2022 NFL picks, score predictions for Week 5

Atlanta Falcons (2-2) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-2)

Sunday, October 9, 1:00 PM ET

This game is yet another example of I have absolutely know idea what to make of these two teams through four games.

On the one hand with the Atlanta Falcons, I have been lowkey buying into this team since they gave the Saints a legitimate scare in Week 1. I picked them to beat the Browns last week, which they did, and although that wasn’t a shocking outcome I think the fact that one of the favorites to pick first overall in 2023 is 2-2 speaks volumes at this point. The injury to Cordarrelle Patterson hurts, but the Falcons will lean on Tyler Allgeier and he will keep doing what he does out there. He averaged 8.4 yards per carry against the Browns last week.

On the other hand, you have the Buccaneers, a preseason pick to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl this year with Tom Brady coming back for his 100th NFL season. After four weeks, the Bucs have limped to 2-2. They have very little balance offensively. The defense has proven to be a sieve at times. What gives? Are we meant to buy into this team or not?

I don’t know how I can pick against the Buccaneers at home in this game, but it just doesn’t feel like this team is worthy of that kind of treatment at this point, either. The Falcons have a top 10 scoring offense and are one of the top 10 teams this season in terms of forcing turnovers.

Am I really going to pick another massive upset here?

Prediction: Falcons win 28-24