Let’s dive into the preview of the four games on UK TV this weekend, and into Monday.

Lenny Boyle

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NFL Week 5 Preview

Let’s dive into the preview of the four games on UK TV this weekend, and into Monday.

Philadelphia Eagles @ Pittsburgh Steelers(Sunday 1pm ET/6pm BST)

The ever fragile Michael Vick visits the1-2 Pittsburgh Steelers with his 3-1 Eagles. Pittsburgh is coming off a bye week, already much needed. Their defense is aging and is no longer the potent threat it was. With Troy Polamalu playing little more than a bit part so far this season.

The Eagles are coming off a tight victory over the Super Bowl champ Giants. But despite that win, and the 3-1 record; the Eagles do not seem like legitimate contenders. Old and battered, or not, the Steelers are still a force at home and should grab the Pennsylvania bragging rights.

Denver Broncos @ New England Patriots(Sunday 4.25pm ET/9.25pm BST)

Manning v Brady. Brady v Manning. That’s right the circus is in town as two of the most famous ball chuckers ever meet in Boston. Both teams are 2-2. We’ve seen flashes of the old Peyton in his return to the NFL. There have been questions raised about his arm strength, but he got the job done against Oakland last week in a 37-6 demolition job.

Tom Brady has won 8 of their twelve head to heads. But Manning has won 4 of the last 6. How many more years both of these men can hack it in this league remains to be seen; but before they’re in zimmer frames; enjoy two future hall of famers squaring off.

San Diego Chargers @ New Orleans Saints(Sunday 8.20pm ET/Monday 1.20am BST)

Perhaps the biggest story going into this game is; can Drew Brees beat the 47 consecutive games with a passing touch downrecord, set by Johnny Unitas in days of yore. Brees and Unitas, one of the greatest quarterbacks in league history, are currently tied on 47 straight games.

The chargers may be 3-1, but under Norv Turner, they are yet to convince they can do anything worthwhile in the post season. Saying that they’ll probably still beat the 4-0 Saints who are proof, if any were needed, that coaching matters in the NFL. Being without their coach, and even their interim coach, after the bounties scandal. But at least New Orleans fans can get excited about Brees beating an old Johnny Unitas record.

At 4-0 the Houston Texans are possibly the best team in the NFL. With Matt Schaub at quarterback, Arian Foster and BenTate in the back field, Andre Johnson, and one of the league’s top defenses; they are quickly becoming a consensus pick for Super Bowl XLVII. 

The New York Jets on the other hand are a walking disaster area. With the worst offense in the league, and with a defense no longer capable of digging them out of holes - certainly not after they lost their best player, corner Darelle Revis. And to compound all this; they now have a fully fledged quarterback controversy, with none other than man of god Tim Tebow waiting in the wings to take over from basket case Mark Sanchez.