I have a problem when it comes to guessing who will win the standalone games. Basically, I suck at it right now.
For matches that had the stage to themselves in Week 4, I was 0-4. Fortunately, I was otherwise 10-2. And a 10-6 final result is better than Week 3’s 8-8 mark.
But every week is a blank slate. A new opportunity to transform 0-0 into something that is not embarrassing.
For the year I am 37-27 years old. Which is good, but far from great. At least it’s not horrible, and that’s mostly what I’m trying to avoid.
The top pick for Week 4 was the 49ers vs. the Broncos. Worst choice: Lions vs. Panthers. Flew too close to the sun on pastrami wings pick: Saints over Falcons.
My basic predictions for the Week 5 15s appear below, one wild guess at a time. (The Panthers and Chiefs are gone, as the bye weeks begin.)
Buccaneers at Cowboys (Thursday evening)
Could undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels be a prime-time sensation? Yes, especially if the Cowboys take the Buccaneers too lightly. Every Tampa loss has come in a one-score game. If the Bucs manage to resist the first attacks, 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’s 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 a lot of questions to 2-2 with few answers. Given the team’s injuries and turmoil, it will take all of coach Nick Sirianni’s abilities and then some to pull off a win after a flight to London. And that will force the Jaguars to consider the Eagles a first 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 main rival.
Bears 27, Packers 20.
Bengals among dolphins
Miami just isn’t good enough, on both sides of the ball. The Bengals, who have high aspirations, can’t afford to lose their third straight game, especially in a game they absolutely should win.
Bengals 26, Dolphins 14.
Raiders at Patriots
Last year, the Raiders went to Gillette Stadium and shaved the Patriots dry with a rusty razor. The Patriots, who found their swagger in Buffalo, surely remember it. If they don’t, coach Mike Vrabel will spend all week reminding them.
Patriots 27, Raiders 24.
Vikings at Saints
The Vikings’ good run through 2025 continued. The Saints’ good end to 2025 didn’t happen.
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 contains many winnable games. This week, the Steelers took three extra days to prepare, and the Colts had to return from London.
Steelers 24, Colts 20.
Texans at Titans
Not even The Weather Channel wants to televise this one. If the Texans fail to secure a victory, their remaining games are expected to be broadcast on public television.
Texans 21, Titans 16.
Giants at Commanders
The return of Jayden Daniels should give the Commanders a spark. As long as the splint he wears on his elbow works.
Commanders 27, Giants 23.
Broncos at the Chargers
Sean Payton picked the right spot to return to play calling. Still, this is a must-win game for a team that has much higher aspirations than just making the playoffs.
Broncos 27, Chargers 17.
Lions at the Cardinals
Whether Dan Campbell likes it or not, the Lions are mediocre. Fortunately for Detroit, the Cardinals are far from mediocre.
Lions 24, Cardinals 23.
49ers at Seahawks
The Seahawks can’t afford to fall two games behind the 49ers. And Seattle remembers its home loss to San Francisco last year well.
Seahawks 21, 49ers 17.
Ravens at Falcons (Sunday evening)
A Ravens team without Lamar Jackson is no match for the Falcons in prime time.
Hawks 30, Ravens 21.
Rams Bills (Monday Night)
This potential Super Bowl preview won’t happen if the Rams can’t start winning more consistently.
Rams 38, Bills 35.
Gn sports
