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EAGLES SEEK A TURNAROUND AGAINST THE JAGUARS IN LONDON

LONDON, ENGLAND — The Philadelphia Eagles travel across the Atlantic looking to get their season back on track, but standing in their way are the Jacksonville Jaguars, a club that has opened the season with impressive consistency.

Philadelphia has been dealing with injuries to several important offensive players, including Saquon Barkley. Jacksonville will look to take advantage by putting pressure on the Eagles early and forcing their offense into difficult situations.

The key: Philadelphia must protect the football and find ways to move the chains. Jacksonville has an opportunity to establish control with a balanced offensive attack.

My pick: Jacksonville. The Jaguars appear to have the steadier hand entering this international showdown.

BEARS AND PACKERS RENEW ONE OF FOOTBALL’S GREATEST RIVALRIES

GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN — When Chicago meets Green Bay, records often take a back seat to pride. The Bears and Packers bring another chapter of their historic rivalry to Sunday’s schedule, and neither club will want to surrender bragging rights.

Chicago must find a way to keep Green Bay from dictating the tempo. The Packers, meanwhile, will look to make their home-field advantage count and put the Bears under pressure from the opening whistle.

The key: Turnovers and red-zone execution could decide this one. Rivalry games often turn on a single mistake.

My pick: Green Bay. At home, the Packers get the nod in what could be a close, physical contest.

BENGALS FACE A MIAMI TEAM DESPERATE FOR A VICTORY

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA — The Cincinnati Bengals arrive in South Florida knowing that a victory would help strengthen their position, while the winless Miami Dolphins are running short on time to turn their season around.

Cincinnati must keep its offensive attack organized, particularly with uncertainty surrounding the availability of key receivers. Miami needs to take advantage of its home crowd and avoid falling behind early.

The key: Can Miami generate enough offense to keep pace? The Dolphins need a complete performance on both sides of the football.

My pick: Cincinnati. The Bengals have the stronger case, provided their offense has its key contributors available.

RAIDERS AND PATRIOTS PREPARE FOR A HARD-NOSED AFFAIR

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS — Las Vegas heads east to meet New England in a matchup that could come down to discipline, field position and which team makes fewer costly mistakes.

The Raiders will try to disrupt New England’s rhythm, while the Patriots will look to capitalize on their home surroundings and make the most of their scoring opportunities.

The key: Third-down conversions and special teams could prove decisive if the game remains tight.

My pick: New England. I give the Patriots a narrow advantage on their home field.

VIKINGS AND SAINTS LOOK TO MAKE THEIR MARK

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA — Minnesota visits the New Orleans Saints in a contest that offers both teams a chance to gain valuable ground during the early portion of the season.

The Vikings will want to establish their offensive rhythm and avoid giving New Orleans extra possessions. The Saints, playing before their home supporters, must find a way to turn that energy into points.

The key: Whichever defense can force the opposing quarterback into uncomfortable situations will have a significant advantage.

My pick: Minnesota. The Vikings get my vote in a matchup that could remain competitive into the fourth quarter.

BROWNS AND JETS BRACE FOR A PHYSICAL CONTEST

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY — Cleveland and the New York Jets meet in a game where defensive toughness may be more important than offensive fireworks.

The Browns will look to make life difficult for the Jets, while New York needs to protect the ball and take advantage of every scoring opportunity.

The key: The running game and defensive pressure could determine which club controls the afternoon.

My pick: Cleveland. I lean toward the Browns in a low-scoring, hard-fought affair.

COLTS CHALLENGE THE STEELERS IN PITTSBURGH

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA — Indianapolis travels to one of the NFL’s most demanding road environments to face the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Colts must demonstrate that they can maintain their offensive composure against a defense eager to pressure the quarterback. Pittsburgh will look to use its home advantage and make Indianapolis work for every yard.

The key: Indianapolis needs to avoid turnovers, while Pittsburgh must turn defensive stops into points.

My pick: Pittsburgh. The Steelers get the edge at home, although Indianapolis could make this interesting if it starts quickly.

