Putting it on the Line: Eric Fisher's weekly NFL picks | Philly Phanatics - THE online community for Philly sports fanatics

Putting it on the Line

Posted by Eric Fisher On October 3

Much like three-quarters of the NFC East and AFC East, I’m hovering around .500 after the first four weeks of the season. I’m two games below .500 overall, two games above .500 on my “other top picks,” and at .500 on the nose in my best bets.

Like all those 2-2 teams, I aspire to be better. Hopefully, I’ll take a step in the right direction this week and leave .500 in my rearview mirror for good.

I’m going to start off by making the Cincinnati Bengals (-3½ over the visiting Dolphins) my top selection. The Bengals may have been the most difficult team for me to get a handle on last season, but I’ve picked all four of their games correctly this year, including the last two weeks, when I correctly selected them as road favorites. I like the Bengals (3-1) coming home before completing the easy portion of their schedule at Cleveland. Their schedule becomes much more difficult during their final 10 games.

The undefeated Falcons, Cardinals and Texans are all road favorites this week. I like the Falcons (-3 at Redskins), but envision the Cardinals (-1½ at Rams) falling from the ranks of the unbeaten.

The Eagles have escaped by the skin of their teeth twice this season. I think they could be in trouble Sunday against the Steelers (-3½), who have used the bye week to get healthy.

The following are my complete Week 5 selections:

(Home team in CAPS)

(Winning team against the line in bold)

RAMS +1½ vs. Cardinals

Falcons -3 at REDSKINS

STEELERS -3½ vs. Eagles

Packers -7 at COLTS

GIANTS -9 vs. Browns

Titans +5½ at VIKINGS

BENGALS -3½ vs. Dolphins

CHIEFS +5 vs. Ravens

PANTHERS -3 vs. Seahawks