Week 5 NFL Predictions 2011: Injuries are as much part of an NFL season as wins and loses. Problem is, injuries to key players could be the difference between winning and losing games. When you have looked as dominant as the defending Super Bowl champion (4-0) Green Bay Packers [-6] have this season, it’s hard to imagine the (2-2) Atlanta Falcons [+6] beating them on Sunday when they meet at the Georgia Dome.
However, gaps in the Packers depth chart might be enough to dramatically change the Week 5 Point Spreads, which in turn could lead to bettors losing bets. I’m bettors would hate to lose a bet due to lack of information, as much as the Packers would hate to lose their first game of the season.
This week, it appears Green Bay will be without Bryan Bulaga and potentially many others players who have either been listed as out or doubtful. In the case of Bulaga, he injured his left knee during their Week 3 game against the Chicago Bears. The severity of the sprain and all bruising didn’t subside enough to allow Bulaga to play in last week’s, 49-23, shootout victory over Denver.
According to the Packers coaching staff, the former first round draft pick he will also be out this week. Coach Mike McCarthy is optimistic that he will be ready to play in the coming weeks. Get $50 in Free NFL Picks here!
“Bryan wants to play,” McCarthy said. “He feels he’s ready to go, and Pat is concerned. Until that comes together, Bryan will not be on the field. I think Bryan definitely has a chance next week.”
It was announced on Friday that taking Bulaga’s place will be Marshall Newhouse. The Packers also listed all of the probable players for Week 5 and they include wide receiver Donald Driver, cornerback Charles Woodson, as well as linebacker Clay Mathews.
The linebacker was not allowed to practice this week due to the treatment he is receiving on his quadriceps, but his teammates are hopeful that he will be ready for game time.
“We know he will be ready for the game,” said fellow teammate Ryan Pickett. “He’s proven that he cannot practice and play well. So, we’re not worried about that. We just want him to be 100 percent for the game.”
My Week 5 NFL Predictions 2011 for the Packers vs Falcons: I believe the Falcons can do enough to hang around in this game, especially considering how bad Green Bay has been defending the pass. Although suggesting a victory over the Packers might seem like reaching a bit, anything can happen in the National Football League. Nevertheless, I like Atlanta at +6 against a Packers team destined to have its first hiccup of the 2011 season.
