Gridiron Experts Week 5 Picks

Is it me or has the NFL turned into a league where picking all the upsets is an almost a safe strategy. Ok, maybe thats a bit much, but you get the idea. Last week there were 5 upsets, something of a slow week compared to the month of September, still it seems that putting together a win streak in the NFL is more difficult than ever. Only 6 teams have a win streak of more than a game, 2 of which are the surprising Chiefs and Rams. People who love Betting on the NFL love this type of year.

This week the Sunday night game features another possible nightmare for prime time as the winless San Fransisco 49er’s host the Vick-less Eagles. When the schedule came out, it eyed this NFC match-up as a showcase for the summers biggest hyped quarterback Kevin Kolb, and the West’s biggest hyped team the 49er’s.

Kolb isn’t where he thought he’d be entering his first start in prime time, it’s Vick’s job and Kevin knows it. Although, that doesn’t mean Kolb can’t give Eagle fans something to talk about. The buzz on Mike Vick is very similar to the same thing Kolb had last season, two starts that went great and captured the hearts of all of Philadelphia. Is this job really a lock? Probably. Kevin Kolb could have won the Redskins game last week, but he didn’t. The check-down passes were evident of the fact that he couldn’t make the big time throw when needed. Game footage shows open receivers running deep but Kolb’s confidence is shot. This week will be a serious test for the young Eagle quarterback, too bad the timing is terrible.

Rewind back two weeks ago, the 49er’s are off an embarrassing loss to the Seahawks and are at home facing the New Orleans Saints. The 49er’s game plan was very simple (almost too simple hence the later firing of Jimmy Raye), but it was working. Alex Smith and his squad had countless opportunities to score but were clumsy in around the red zone turning the ball over 3 times. Now after another heart-breaking loss to the Falcons, the 49er’s are playing more desperate than ever imaged. This team knows that there’s nowhere to go but up after hitting rock bottom and should be focused.

This week the Eagles will reorganize their sock drawer after the Redskins expose huge holes in the run defense. Frank Gore shines in big time games and will be handed a full work load. I expect average numbers from both QB’s but with the overall determination of San Fran and the fact that Gore is a beast the birds can’t handle, I predict a 49er win. Click Here to see all Gridiron Experts Picks