2022 NFL picks, score predictions for Week 5
Week 4 of the 2022 NFL season was yet another wild and crazy week of NFL action. As promised, there were exciting games from start to finish, and some of the best matchups of the week delivered in terms of the late-game theatrics. But how did our Week 4 NFL picks hold up? As you might expect, it was up and down across the board with a 9-7 record on NFL picks last week.
Despite having a coin flip’s chance of being right on many NFL picks, you’ve got to try and anticipate the surprises and take some risks. Otherwise, where’s the fun? At any rate, we’re pressing onward to NFL Week 5. Let’s take a look through every game on the slate for this week, give a little recap of where teams are at and preview where they could be headed, and make some NFL picks.
As always, if you intend on making any bets based on these game previews, these are just my opinions based on what we’ve seen so far this season. Bet at your own risk, and have some fun!
Week 5 byes: None
2022 NFL picks and predictions for Week 5
Indianapolis Colts (1-2-1) at Denver Broncos (2-2)
Thursday, October 6, 8:15 PM ET
The Denver Broncos have not been living up to the lofty expectations fans had for them going into the 2022 NFL season. Despite the best performance we’ve seen from Russell Wilson yet in orange and blue, the Broncos lost on the road to the Las Vegas Raiders and now have a brutally short turnaround against the Colts. What was most concerning for Denver against the Raiders was the rate at which this team gave up yardage in the running game.
Josh Jacobs had a career-high in rushing yards (144) as the Raiders gashed the Broncos for four quarters on the ground. The Broncos can’t have that kind of defensive play against the Colts, who could feast with Jonathan Taylor, even if he isn’t 100 percent.
Taylor’s status for this game is in question, so a lot of pressure will be placed on Matt Ryan’s shoulders regardless. The Broncos have one of the best pass defenses in the NFL and the Colts shouldn’t expect much out of Michael Pittman Jr. — or anyone else, for that matter — when matched up against Pat Surtain II. Surtain is playing out of his mind early on this season.
Luckily for the Colts, the Broncos are somewhat of a mess offensively and will be without their starting running back as well Javonte Williams suffered an apparently serious knee injury against the Raiders and could miss significant time. Perhaps the biggest factor in this game will come down to which team’s quarterback can take over, and which team can limit turnovers.
Prediction: Broncos win 24-17