Cohen's Week 5 NFL Picks

It is now week five in the 2008 NFL season; this is a huge week for all teams that are in action, especially those that are either 2-2 or 1-3 on the season. A win for these teams means they can get their season back on track. A loss and things may spiral out of control.

TITANS (4-0) @ RAVENS (2-1): This is an interesting game for many reasons as two of the league's top defenses match up for what should be the most physical battle of the early part of the season. Joe Flacco and the Ravens were very impressive last week in the Steel City, but they failed to hold onto a 13-3 in the fourth quarter, losing in OT. The Titans have climbed to a 4-0 start based soley on their number one ranked defense, and the fact that Kerry Collins hasn't made the big mistake; however, I got a feeling that Collins will make the mistakes, eventually. RAVENS 13, TITANS 12.

COLTS (1-2) @ TEXANS (0-3): This is a huge game for Indy, a loss to despondant Houston and the Colts can kiss 2008 goodbye. Peyton and Co. have looked underwhelming all season and are lucky that they are not 0-3 right now. The Colts are not completely healthy with Bob Sanders out, but center Jeff Saturday is back and rested after a bye week. This also marks Houston's first home game of the year. Their original home opener was cancelled because of the hurricane. COLTS 31, TEXANS 16.

SEAHAWKS (1-2) @ GIANTS (3-0): The Giants are coming off a bye week and that usually means trouble for the G-Men, who have historically struggled after bye weeks since they were implemented in 1993. Last year, the G-Men came out of a bye and Eli Manning threw four picks in a improbable loss to Minnesota.

The Seahawks are coming in desperate; they know that the 49ers and Cardinals are not good enough to win the NFC West but the Hawks need to start getting it together if they are to catch these teams. Moreover, the Hawks still are recovering from injuries to their receiving corps: Bobby Engram is out with a shoulder injury, and Deon Branch and Korwin Robinson are listed as questionable. If Branch and Robinson come back - look out. Thus, Seahawk Desperation + Giants Bye Week history = SEAHAWKS 23, GIANTS 20.

REDSKINS (3-1) @ EAGLES (2-2): Talk about a swing game. This is it right here! The Redskins are 3-1 on the year and 1-1 in the division and would like nothing better than to be 2-1 in divisional play. The Eagles, on the other hand, can ill afford a loss that would drop them under .500 and 0-2 in the division. The key is Brian Westbrook and the Eagle defense. If Westbrook plays, then the Eagles will have an excellent chance. In addition, the Eagles defense looked mediocre against a lousy Bear offense; they must step it up big time to stop one of the league's prolific passing attacks. Somehow, I got a feeling the birds will figure this one out. They are home and in need of a win. EAGLES 24, REDSKINS 22.

PATRIOTS (2-1) @ 49ERS (2-2): When the season started many thought that the Pats would walk into San Fran. after a bye and crush the 49ers. Well, with Tom Brady lost for the year, and the Patriots looking really vanilla recently, I find it hard to believe that this will be a cake walk. The 49ers are not as bad as many think.

J.T. O'Sulliven is turning into a nice story this year with 962 yards passing. He, like Kurt Warner and Jake Delhomme, is a product of the now defunct NFL Europe league, so his quick development should not be suprising. Also, the 49ers have the most unpublisized running back in football: Frank Gore. Gore is rushing for 369 yards and three TD's, easily one of the top five in the league.

In the past, many would expect that giving Bill Belichick an extra week to prepare would pay dividends for New England, but this is not their year. 49ERS 27, PATRIOTS 19.

BILLS (4-0) @ CARDINALS (2-2): The Bills are still rolling over everyone. Last week, they didn't fall for a trap in St. Louis and destroyed the Rams. But this week, the Bills have to fly across country, and that might be too much to ask for for a young team like this one. Yes, the Bills have all the talent to be competitive and all the push for a playoff spot, but let's make it clear, the Bills are a 10-6, 11-5 team at best; nor 13 or 14-2. Okay?

The Cardinals are going to be without the services of Anquan Bolden who took a nasty hit at the end of last week's shootout with the Jets, but the Cards still have weapons. Larry Fitzgerald, and Jerome Urban should provide enough opportunities for Kurt Warner to distribute the ball and score some points.

The key for the Cardinals will be keeping Warner upright. Last week, Warner was sacked four times and he turned it over five times. The Bills have a very good pass rush with Aaron Shobel and Marcus Stroud manning the line. Therefore, the line of scrimmage between the Cards offensive line and the Bills defensive line will determine the winner here. CARDINALS 32, BILLS 24.

STEELERS (3-1) @ JAGUARS (2-2): The Steelers look awful. For a 3-1 team, I have never seen a offensive line get punished as much as the Steelers. Think they miss Alan Faneca, free agent to the Jets yet? Ben Rothelisburger has been hit so many times, he must be ready to retire. And it won't get much better against the Jaguars vicious defense.

The Jags pulled out two late, heart-stopping victories against Indianapolis and Houston the plast two weeks and are in need of a laugher. The Steelers will oblige. JAGUARS 24, STEELERS 14.