NFL Week 5 Preview and Predictions

Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall is set to make his season debut after recovering from an ACL injury. (Justin K. Aller)

I literally got knocked out by a band riser tonight, so these previews are going to be brief. I don't think that my reasoning will be affected any.

5. Atlanta Falcons (4-0) @ Washington Redskins (2-2) - 1:00 PM EST, FOX

Everything for these teams start with their respective quarterback. Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan is maturing into an elite quarterback. His cool demeanor and presence gives him the authority to lead his team to victory in games they would not have otherwise won. The Redskins counter with their rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III. RG3 is an electrifying, duel-threat quarterback. He has game-changer potential and room to grow and mature.

Predictions: Falcons 31 Redskins 20

4. Buffalo Bills (2-2) @ San Francisco 49ers (3-1) - 4:25 PM EST, CBS

Bills running backs C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson have battled injuries all season. Their team needs now more than ever against the 49ers talented defense. Last week, the Niners came into New York and destroyed the Jets 34-0. They limited the Jets to 145 total yards. Offensively, they rushed for a combined 245 yards and three touchdowns.

Prediction: 49ers 30 Bills 13

3. Denver Broncos (2-2) @ New England Patriots (2-2) - 4:25 PM EST, CBS

It is another installment in the Peyton Manning vs. Tom Brady annals. The Broncos have had their share of ups and downs so far this season. Last week, the team played very well in a blowout of the Oakland Raiders. Manning threw for 338 yards and three touchdowns. Meanwhile, it was the Patriots who got off to  a slow start against the Bills. That didn't last long as they scored 45 points in the second half to win by 24.

Prediction: Patriots 28 Broncos 24

2. Houston Texans (4-0) @ New York Jets (2-2) - 8:30 PM EST, ESPN/WatchESPN

The Texans have been one of the best teams in all of football so far this season. This is their opportunity to prove it on national television. Quarterback Matt Schaub leads a steadily consistent offense that rarely makes mistakes. The Texans defense has been dominate and appears to be built to be so. The Jets have struggled mightily with inconsistency and not knowing what to expect. They need to come together as a team under one set of common goals.

Prediction: Texans 38 Jets 6

1. Philadelphia Eagles (3-1) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (1-2) - 1:00 PM, FOX

The Eagles' three wins have come by a combined four points. This could mean they are very good or very lucky. Which one it is remains to be seen. What is for sure is that the Eagles odds of winning significantly increase when quarterback Michael Vick doesn't turnover the football and instead, distributes it well. The Steelers are coming off a bitter loss to the Raiders and a bye week. The good news for the Steelers is that they will reportedly have James Harrison, Troy Polamalu and Rashard Mendenhall back from their respective injuries. They are more than capable of taking over the game.

Prediction: Steelers 24 Eagles 20

College Football Week 6 Preview and Predictions

South Carolina is going to need a big game out of running back Marcus Lattimore if they are going to defeat Georgia. (Streeter Lecka)

Only have time for short previews this week. I am giving you an impact player to watch on each of the teams, plus my usual predictions.

5. Miami (FL) (4-1) vs. #9 Notre Dame (4-0) (in Chicago) - 7:30 PM EST, NBC

Stephen Morris, Miami quarterback - Morris put up huge numbers against N.C. State, including 271  passing yards in the first quarter. He must continue to be accurate and limit mistakes as much as possible.

Manti Te'o, Notre Dame linebacker - Te'o has been in beast mode since the season began. He has forced five fumbles in four games. The combination of speed and skill Te'o possesses makes his very presence a game-changer.

Prediction: Notre Dame 27 Miami 24

4. #21 Nebraska (4-1) @ #12 Ohio State (5-0) - 8:00 PM EST, ABC

Taylor Martinez, Nebraska quarterback - Martinez leads a dynamic offense that is capable of keeping up with the scoring of Ohio State. His dual-treat nature keeps opposing defenses guessing and on their heels.

Philly Brown, Ohio State wide receiver - Brown had the game of  his career last weekend against Michigan State. He had 12 catches for 84 yards. Buckeyes quarterback Braxton Miller will likely look Brown's way first, so he has to be ready.

Prediction: Ohio State 31 Nebraska 27

3. #8 West Virginia (4-0) @ #11 Texas (4-0) - 7:00 PM EST, FOX

Geno Smith, West Virginia quarterback - Smith has been putting up extraordinary numbers all season long. Last week, he completed 45 of 51 passes for 656 yards and eight touchdowns. Smith has thrust himself into the national spotlight and Heisman race.

Jackson Jeffcoat, Texas defensive end - Jeffocoat leads a talented Longhorns defensive line and unit. He has 25 tackles, including eight for a loss so far this season.

Prediction: West Virginia 52 Texas 41

2. #4 LSU (5-0) @ #10 Florida (4-0) - 3:30 PM EST, CBS

Sean Montgomery, LSU defensive end - Montgomery leads a loaded Tigers defense. Controlling the line of scrimmage has been key. He has 6.5 of the Tigers' 41 tackles for a loss.

