Week 4 is in the books and thankfully some predictability has returned to the NFL. Speaking of returning to the NFL, the Shield welcomed back the locked out officials; and fans everywhere rejoiced. Everywhere except Green Bay that is, where anyone wearing zebra stripes are deemed to be public enemies.

The Arizona Cardinals, Houston Texans and the Atlanta Falcons remained unbeaten; while the New Orleans Saints and Cleveland Browns both came close to eking out victories; however, remain winless on the year.

Headlines from week 5 are pretty much dominated by the NY Jets, who laid an egg at home against the San Francisco 49ers. Will we see Tim Tebow this week? Will the Texans make it back-to-back home shutout losses for the Jets? How devastating would a Monday night blow out be to the Jets?

Last week record was 11-4 with my lock pick in Arizona winning and the upset pick of the week in Kansas City getting shellacked. Thus far the overall record is 39-24.

Arizona Cardinals at St Louis Rams
The Arizona Cardinals defense showed a chink in the armour as Miami’s Ryan Tannehill put up over 400 passing yards. We know this defense is better than that, so hopefully that was just an anomaly. St. Louis got a well-deserved win against Seattle. Steven Jackson had a grinder of a game against that tough Seattle defense, but can he do it again on a short turnaround against another tough defense in Arizona. I think last week’s game took a bit of a toll on the Rams. PICK: CARDINALS

Philadelphia Eagles at Pittsburgh Steelers
Michael Vick has already thrown for six interceptions, been sacked eleven times and has three fumbles so far this season. The Eagles offensive line just cannot keep him upright. Vick’s tendency to want the big play has cost the Eagles at times. Despite the mediocre play of Vick, the Eagles are still 3-1. Pittsburgh is coming off their early season bye week and they should be well prepared for this home game. The extra week seems to have done some good as Rashard Mendenhall and Troy Polamalu appear to be ready to go this week. PICK: STEELERS

Green Bay Packers at Indianapolis Colts
For the Indianapolis Colts their minds can’t be 100% on football as Head Coach Pagano announced he has leukemia. Even coming off a bye-week, it would have taken a small miracle to pull out the win here. The Packers are coming off a scare against New Orleans and need a win to keep pace in the competitive NFC North. PICK: PACKERS

Cleveland Browns at New York Giants
The Giants left Philadelphia knowing that the best team lost the game. That was truly a game that the G-Men needed, especially against a division rival. Anyways, they move on and host a Cleveland team that knows going in that they aren’t the best team. Giants rebound and take this one. PICK: GIANTS

Atlanta Falcons at Washington Redskins
If the Falcons defensive coordinator Mike Nolan can get his guys to play like they did against Manning and the Broncos then Robert Griffin III is going to be in for a long day. I think the Falcons defense learned a few things about playing a mobile quarterback from last week’s matchup, as Cam Newton threw for 215 and rushed for 86 yards. Contain RGIII and the Falcons will move to 5-0. PICK: FALCONS

Miami Dolphins at Cincinnati Bengals
I love watching the Cincinnati Bengals play football. BenJarvus Green-Ellis was a great pickup, Andy Dalton continues to show he can flat out play, and A.J. Green is a stud receiver. The Miami Dolphins are in trouble here, I don’t see Tannehill going off for 400+ yards in back-to-back weeks. PICK: BENGALS

Baltimore Ravens at Kansas City Chiefs
Just when I thought that maybe the Chiefs were going to put it together, they played horribly against San Diego and got beat handily. What does Matt Cassell need to do? Maybe he should ask his receivers where they want the ball thrown because hitting them in the hands doesn’t seem to be working. The Ravens are showing why they are the team to beat in the AFC North. The team looks good on both sides of the ball and they shouldn’t have too much trouble with the Chiefs this week. PICK: RAVENS

Seattle Seahawks at Carolina Panthers
The Seahawks offense looked horrible against an average St. Louis defense. Rookie quarterback Russell Wilson is having his struggles and that Seattle defense can only keep the team in the game for so long. Carolina almost pulled out the victory in Atlanta as Cam Newton threw for two touchdowns and ran for another. It seems to be bad week then good week for Newton and the Panthers. I keep going back and forth on this one. PICK: Panthers 

Chicago Bears at Jacksonville Jaguars
Chicago played a good-enough-to-win game against the Dallas Cowboys on Monday night. The game wasn’t pretty as both teams turned the ball over with great regularity. Despite Jay Cutler’s decision making and the ability to cough up the pigskin at inopportune times; the Jacksonville Jaguars are not a good team. The Bears can stop the run, and despite Maurice Jones-Drew’s best efforts, the Jags come up short. PICK: BEARS

Denver Broncos at New England Patriots
Probably the most anticipated game of the week features a couple of 2 and 2 teams going head-to-head and at the same time renewing the Manning v. Brady rivalry. Analysts will just love comparing career numbers and speculating on future stats and Super Bowl wins. Bottom line is the Patriots are more refined right now than the Broncos and they are playing at home. PICK: PATRIOTS

Buffalo Bills at San Francisco 49ers
Pundits everywhere were speculating that the Bills revamped pass-rush was going to hold Tom Brady and the New England Patriots at bay. They were obviously horribly wrong. Buffalo must now go on the road and play a 49ers squad that just laid the beat down to the Jets. I don’t give the Bills must of a chance here, unlikely they’ll get shut out though. PICK: 49ers

Tennessee Titans at Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings are coming off a nice win against the Detroit Lions, while the Titans dropped their matchup against the Texans. If Christian Ponder can get through another week without an interception the Vikings will win. Adrian Peterson looks to be 100% healthy and continues to be the work-horse in the backfield. Jake Locker is out for the week, meaning Matt Hasselbeck gets the start again. PICK: VIKINGS

San Diego Chargers at New Orleans Saints
Will the real San Diego Chargers please stand up! The Chargers have to be the most enigmatic 3-1 teams in the league. The New Orleans Saints on the other hand are still searching for their first victory on the season. It seems like the Saints are getting closer to figuring things out without Sean Payton; however, the defense is still the worst in the league. I’d like the Saints to win here but I don’t think they will. PICK: CHARGERS

Houston Texans at New York Jets
Oh my! This is not the game the Jets wanted to see as they are in an absolute tailspin. Mark Sanchez is struggling, the non-existent running game is painfully evident, Santonio Holmes and Darrelle Revis are out and the defence is leaking huge plays. Houston has a top ranked defence and a potent quick strike offense. This game will get ugly in a hurry. This Monday Night Football home game will turn into a colossal blowout is going to finally cost Mark Sanchez the starting job. PICK: TEXANS

LOCK PICK OF THE WEEK: Houston Texans
UPSET PICK OF THE WEEK: Carolina Panthers