The NFL continues to hand us major surprises. I didn’t see the Bills getting blasted in primetime, I didn’t expect the Vikings to nearly blow one of their biggest leads this season, and heck, I didn’t think that the Eagles were falling apart at the seams, but here we are. We enter the first round of bye weeks in Week 5 which comes at a good time for a team like the Chargers who need it while a team like the Dolphins would pay for a bye at this point. Here are our Top 3 2024 NFL Games Week 5.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Atlanta Falcons
The NFC South could end up being very interesting this season with three teams who can all compete for that top spot. Sorry, Carolina Panthers but you didn’t make the list. Outside of a weird loss to the Denver Broncos, the Bucs have been impressive this season. Their Week 1 win against the Commanders looks better by the week and their win last week over Philly was as good as they come with their offense breaking out in a big way under Baker Mayfield. The Falcons are a bad non-pass interference call vs the Chiefs away from being tied for first but instead are 2-2. Kirk Cousins is still trying to figure out this offense which is loaded with weapons. Primetime Kirk has been better in recent weeks, but my money is on the hot offense and the team that’s beaten Atlanta in 7 of their last 10. Prediction: Bucs 26 Falcons 20
Baltimore Ravens vs Cincinnati Bengals
The AFC North is probably the toughest division in football right now. The Browns, Bengals, Steelers, and Browns could all realistically have a shot at the crown, but I think these two teams are the best. Despite the Bengals record, it looks like their offense has finally found their groove and Joe Burrow has overcome the wrist injury which seemed to bother him a few weeks ago. Baltimore is coming off their best win of the year, taking down the Buffalo Bills in spectacular fashion on Sunday Night Football. Derrick Henry is still a problem, and the change of scenery is doing wonders for the bulldozing back. The Ravens run it well, the Bengals throw it well. What’s fun is the Bengals are 26th in defending the run and Baltimore is 30th in defending the pass. Sounds like we are getting a shootout here if you ask me. Cincy is more desperate entering this game, they can’t afford another loss, especially in the division. Prediction: Ravens 30 Bengals 34
New Orleans Saints vs Kansas City Chiefs
This is a fun Monday Night showdown that pits the Saints and Derek Carr against his old enemy Patrick Mahomes. At first glance, I think the Chiefs are probably the clear winners of this game, but not so fast. No Rashee Rice and no Isiah Pacheco equals big problems for Kansas City. There are issues brewing in Kansas City and this could be our first look at them. While I haven’t been overly impressed by the Saints, I think their defense will cause issues for the Chiefs. They rank third in interceptions and third against the run. It takes just one rookie mistake from Xavier Worthy to flip this game script with a turnover or wrong route. That’s asking a lot against a team that has a proven running back in Alvin Kamara who can score and a defensive front that is top 10 in pressure. I have the Saints in the upset here. Prediction: Saints 20 Chiefs 17