Famous in Our Minds Pick’em: Week 5 – A New Leader Emerges
After four weeks of back-and-forth swings, we officially have a new leader atop the Famous in Our Minds Pick’em standings. Jay surged past Jeff in Week 4, going 2-1 and moving to 7-5 overall. Meanwhile, Jeff endured a brutal 0-3 week, dropping him to 6-6 and cooling off after a hot start. Jack quietly put together a solid 2-1 performance to climb to 5-7, and suddenly all three are still very much in striking distance as we roll into Week 5. With bragging rights on the line, let’s break down the picks.
Jay Ballard
10/2/20252 min read
Jay’s Picks (7-5 Overall)
Broncos at Eagles – Over 43.5
Jay sees too much offensive firepower on both sides of this matchup to expect anything other than fireworks. With the Eagles’ balanced attack and the Broncos’ ability to strike quickly, he believes this total clears with room to spare.
Cardinals -7.5 vs. Titans
Arizona hasn’t been spectacular, but rookie quarterback Cam Ward continues to look overmatched for Tennessee. Jay isn’t buying that Ward can handle an aggressive Cardinals defense. “Can’t Ward”, as Jay calls it, and the Cards cover comfortably at home.
Lions -10.5 at Bengals
Jake Browning hasn’t shown he can move the chains consistently for Cincinnati, and Jay expects Detroit’s offense to carve up the Bengals’ defense. This has all the makings of a blowout, and Jay isn’t shying away from the big number.
Jeff’s Picks (6-6 Overall)
Rams vs. 49ers – Under 46.5
San Francisco is battered with injuries, and Jeff sees backups all over the field. He’s expecting a slugfest more than a shootout, and the under feels like the safest play on the board.
Eagles -3.5 vs. Broncos
The Eagles have won 20 straight games started and finished by Jalen Hurts, and Jeff isn’t betting against that streak now. With Philly at home, he sees them winning and covering against Denver.
Buccaneers +3.5 at Seahawks
Jeff admits this is a gutsy pick, but he can’t pass on Baker Mayfield getting more than a field goal. He likes Tampa to keep this game tight and possibly pull off the outright upset in Seattle.
Jack’s Picks (5-7 Overall)
Rams -7.5 vs 49ers
Jack believes the Rams at home along with the beat up 49ers will lead to a big Rams win!
Vikings -4.5 vs. Browns
Minnesota is playing overseas for the second straight week, and Jack believes the time change will favor them more than Cleveland. The Vikings’ passing game should be enough to get this done.
Texans at Ravens – Under 40.5
With Lamar Jackson questionable, Jack is bracing for a low-scoring grind. If Lamar doesn’t suit up, expect both teams to lean on the run and keep the scoreboard quiet.
The Standings After Four Weeks
Jay: 7-5 (New Leader)
Jeff: 6-6
Jack: 5-7
Final Thoughts
The standings are tight, and one strong week could flip everything again. Jay’s taken over first place, but his aggressive approach with double-digit spreads and high-scoring overs could open the door for Jeff or Jack to close the gap. Jeff is betting on the Eagles’ dominance and trusting Baker Mayfield on the road, while Jack is zagging with unders and banking on travel quirks to swing a game.
No matter how it shakes out, Week 5 feels like a turning point. Will Jay extend his lead, or will Jeff and Jack climb back into the race? One thing’s for sure—our picks are famous in our own minds, but only the scoreboard will tell the truth.