NFL 2011: Week 5 Picks

The 2011 NFL season is 25 percent over for all 32 teams, as there are thirteen games this weekend, culminating with DJBC Sports Corner's pick for the Big Game of the Week- the Monday Night Game between the Monsters of the Midway, the Chicago Bears visiting the unbeaten Detroit Lions at Ford Field.

BIG GAME OF THE WEEK/MONDAY NIGHT LIGHTS:
Chicago Bears (2-2) at Detroit Lions (4-0)
Before I start with this week's prediction- the last time that "All My Rowdy Friends" was not heard on Monday Night Football prior to this past Monday was 1988. After over 22 years, ESPN has severed its ties to Hank Williams Jr. and the Monday Night theme, due to comments that Williams made on Fox News's morning show Fox and Friends on Monday morning, comparing President Obama to Adolf Hitler. ESPN announced yesterday that it was permanently dropping the familiar open to Monday Night Football.
And now, the Monday Night Game itself...
The Detroit Lions are for real. 4-0 for the first time since 1980. Who would think that the Lions would be legit? Nobody. On Sunday, the Lions were down 27-3 at halftime in Dallas in the "Battle of the Thanksgiving Day NFL Hosts" (both the Lions and Cowboys host games on Thanksgiving Day). The Lions roared a mighty comeback to win 34-30 in Dallas, outscoring America's Team 31-3 in the second half. The Lions have another big test as Da Bears come to Ford Field on Monday night. Can the Lions handle the Monsters of the Midway, or will the Lions lose their "Undefeated" card?
Pick: Detroit 30, Chicago 22

OTHER BIG GAMES THIS WEEK:
Green Bay Packers (4-0) at Atlanta Falcons (2-2)- SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
The last time these two met (also at the Georgia Dome), the Falcons had Home Field Advantage throughout the NFC Playoffs, and the Packers grounded these birds en route to the Pack's Super Bowl road last season. The Falcons are looking for revenge against one of the two undefeated teams left this season.
Pick: Green Bay 35, Atlanta 27

New York Jets (2-2) at New England Patriots (3-1)
Pick: New England 38, NY Jets 20

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at San Francisco 49ers (both 3-1)
Both of these teams find ways to win. The Bucs haven't missed a beat since last season, and the 49ers, down 23-3 , scored 21 unanswered points in the City of Brotherly Love last weekend. The 49ers are for real this year.
Pick: San Francisco 27, Tampa Bay 17

Tennessee Titans (3-1) at Pittsburgh Steelers (2-2)
Pick: Pittsburgh 23, Tennessee 17 (OT)

Philadelphia Eagles (1-3) at Buffalo Bills (3-1)
Pick: Buffalo 28, Philadelphia 19

THE OTHER GAMES THIS WEEK:
Cincinnati Bengals (2-2) at Jacksonville Jaguars (1-3)
The Bengals, down 17-3 last week, found a way to win against unbeaten Buffalo, by kicking a 43-yard field goal at the gun. This week, it gets easier as the Bengals have the edge against a Jacksonville team with more questions than they have answers.
Pick: Cincinnati 24, Jacksonville 17

New Orleans Saints (3-1) at Carolina Panthers (1-3)
Pick: New Orleans 33, Carolina 25

Oakland Raiders (2-2) at Houston Texans (3-1)
Raiders Coach Hue Jackson guaranteed a Super Bowl win. How about "too soon"? Meanwhile, the Texans lost All-Pro receiver Andre Johnson in their win over the Steelers.
Pick: Houston 26, Oakland 14

Kansas City Chiefs (1-3) at Indianapolis Colts (0-4)
Who wants to win this game? Maybe the Manning-less Colts can finally get into the "W" column.
Pick: Indianapolis 17, Kansas City 13

Arizona Cardinals (1-3) at Minnesota Vikings (0-5)
Pick: Minnesota 20, Arizona 14

San Diego Chargers (3-1) at Denver Broncos (1-3)
Pick: San Diego 35, Denver 21

BYE WEEKS: Baltimore Ravens (3-1), Cleveland Browns (2-2), Dallas Cowboys (2-2), Miami Dolphins (0-4), St. Louis Rams (0-4), Washington Redskins (3-1)