NFL picks and predictions, Week 5: Giants cruise, Jets get crushed

The NFL regular season has reached the 1/4 pole and we're no closer to learning what two teams will play in Super Bowl 47 than we did four weeks ago. Entering Week 5, there are three undefeated teams -- the Houston Texans, Arizona Cardinals and Atlanta Falcons -- and seven that have 3-1 records (and that doesn't include the New England Patriots, Denver Broncos and Green Bay Packers).

That means, 13 teams could be considered "favorites" to make the playoffs and have a shot of making it all the way to the big game.

The case is sorta the same for me and my weekly NFL picks and predictions. Currently, I am 28-32-3 picking against the opening spread, and I am coming off rebound week that featured me going 9-6-0. Right now, my record could go way up or way down.

I'd like to think I am getting a good feel for who's really good and really bad, so without delay here's my NFL picks for Week 5.

(All opening line point spreads provided by Oddshark.com.)

Arizona Cardinals (4-0) at St. Louis Rams (2-2), Thurs. at 8:20 p.m. on NFL Network

Point spread: Cardinals 2 1/2-point favorites.
Pick: Cardinals 16, Rams 13
Prediction: Defense will be showcased in this NFC West showdown, but the slightly better offense will be the difference in this one.

Miami Dolphins (1-3) at Cincinnati Bengals (3-1), 1 p.m. ET on CBS

Point spread: Bengals 4-point favorites.
Pick: Dolphins 21, Bengals 20
Prediction: Miami has shown that it can hang with the big boys. They may not win this one, but you'd be smart to take the points.

Green Bay Packers (2-2) at Indianapolis Colts (1-2), 1 p.m. on FOX

Point spread: Packers 7 1/2-point favorites.
Pick: Packers 34, Colts 10
Prediction: This will be a real tough one for the Colts as they're not only trying to prepare for one of the league's best teams but doing some without its head coach. Thoughts are with coach Chuck Pagano.

Baltimore Ravens (3-1) at Kansas City Chiefs (1-3), 1 p.m. on CBS

Point spread: Ravens 7-point favorites.
Pick: Ravens 27, Chiefs 17
Prediction: Kansas City has mostly looked really bad. And because I am picking against them, it means they will do well.

Cleveland Browns (0-4) at New York Giants (2-2), 1 p.m. on CBS

Point spread: Giants 13-point favorites.
Pick: Giants 28, Browns 13
Prediction: New York is all sorts of banged up which would be a factor if they weren't playing Cleveland.

Philadelphia Eagles (3-1) at Pittsburgh Steelers (1-2), 1 p.m. on FOX

Point spread: Steelers 2 1/2-point favorites.
Pick: Steelers 27, Eagles 24
Prediction: Pittsburgh is looking for a bounce-back win and will get one with James Harrison, Tory Polamalu and Rashard Mendenhall all coming back.

Atlanta Falcons (4-0) at Washington Redskins (2-2), 1 p.m. on FOX

Point spread: Falcons 3-point favorites.
Pick: Falcons 30, Redskins 21.
Prediction: I love Robert Griffin III but the Falcons are just too good. I believe they will score at least 30 points and cover the spread.

Seattle Seahawks (2-2) at Carolina Panthers (1-3), 4:05 p.m. on FOX

Point spread: Panthers 2-point favorites.
Pick: Panthers 23, Seahawks 16
Prediction: Cam Newton will finally have that staple game and lead his team to victory.

Chicago Bears (3-1) at Jacksonville Jaguars (1-3), 4:05 p.m. on FOX

Point spread: Bears 3-point favorites.
Pick: Bears 31, Jaguars 14
Prediction: Seriously? The Bears were just 3-point favorites to open? Wow.

Tennessee Titans (1-3) at Minnesota Vikings (3-1), 4:25 p.m. on CBS

Point spread: Vikings 5 1/2-point favorites.
Pick: Titans 20, Vikings 19
Prediction: If I were forced to pick an upset this week, this would be the game. So, why not?

Denver Broncos (2-2) at New England Patriots (2-2), 4:25 p.m. on CBS

Point spread: Patriots 7 1/2-point favorites.
Pick: Broncos 27, Patriots 24
Prediction: If there's one player that can slow down New England's offense and tear apart its not-that-good defense, its Peyton Manning.

Buffalo Bills (2-2) at San Francisco 49ers (3-1), 4:25 p.m. on CBS

Point spread: 49ers 8-point favorites.
Pick: 49ers 30, Bills 10
Prediction: Buffalo is going to be down two starting offensive linemen and Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller probably still wont be 100-percent. Spells disaster if you ask me.

San Diego Chargers (3-1) at New Orleans Saints (0-4), 8:20 p.m. on NBC

Point spread: Saints 3 1/2-point favorites.
Pick: Chargers 24, Saints 17
Prediction: Sorry, Saints fans your first win will not coming on Sunday night.

Houston Texans (4-0) at New York Jets (2-2), 8:30 p.m. on ESPN

Point spread: Texans 4 1/2-point favorites.
Pick: Texans 34, Jets 7
Prediction: Another game that was way too close at the opening. This is like taking candy from a baby.

Last week's record: 9-6-0. Season record: 28-32-3.