Welcome back to the fifth installment of Hart’s Picks for the 2026 NFL regular season. A big thanks once again to Bixbys Hooman in the comments for riding along with me this year to see who picks the best. For Week 4—if my math is right this time—I was 8-8—only predicting the Rams, Bears, Packers, Ravens, Vikings, Seahawks, Chiefs, and Falcons correctly. Let’s see how well I do in Week 5. Keep in mind, there are only fifteen games with the Carolina Panthers and Kansas City Chiefs on their BYE.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Dallas Cowboys — Thursday Night Football
The
Buccaneers are 0-4 to start the season. They’ll be without Baker Mayfield again on Thursday Night Football against the Cowboys. Dallas is struggling on defense, but I’m pretty sure Dak Prescott and their offense will be able to score a lot more points than Tampa Bay with Jalon Daniels. I’m going with the home team.
Winner: Cowboys
Philadelphia Eagles at Jacksonville Jaguars — Sunday (Morning Game)
This Week 5 matchup for the morning game will be played in London. After two straight losses, the Eagles are trying to find a way to get back on track. Though they may be without Saquan Barkley and Tank Bigsby. If so, that means Will Shipley is their starting running back. I don’t think that will bode well for them. Jalen Hurts isn’t playing well and Lane Johnson just retired. Meanwhile, the Jaguars are playing good football, and I expect them to take care of business at home.
Winner: Jaguars
Indianapolis Colts at Pittsburgh Steelers — Sunday (Early Game)
The Colts and Steelers are both 2-2 to start the season. Pittsburgh has struggled to put points on the board and Indianapolis has a few issues on defense. I don’t think any team has a clear advantage in this matchup. My gut is telling me to go with the Steelers here—so I’ll do that and take the home team.
Winner: Steelers
Cleveland Browns at New York Jets — Sunday (Early Game)
Can you believe it? The Browns have reeled off three victories in a row. On the flip side, the Jets have lost three in a row after starting off the season with a victory. Cleveland does have some injuries on their offensive line that give me some concerns. Nevertheless, Deshaun Watson is playing decent, and rookie wide receiver Denzel Boston seems to make a big play every week. I’ll take the Browns here.
Winner: Browns
Cincinnati Bengals at Miami Dolphins — Sunday (Early Game)
The Dolphins aren’t doing much on offense and their defense is one of the worst in the NFL. I don’t think Joe Burrow and his playmakers will have a problem scoring points against Miami. Easily one of the easiest picks for me in the Week 5 slate of games.
Winner: Bengals
Minnesota Vikings at New Orleans Saints — Sunday (Early Game)
Surprise! The Vikings are 4-0 to start the season. Their offense has been hit or miss, but Brian Flores may be coaching the best defense in the NFL thus far. Given that, I think they will find a way to make it five in a row on the road against New Orleans.
Winner: Vikings
New York Giants at Washington Commanders — Sunday (Early Game)
Somehow, even with all their injuries, the Giants are the top team in the NFC East. A lot of folks seem to be picking the Commanders in this one, but that defense is terrible and has allowed at least thirty points or more the past three contests. It’s hard to pick them with that in mind. I’ll be taking the G-Men.
Winner: Giants
Las Vegas Raiders at New England Patriots — Sunday (Early Game)
After three quarters, it sure looked like the Raiders had the Kansas City Chiefs beat. However, Patrick Mahomes and Kenneth Walker II were able to work some fourth quarter magic and score 20 points to remain unbeaten. Meanwhile, the Patriots were able to edge the Buffalo Bills in a thriller. I didn’t expect that. Drake Maye performed quite a bit better against the Bills but needs to stop turning the ball over. All things considered, I’ll take New England at home.
Winner: Patriots
Houston Texans at Tennessee Titans — Sunday (Early Game)
Oof. These two AFC South teams are winless to start the season. I honestly can’t believe Houston’s four-game skid to start the year. I thought they’d be doing much better than that. But somebody has got to win this one, right? Who will that be? I’m betting on the Texans.
Winner: Texans
Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers — Sunday (Early Game)
This is a classic NFC North matchup. Virtually nothing has gone right for Green Bay this year. They have some major issues on both sides of the ball. The Bears will be starting Tyson Bagent at quarterback who performed decently against the Jets last week. I’ve been impressed with Kyle Monangai. He has really stood out to me the past few weeks for the Bears. I’ll be taking Chicago on the road because they have a much better defense and can run the ball well.
Winners: Bears
Denver Broncos at Los Angeles Chargers — Sunday (Afternoon Game)
The Broncos are coming off a tough loss to the San Francisco 49ers while the Chargers keep spiraling downward and are winless to begin their 2026 season. Both teams are struggling mightily on offense, but I have confidence in Denver’s ability to bounce back and earn their third win of the season.
Winner: Broncos
Detroit Lions at Arizona Cardinals — Sunday (Afternoon Game)
The Lions defense is an absolute mess right now. You can say the same for the Cardinals who also have allowed over 110 points through four games. That being said, I feel confident in Detroit’s ability to outscore Arizona on the road and earn their third win of the season.
Winner: Lions
San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks — Sunday (Afternoon Game)
This NFC West affair will determine who has the early lead in the division after Week 5. Both are really good teams that are scoring well and have solid defenses. The Seahawks may have the homefield advantage, but I’m a big fan of how Brock Purdy has been playing to start the season. I’ll roll the dice here and take the 49ers as road victors.
Winner: 49ers
Baltimore Ravens at Atlanta Falcons — Sunday Night Football
The Falcons have earned back-to-back victories after starting out the season 0-2. Their recipe for success? Running the ball well and being the best run stopping defense in the NFL. The Ravens’ defense doesn’t look too great, but they can run the ball with authority with future Hall of Famer Derrick Henry.
Winner: Ravens
Buffalo Bills at Los Angeles Rams — Monday Night Football
This game might be my favorite of the week. The Bills are coming off a loss to the Patriots, and the Rams were able to edge out the Eagles. Both teams have a few key injuries, but I like the Rams as the home favorites in this one. The Bills defense has struggled to keep their opponents at bay, but with Davante Adams and Puka Nucua will be back in the fold for the Rams’ offense.
Winner: Rams
