NFL Week 5

As the 2007 season turned the quarter pole, only the Patriots, Colts, Cowboys and Packers remain unbeaten. Clearly, Green Bay is the surprise team among that foursome, and the Packers face stumbling Chicago at home Sunday night. The Bears stand with San Diego and New Orleans as huge disappointments thus far, along with St. Louis, which was a trendy pick to make some noise before the season.

If these teams continue the downward spiral a couple more weeks, their seasons may likely unravel. As for the unbeaten squads, with the exception of Green Bay, it appears the other three may cruise toward conference championship appearances. Whether the Pack can get there remains to be seen, especially with no running game.

Speaking of disappointments, my highwater mark this season was a 7-7-2 slate in Week 1, and it's been all downhill since. I managed a Week 4 record of 6-8, with the 2007 record to date at 20-37-5. Unfortunately, I don't get any bye weeks.

As always, these picks are for recreations purposes only and should not be used as the basis for any actual cash wager, unless you pick against me and want to make a bundle.

SUNDAY

GIANTS -3.5 Jets: I'm 0-4 so far in games involving the Giants, who've played lights out defense the past six quarters, abusing Jason Campbell and nearly killing Donovan McNabb. They must be licking their chops seeing injury-prone Chad Pennington coming up, since Pennington is unable to get anything downfield and the Jets run game is limited. Jailbreak time for ferocious Giants front line, with suddenly steady Eli Manning picking on rookie corner Darelle Revis. Giants 27-10

SAINTS -3 Panthers: Impossible to tell which Carolina team shows up here. Winless Saints have had two weeks to gameplan and are desperate to win. Long season if they don't. Saints 31-14

Jaguars -2 CHIEFS: Chiefs were opportunistic defensively again discombobulated Chargers last week, but face sturdy Jacksonville, who'll play ball-control game and grind out low-scoring affair. Jaguars 17-13

REDSKINS -3.5 Lions: Never can tell which Detroit team shows up: the one who got smoked by Eagles two weeks ago or the one who scored a ridiculous 34 points in the fourth quarter against Chicago last week. Skins have had two weeks to repair psyche after fiasco against the Giants. Fun stat of the week: Detroit is winless in 20 trips to DC since the 1930's. Redskins 34-27

TITANS -8.5 Falcons: Atlanta got their win last week. All Vince Young does is cover the spread. Tennessee had Drew Brees running for his life two weeks back and will abuse Joey Harrington all day long. Titans 26-13

STEELERS -6 Seahawks: Pittsburgh smarting after losing at Arizona and although Seattle may have some motivation off Super Bowl loss two years ago, it won't be enough in Pittsburgh. Steelers 23-14

TEXANS -5 Dolphins: Inept Dolphins getting only five is surprising, even at Houston. Dolphins may want to consider getting rookie QB John Beck in there before long, as Trent Green is finished. Matt Schaub gets to pad his stats here. Texans 34-10

Browns +16.5 PATRIOTS: Seems insane picking against Patriots, who've won by at least 20 the first four weeks. But Cleveland suddenly has put it together on offense and may catch New England napping a bit, though likely not enough to win. Patriots 31-20

Cardinals -3.5 RAMS: Arizona a road favorite happens about as often as a liberal making sense, which is pretty much never. But the Rams stink and have Gus Frerotte in at QB for injured Marc Bulger. Cards have underrated defense and will rattle punchless Rams all day long. Cardinals 24-6

Bucs +9.5 COLTS: Tampa nearly as surprising as Green Bay and it's finally occurred to me Jeff Garcia is pretty damn good. Doubtful they have enough to shut down Colts, but will keep it interesting. Colts 24-16

Chargers +1 Broncos: Two major disappointments in early must-win game for both. If Norvelous Norv doesn't get the ball to LaDainian Tomlinson more than 30 times and the Chargers go down, he should be fired by Sunday night. Marty Schottenheimer must be laughing his ass off at GM A.J. Smith. Denver is lucky to have even won a game, and now Travis Henry is gone. So is Denver's season. Chargers 30-13

Ravens -3.5 49ERS: Niners have zero offense right now and although the Ravens don't have much more, 13 points should win this one. Ravens 13-6

SUNDAY NIGHT

Packers -3 Bears: Suddenly inept Bears face hostile crowd, resurgent Brett Favre and prospect of season unraveling. Won't matter if it's Grossman or Griese, as underrated Packer D plays inspired. Midwest correspondent 3 wood weighs in: "Favre will still dissect the Bears for some easy scores, then cruise to the win without breaking a sweat. I look to the Packers to win by at least 14 points, assuming they are smart enough to kick away from Hester." As always, The Olbermann Rule in in effect, so find something to watch before the game and at halftime. Packers 27-7

MONDAY NIGHT

BILLS +10 Cowboys: Bills aren't very good, but getting 10 at home under the lights is easy money. Cowboys due for a letdown, but should still win. Cowboys 27-21