Pro Picks: London is calling the Jets and Vikings while 6 divisional matchups highlight Week 5

Pro Picks is a weekly column where AP Pro Football Writer Rob Maaddi shares his picks for upcoming games. For all previous Pro Picks, head here.

The NFL kicks off its London schedule in Week 5 along with six division matchups.

Only the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs and surprising Vikings remain unbeaten at 4-0. The underachieving Jaguars are the lone winless team yet they’re favorites this week.

Four teams have early byes at the near quarter-point of the season. The Cowboys-Steelers face off in a rivalry that goes back to two Super Bowls in the 1970s.

Pro Picks aims to rebound from a tough week against the spread that featured three half-point losses.

Line: Falcons minus 1 1/2

Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers (3-1) are rolling on offense but their defense still is missing All-Pro safety Antoine Winfield Jr. and defensive tackle Calijah Kancey. Kirk Cousins still hasn’t found a rhythm with the Falcons (2-2). Atlanta’s offense could benefit from facing a banged-up defense on a short week. The Falcons have lost six of the past eight games against the Bucs and need a win at home if they hope to dethrone them in the NFC South.

FALCONS, 23-20

Line: 49ers minus 7 1/2

Brock Purdy and the injury-depleted 49ers (2-2) host a team they’ve dominated recently. The Niners have won four straight in this series by an average margin of 22 points. The Cardinals (1-3) are off to a disappointing start and are 4-8 since Kyler Murray returned last season from an ACL injury.

BEST BET: 49ERS, 30-17

Line: Vikings minus 2 1/2

Aaron Rodgers and the Jets (2-2) are coming off a terrible offensive performance in a loss to Denver. The team needs to be more disciplined after committing 15 penalties, including five false starts. New York’s defense presents a tough challenge for Sam Darnold, who leads the league with 11 touchdown passes. The Vikings (4-0) gave up 465 total yards last week, holding on for a 31-29 win in Green Bay after building a 28-0 lead. Maybe Rodgers will call Jordan Love for some tips on attacking Minnesota’s defense. Rodgers lost his only other game in London two years ago.

UPSET SPECIAL: JETS, 22-19

Line: Ravens minus 2 1/2

Joe Burrow finally got the Bengals (1-3) on the winning track last week just in time for an important AFC North matchup. Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry and the Ravens (2-2) have turned things around after opening with two losses. Henry, who had 350 yards rushing in Baltimore’s two wins, could have another big day against a defense that’s allowed 144.5 yards rushing per game. The Ravens are 4-1 against the spread in the past five vs. Cincinnati.

RAVENS, 27-23

Line: Bills minus 1

Josh Allen and the Bills (3-1) were blown out in Baltimore but are slight favorites against C.J. Stroud and the AFC South-leading Texans (3-1). It seems oddsmakers aren’t giving DeMeco Ryans’ team enough respect, though Houston didn’t play its best football over the first month. Texans receiver Stefon Diggs should be fired up to face his former team, which has suggested it doesn’t miss the four-time Pro Bowler.

BILLS, 23-21

Line: Bears minus 4

The Panthers (1-3) face the team they helped rebuild by trading a slew of assets for the No. 1 pick spent on now-benched QB Bryce Young. Caleb Williams hasn’t been spectacular for the Bears (2-2) but he got help from D’Andre Swift and the run game last week. They should have success against a depleted defense that lost linebacker Shaq Thompson for the season and won’t have fellow linebacker Josey Jewell this week. Andy Dalton, who started for Chicago in 2021, has improved Carolina’s offense and could help keep it close.

BEARS, 20-17

Line: Commanders minus 3 1/2

Jayden Daniels was the best rookie in September, leading the Commanders (3-1) to three straight wins while operating Kliff Kingsbury’s offense smoothly. The Browns (1-3) are back to their old losing ways after making the playoffs last season. Deshaun Watson is struggling and the defense, despite Myles Garrett’s best efforts, hasn’t dominated the way it did in 2023. They have to find a way to win or the season will be lost.

BROWNS, 22-20

Line: Jaguars minus 3

It’s not often an 0-4 team is favored but the Jaguars have more talent than their record indicates. Questionable coaching decisions and poor execution have contributed to blowing two leads in the second half. Doug Pederson, Trevor Lawrence and Co. better figure it out fast before they head to London for two games. The Colts (2-2) turned to Joe Flacco last week for a win but Anthony Richardson should be back from a hip injury. Jacksonville swept the season series last season and has won four of five.

JAGUARS, 24-18

Line: Patriots minus 1

Even without Tua Tagovailoa, the Dolphins (1-3) have more talent than the Patriots (1-3). Coach Mike McDaniel has to find a way to use Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, De’Von Achane no matter who is under center.

DOLPHINS, 20-16

Line: Broncos minus 2 1/2

A stingy defense has helped Denver (2-2) to consecutive wins while the offense under rookie QB Bo Nix still finds its way. The Raiders (2-2) should have Maxx Crosby back this week, making life more difficult for Nix.

