"The Stack" 10-7-16

Can Carson Wentz keep the Eagles undefeated in Detroit on Sunday? Eagles, Broncos and Vikings are all undefeated.
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Many people have evacuated along the Atlantic coast of Florida, Georgia and South Carolina as Hurricane Matthew approaches. Numerous college football games have been postponed or suspended as a result.
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It’s another Football Friday, but The Stack’s first and foremost thoughts are with everyone in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina as they feel the wrath of Hurricane Matthew.  Stay safe.  Plenty of college football games have been suspended, cancelled or delayed.  The NFL may have a couple of games that follow suit.  The Cardinals got us off to a nice 1-0 start for week 5 and we’ll hope that continues in “the stack” for today, Friday, October 7th:

 

Washington @ Baltimore Ravens 1 PM ET FOX

 

The Beltway rivalry renews in Baltimore.  Washington has won two in a row and the Ravens only know how to play close games.  This is a true toss up game.  I like Washington and their weapons, but I think Joe Flacco leads a late drive to eek another close win for the Ravens.

 

Prediction: Ravens 23 Washington 20

 

New England Patriots @ Cleveland Browns 1 PM ET CBS

 

I don’t know if you’ve heard, but Tom Brady returns this week.  Don’t know how rusty he will be, but his return is great news for Rob Gronkowski fantasy owners.  This feels like it could be a potential upset, but Brady will be too ticked to let that happen.

 

Prediction: Patriots 38 Browns 20

 

Philadelphia Eagles @ Detroit Lions 1 PM ET FOX

 

The Lions looked awful last week against an even worse Bears team.  Have to think they will play better at home this week, but it won’t be easy against the Eagles with that defense and with their rookie quarterback Carson Wentz.  The Wentz Wagon moves on and keeps the Eagles undefeated.

 

Prediction: Eagles 27 Lions 20

 

Chicago Bears @ Indianapolis Colts 1 PM ET FOX

 

The Colts chose not to have their bye this week after playing in London against the Jaguars last week.  We’ll see if that was a good decision or not.  Fortunately they are playing a bad Bears team.  Andrew Luck should have a nice day against the Bears defense.

 

Prediction: Colts 30 Bears 17

 

Tennessee Titans @ Miami Dolphins 1 PM ET CBS

 

As of the moment this blog is being written (and probably published), this game is going on as scheduled in Miami.  We’ll see if it does.  The Dolphins have had ten days to prepare for the Titans after their disastrous showing last Thursday night.  It will be close since the Titans can run with their “Smash Mouth” offense, but the Dolphins should still earn the victory in this one.

 

Prediction: Dolphins 24 Titans 20

 

Houston Texans @ Minnesota Vikings 1 PM ET CBS

 

That Vikings defense is looking really good right now.  They will make Brock Osweiler’s life miserable.  The Texans will make life difficult for the Vikings offense don’t get me wrong, but the Vikings are at this point a better team and playing at home.  They’ll get the W in this one.

 

Prediction: Vikings 24 Texans 10

 

New York Jets @ Pittsburgh Steelers 1 PM ET CBS

 

Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick will most likely play better this week, but there is no way the Jets can keep pace with Ben Roethlisberger, Le’Veon Bell, Antonio Brown and that Steelers offense.  Plus the Jets defense has given no indication that they will be able to stop them.  Steelers roll.

 

Prediction: Steelers 31 Jets 20

 

Atlanta Falcons @ Denver Broncos 4:05 PM ET FOX

 

What a game this should be.  The offense for the Falcons has been stellar so far this season and Matty Ice (Matt Ryan) is an MVP candidate for sure.  But it will be strength versus strength as the Falcons high-powered offense against the Broncos and their top ranked defense.  At home, I think Denver gets the win regardless of if it is Trevor Siemian or Paxton Lynch starting at quarterback.

 

Prediction: Broncos 23 Falcons 20

 

Cincinnati Bengals @ Dallas Cowboys 4:25 PM ET CBS

 

Dak Prescott has been very impressive leading the Cowboys to a 3-1 record so far this season.  The Bengals have had a little extra time to prepare for him though and I’m not sure that the Cowboys defense is ready to contain A.J. Green who will have another monster game. 

 

Prediction: Bengals 27 Cowboys 13

 

Buffalo Bills @ Los Angeles Rams 4:25 PM ET CBS

 

The Rams have won three in a row since their Monday night debacle in Santa Clara against the San Francisco 49ers week one.  The Bills have rebounded nicely with two straight wins.  It isn’t going to be easy and the Rams are looking really good lately, but I think Buffalo finds a way to pick up a win in this one.

 

Prediction: Bills 20 Rams 16

 

San Diego Chargers @ Oakland Raiders 4:25 PM ET CBS

 

The Chargers keep getting hit with injuries.  That doesn’t bode well for them when they are getting ready to face a Raiders offense with Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree.  Derek Carr has another big game and the Raiders win game number four.

 

Prediction: Raiders 34 Chargers 24

 

New York Giants @ Green Bay Packers 8:30 PM ET NBC

 

Don’t know if you’ve heard, but Odell Beckham Jr. has been losing his cool lately during games.  The Packers no doubt will try to exploit that.  The Giants really need a good game in this one, but the Packers are well rested after the bye and Aaron Rodgers will have a big game (If you don’t watch that’s fine since there is another presidential debate going on at the same).

 

Prediction: Packers 27 Giants 20

 

Coming up Monday: Week 5 NFL recap and reaction plus MNF preview