Mike Gillislee, Florida running back - Gilliselee is a big, strong power back is difficult to take down. He has rushed for 402 yards and five touchdowns so far this season. The senior could be in for a big game against a Tigers defense that looked suspect against the run in their game against Towson.

Prediction: Florida 17 LSU 13

1. #5 Georgia @ #6 South Carolina - 7:00 PM EST, ESPN/WatchESPN

Jarvis Jones, Georgia linebacker - Jones is a superb talent and game-changer on defense. In their last game against Tennessee  he was limited to only eight tackles. Jones will be looking to make a big play in Saturday's showdown.

Marcus Lattimore, South Carolina running back - Lattimore, who is coming off season-ending surgery last season, is putting up big numbers this season. He has even diversified his game to become an important receiver for the Gamecocks as well.

Prediction: Georgia 31 South Carolina 27

MLB Postseason Preview & Predictions

In Friday's AL Wild Card Game, the Orioles will rely on newly acquired starting pitcher Joe Saunders. (Ben Margot)

For each of the ten playoff teams, 162 games are in the books. Two of the teams will only play one more game. Others wait to find out where they will play their next game. Regardless, I am going to go ahead and predict what I think is going to happen for the entire postseason. Call me crazy if you wish, but what do I have to lose.

AL Wild Card Game - Baltimore Orioles @ Texas Rangers - Friday, 8:37 PM EST, TBS

This is a very difficult pick because you don't know what you will get with either team. The Orioles are a young, inexperienced team that must go on the road to play in a high intensity atmosphere. They will turn newly acquired Joe Saunders on the mound. He has pitched well as of late, but has struggled badly against the Rangers in his career. Speaking of the Rangers, they lost nine of their last thirteen games to put themselves in this situation. They will give the ball to rookie Yu Darvish. He been very good lately as well, but will be making his postseason debut.

Prediction: Rangers 3 Orioles 1

NL Wild Card Game - St. Louis Cardinals @ Atlanta Braves - Friday, 5:07 PM EST, TBS

For much of the season, people wondered if the Cardinals would have a chance to defend their status as reigning World Series Champions. They turned it on at the right time in the season to earn the NL's second wild card spot. They will turn to Kyle Lohse to the decisive game. If you told me before the season that Lohse would finish the regular season with a 16-3 record and an ERA of 2.86, I would have told you that you were absolutely crazy, but that is exactly he has accomplished. The Braves successfully avoided the meltdown they experienced last year when they missed the playoffs. They will have Kris Medlen on the mound. While this may seem like an interesing choice, the Braves haven't lost one of his starts in over two years.

Prediction: Braves 5 Cardinals 2

AL Divisional Series - New York Yankees vs. Texas Rangers - Begins October 7

Since I have already talked about the Rangers, I will focus on the Yankees here. With the Orioles in hot pursuit, the Yankees had to be superb baseball to remain in first. Second baseman Robinson Cano is one of the hottest hitters in baseball. Raul Ibanez has added some clutch hits. The Yankees pitching has improved lately as well.

Prediction: Yankees 3-1

AL Divisional Series - Oakland Athletics vs. Detroit Tigers - Begins October 6

How about them Athletics? In the stretch of three months, they have gone from 13 games out to winning the AL West. Without any real superstars and the lowest AL payroll. The Tigers held off the Chicago White Sox to win the AL Central. They must now look for a way to slow done the Athletics for one game.

Prediction: Tigers 3-2

NL Divisional Series - Washington Nationals vs. Atlanta Braves - Begins October 7

Since the Braves have already been discussed, the focal point is here to look at the Nationals. Their magical season has earned their team home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. A balanced offense is pushed by a talented pitching staff, lead by Gio Gonzalez.

Prediction: Nationals 3-2

NL Divisional Series - Cincinnati Reds vs. San Francisco Giants - Begins October 6

The Reds have simply played balanced baseball this season. A mostly consistent pitching staff and reliable lineup allow them to easily win the NL Central. The Giants have had their share of ups and downs this season. While certain players have struggled and are no longer available, others have stepped up to fill their holes.

Prediction: Giants 3-2

AL Conference Series - New York Yankees vs. Detroit Tigers - Begins October 13

While the Tigers may have better individual players, such as Miguel Cabrera and Justin Verlander, I believe that the Yankees are the better team from top to bottom.

Prediction: Yankees 4-2

NL Conference Series - Washington Nationals vs. San Francisco Giants - Begins October 14

The main difference in this matchup is experience. How much of factor does it play? With a matchup this close, I've decided to use that as my deciding factor.

Prediction: Giants 4-2

World Series - New York Yankees vs. San Francisco Giants - Begins October 24

This would be an excellent matchup in all aspects of the game. When it comes down to separating the two sides, I believe that the Yankees have more depth in their lineup and pitching staff.

Prediction: Yankees 4-1

Bottomline: I am predicting the New York Yankees to win the World Series.