As we enter Week 5, the 2023-24 NFL regular eason is about a quarter-way done. Bye weeks also start in Week 5, with four teams on the early bye.

Big matchups in Week 5 include two NFC clashes with long-term standings implications: the 2-2 Los Angeles Rams will get a crack at the 4-0 Philadelphia Eagles at home, and the 3-1 Dallas Cowboys will face off against the 4-0 San Francisco 49ers on Sunday Night Football.

Elsewhere, unlikely teams can earn their third win of the season in just five weeks, perhaps exceeding expectations: including the Green Bay Packers, Washington Commanders, Houston Texans, Atlanta Falcons, and Indianapolis Colts.

How will the Week 5 play out? Read on for my 2023-24 NFL Week 5 Picks, and if you’d like to debate or discuss any predictions, join the conversation with @SakSports on Twitter.

Picks Record

Week 4 Picks:

Week 1: 9-7

Week 2: 12-4

Week 3: 8-8

Week 4: 12-4

Overall: 41-23 (64%)

Thursday Night Football

(Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)

Chicago Bears (0-4) at Washington Commanders (2-2): After failing to capitalize on a 21-point lead and a near-perfect first half from Justin Fields against the Broncos, the Chicago Bears will fail to find many wins this season. After forcing the Eagles to overtime last week, the Washington Commanders should win their third game of the season on Thursday Night. Commanders win 33-17

Sunday Games

Game in London Jacksonville Jaguars (2-2) vs. Buffalo Bills (3-1): Despite having the advantage of playing in London last week as well, the 2023 Jacksonville Jaguars aren’t playing at a level that will allow them to compete with a juggernaut of a Buffalo Bills team. Bills win 34-23

Houston Texans (2-2) at Atlanta Falcons (2-2): Both teams have exceeded expectations with 2-2 starts, but C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans are getting better by the week, while the Atlanta Falcons have already began to regress. Texans win 30-18

Carolina Panthers (0-4) at Detroit Lions (3-1): The Carolina Panthers haven’t won a game yet, and the 3-1 Detroit Lions are obviously on a mission this season. Lions win 34-9

Tennessee Titans (2-2) at Indianapolis Colts (2-2): This one is a toss-up for sure, with the Tennessee Titans experiencing drastic up-and-down play through four weeks. The Indianapolis Colts aren’t exactly a model of consistency, but haven’t experienced the same lows as Tennessee, and they’ve held their own against superior teams. Colts win 30-23

New York Giants (1-3) at Miami Dolphins (3-1): The Miami Dolphins dropped the ball against the Bills in Week 4, but expect a performance more akin to Miami’s 70-20 Week 3 beat down of the Broncos. The New York Giants have played exactly one good half of football (second half, win over Arizona) through four weeks. Dolphins win 42-20

New Orleans Saints (2-2) at New England Patriots (1-3): The New Orleans Saints are battling some injuries, but may be able to catch a break against a New England Patriots team that doesn’t do anything exceptionally well and is struggling to find its identity. Saints win 24-23

Baltimore Ravens (3-1) at Pittsburgh Steelers (2-2): The Baltimore Ravens are dealing with injuries as well, but for the second straight week, meet a divisional opponent either down a starting quarterback, or at least facing one not at 100%, pending if Kenny Pickett suits up for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Either way, after last week’s loss to the Texans, there’s no chance I’m picking Pittsburgh here. Ravens win 30-17

The Los Angeles Rams (2-2) could complicate the long-term NFC Playoff Picture heavily with a win over the Philadelphia Eagles (4-0.) (NFL.com)

Sak Sports Blog Game of the Week Philadelphia Eagles (4-0) at Los Angeles Rams (2-2): The 2023 Los Angeles Rams are much better than the 2022 version of the team, but not in the same league as the 2021 Super Bowl-winning team. That narrative could start to shift, however, if Matthew Stafford can upset Jalen Hurts and the undefeated Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles have been playing down to their competition even at 4-0, and the Rams just might be the first team to knock them off. Rams win 27-24

Cincinnati Bengals (1-3) at Arizona Cardinals (1-3): Coming in to this season, this game would have been a lock for the Cincinnati Bengals in my eyes. But I don’t know what to think of the Bengals anymore, and I don’t even think playing an easier opponent will be the difference maker the Bengals need. They could win here, but after losing 27-3 to the Titans last week, how could I confidently pick Cincinnati? Cardinals win 28-21

New York Jets (1-3) at Denver Broncos (1-3): This has weird, low-scoring game written all over it, assuming the Denver Broncos defense can tighten up just a bit against Zach Wilson. It could be a fun one, like last week’s Wilson-Mahomes duel, as Russell Wilson has been playing well. Above all, something odd will happen. Jets win 22-18

Kansas City Chiefs (3-1) at Minnesota Vikings (1-3): As shown last week, great defenses can make Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs sweat so far this season. But the 1-3 Minnesota Vikings, who can certainly turn up the dial on offense, won’t be able to contain Mahomes, nor Taylor Swift if she chooses to attend this game. Chiefs win 43-24

Sunday Night Football

Dallas Cowboys (3-1) at San Francisco 49ers (4-0): This is a huge Sunday Night Football game, between two of the best teams in the NFC so far this season, separated by just one win, and both making the Top 10 in my Power Rankings. Yet, the teams couldn’t feel further apart to me: the San Francisco 49ers have owned the Dallas Cowboys in recent matchups, and have the defensive tools necessary to shut down Dak Prescott’s offense. 49ers win 27-17

Monday Night Football

Green Bay Packers (2-2) at Las Vegas Raiders (1-3): This doesn’t jump off the page as a prime time matchup, but serves as an important game for both teams. Falling to 1-4 would pretty much doom the Las Vegas Raiders to another season of mediocrity, while the Green Bay Packers need to avoid a 2-3 start in order to keep up with the Detroit Lions in the NFC North. It should be Jordan Love and the Packers coming out on top in my eyes, but anything is possible in this one. Packers win 27-20

Teams on Bye

Cleveland Browns (2-2), Los Angeles Chargers (2-2), Seattle Seahawks (3-1), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-1)

SEE ALSO: Post-Week 4 Power Rankings

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