TEXANS AND TITANS MEET IN AN AFC SOUTH SHOWDOWN

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE — Division games have a way of becoming especially meaningful as the season progresses, and Houston’s visit to Tennessee gives both clubs an opportunity to make an early statement.

The Texans will look to impose their offensive game plan, while the Titans need to be efficient and take advantage of opportunities inside the scoring zone.

The key: Houston’s ability to sustain drives against Tennessee’s defense could be the difference.

My pick: Houston. I favor the Texans, but divisional contests can be unpredictable.

GIANTS AND COMMANDERS LOOK FOR A DIVISIONAL BREAKTHROUGH

LANDOVER, MARYLAND — The New York Giants travel to face the Washington Commanders in another divisional contest where pride and positioning are both at stake.

Washington will try to make the most of its home field, while the Giants must find a way to prevent the Commanders from establishing control early.

The key: Quarterback decision-making and protection in the pocket will be crucial.

My pick: Washington. The Commanders receive the nod at home in a game that could turn on a late possession.

BRONCOS VISIT THE CHARGERS IN AN AFC WEST TEST

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA — Denver and the Los Angeles Chargers square off in a matchup with potential implications for the AFC West race.

The Broncos will attempt to make their defense a factor, while the Chargers will look to use their offensive weapons to put pressure on Denver’s secondary.

The key: The team that wins the battle up front and avoids third-and-long situations should have the upper hand.

My pick: Los Angeles Chargers. Playing at home gives Los Angeles a slight advantage in what could be one of Sunday’s more entertaining games.

LIONS TAKE THEIR OFFENSIVE FIREPOWER TO ARIZONA

GLENDALE, ARIZONA — Detroit visits the Cardinals hoping to turn offensive potential into another important victory. The Lions have shown the ability to score, but they will need to limit penalties and avoid giving Arizona extra chances.

Detroit will also be without safety Brian Branch, a notable absence for its defense. Arizona will look to exploit any weaknesses and make the Lions uncomfortable away from home.

The key: Detroit’s speed on offense could create problems for the Cardinals, provided the Lions execute cleanly.

My pick: Detroit. The Lions have the offensive tools to win this game, though Arizona could make them earn it.

49ERS AND SEAHAWKS HEADLINE THE AFTERNOON

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON — San Francisco and Seattle renew their NFC West rivalry in one of the weekend’s most compelling matchups.

The 49ers enter the contest unbeaten through their first four games, while the Seahawks will be eager to defend their home turf and challenge one of the conference’s early front-runners.

San Francisco will attempt to maintain its balance on offense and keep Seattle’s defense guessing. The Seahawks must find ways to slow the 49ers while creating scoring opportunities of their own.

The key: This game could come down to the turnover battle and which team handles the pressure in the fourth quarter.

My pick: San Francisco. The 49ers have earned the benefit of the doubt, but Seattle’s home crowd makes this a dangerous road test.

RAVENS AND FALCONS CLOSE SUNDAY NIGHT

ATLANTA, GEORGIA — Sunday’s schedule concludes under the lights as the Baltimore Ravens visit the Atlanta Falcons.

Baltimore will look to bring its physical brand of football to Atlanta, while the Falcons will hope to carry their recent momentum into another important contest.

Atlanta comes into the matchup following an impressive victory over New Orleans. Baltimore must be prepared for a home team that will be eager to keep its momentum going.

The key: Baltimore’s ability to control the tempo against Atlanta’s offense could determine whether the Ravens leave town with a victory.

My pick: Baltimore. The Ravens get my vote in what I expect to be a competitive Sunday-night game.

THE FINAL WORD

Sunday football is what makes the fall special. From the historic rivalry between Chicago and Green Bay to the heavyweight NFC West meeting between San Francisco and Seattle, Week Five offers plenty of reasons to settle into your favorite chair and enjoy the action.

My picks lean toward Jacksonville, Green Bay, Cincinnati, New England, Minnesota, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Houston, Washington, the Chargers, Detroit, San Francisco and Baltimore.

Of course, predictions are part of the fun. Injuries, turnovers and unexpected performances have a way of turning even the safest forecast upside down.

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