Bodog Week 5 NFL Picks

well, anyway, if you like all of the above, you'll love Sunday's game between San Diego (2-0) and Baltimore (3-0).

In a battle between two of the best defenses in the NFL, the key to both offenses will be the running game. That's right, it's power versus power on the banks of the Patapsco.

For the Chargers, they'll look to - who else? - LaDainian Tomlinson to shoulder most of the offensive burden. The elite running back managed to pile up some impressive numbers (202 yards rushing, three TDs) against Oakland and Tennessee, but, to put it mildly, the Ravens won't be so accommodating. Ray Lewis, Ed Reed and Co. are holding opponents to an average of 1.8 yards per carry.

That means first-year San Diego starting quarterback Philip Rivers might actually have to throw the ball once in a while, if only to convince the Ravens to keep a couple defenders behind the line of scrimmage. This will be the first big test for Rivers who is sure to take a licking or 10 before all is said and done.

Baltimore running back Jamal Lewis has battled knee and hip injuries in recent weeks, so the Ravens could be hard-pressed to establish a running game of their own.

Two weeks ago, in a 40-7 victory over Tennessee, the Shawne Merriman-led San Diego defense came within 3:09 of pitching consecutive shutouts for the first time in team history. (The Chargers beat Oakland 27-0 in Week 1.)

That bodes poorly for Ravens quarterback Steve McNair who will be in big trouble if his team fails to establish the run. As the song goes, the once fleet-footed thoroughbred just ain't what he used to be, ain't what he used to be, ain't what he used to be.

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QUICK HITS

Compiled by Bodog Nation Contributing Writers

The Jets have been a pleasant surprise with two road wins and a hard-fought losing effort versus New England. Meanwhile, the Colts are coming off a big divisional win over Jacksonville and have faced a tough distraction in recent days with the death of receiver Reggie Wayne's brother. If New York quarterback Chad Pennington can maintain his high level of play and the Colts keep surrendering too many yards on the ground, an upset is not entirely out of the question. - JB

The Bills have to minimize turnovers to have a shot at beating the disciplined aggression of the Minnesota Vikings. One interception and two fumbles in Week 3 led to a 28-20 loss at home to the New York Jets, despite getting 328 yards passing out of J.P. Losman and 150 yards rushing out of Willis McGahee. - CR

Did Terrell Owens try to kill himself? Is his hand healed? Will Bill Parcells play him? Will Vince Young see the field? Questions galore for the Cowboys-Titans matchup this Sunday, but one thing is for sure, the Titans will be in tough coming in as huge dogs at home. - CR

After a winless start and an average of eight points per game, the Chiefs will need to find some offense to cover the point spread against the improving 49ers, or, at the very least, win the game. Most of that job will fall to Larry Johnson, the Kansas City running back who is leading the team in total yards. - CR

The Saints will be looking to carry over the emotion from their win Monday in the Superdome. They seek to go 4-0 when they face the balanced attack of the Carolina Panthers. Everyone is waiting for the Reggie Bush breakout game, and it could happen against a Carolina run defense that is giving up 152 yards per game. - CR

It only took three weeks for a full-blown QB controversy to occur in Arizona. Kurt Warner’s fumbilitis wins out over Matt Leinart’s inexperience, but now Warner must face an angry Falcons squad that laid an egg on Monday Night Football. Michael Vick is salivating at going up against a Cardinals defense that is allowing 366 total yards per game. - MH

Houston is terrible; Miami is marginally better than that. The Texans are giving up nearly 500 yards per contest (actually 483.7, but still) while the Miami offense is putting up 12 points per game. Something has to give…right? There’s another solid QB hotseat in this contest too as the disappointing Daunte Culpepper goes up against tackling dummy David Carr. Should be exciting. - MH

The Mike Martz Bowl kicks off in St. Loo where the Rams are 2-1 despite playing mediocre football for most of their first three games. That’s more than we can say about the Lions, who have ruined a valiant start against Seattle with two uninspired losses to Chicago and Green Bay. The suspiciously high total (43.5) lends credence to the notion that neither team has a good defense. Is a shootout on the horizon? - MH

The Bengals took advantage of three Ben Roethlisberger interceptions and two of his teammates' fumbles to score 21 points off turnovers in last week's mistake-filled 28-20 victory. New England started slow but found its rhythm late against the Broncos in a 17-7 loss. Considering the Pats haven't been spotted this many points since the 2001 Super Bowl (they got 14 against the Rams), more than a few bettors will be thinking value here. - JB

Bettors were obviously impressed with the Jags' win over Pittsburgh in Week 2. Jacksonville also went an impressive 9-16 on third downs last week against the Colts while controlling the ball for almost two-thirds of the game. Oddsmaker have the Jags as road favorites against the 'Skins, who, led by Mark Brunell and his 22 straight completions, looked pretty darn impressive themselves in Week 3 against Houston. - JB

If Charlie Frye vs. Andrew Walter doesn’t have you fired up, get the nurse to check your pulse! The Raiders are hoping to add to the three points they’ve scored this year, while the Browns appear to be slowly building toward that first 2006 win. The book seems to agree, as Cleveland enters as the favorite despite losing seven of its last eight road games. - MH

As soon as it was learned that Shaun Alexander (broken foot) wouldn't play, the outlook swung decidedly in the Bears' favor. "We started to see twice the normal action coming in on Chicago once bettors got news of Alexander's injury," the Bodog.com Book managers said. The Seahawks, though, have forged a 3-0 mark with Alexander averaging only 2.9 yards per carry. Whether bettors overreacted to the MVP's injury will be determined in this clash of the conference's elite. - AB

Brett Favre on Monday night - cue the highlight reel. In this one, the other quarterback may be the one to watch. Donovan McNabb is off to a spectacular start (105.3 QB rating) and the Eagles are 4-0 against Green Bay, dating to 2003. - AB

PHOTO: San Diego running back LaDainian Tomlinson will have to be at his best if his team hopes to win in Baltimore. (AI Wire photo).

Note: All times above Eastern; all NFL lines subject to change

Note: All NFL lines subject to change.

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