2013 NFL Season: Pokorny's Week 5 NFL Picks

Rice Can't Get Going: What is perhaps the most shocking stat in the NFL right now? In three games this season, Ray Rice has 30 carries for 89 yards (3.0 average). That's it. The Dolphins will rebound from their loss to New Orleans. Dolphins 24, Ravens 17

Shootout of the Week: It is easy to overlook the fact that the Packers are 1-2 right now. Their defense has had trouble stopping teams, but they are coming off of a bye week and get Eddie Lacy back. The Lions, with a win, would be 2.5 games ahead of the Packers. Their defense won't be good enough in a shootout. Packers 34, Lions 30

Dud of the Week: This game just screams 'excitement,' doesn't it? Yeah. The Rams have been taken to task by Dallas and San Francisco the past two weeks, but even they should be able to beat the expansion-like Jaguars. At least Jacksonville gets Justin Blackmon back. Rams 17, Jaguars 13

Locker Hurt for Biggest Game: The Titans have won two straight at home, including a blowout over the Jets last week. The Chiefs are 4-0 and have dominated three of the four teams they've faced. Because the Titans have to go with Ryan Fitzpatrick, I'm settling on the Chiefs for this one. Chiefs 20, Titans 10

Something is Wrong With Me: This is a little weird for me: I believe the Saints could be one of the top two teams in the NFC, and that the Bears are a playoff contender again. Combined, these teams' records tally up to 7-1. And yet...I have found both of them a little boring to watch this year...which is weird, because they are not boring teams at all. I'm taking the Saints because they have been the more complete team. Saints 28, Bears 23

Crumbling Down in Cincinnati: It's funny that Tom Brady is struggling, Rob Gronkowski hasn't played, and yet New England is still 4-0. Andy Dalton's performance against the Browns was awful last week, and the Patriots are getting great play from Aqib Talib. Patriots 24, Bengals 16

Fighting to Determine Who is Worse: I've been calling the Jaguars bad, but man, this Giants team is just...makes-you-speechless bad. The Eagles have been really bad in their own right, which makes this a not-very-enticing matchup. The Eagles' speed on offense will beat a bad defense like this, but not other teams. Eagles 31, Giants 21

Is This Richardson's Big Moment? This is Trent Richardson's time to show what he's made of. It will be his third week with the team, and Ahmad Bradshaw might be out for the season. Will he be a difference maker against the best team in the NFC? My vote is "no," and the lack of the running game will hurt the Colts. Seahawks 23, Colts 17

Rising Into Contention: The Panthers could be one of the most talked about NFC teams before long. They lost close games to the Seahawks and Bills, but clicked on all cylinders in a 38-0 win over the Giants heading into a bye. The Cardinals are 2-2, but Carson Palmer hasn't done as well as I thought he would. Panthers 21, Cardinals 14

Peyton Manning Extravaganza of the Week: The title (to the left) seems appropriate, because it's now become a foregone conclusion that Peyton Manning will own your team, no matter how hard you try to stop him. I mean, come on, they are averaging 44.8 freaking points a game. With a Cowboys loss, the Redskins (on a bye) will be just one game out of first place. Broncos 38, Cowboys 21

Late, LATE Sunday Night Special: If you haven't heard, this game will now take place on the NFL Network this Sunday at 11:30 PM EST, after Sunday Night Football. The Chargers have been getting incredible play from Philip Rivers, and San Diego needs to keep winning to keep up with what could be two undefeated teams in front of them. Chargers 27, Raiders 14

Schaub Under Fire: What are the Texans to do? Matt Schaub has come under a lot of fire, but there really aren't any alternatives to turn to this year. The Texans are clearly inconsistent, though, and the 49ers seemed to be back on track last week. 49ers 31, Texans 17

Playoff Hangover Still Looming: The Falcons are 1-3 and have already equaled their season total in losses from a year ago. Ouch. I think they are experiencing a playoff hangover. They have a softer schedule coming up, though, so this is the time for them to get some of their mojo back. Falcons 31, Jets 13

Thursday Night Football: My full preview and prediction for the Bills vs. Browns game can be found here. Go Browns!!!