How the mighty have fallen
For those predicting winners in Week 5 of the NFL season, some may have had the same problem as this writer. It’s about getting the choices right. This season has been like a yo-yo for my predictions. Up and down one week the next week. Week 5 was very disappointing for you, picking only six of the 14 games correctly. I marked my wins and losses with each game summary.
In the Week 5 games, there were a few blowouts and then some close games as well as some unexpected upsets. Teams that have been perennial winners and Super Bowl contenders for several years have taken major steps back. The last two undefeated teams are no longer undefeated. That and only one team has yet to win a game, and it’s the hapless New York Jets. Same old Jets. Therefore, let’s move on to my quick reactions.
Week 5: knee reflexes
San Francisco 26 / Los Angeles Rams 23 in overtime: So many sportscasters were calling for a Rams blowout. I had them win by 14. The 49ers’ widespread injuries had everyone thinking they were undermanned. NOT. The Rams’ pain from the loss will continue in Baltimore next weekend, where they can vent their frustrations against the Ravens. Harv’s score: Rams 31 49ers 17.
Minnesota 21 / Cleveland 17: The Browns defense failed to hold a lead in Dillon Gabriel’s NFL debut. Not that he played very well, but he still should have had a first victory. Cleveland’s defense keeps them in games, but their offense still has a long way to go. The Vikings return home with a division in European games. Harv’s score: Vikings 41 Browns 12.
Houston 44 / Baltimore 10: I called for a Ravens win here, thinking there was no chance they would start the season 1-4. Not only was I wrong about the winner and the score by thinking that Houston would only put a 17th place finish on the scoreboard, but it was also the most shocking result of the day. NO ONE could have predicted that the Texans would score 44 against Baltimore, which has always had excellent defenses. Not this season where they get beat up almost every weekend. Harv’s score: Ravens 27 Texans 17.
Carolina 27 / Miami 24: It’s going to be a long season in Miami. At least it’s not the Jets. Not yet anyway. Still, this season is not what Dolphins fans envisioned. For Carolina, this win keeps them in the NFC South race. Harv’s score: Panthers 27, Dolphins 24.
Indianapolis 40 / Las Vegas 6: Ouch. Is Pete Carroll still having fun? Daniel Jones celebrates one year! He will surely return to earth soon. Indy is atop the NFC South while the once-proud Silver and Black are in the basement of the AFC West. Harv’s score: Colts 34 Raiders 20.
New Orleans 26 / New York Giants 14: Jaxson Dart threw the ball 40 times in this game and completed just 26. That and 202 passing yards later, the rookie also threw two interceptions and was sacked once. Add in a lost fumble and it wasn’t a good day at the office in just his second game as a starter. For New Orleans, they now know that they will not finish the season without a win. Harv’s score: Giants 17 Saints 9.
Dallas 37 / New York Jets 22: Same old Jets? This seems to be the case. At halftime, the score was 23 for Dallas and 3 for the Jets. Game over. Without New York’s 16 points in the fourth quarter, this would have been a major blowout. No Jets coach has ever started a season 0-5, so now head coach Aaron Glenn is the only one to do so. Harv’s score: Cowboys 30 Jets 14.
Denver 21 / Philadelphia 17: On a weekend in which the only two remaining undefeated teams were left out, this was one of those two games. The buzz on sports networks now revolves around the topic of what’s wrong with Philadelphia’s offense. Saquon Barkley’s rushing average from 2024 to the current season is down nearly three yards. It has practically disappeared. The AFC West is becoming a dogfight between the Broncos, Chargers and Chiefs. Harv’s score: Eagles 25 Broncos 23.
Tennessee 22 / Arizona 21: The Arizona Cardinals are blaming themselves this week for losing a game that they should not have lost. Last week we saw a player drop a ball heading for a sure touchdown before the goal line was crossed. Déjà vu because Arizona’s Emari Demercado was running on a 72-yard reception for a sure touchdown, but he carelessly held the ball precariously just as it reached the goal line. The ball went out and resulted in no score. As former head coach Herm Edwards said on national television, a player must hold the ball until it is safely in the end zone and then hand it to a referee. Demercado’s blunder cost his team the match. The Titans get their first win, which should be one of the few. Harv’s score: Cardinals 33 Titans 6.
Tampa Bay 38 / Seattle 35: The Bucs are a dangerous team and playoff timing will be tough. One has to wonder if the Cleveland Browns, Dillon Gabriel notwithstanding, now believe they made a mistake in letting Baker Mayfield leave town. It appears Sam Darnold’s season a year ago was no fluke. Harv’s score: Seahawks 38 Buccaneers 17.
Detroit 37 / Cincinnati 24: Jake Browning is obviously not the answer to the loss of Joe Burrow. The Lions continue to roll teams. Harv’s score: Lions 38 Bengals 10.
Washington 27 / Los Angeles Chargers 10: That’s two in a row for the Chargers. Things change quickly in the NFL. Considered a serious challenger within the AFC Los Angeles, it is now in decline. With Jayden Daniels calling the shots, the Commanders will always be a threat. Harv’s score: Chargers 31 Commanders 28.
New England 23 / Buffalo 20: Didn’t give New England a chance here and BAM shocked everyone with a win in Buffalo. Suddenly, big bills don’t seem so scary. Harv’s score: Bills 35 Patriots 13.
Jacksonville 31/Kansas City 28: Almost as big of an upset as the Ravens, but the Jags are real. This makes you wonder if the Tennessee Titans made a mistake by not drafting Travis Hunter instead of Cam Ward? The bosses? Is this the beginning of the end of their domination? Harv’s score: Chiefs 23 Jaguars 17.
The following teams had their bye week, and some benefited from losses to other teams in their respective divisions: Atlanta, Chicago, Green Bay and Pittsburgh. For the upcoming sixth week, the Houston Texans and Minnesota Vikings have a bye weekend. For Minnesota, they will need extra days after spending two weeks in Europe.
There are a lot of questions surrounding the upcoming fixture list and it remains to be seen if this yo-yo season continues with the predictions.
Week 6 Picks
