NFL Office Pool Picks Week 5

by Trevor Whenham - 10/1/2019

Kansas City Chiefs Tight End Travis Kelce

Last week in my office pools was one of those times that you just have to redefine what success means. Sure, when it comes to pools, a typical definition of success would be to pick more winners than anyone else and win the cash for the week. And I wouldn't argue - that would be a success. But I really didn't do that last week. Or even come close. But, if I define success as having more wins than losses, then suddenly my 8-7 record looks much better. The lesson here is that if you drop the bar low enough, you will eventually find a way to make yourself look good. But this week I'm not going to need any of that fancy talk and creative excuse making. I can feel it. Big things are in store. It's like I'm looking into a crystal ball and seeing the scores before the game are even played. Here are the clear, and sure to be successful, straight up picks to help you in your NFL office pool:

L.A. Rams at Seattle: The Rams were just beaten at home by the Buccaneers. More accurately, they were smoked by the Bucs. There was very little to like in the performance, and it further reinforced the concern that the team's mojo is missing in action. Seattle is a long way from perfect, but they are home right now, and they get the nod. Take the Seahawks.

Arizona at Cincinnati: This is a really, really ugly game. The Cardinals have a tie, and the Bengals have less - and are coming off a truly hideous Monday night performance. I don't really trust either team and have absolutely no interest in watching this game, but I have fewer issues with where Arizona is at right now than Cincinnati. Take the Cardinals.

Atlanta at Houston: I felt coming into this season that Atlanta was broken, and nothing that has happened since has made me waver from that. They are lousy. The Texans aren't exactly killing it, either, and they are coming off a home loss I was really not crazy about. However, the location and the general state of the teams still makes the Texans the pick.

Tampa Bay at New Orleans: That Tampa Bay performance last week was really something. I don't entirely understand where it came from, but it has been pretty clear for a while now that Bruce Arians is getting through to the team in a way a coach hasn't in a long while. There are a lot of reasons to doubt New Orleans, but they are still tough and dangerous - as they proved last week. Take the Saints.

Minnesota at New York Giants: Kirk Cousins has been just awful, and it really doesn't make sense. The talent is there. He's not without skills. But it just isn't working. At all. They are much more talented than the Giants right now, but Daniel Jones is working for this team in a strange and not entirely expected way. What the heck, let's take the Giants.

Jacksonville at Carolina: Gardner Minshew vs. Kyle Allen - exactly the QB matchup I am sure you were expecting before the season started. Yet here we are. Both guys have been surprising - and in mostly good ways. I like Minshew a lot, but Carolina is playing tough, is talented defensively, and is at home.

Chicago vs. Oakland: The Raiders circus invades London . I don't know what the U.K. did to deserve that. They have been through a lot already this year. Oakland pulled off a surprising win last week in Indy, but they aren't going to get away with that again when faced with this potent defense. Take the Bears.

New England at Washington: The Patriots aren't losing this game. It just isn't going to happen. Washington is just plain awful.

Buffalo at Tennessee: Tennessee is, yet again, a team I can't even sort of get a handle on. They show a flash of something that makes you think they are going to be tough to play against. So, you believe in them. And they flop. So, you pick against them. And they dominate. It's a cycle that has gone on forever. They do exactly the opposite of what I think they will. So, I'll take the Titans. Which is probably very good news for the Bills.

New York Jets at Philadelphia: Sam Darnold may or may not be back. And it doesn't matter either way. Philadelphia has a spark of life now that Dallas has lost a game. They are just one win out of first in the division. And they are playing pretty well. Take the Eagles.

More: See what Trevor Thinks of the Eagles as Possible Survivor Pool Pick for Week 5

Baltimore at Pittsburgh: Baltimore is coming off their most disappointing outing of the season, and Pittsburgh is coming off their best. The Steelers always get up for this rivalry. But Baltimore is just better right now, and I trust their quarterback much more as well. Take the Ravens.

Denver at L.A. Chargers: The Chargers are one of the biggest mysteries of the season so far. Maybe the biggest mystery. Everyone was asking if the Chiefs could beat the Chargers before the season started. Now it seems as if anyone can beat the Chargers - except for the Dolphins. But Denver is a long way from good, so I still have to trust the Chargers.

Green Bay at Dallas: Dallas lost a tough one in New Orleans last week, but I still like a lot of what they are doing. Not everything, but a lot. And the Packers' loss on Thursday night reinforced the feeling I have had all season - they just aren't quite right. They have the pieces, but don't seem to have the killer instinct. Take the Cowboys.

Indianapolis at Kansas City: This is a tough game for the Chiefs, and they are coming off an ugly win in Detroit. And their defense is not playing particularly well right now. But they are just so talented and explosive on offense, and they are very tough at home. If Jacoby Brissett has a day like he did against Atlanta, he could turn this into a shootout, but even so the Chiefs would have the edge. That makes them the pick.

Cleveland at San Francisco: This game feels like a bit of a coin flip. The Browns played a better game last week than they have played before. The Niners have been playing well and are coming off a bye week to address their issues. Either team could win this one without causing any surprise. San Francisco has been more consistent, though, and they are at home. Take the 49ers.

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