I’ve got a problem when it comes to guessing who’ll win the standalone games. Basically, I currently suck.
For the games that had the stage to themselves in Week 4, I was 0-4. Fortunately, I was otherwise 10-2. And a final result of 10-6 is better than the Week 3 mark of 8-8.
But every week is a clean slate. A new opportunity to turn 0-0 into something that isn’t embarrassing.
For the year, I’m 37-27. Which is good, but far from great. At least it’s not horrible, which is mainly what I’m trying to avoid.
The best pick for Week 4 was the 49ers over the Broncos. Worst pick: Lions over Panthers. Flew too close to the sun on wings of pastrami pick: Saints over Falcons.
My seat-of-the-pants prognostications for all 15 of the Week 5 appear below, one wild-ass guess at a time. (The Panthers and Chiefs are off, as the bye weeks begin.)
Buccaneers at Cowboys (Thursday night)
Could undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels make a big splash in prime time? Yes, especially if the Cowboys take the Buccaneers too lightly. Every Tampa loss has come in a one-score game. If the Bucs can withstand the early onslaught, they have a chance.
I’ll lean toward the Cowboys not being caught napping, and the Bucs not being able to avoid slipping into an early hole against an offense that is still trying to live up to its self-applied nickname.
Cowboys 34, Buccaneers 13.
Eagles vs. Jaguars (London)
The Eagles went from 2-0 with plenty of questions to 2-2 with few answers. Given the injuries and the roster turmoil, it will take all of coach Nick Sirianni’s abilities and then some to engineer a win after a flight to London. And it will require the Jaguars to regard the Eagles as an early bye week.
Jaguars 27, Eagles 12.
Bears at Packers
In any divisional game, anything can happen. But the Bears, even without starting quarterback Caleb Williams, have the better team. They also have a head coach who needs to back up his big talk about Chicago’s top rival.
Bears 27, Packers 20.
Bengals at Dolphins
Miami simply isn’t good enough, on either side of the ball. The Bengals, who have big aspirations, can’t afford to lose their third in a row — especially in a game they absolutely should win.
Bengals 26, Dolphins 14.
Raiders at Patriots
Last year, the Raiders went to Gillette Stadium and gave the Patriots a dry shave with a rusty razor. The Patriots, who rediscovered their swagger at Buffalo, surely remember that. If they don’t, coach Mike Vrabel will spend the entire week reminding them of it.
Patriots 27, Raiders 24.
Vikings at Saints
The Vikings’ strong finish to 2025 has carried over. The Saints’ strong finish to 2025 has not.
Vikings 23, Saints 17.
Browns at Jets
How good are the 2026 Browns? I didn’t even think twice about this one.
Browns 17, Jets 10.
Colts at Steelers
Pittsburgh’s schedule suddenly has plenty of winnable games on it. This week, the Steelers go three extra days to get ready, and the Colts had to fly back from London.
Steelers 24, Colts 20.
Texans at Titans
Not even The Weather Channel wants to televise this one. If the Texans can’t finagle a win, their remaining games should land on public-access TV.
Texans 21, Titans 16.
Giants at Commanders
Jayden Daniels’s return should give the Commanders a spark. As long as the brace he’ll be wearing on his elbow works.
Commanders 27, Giants 23.
Broncos at Chargers
Sean Payton picked the right spot to get back into calling plays. Still, it’s a sudden must-win game for a team that has much higher aspirations than just making it to the playoffs.
Broncos 27, Chargers 17.
Lions at Cardinals
Whether Dan Campbell likes it or not, the Lions are mediocre. Fortunately for Detroit, the Cardinals are less than mediocre.
Lions 24, Cardinals 23.
49ers at Seahawks
The Seahawks can’t afford to fall two games behind the 49ers. And Seattle vividly remembers losing at home to San Francisco last year.
Seahawks 21, 49ers 17.
Ravens at Falcons (Sunday night)
A Ravens team without Lamar Jackson is no match for the prime-time Falcons.
Falcons 30, Ravens 21.
Bills at Rams (Monday night)
This potential Super Bowl preview won’t be if the Rams can’t start winning more consistently.
Rams 38, Bills 35.
