NFL Picks: Week 5

Photo courtesy of the NY Post

Week 4 was a great week. I started off with a Thursday night push, then got up early to watch the Jets beat the Dolphins in London, and swept all of my picks for the early games. I then proceeded to get every 4 PM game wrong, but I extended my winning record for the season, which is all that matters in the end.

I don't feel terribly about my picks for today, but based on how well I'm doing this year, I think I'll be okay. Plus, I already have a win in the bag:

My pick for tonight: Colts (+5) over J.J. WATT

— William Botchway (@WilliamBotchway) October 9, 2015

UPSET ALERT next to games in which I think the underdog will win outright, not just cover. Home team in CAPS.



Bears (+9) over CHIEFS. Not giving nine points with the Chiefs until they show me more.

BENGALS (-3) over Seahawks. Both of these teams are great, so I have to pick the Bengals because they're at home, and the line is three points. Anything higher, I would have picked Seattle to at least cover. This should be a great game. Possible Super Bowl preview?!?!?

FALCONS (-7) over Washington Professional Football Team. I don't think Washington is even that bad, but the Falcons offense is running on all cylinders right now, and I don't see how Washington is going to stop them.

Jaguars (+3) over BUCCANEERS. I think the Jags are the better team, UPSET ALERT. 

P.S. The current state of football in Florida is incredibly depressing.

Saints (+6) over EAGLES. This is going to be a terrible display of football from both sides, so I must take the points and run. I have no idea what is going to happen, but it will be ugly.

Browns (+6) over RAVENS. The Ravens without any receivers are somehow laying six points to a not-totally-incompetent Browns team. I don't get it, but I'll accept it.

PACKERS (-9) over Rams. The Rams are almost certainly going to cover, but I will not pick against Aaron Rodgers at home with a line lower than ten points for the forseeable future.

Bills (-1) over TITANS. I'm taking the Bills only because this game is essentially a pick'em. There's a very big chance that the Titans win, especially at home, but I believe in Buffalo just a little bit more.

Cardinals (-3) over LIONS. Good team by a field goal over a bad team, even on the road.

Patriots (-8.5) over COWBOYS. This line can't be high enough. Seeing what they did to the Jags in Week 3, it looks like the Pats are going to do that thing again where they absolutely demoralize bad teams. Predction: Patriots 189, Cowboys 7.

Broncos (-4) over RAIDERS. I'm somewhat freaked out by the Raiders here, but the Broncos defense has been great, and whatever's left of Peyton Manning will do enough to stave off the upset.

GIANTS (-6.5) over 49ers. I have to take the Giants, but I know that they're going to lose. It smells like their yearly "wtf" game where they senselessly lose to a team they have no business losing to.

CHARGERS (-4) over Steelers. Michael Vick is starting for the Steelers. 'Nuff said, lay the points.

Last Week: 9-4-1

This Week: 1-0

Season: 35-25-2