RAIDERS, 17-16

Line: Packers minus 3

Jordan Love’s turnovers — four interceptions in two games — are the only thing that have slowed Green Bay’s passing attack. The Packers (2-2) won’t have wideout Christian Watson because of an ankle injury. Injuries have plagued the Rams (1-3) and only the Panthers are giving up more points. Green Bay has won three straight in this series.

PACKERS, 27-20

Line: Seahawks minus 6

Mike Macdonald’s defense was shredded by the Lions in Seattle’s toughest test so far. The Giants (1-3) present an easier challenge. The Seahawks (3-1) will outscore plenty of teams if Geno Smith plays the way he did against the Lions. Daniel Jones has been solid for New York, which had extra time to prepare for this one.

SEAHAWKS, 25-21

Line: Steelers minus 2 1/2

Coming off his first loss for Pittsburgh (3-1), Justin Fields doesn’t have to worry about injured Cowboys pass rushers DeMarcus Lawrence and Micah Parsons. Dallas (2-2) also won’t have wideout Brandin Cooks and there hasn’t been much of a run game to help Dak Prescott. The Cowboys lead the series 17-16.

STEELERS, 23-22

Line: Chiefs minus 5 1/2

Derek Carr and the Saints (2-2) were unstoppable the first two weeks. Not anymore. The Chiefs (4-0) keep winning despite losing key players to injuries. They’ve still got Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and a strong defense.

CHIEFS, 20-16

Last week: Straight up: 10-6. Against spread: 6-10.

Overall: Straight up: 42-22. Against spread: 34-28-2.

Thursday: Straight up: 3-1. Against spread: 2-2.

Monday: Straight up: 3-3. Against spread: 2-4.

Best Bet: Straight up: 3-1. Against spread: 3-1.

Upset Special: Straight up: 4-0. Against spread: 4-0.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) and fullback C.J. Ham (30) celebrate the team's win against the Green Bay Packers after an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)

Graphic shows NFL team matchups and predicts the winners in this week’s action

Pro Picks: London is calling the Jets and Vikings while 6 divisional matchups highlight Week 5

Pro Picks: London is calling the Jets and Vikings while 6 divisional matchups highlight Week 5

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) is sacked by the Denver Broncos during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

HOUSTON (AP) — Manager A.J. Hinch wanted his Detroit Tigers to embody their home city. Hard-working with a never-give-up attitude, but most of all a team that had grit.

That's how they stormed into October — and just kept going.

Andy Ibáñez hit a tiebreaking three-run double in Detroit’s four-run eighth inning, and the Tigers swept the Houston Astros with a 5-2 victory in Game 2 of their AL Wild Card Series on Wednesday.

“Our city is built on grit,” a jubilant Hinch said in a prosecco-soaked clubhouse. “That’s what it is. I remember saying that I wanted to have a team that this city is proud of. I think the city is pretty proud of what we’re doing and how we’re doing it and the fight that this team shows.”

Parker Meadows homered as Detroit ended Houston's run of seven consecutive appearances in the AL Championship Series. It was a sweet moment for Hinch, who led Houston to a championship in 2017 and was fired in the aftermath of the Astros' sign-stealing scandal.

“This is what you play for,” he said. “Baseball’s great.”

Next up for the wild-card Tigers is a trip to Cleveland to take on the AL Central champions in a best-of-five AL Division Series. Game 1 is on Saturday.

“Regardless that nobody was rooting for us, regardless that nobody was putting us in the playoffs in a good spot, we didn’t care,” Ibáñez said. “We just put in hard work ... to make the results come.”

Kerry Carpenter sparked Detroit's eighth-inning rally with a one-out single off Ryan Pressly (0-1), who converted his first 14 postseason save opportunities. Carpenter advanced to third on a single by Matt Vierling and scored on a wild pitch, tying it at 2.

Pressly departed after Colt Keith reached on a two-out walk, and closer Josh Hader walked Spencer Torkelson to load the bases.

Hinch then sent Ibáñez up to hit for Zach McKinstry, and he lined a 1-2 sinker into the corner in left for a 5-2 lead.

Ibáñez hadn't driven in a run since Sept. 10. He hit just .167 in September.

“He’s had a tough stretch,” Hinch said. “But his season restarts in October, and he’s showing that.”

Vierling, Keith and Torkelson jumped around and high-fived in celebration after scoring on Ibáñez's clutch swing. Ibáñez raised his arms high above his head and smiled as he reached second.

Hader, who signed a $95 million, five-year contract with Houston in January, allowed three hits and walked two in 1 1/3 innings.

Detroit used seven different pitchers a day after pitching Triple Crown winner Tarik Skubal got the win in the series opener. Sean Guenther pitched 1 2/3 innings for the win in Game 2, and Will Vest handled the ninth for the save.

In the postseason for the first time since 2014, Detroit also got a solo home run from Meadows in the sixth to help the franchise to its first playoff series win since the 2013 ALDS.

