The New Orleans Saints remain at home to face the Minnesota Vikings, to continue their disappointing season so far. After getting completely embarrassed by Atlanta last Monday Night, the Saints hope to stop the hemorrhaging against the undefeated Vikings. Despite not being a division rival, Minnesota may be the next most hated team for many Saints fans outside of the NFC South. Following the Falcons march through the city, New Orleans simply doesn’t need the Vikings to do the same.
Once again, the
Saints will celebrate the past in the midst of lamenting the present. Drew Brees, who will be in the booth to call the game, will also be honored at halftime, the Hall of Famer’s second-consecutive game in attendance. The fans will have another opportunity to honor what came before, while wishing those times never had to pass. The Saints as an organization desperately needs to find a way to keep the fans and the region invested in the current-day franchise without leaning on days long past. That opportunity starts now, with another hated team coming into New Orleans. Win, and the chance to reinvigorate the fanbase grows larger. Lose, and the chance to lose the fanbase grows larger as well.
Let’s take a look at this and every matchup in Week 5.
Last week I went 9-7
I told you so: Panthers over Lions!
What do I know: Saints over Falcons?
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WEEK 5
Thursday, October 8th – Thursday Night Football
Buccaneers(0-4) at Cowboys(2-2)
Dallas’ roller coaster season will finally give them a break against the beleaguered Bucs. Dallas wins 35-20.
Pick: Cowboys
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Sunday, October 11th – Very Early Game
Eagles(2-2) at* Jaguars(3-1) – London, England
This tight contest will come down to a late field goal by Philly on the final play. Philadelphia wins 27-25.
Pick: Eagles
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Sunday, October 11th – Early Games
Bengals(2-2) at Dolphins(0-4)
Cincy gets themselves back on track against the lowly Dolphins in Miami. Cincinnati wins 35-17.
Pick: Bengals
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Raiders(3-1) at Patriots(2-2)
This will be a tight contest throughout, but trailing by a point, Klint Kubiak schemes a touchdown to win the game in the closing moments. Las Vegas wins 23-17.
Pick: Raiders
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Browns(3-1) at Jets(1-3)
This will be a far more entertaining game than the names attached to it would suggest. Cleveland wins 37-27.
Pick: Browns
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Colts(2-2) at Steelers(2-2)
This is a surprisingly crucial game for both teams as they look to keep pace in their respective divisions. Indianapolis wins 24-20.
Pick: Colts
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Texans(0-4) at Titans(0-4)
The Texans have not bottommed-out yet, until now, and heads might roll in Houston after this one. Tennessee wins 21-7.
Pick: Titans
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Giants(3-1) at Commanders(1-3)
Jameis Winston will lead one of the NFL’s most improved teams to another win. New York wins 29-13.
Pick: Giants
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Bears(3-1) at Packers(2-2)
At this point, Ben Johnson could suit up a 46-year-old Rex Grossman at QB and still lead Chicago to another routine victory. Chicago wins 27-16.
Pick: Bears
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Vikings(4-0) at Saints(1-3)
No defense in the NFL has given up fewer points than the Minnesota Vikings squad, led by Brian Flores. Conversely, no defense in the NFL has given up more points than the New Orleans Saints squad, led by Brandon Staley. One might see where this is a problem. It looks as though the Vikings will score quite a bit in this game, while the Saints won’t. It’s a shame honestly, considering where the Saints have fallen since their win in Baltimore in Week 2. Not just a fall in the standings, but the fall in confidence and faith of the fans. Despite it all, the Dome should be loud, even with the amount of purple that will be in attendance, but like the last two home games, there will simply be too many obstacles for Kellen Moore’s team to overcome. Minnesota wins 31-19.
Pick: Vikings
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Sunday, October 11th – Late Games
Broncos(2-2) at Chargers(0-4)
Denver rebounds from last week’s loss, with a dominant win over the sad-sack Chargers in Los Angeles. Denver wins 21-7.
Pick: Broncos
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Lions(2-2) at Cardinals(1-3)
Arizona is better than their record shows, and Detroit is worse, much worse. Arizona wins 14-10.
Pick: Cardinals
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49ers(4-0) at Seahawks(3-1)
These bitter NFC West rivals will show us all what a huge rivalry game is supposed to look like. This slugfest will go back and forth, but the Niners find a way to win on the road. San Francisco wins 20-13.
Pick: 49ers
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Sunday Night Football
Ravens(3-1) at Falcons(2-2)
No Lamar Jackson? No chance against the red-hot Falcons in Atlanta. It’s just another dominant primetime win for the birds. Atlanta wins 34-21.
Pick: Falcons
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Monday, October 12th – Monday Night Football
Bills(3-1) at Rams(2-2) – Game of the Week
This highly-anticipated Monday Night showdown should be infinitely more competitive and entertaining than last Monday Night’s debacle. Many consider this a Super Bowl preview, we’ll see about that, but even without those lofty expectations, this game will be phenomenal. It will be razor-close, but the home team finds a way to win in the end. Los Angeles wins 37-34.
Pick: Rams
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There we go, Week 5 is shaping up to be pretty interesting. Leave us your picks, comments, and insight below!
