Sam Farmer’s Week 5 NFL picks

Lines according to Glantz-Culver (O/U = over/under). Last week’s record: 8-6; season 35-27 (.565). Using point spreads with the scores Farmer predicted, the handicapped record would have been 7-7; season 27-35 (.435).

Denver at Baltimore
Records: 2-2; 3-1.
When: Sunday, 10 a.m.
TV: none. DirecTV: 704.
Line: Ravens by 7. O/U: 38.
The Broncos have never won in four games at Baltimore. The Ravens have some vulnerabilities on the back end of their defense but can pressure Kyle Orton. Ravens 20, Broncos 17.

Jacksonville at Buffalo
Records: 2-2; 0-4.
When: Sunday, 10 a.m.
TV: none. DirecTV: 705.
Line: Pick ‘em. O/U: 41.
Maurice Jones-Drew finally broke through with his first touchdown last week. Now, he’ll be going against the league’s worst rush defense. Jaguars 21, Bills 13.

Kansas City at Indianapolis
Records: 3-0; 2-2.
When: Sunday, 10 a.m.
TV: Channel 2. DirecTV: 706.
Line: Colts by 7. O/U: 45.
The Chiefs don’t want to get in a shootout with Peyton Manning and the Colts, especially in Indianapolis. The Colts should bounce back from last Sunday. Colts 31, Chiefs 17.

Chicago at Carolina
Records: 3-1; 0-4.
When: Sunday, 10 a.m.
TV: none. DirecTV: 707.
Line: Bears by 2. O/U: 35.
Panthers haven’t generated much of a pass rush. Then again, neither had the Giants before they notched 10 sacks against the Bears. Still, Chicago ekes one out. Bears 17, Panthers 13.

Tampa Bay at Cincinnati
Records: 2-1; 2-2.
When: Sunday, 10 a.m.
TV: none. DirecTV: 708.
Line: Bengals by 6. O/U: 38.
Buccaneers have won three in a row coming off a bye week. If they can rush better, they can control the clock and make things tough on the Bengals. Buccaneers 21, Bengals 20.

Atlanta at Cleveland
Records: 3-1; 1-3.
When: Sunday, 10 a.m.
TV: none. DirecTV: 709.
Line: Falcons by 3. O/U: 40.
Playing in Cleveland hasn’t been good to the Falcons, who are 1-5 there and haven’t won since 1971. Still, Atlanta’s balanced offense won’t be easy to stop. Falcons 23, Browns 17.

St. Louis at Detroit
Records: 2-2; 0-4.
When: Sunday, 10 a.m.
TV: none. DirecTV: 710.
Line: Lions by 3. O/U: 43.
Both these teams have improved, but only the Rams have their record to show for it. The Lions should finally hang on and get one in the left-hand column. Lions 24, Rams 23.

New York Giants at Houston
Records: 2-2; 3-1.
When: Sunday, 10 a.m.
TV: none. DirecTV: 711.
Line: Texans by 3. O/U: 47.
Getting Brian Cushing back will be big for a suspect Texans defense. If Houston plays the way it can, it should be able to pull off a rare Manning sweep. Texans 28, Giants 24.

Green Bay at Washington
Records: 3-1; 2-2.
When: Sunday, 10 a.m.
TV: Channel 11. DirecTV: 712.
Line: Packers by 2. O/U: 44.
Watch for the Packers to get Greg Jennings more involved in the passing game. The Redskins need to avoid an emotional letdown after the big win in Philly. Packers 28, Redskins 20.

New Orleans at Arizona
Records: 3-1; 2-2.
When: Sunday, 1 p.m.
TV: none. DirecTV: 713.
Line: Saints by 7. O/U: 45.
Drew Brees and Saints aren’t anywhere close to the offensive machine they were last season. They have enough firepower, though, to handle sputtering Cards. Saints 23, Cardinals 13.

Tennessee at Dallas
Records: 2-2; 1-2.
When: Sunday, 1:15 p.m.
TV: none. DirecTV: 714.
Line: Cowboys by 6. O/U: 41.
Titans got away from the pass last week (Vince Young threw just 10 times in second half.). That isn’t likely to work in Dallas, especially if Cowboys get up early. Cowboys 24, Titans 17.

San Diego at Oakland
Records: 2-2; 1-3.
When: Sunday, 1:15 p.m.
TV: Channel 2. DirecTV: 715.
Line: Chargers by 6. O/U: 45.
If they’re following their pattern of recent years, the Chargers will lose to go to 2-3. But they know how to beat the Raiders, and San Diego often wins big. Chargers 27, Oakland 14.

Philadelphia at San Francisco
Records: 2-2; 0-4.
When: Sunday, 5:15 p.m.
TV: Channel 4.
Line: <49ers by 3. O/U: 38.
The pressure is on Mike Singletary, who will be hard-pressed to keep his job at 0-5. Kevin Kolb needs to do a better job of stretching the field for the Eagles. 49ers 23, Eagles 20.

Minnesota at New York Jets
Records: 1-2; 3-1.
When: Monday, 5:30 p.m.
TV: ESPN.
Line: Jets by 4. O/U: 39.
The return of Randy Moss should really help the Vikings, but the Jets are also getting some major talent back: Darrelle Revis, Calvin Pace and Santonio Holmes. Jets 21, Vikings 20.