2006 NFL Week 5 Picks

Last week we went a combined 35-21, a win percentage of .625. For the first time all season, we did not beat the ESPN experts who got a combined .641. The top scorer for the fourth straight week was Vegas Vinny with 10 correct.

We’re also going to let the weekly winner of the Sportscolumn pickem contest pick the games as well. Week 3’s winner was PMD with 12 correct and his picks for this week are included below.

There is no podcast this week but we’ll return next week.

Week 5 Picks

**The weekly winner from the Sportscolumn Weekly Pickem Contest will be featured as the fifth prognosticator.

Locks of the Week Sponsored by:

[Editor’s Note: This year, we’re making the Locks of the Week a little more interesting as we have a side bet amongst the four experts. The person with the most money at the end of the year in Locks betting takes home all the money. Disclaimer: The amounts discussed are for illustrative and entertainment purposes only. Gambling may be illegal in your locale.]

Vegas Vinny: $55 to win $50 on Minnesota (-6.5) over Detroit. (Balance = $885)

BostonMac: As much as I want to say to put the money on your New England Patriots to keep rolling, go for the jugular, and basically lock up the AFC East title over the disappointing Dolphins, I don’t like the 10 point spread with the Dolphins playing with a complete desperation factor. I don’t see any way the Eagles lose this game. After having their season ripped into shreds by TO’s antics last season, the Eagles and their fans won’t let #81 and the ‘Boys off the hook. The “O.D.” chants were rocking last weekend, and we can only imagine what the Philly Phaithful will have in store this Sunday. How much does McNabb want to shove it down TO’s throat? How much does Andy Reid? This game is going to be a blowout. I’ll lay a couple of points and root for the Green and White. After last week’s Seattle debacle, I’ll wager $55 to win $50 on the Eagles (-2.5) at home.
(Balance = $935)

Trevor F: First off, if Frank Thomas ran for president….I would vote for him.
Secondly, God Bless Frank Thomas. Thirdly, Trevor Freeman is wasted. Really drunk. Like falling down and having problems typing drunk. I’d like to thank the academy for letting me leave work early to watch
the A’s game. I’d like to thank Marco Scutaro and Barry Zito. God bless them to0. Now that I have rambled. I’m taking the New York Football Giants and I’m giving the 4 points. They ruined the Redskins
last year at the Meadowlands and are coming off a tumultous bye week. I think they take the Skins behind the woodshed. $55 on the Giants (-4) to win $50. (Balance = $990)

RJ Warner: I’m taking Denver (-3.5) over Baltimore on Monday night. I know the Ravens made me look bad last week by beating the Chargers, but that was at home, where they don’t lose very much. At Invesco, it’s going to be an entirely different story. The Broncos just don’t lose much at home, and especially on a Monday night, where their record is 8-2 under Mike Shanahan. Plus, the Broncos have been running the ball better, and Jake Plummer had a decent outing last week, which will hopefully quiet the Start Jay Cutler Now cult that was gaining momentum. But it’s all about the defense with the Broncos, and I look for them to be ready for the Ravens at home. I like them having a week off to get ready for this game, while the Ravens are coming off two emotional wins. Baltimore looked pretty beatable in the first half (hell, for most of the game) against the Chargers, where Phillip Rivers was picking them apart early. Only Marty Schottenheimer’s ridiculously conservative play calling lost that game for San Diego. Don’t look for Shanahan to do the same thing. He doesn’t like to take his foot off the gas when he gets a lead. I’m going to go ahead and call Baltimore the worst 4-0 team in history, whatever that means. They’re a 2-2 team at heart. They’ll come back down to Earth on Monday in Denver. Let Down City for Baltimore, and I put 55 bucks to win the $50.
(Balance = $935)