Joe's 2010 NFL Opening Drive: Week 5

Can anyone figure out this NFL season yet? The league's last undefeated team gets their biggest test, a winless team is is favored and the Jets' drama is actually overshadowed by their opponents'. NFL week four is on!

(2-1) Tampa Bay Buccaneers at
(2-2) Cincinnati Bengals

Getting their bye week after being dominated by the Steelers, the Bucs are back to take on a Bengals squad desperate for a win to keep up in their division. Carson Palmer and the passing game broke out last week in a loss, but was that a one-bullet gun or can they fire a few more? Tampa Bay's weak secondary will entice Cincy to throw on almost every down. If they can move around Tampa's smaller defensive front, Cedric Benson could have a big day, but don't count on it. This'll be a close one.

(2-2) St. Louis Rams at
(0-4) Detroit Lions

Oh man, I want to watch the Lions lose to the Rams so badly. In a rare occasion, the Lions are actually favored in this game, but without Matthew Stafford I think we're in for an upset. The Rams need this game to prove their legitimacy in the sub-par NFC West. Sam Bradford will face one of the weakest secondaries in the league and should go off big time.

(3-0) Kansas City Chiefs at
(2-2) Indianapolis Colts

Really? These records seem backwards. With Peyton Manning reeling from a last second loss, the Colts are primed for a big win in front of their home crowd. As good as the Chief defense has been, Manning will expose them, though he'll be short on healthy wide receivers again. (Collie and Garcon will play, but they'll be limited.) Kansas City needs to run the ball hard and often if they want to earn this victory. If they can beat the Colts today, I'll officially buy into KC and start worrying about Indy.

(3-1) Green Bay Packers at
(2-2) Washington Redskins

With the Giants and Eagles each in losable games today, the Redskins will be hard pressed to take advantage of the situation. Welcoming the heavy-hitting Packers into town, the Skins won't be able to keep up on the scoreboard. Their defense simply isn't good enough to cover all of Aaron Rodgers' many weapons. Even if they can't run the ball, the Packers aren't going to drop this one after almost losing to Detroit last week. Just won't happen. (Though it will probably happen now that I said that.)

(2-2) Denver Broncos at
(3-1) Baltimore Ravens

Last year the Ravens derailed the Broncos undefeated start. This season hasn't been as friendly to the Broncos, who boast the league's best passing attack. Yes, I said it. Unfortunately, they also lay claim to one of the NFL's most futile ground games, making them one-dimensional against a defense that can bring the pressure. Kyle Orton can't try to do too much against the Ravens defense because one mistake is all they need to make teams pay.

(2-2) New York Giants at
(3-1) Houston Texans

A week after taking advantage of a weak Chicago offensive line, the Giants are in Houston to match-up with the high-powered Texans. Matt Schaub will take a hit or two, but don't expect another 10-sack performance by the defense though. Andre Johnson is expected to start today, but the Giant are lucky he's not 100%, otherwise I'd give this game to the Texans without question. If Aryan Foster can explode like he did last week, the Giants are in for a rough afternoon.

(2-2) Tennessee Titans at
(1-2) Dallas Cowboys

This might be ugliest, most physical and most penalized game of the weekend. Both squads are undisciplined at times and are large up front. This one will come down to which quarterback can make the least mistakes, and my money is on Tony Romo (as yours should be) to outplay Vince Young. Should be a fun one to watch though.

(2-2) Philadelphia Eagles at
(0-4) San Francisco 49ers

Can Kevin Kolb drop the Niners to 0-5? That would certainly put Mike Singletary squarely on the hot seat for the rest of the season if he wasn't already. This game will go a long way in determining if the Eagle defense can legitimately make them a division contender. He's not Michael Vick, but Kolb might finally get his job back with a good performance or two starting with Sunday night.

(1-2) Minnesota Vikings at
(3-1) New York Jets

Gee, is there any storylines to cover for Monday night? This might be the one game of the year that the Jets are not the biggest plot-line draw. Brett Favre gets his deep threat in the recently acquired Randy Moss who might get to face an injured Darrelle Revis for the second time this season. You can bet he'll be looking to make a big impact on Monday night.

Enjoy the games! Happy NFL Sunday!