Week 5 Thursday Night Pick

Here are five takeaways from week four and also a pick for the Vikings vs. Packers game tonight.

1. Do the Patriots Stink?

After a luck luster performance against the Raiders, the Patriots got smoked in Arrowhead on Monday. They are 2-2 with wins over the Vikings (the week they lost Adrian Peterson) and the 0-4 Raiders. People are starting to realize that Bill Belichick has not done a great job as the GM getting talent for Tom Brady. On twitter it seemed like people were ready to give up on TFB in favor of Jimmy Garoppolo. I can't believe it but I'm on the side of defending Lord Brady, the greatest living American. When you are surrounded by no offensive weapons, a 50% GRONK, and a below-average offensive line the quarterback will struggle. Jimmy's new in town. Do you really think Jimmy is going to the lead the Patriots to the playoffs? The AFC East is still a very weak division and I still think Tommy will turn it around and get the offense going. Will they win the Super Bowl? Probably not but this isn't the demise of Brady just yet. 

P.S. The red Patriots jersey with Pat the Patriot on the helmet are great and the team should wear them full time. 

2. The Ravens Are Good

I'm starting to buy the Ravens as one of the best AFC teams. It pains me to say this but Joe FLACCCCOOO has actually been playing pretty well since week one. He is a jabroni though. The play last week where he fumbled the snap and then just whipped the ball into the end zone to Steve Smith was absurd. Was he throwing it away or was that the play? No Ray Rice has been good for offense as they have been running the ball very well with three different RB's. The defense has only allowed over 20 points once this year. Their remaining schedule doesn't appear to be all that tough, so at the moment it's hard to envision the Ravens missing the playoffs for the second straight year. 

3. Saints and Falcons Road Issues

The Saints and the Falcons are so bad on the road. The Saints are 0-3 on the road this year after going 3-5 away from home last season. 3-8 away from the SuperDome is not good. They thankfully have seven home games left and the NFC South appears to be winnable now that the Panthers have lost two in a row. The Falcons, who are tied for the division lead at 2-2, have gone 1-9 in their past ten road games. They haven't won an outdoor road game since November 2012. If that trend continues they are going to lose at least five of their remaining six games on the road, with the only road game under a roof being in New Orleans. 

4. DAA RAAYYYYDDAAASSS

Welp, the Raiders fired another coach making Tony Sparano the eighth Raiders coach since 2002 when Jon Gruden left. I make fun of the Brownies often, but the Raiders are such a mess. It's sad and I feel bad making fun of them. Hue Jackson was the right guy for the job going 8-8 in 2011 but he got fired for some reason. The Raiders are just a clueless organization at this point. Rumors are they want Jon Gruden to be their coach again. Why is God's name would Gruden want to leave the MNF booth to coach a horrible Raiders team? Why would anybody want to coach there? Dennis Allen will probably find another job in the league but that's probably the last head coaching job he will ever have. They might start 0-10 this year. Their next six games are home versus San Diego and Arizona, at the Browns and Seahawks, home to play the Broncos and then at San Diego. If they don't beat the Browns, their only other possible wins could be the Bills or Rams. Gonna be a long season in Oakland. 

5. Steelers?

"They are the definition of a Jekyll and Hyde football team. Their next two games are against Tampa Bay and Jacksonville. They should win those two games to get to 4-1, but for some reason I think they lose one of those games. In conclusion the Steelers have my mind in a pretzel."

That's what I said about the Steelers one week ago. They lost to Tampa Bay. They better not lose to Jacksonville on Sunday or I will cry. If they win though, I'm still fully expecting another 8-8 season. 

Thursday Night Pick

Packers 35, Vikings 21 --- Since 2010 the Packers are 7-1-1 against the Vikings. Teddy Bridgewater is questionable and might not play. If that's the case I don't expect Matt Cassel to do all that much. The Packers looked great last week against Da Bears. Aaron Rodgers has been great this season, other than the Lions game, throwing 9 touchdowns to only one interception in four games. I'll take the Packers to win relatively easily.