NFL football is in full swing – and that means it’s time for weekly score predictions by Quaker Quill reporters Solomon and Sam.
Welcome to week 5 of the NFL season! Same deal as last week: if we disagree on a result, we’ll give two explanations. If we give two different scores but agree on the winner, we’ll only include a second explanation if the disagreeing voice feels it’s necessary.
At the end, you’ll find two top-5 power rankings. These list the best teams the league has to offer, in our opinion.
Please be sure to comment on any suggestions. And look out next week for a rundown of how our predictions from this week panned out.
Good luck to each team; and remember, “On any given Sunday.”
TEAMS ON BYE: Cleveland Browns, Los Angeles Chargers, Seattle Seahawks and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Washington Commanders vs. Chicago Bears
Washington 28, Chicago 17
SOLOMON: I love this matchup for the Commanders. Brian Robinson should have a great game against this defensive line.
SAM: Chicago’s front four is a laughingstock. I’m going with Solomon on this one.
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Buffalo Bills
Buffalo 36, Jacksonville 23
After their win against the Dolphins, the Bills may be the new best team in the league. The Jaguars will put up a good fight, but this shouldn’t be too hard for the Bills.
New Orleans Saints vs. New England Patriots
New Orleans 20, New England 10
It’s a “New” era for these two teams. A few years ago this would have been a fun matchup to watch – but these teams have both regressed, to become solid defenses with boring offenses. New Orleans’ offense is better on paper, so this should be business as usual for the Saints.
Tennessee Titans vs. Indianapolis Colts
SOLOMON: Indianapolis 20, Tennessee 14
SAM: Indy 23, Tennessee 14
The Titans are not a great team. They managed to beat the recently disgraced Cincinnati Bengals 27-3. Anthony Richardson, their rookie quarterback, has been incredibly promising this year. The Colts have been surprisingly good considering they went 4-12-1 the previous year. They should take this game.
Baltimore Ravens vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Baltimore 30, Pittsburgh 10
The Steelers SUCK. They are so bad. They have had one good game on both sides of the ball, but but every other game is just the defense or a blowout. They don’t have their quarterback Kenny Pickett either, although he isn’t much better than their backup. Kenny “Kitten Mittens” Pickett had some big expectations after a phenomenal preseason. Thus far, he’s disappointed fans fans to say the least.
Carolina Panthers vs. Detroit Lions
Detroit 35, Carolina 14
A cat-team game! The Panthers have not been great this year. The Lions have been great. The Panthers just do not have the roster to compete with the likes of Detroit’s explosive offense and their sneakily good defense. Have fun, Panthers!
Houston Texans vs. Atlanta Falcons
SOLOMON: Houston 20, Atlanta 21
The two frontrunners for Offensive Rookie of the Year face off. I think it’s time for the Texans to drop a game after their two past wins. I’m feeling a big game incoming from Bijan Robinson..
SAM: Houston 27, Atlanta 17
The Falcons are done. The Desmond Ridder experiment has run its course, and it’s time for them to move on. Houston, on the other hand, has a chance at a franchise player in C.J. Stroud. Stroud is 4th in passing yards, 3rd in yards/attempt (minimum 90 attempts), and tied for 5th in passing touchdowns. His completion percentage leaves much to be desired, but his ability to make big plays and his 3rd down efficiency keep the Texans in games – and should lead them to another win this week.
New York Giants vs. Miami Dolphins
SOLOMON: New York 21, Miami 40
The Giants have been embarrassing, and the Dolphins are in need of a big win after last week’s loss. If you really think about it, the Giants may be the worst team in the league. They have one win against one of the worst teams in the league. Every other game has been a blowout loss. They are averaging 11 points per game – and if we take out their one win, that drops to 5 points per game. I refuse to pick them to win.
SAM: New York 17, Miami 30
I’m just rolling back the whole “Mike McDaniel being an evil genius” thing. Leslie Frazier was ready for the Fins last week, and brought them back down to Earth. I’m just here to bring Miami’s score down a bit.
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Arizona Cardinals
Cincinnati 28, Arizona 14
SOLOMON: Joe Burrow needs a good game, and this is the perfect opportunity for him. The Bengals should win with ease.
SAM: I desperately want the Bengals to look anything but anemic on offense. Joe Burrow should be a top-3 quarterback. Ever since he was guaranteed $219.01M, Burrow just hasn’t been the same. All the money seems to have gone to his head.
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Los Angeles Rams
Philadelphia 28, Los Angeles 30
This just might be an upset for the Rams. The Eagles have not looked like themselves, compared to last year. This could be a deadly trap game for the Eagles.
New York Jets vs. Denver Broncos
New York 33, Denver 7
If the Giants aren’t the worst team in the league, the Broncos are. Zach Wilson showed insane improvement against the best team in the league last week. His defense should give him quite a few opportunities to score. Not to mention that the Broncos currently have the worst defense in the league. Teams that have played the Broncos are currently averaging 23.75 points per game. Against the Broncos, those same teams are averaging 37 points per game. That may be the most embarrassing stat of all time!
Kansas City Chiefs vs. Minnesota Vikings
Kansas City 40, Minnesota 24
Minnesota’s defense is terrible. The Chiefs have the best quarterback in the league and a top 10 defense to boot. Good luck, Vikings!
San Francisco 49ers vs. Dallas Cowboys
SOLOMON: San Francisco 35, Dallas 36
This should easily be game of the week, featuring two elite offenses and defenses. But since it isn’t the playoffs, the Cowboys won’t choke against the 49ers
SAM: San Francisco 35, Dallas 24
Can’t choke if you’re never winning, Dallas! No, I’m not biased. (Yes I am.) San Fran has not scored below 30 this season. By comparison, they have allowed more than 20 points only one time.
Green Bay Packers vs. Las Vegas Raiders
Green Bay 19, Las Vegas 13
SOLOMON: This game seems like it might be very boring. Green Bay is definitely the better team so they should take the win.
SAM: Gonna be a long game.
Solomon’s Power Rankings:
- Buffalo Bills (3-1)
- San Francisco 49ers (4-0)
- Miami Dolphins (3-1)
- Philadelphia Eagles (4-0)
- Kansas City Chiefs (3-1)
Sam’s Power rankings
- San Francisco 49ers (4-0)
- Buffalo Bills (3-1)
- Kansas City Chiefs (3-1)
- Philadelphia Eagles (4-0)
- Miami Dolphins (3-1)