Week 5 Patch Pick'Em

Welcome to the weekly Patch NFL Pick 'Em, where Fair Lawn residents and wannabe NFL prognosticators Stuart Pace, Steve Brown, Rich Seibel and Zak Koeske offer up their picks for three games each week and dish out a little fantasy football advice to boot.

If you'd like our opinion on fantasy roster moves, have a fantasy football question you'd like answered or would like to compete against us as a Guest Picker, email Patch NFL Pick 'Em at zak.koeske@patch.com

This week's Pick 'Em games:

• Philadelphia Eagles (3-1) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (1-2) -- Sunday, 1 p.m.
• Carolina Panthers (1-3) @ Seattle Seahawks (2-2) -- Sunday, 4:05 p.m.
• Denver Broncos (2-2) @ New England Patriots (2-2) -- Sunday, 4:25 p.m.

Click here and scroll to the bottom to see this week's Patch Survivor picks. Ten teams left, six of whom are going with the G Men this week. Big Blue better not disappoint.

Stuart Pace’s Game Picks:

Philadelphia, Carolina and New England

Philadelphia Eagles over Pittsburgh Steelers -- Okay, so Pitt is rested and Philly played Monday night. Pitt gets back Rashard Mendenhall and James Harrison. Mendenhall is not going to make such an impact that the Steelers win because of him. I see a declining Steelers and a rejuvenated Eagles team here. Eagles by a field goal. Confidence Level: 1 (least confident)

Carolina Panthers over Seattle Seahwaks -- I have not seen enough of Russell Wilson to jump on him to win a lot of games. Lynch is a beast again but Panthers are home against a West Coast team on the road for the second week. I'll take Cam and Steve Smith over Russell and Sid Rice.  Confidence Level: 2

New England Patriots over Denver Broncos -- Steve pointed out in our show that Brady just always seems to beat Peyton more times than not. And now the Pats have the two-headed Ridley/Bolden running game to keep the D honest. And wobbly passer Peyton is not the same guy Brady faced in the past. And its New England and I hate them, so of course they will win, silly boy. Confidence Level: 3 (most confident)

Upset of the Week

Washington Redskins over Atlanta Falcons -- Not that I am uber-confident that Washington is a good team, it's just Atlanta is playing outdoors. Washington's D has been good, not great. And Al Morris and Peter Griffin the First do make for a good running game. If the Skins can stop Mike Turner, I think they win.

Sleeper of the  Week

Alshon Jeffrey, WR (CHI) -- This rookie has everything but game experience and I think he will have a breakout game against the Los Angeles Jaguars (yes, I am promoting their move). He hasn't found the end zone yet, but against this team, he could have a very big game.

Bust of the Week

Kevin Kolb, QB (ARI) -- Well, he just played late Sunday, now has to get on a plane for a Thursday night matchup in St. Louis. He isn't as good as people are starting to believe and his arm will be tired on short notice.

Steve Brown’s Picks:

Pittsburgh, Seattle and New England

Pittsburgh Steelers over Philadelphia Eagles -- The Eagles are an amazingly shaky 3-1 after they slinked away with a win against the Giants when Tynes missed a late long kick. Their D looked tough and LeSean McCoy came to life in the second half.  The Steelers are 1-2 coming off their bye week. If they are to have a shot at relevancy this season, this is a must win game for them. I think a well-rested and motivated home team is a hard thing to beat and I will take the Steelers to keep hope alive. Confidence Level: 2

Seattle Seahawks over Carolina Panthers -- I hate picking this game and yet it is my 3 point pick, go figure.  The Panthers are not as bad as their record indicates and the Seahawks are not as good as their's shows. Throw in the fact that I have seen nothing of Russell Wilson play and wouldn’t recognize him if he handed me a summons while wearing a Russell Wilson jersey, I feel completely lost in making this pick.  Give me 'Hawks based on wins over Green Bay and Dallas. Confidence Level: 3 (most confident)

New England Patriots over Denver Broncos -- Brady’s bunch pulled it together and went all Belichick over the Bills in the fourth quarter last week while Peyton and pals were steamrolling a helpless and hapless bunch of Raiders. The Pats seem to have found viable running backs in Ridley and now Brandon Bolden, and that diversification makes the threat of Brady to Welker and Gronkowski ever stronger.  My heart likes Peyton but my eyes tell me that Brady at home is the better pick this time around. Confidence Level: 1 (least confident)

Upset of the Week

St. Louis Rams over Arizona Cardinals -- Three of the Cardinals' wins have been by 4, 3, and 2 points. This is not a recipe for long-term success.  The Rams are feisty and I still contend that Sam Bradford, if given weapons, will be a helluva good NFL QB.  In all seriousness, I would look to trade for him if I were the Cowboys.

