Manu’s Week 5 NFL picks

Its the Brady versus Manning bowl!  

It’s back to business as we look at Week 5 in the National Football League.

The story lines are intriguing, Brady versus Manning, Sean Payton is allowed to attend a Saints game, Drew Brees poised to set another record and the Texans and Falcons look to remain unbeaten.

On to the weekly picks using odds from ProLine.

Home team in CAPS.

VIKINGS (-6) over Titans

Are the Minnesota Vikings for real? Christian Ponder is the only quarterback in the NFL yet to throw an interception, not bad for a second year player. The Vikings have already matched their 2011 win total and head into Week 5 as favorites after covering two consecutive weeks as the underdog.

Titans have been brutal defensively, allowing 37.8 points per game. Tennessee will also be without their starting quarterback as Matt Hasselbeck will take over the reigns. Chris Johnson finally had a good week, rushing for 141 yards in last week’s loss, but the Vikings defence has been turning heads all season.

COLTS (+8.5) over Packers

Indianapolis will be well rested coming off a bye week and could be catching the Packers at a vulnerable state.

Green Bay thought they had put their officiating woes behind them, but even the real referees didn’t cut them any slack last week.

They narrowly beat the Saints in a good old-fashioned shootout, but something isn’t right with this squad. Aaron Rodgers will be without his favorite target for another week, as Greg Jennings will sit out nursing a hamstring injury.

Pass rusher Dwight Freeney practiced this week, which is good news for the Colts. Andrew Luck has completed 53.3 per cent of his passes and thrown five touchdowns so far. Look for Luck to put up some points as the Colts keep it close this weekend.

PATRIOTS (-6.5) over Broncos

This week’s marquee matchup takes place at Foxboro. Manning versus Brady.

Upon closer review, despite the hype, the Patriots should walk away with an easy victory. It is easy to get mesmerized by this sexy quarterback match up, but lets remember that Tom Brady absolutely torched this team en route to the Super Bowl last season.

The Broncos will have to put up at least 30 points to keep pace with this Patriots team who scored 45 points in the second half last week against the Bills. 45-second half points, wow.

NINERS (-10.5) over Bills

Yes, I have taken the 49ers every single week, and they have done just fine (3-1) against the spread.

Coming off a shutout against the Jets, the 49ers got the wake up call after their stunning loss to the Vikings. The lowly Bills were brought back down to earth last week at the hands of a familiar foe (see above).

I simply don’t see how Ryan “I cannot throw a deep ball” Fitzpatrick will move the chains against this hungry pack of wolves disguised as the San Francisco defence. Alex Smith scares me, but I expect some defensive points from the 49ers.

J-E-T-S (+9.5) over Texans

Can you feel it? This is the week my friends. TEBOW TIME!

Mark Sanchez has been awful; the Jets have lost their best receiver (Holmes), their best defensive player (Revis) and were shut out last week.

The only intriguing story line left in New York is when Tebow gets to start. The Texans have one of the best defensives in the league and Arian Foster is running wild.

Look for Sanchez to get pulled in the second half, and then just sit back and watch Jesus, I mean Tim Tebow lead the comeback. It’s Thanksgiving in Canada, no way you can bet against Tebow.

Last week (3-2)

This season (9-9-1)

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About this article

By: Manu Mand
Posted: Oct 5 2012 9:23 pm
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Filed under: Football Sports
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