Joe's Week 5 Locks

I'm scared to think what unexpected play/outcome will happen in Cleveland today. As a 10.5 point underdog in Tom Brady's debut, will this be a 45-13 disaster or will the young Browns continue showing fight and heart as they have all season? 

I have been very impressed with Hue Jackson this season but when you look at the recent history of Browns coaches, it's really not hard to stand out. What I've seen through 4 weeks is finally a coach making adjustments and putting players in positions where they will actually succeed. By simply not running the ball up the middle on 1st down of every possession, Hue's become my favorite Browns coach since Marty Schottenheimer.

This is a different test for Hue than any game so far. It's Belichick. It's Brady. It's Gronk. It's the Patriots. I'm scared and optimistic at the same time and I can't wait to see how the players execute the game plan.

Week 5 Picks

Chicago @ (-4.5) Indianapolis. My Pick, Indianapolis 31-30. Two terrible teams and two terrible defenses. This is my respect for Brian Hoyer and my lack of respect for what has happened to the Colts roster.
San Diego @ (-3.5) Oakland. My Pick, Oakland 30-27. If not for blown 4th quarter leads, the Chargers would be 3-1 if not 4-0. Sure, everyone on their team seemingly has a torn ACL but Rivers somehow keeps churning out the points and Melvin Gordon finally figured out where the end zone is. If Oakland wants to take that next step in their franchise, this is a game they figure out how to win.
New York Giants @ (-7.5) Green Bay. My Pick, Green Bay 27-20. Green Bay comes into this Sunday night match up off of a bye week while the Giants played a tough game Monday night in Minnesota, so I expect the Packers to jump out early but Eli with help from childish Beckham will cover the spread in the 4th quarters.
Tampa Bay @ (-6.5) Carolina. My Pick, Tampa Bay 20-17. Derek Anderson is starting for the Panthers.
New England @ (+10.5) Cleveland. My Pick, New England 31-24. Brady will have a hot stretch that will be the difference in the game, but the Browns  #1 rated running game will keep them under the spread. Again, there will be a play in this game that will cause shock and awe and somehow screw the Browns.