Just making it to the playoffs seemed improbable before Detroit went 31-13 down the stretch in the regular season, helped along by the leadership of Hinch — who knows a little something about October success from his time with the Astros.

“They did everything right to win the series,” Houston second baseman Jose Altuve said.

Eight of the first nine Wild Card Series since they began in 2002 have been sweeps. It’s the fourth sweep in postseason history for the Tigers, who previously swept the AL Championship Series in 1984, 2006 and 2012.

The Astros jumped in front in the seventh, but they lost their seventh straight postseason game at home. Houston's ALCS streak included four World Series appearances and two titles.

“It’s tough,” manager Joe Espada said. “But I want our guys to be proud of how far we’ve come. It was a very challenging season, and we reached the postseason — that’s our goal every year. We win the division, and then play deep into the playoffs. It didn’t happen for us this year, but I want our guys to be proud of their resiliency and how tough this season was."

The AL West champions failed to get the big hits they relied on in the regular season, but manufactured a pair of runs with hustle plays in the seventh.

Mauricio Dubón hit a bunt single to load the bases with no outs. Pinch-hitter Jon Singleton hit a chopper that was fielded by first baseman Torkelson, who threw home from his knees. The throw was in front of the plate and not in time to beat Victor Caratini.

Torkelson, who was given an error on the play, smacked the ground in disgust after Caratini touched home, tying it at 1.

Altuve then hit a flyball that Vierling caught in foul territory in right, but his throw home wasn’t in time to beat the speedy Jeremy Peña.

Houston designated hitter Yordan Alvarez returned for this series after sitting out since spraining his right knee Sept. 22. He had two hits Tuesday, but he went 0 for 3 with a walk in Game 2 while clearly still struggling with the injury.

Asked if he would have played if these were regular-season games, he said: “That's a really good question, I don't know.”

Houston starter Hunter Brown had allowed just one hit on a double in the second when Meadows smacked his home run off the foul pole in right field to start the sixth.

Brown struck out nine in 5 1/3 innings in his eighth postseason game and first start.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Detroit Tigers' Wenceel Perez, right, celebrates with the team in the clubhouse after defeating the Houston Astros in Game 2 to clinch the AL Wild Card baseball series, Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)

The Detroit Tigers celebrate in the clubhouse after defeating the Houston Astros in Game 2 to clinch the AL Wild Card baseball series, Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)

Detroit Tigers catcher Jake Rogers, center, celebrates with the team in the clubhouse after the their 5-2 win against the Houston Astros in Game 2 of an AL Wild Card Series baseball game Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)

Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch, center, celebrates his team's 5-2 win against the Houston Astros in Game 2 of an AL Wild Card Series baseball game Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)

The Detroit Tigers pose for a team photo after their 5-2 win against the Houston Astros in Game 2 of an AL Wild Card Series baseball game Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)

The Detroit Tigers celebrate in the clubhouse after defeating the Houston Astros in Game 2 to clinch the AL Wild Card baseball series, Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)

Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch celebrates with his team in the clubhouse after defeating the Houston Astros in Game 2 to clinch the AL Wild Card baseball series, Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)

The Detroit Tigers celebrate in the clubhouse after defeating the Houston Astros in Game 2 to clinch the AL Wild Card baseball series, Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)

Detroit Tigers catcher Jake Rogers (34) and relief pitcher Jackson Jobe (21) work on Jobe's communications device as home plate umpire Jordan Baker (71) looks on in the seventh inning of Game 2 of an AL Wild Card Series baseball game Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)

Detroit Tigers third baseman Zach McKinstry (39) and shortstop Trey Sweeney (27) celebrate after completing a double play that off a ground ball by Houston Astros' Yainer Diaz in the sixth inning of Game 2 of an AL Wild Card Series baseball game Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)

Houston Astros' Mauricio Dubon celebrates his bunt for a single against the Detroit Tigers in the seventh inning of Game 2 of an AL Wild Card Series baseball game Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)

Detroit Tigers' Spencer Torkelson, center, celebrates in front of umpire Jordan Baker, left, and Houston Astros catcher Yainer Diaz, right, after Torkelson scored on a bases-clearing double by Andy Ibanez in the eighth inning of Game 2 of an AL Wild Card Series baseball game Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)

Houston Astros' Josh Hader throws to the Detroit Tigers in the eighth inning of Game 2 of an AL Wild Card Series baseball game Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)

Detroit Tigers catcher Jake Rogers reaches out for the throw to the plate as Houston Astros' Jeremy Pena, right, scores on a Jose Altuve sacrifice fly in the seventh inning of Game 2 of an AL Wild Card Series baseball game Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)

Detroit Tigers' Andy Ibanez follows through on a bases-clearing double against the Houston Astros in the eighth inning of Game 2 of an AL Wild Card Series baseball game Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)

Detroit Tigers' Andy Ibanez celebrates his bases-clearing double against the Houston Astros in the eighth inning of Game 2 of an AL Wild Card Series baseball game Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)