Week 5 Predictions for the 2025-2026 NFL Season

Week 4 Knee-Jerks

We have reached the end of the first quarter of the 2025 NFL season, and it’s been a wild ride thus far. Coming off a strong week four where I nailed 12 of 16 games, we begin with my quick reactions to the previous results and include a first quarter grade for each team.

Seattle 23 / Arizona 20: A game for first place that now belongs not just to the Seahawks but also the 3-1 49ers and 3-1 Rams. The Cardinals held their own in this one and is still in good shape at 2-2. Grades: Seattle (A) and looking good thus far with Sam Darnold picking up where he left off in 2024. Arizona (B-). The Cards were expected to be competitive, and it is much too early to predict how the remainder of their schedule will play out.

Pittsburgh 24 / Minnesota 21: The Steelers played their best overall game to date and now are in the driver’s seat in the AFC North. The Vikings gave Pittsburgh a scare but it’s only because they are a very good team. Grades: Pittsburgh (B-). Had the Steelers played better in their previous three games the grade would have been higher. But their arrow is pointing up. Minnesota (A-). The Vikes will be a threat to win the division but must contend with the Detroit Lions who look like a force to be reckoned with.

Atlanta 34 / Washington 27: With Jayden Daniels missing playing time due to an injury, the Commanders are a different team. With Daniels they probably defeat the Falcons. Without him, they lost. Atlanta is an improved team since the 2024 season and Michael Penix Jr. is getting more comfortable in the NFL. Grades: Atlanta (B+). Washington (C+). The Commanders grade will drop if they don’t get Daniels back and find ways to win without him.

Buffalo 31 / New Orleans 19: The Bills keep on rolling but do so against a team that has yet to earn a victory this season. Grades: Buffalo (A+). How could it be anything less with no losses? New Orleans (F). A complete opposite. Without a win they haven’t earned a better grade.

Detroit 34 / Cleveland 10: The Browns may have had their best game of the season defeating Green Bay. Now they are back to the norm. Detroit is beginning to roll. Grades: Detroit (A). This will upgrade to a plus if they keep on winning big. Cleveland (D-). Without the Green Bay win it would be an F. Flacco is on the bench and Gabriel steps to the play in week five.

Houston 26 / Tennessee 0: So much for the NFL’s overall number one pick being significant. Cam Ward has only shown flashes. The Texans get their first win and thus far have been a disappointment. Grades: Houston (D). Tennessee (F).

New England 42 / Carolina 13: Mike Vrabel has the Patriots respectable again while the Panther thought their arrow was pointing up before the season began. Now Carolina is 1-3 and going in the wrong direction. Grades: New England (B+). Carolina (D-).

New York Giants 21 / Los Angeles Chargers 18: Jaxson Dart gets his first NFL start and most thought it would be a tough challenge facing the undefeated Chargers. He beats the odds and his Giants hand L.A. their first loss in the biggest upset of week five. It was New York’s first win of the season, and it looks like Dart has ended Russell Wilson’s career at least as a Giant. Grades: New York (C-). Depending on how Dart does from here on out, the Giants grade could rise. Los Angeles (B). Before the game, the ‘Bolts were being talked about as the team to beat in the AFC. Now they look vulnerable.

Philadelphia 31 / Tampa Bay 25: There is much talk about the Eagles’ offense and what A.J. Brown said afterwards, and Baker Mayfield was far from having his typical game. Questions marks for both teams after this one. Grades: Philadelphia (A-). Their undefeated record keeps them in the A bracket but no plus due to the question marks. Tampa Bay: (B+). Undefeated no more, they are still a serious threat.

Los Angeles Rams 27 / Indianapolis 20: The Colts blew this one on the strength of Adonai Mitchell’s dumb fumble in the end zone as he crossed the goal line for a score with his hand extended. Danny Jones has resurrected his career in Indy and Matthew Stafford continues to build his hall of fame resume. Grades: Los Angeles (A). Indianapolis (A-).

Jacksonville 26 / San Francisco 21: It appears the Jaguars have turned the corner from being another team’s steppingstone with Liam Coen as the new head coach. A huge win for Jacksonville on the road. The 49ers may have been overconfident in this one and their undefeated record is gone. Grades: Jacksonville (A). San Francisco (A-).

Kansas City 37 / Baltimore 20: Wow. Just wow. No one could have predicted that after four games the Baltimore Ravens would sharing last place in the AFC North with the Browns. But here they are and worse for them is the points they have given up on defense. Their ‘D right now is getting downright torn up. Lamar Jackson is doubtful for the week five game against the Texans, and they can ill afford to be 1-4 with the Steelers getting the Browns next on their schedule. The Chiefs are not dead yet. Grades: Baltimore (F). Kansas City (C+).

Chicago 25 / Las Vegas 24: What an ending for the Bears. Blocking a game winning field goal to take the victory. Pete Carroll’s return to head coaching is not going as planned. Three losses in four games and as he joins first time head coach Aaron Glenn with the Jets, these two teams have a combined record of 1-7. OUCH. Chicago is in good shape at 2-2. Grades: Chicago (C+). Las Vegas (D-).

Green Bay 40 / Dallas 40 Final/OT: Mikah Parsons a difference maker? Hardly. The Packers with Parsons were said to be the team to beat but now there are question marks about Parsons and Jordan Love’s performance. The Cowboys may end up having the last laugh on trading Parson as when the deal was made, they were laughed at. Grades: Green Bay (C+). Dallas (B-). This grade is based on their efforts to be competitive.

Miami 27 / New York Jets 21: What a mess in New York. Aaron Glenn had high hopes for Justin Fields and while he did not play poorly in Miami victories always rule over stats. Right now, the Jets don’t have a single win, so it remains “the same old Jets.” Miami gets on the board with their first win. Grades: Miami (D). New York (a big fat F).

Denver 28 / Cincinnati 3: And the beat goes on for the Bengals. No Burrow no victory. The Broncos were supposed to be an AFC favorite but what does it say beating a team with a poor defense and now elite quarterback? Grades: Denver (B) Cincinnati (D-). 

Week 5 Picks

And now Week 5 in the NFL.

Teams on bye: Atlanta Falcons, Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, and Pittsburgh Steelers.