodgers, whose been sacked 15 times, will have to know where DE DeMarcus Lawrence is at all times. Lawrence leads the league in sacks with 7.5. Green Bay's run game is marginal, but look for Rodgers to shred the Cowboys' rebuilt secondary.
Pick: Packers
Chiefs at Texans (8:30 p.m. on NBC)
Looks like the Texans have found themselves a QB. Last week against Tennessee, rookie Deshaun Watson accounted for five Houston TDs (four passing, one rushing). Kansas City has found all kinds of ways to remain the league's lone undefeated team. Houston has the perfect blend of power and speed on defense to matchup with the Chiefs' weapons. I think the Chiefs take their first loss.
Pick: Texans
Vikings at Bears (8:30 p.m. Monday on ESPN)
It's a coming out party for Bears first-round pick QB Mitchell Trubisky. Unfortunately for him, he has very little talent to work with at the WR position. The Bears have a nice tandem of talented RBs in Jordan Howard and Tarik Cohen. The Vikings' No. 12 defense has been relentless, recording 11 sacks and giving up just 19.3 points per game. With or without Sam Bradford at the helm, the Vikings overwhelm young Trubisky and the Bears.
Pick: Vikings