Sleeper of the Week

Andy Dalton, QB (QB) -- Conversely Miami is 30th against the pass and face a Bengals team that is eighth best in the league in yards per game and fourth with nine passing TDs. I expect the big redhead from Katy, Texas to be slinging it around effectively this Sunday.

Bust of the Week

Benjarvus Green-Ellis, RB (CIN) --  Did you know the Dolphins are the No. 1 defense against the run, giving up less than 57 yards a game on the ground? Expect more of the same this week as the tough but not shifty Green-Ellis finds it tough sledding when Dolphins swarm!

Rich Seibel's Picks:

Pittsburgh, Carolina and Denver

Pittsburgh Steelers over Philadelphia Eagles -- I am not a believer in the Eagles and I am going with the Steel Curtain here and Rothlisberger in this Battle for The Keystone State. Confidence Level: 2

Carolina Panthers over Seattle Seahawks -- I really like the Panthers here. The Seahawks are another group of pretenders and away from home they are a different team. Panthers big. Confidence Level: 3 (most confident)

Denver Broncos over New England Patriots -- This should be a battle. Both QBs have a lot on the line. This could be the AFC Championship matchup here. That means run the football and stop the run. Go Broncos! with a late field goal.  Confidence Level: 1 (least confident) 

Upset of the Week

St. Louis Rams over Arizona Cardinals -- The Rams are a 1-point dog at home and Arizona has a lot of players on the injury list. The Cardinals come down to earth.  

Sleeper of the Week

Tedd Ginn, Jr., WR/KR (SF) --  Ted Ginn Jr, (the one Miami let get away) is back. Last week was a warm up. This week he starts returning punts for big yards. (And Rich's penchant for picking insignificant current and former 49ers as his sleepers every week continues!)

Bust of the Week

Stevie Johnson, WR (BUF) -- Little Stevie Johnson comes to Candlestick and gets shut down by Carlos Rodgers because Ryan Fitzpatrick will face a heavy pass rush. The Gold Rush is back this week. 

Zak Koeske's picks:

Pittsburgh, Seattle and New England

Pittsburgh Steelers over Philadelphia Eagles -- This game was definitely the toughest decision for me this week. On one hand, I'm so demoralized by the Steelers' loss to the Raiders in their last game that I wouldn't be surprised if Pittsburgh finished .500 or worse this year. However, they're coming off a bye, they're at home and they should be returning three important starters (Rashard Mendenhall, James Harrison and Troy Polamalu). It's wishful thinking but I'm hoping the 'Llers can knock Vick out early and cruise to a big win. Confidence Level: 1 (least confident)

Seattle Seahwaks over Carolina Panthers -- I think Seattle is the superior team, but this game will be close simply because it's being played in Carolina. That said, I just can't see the Panthers moving the ball effectively on the ground against the staunch Seattle run defense. Russell Wilson has been iffy so far this year, but Marshawn Lynch should be able to shoulder the load in this one and take much of the pressure off the rookie passer. Look for another huge game from Beast Mode against this soft Carolina D. Confidence Level: 2 

New England Patriots over Denver Broncos -- The Patriots aren't what they once were, but they're still better than Denver. The Brady vs. Manning matchup will be fun to watch in this one, but I just think the Patriots' newfound ability to run the football seals this victory for New England. Confidence Level: 3 (most confident)

Upset of the Week

Miami Dolphins over Cincinnati Bengals -- This is the week the Dolphins hang on to their lead and come away with a road victory. The Fins' run D has been phenomenal, so Green-Ellis won't be a factor, and I don't think Andy Dalton is good enough to do it all himself. While Tannehill has struggled against elite defenses this year, the Bengals are not in that league. He'll have himself a solid game and the triumvirate of Dolphins RBs will go off.

Sleeper of the Week

Lamar Miller, RB (MIA) -- Cincy's run D has been suspect this year and Miller has looked strong in a relief role for the Dolphins. He won't get many carries, but I'm looking for Miller to take advantage of the half-dozen he receives and take one of them to the house this week.

Bust of the Week

Mark Sanchez, QB (NYJ) -- Will this be his last game as a starter? I think Tebow replaces Sanchez by halftime in this one.

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