NFL Week 5 Odds and Predictions: Best Picks Against the Spread
Here’s a quick look at all Week 5 games, played Sunday unless noted.
Indianapolis Colts at Denver Broncos, Thursday
Both teams could be missing their No. 1 running back. Denver for sure will as Javonte Williams suffered a serious knee injury in Week 4 and is done for the year. Indianapolis’ Jonathan Taylor, the 2021 NFL rushing king, avoided serious injury on his ankle Sunday but with the quick turnaround might not take the field.
Pick ATS: Denver
New York Giants “at” Green Bay Packers
It’s a 9:30 p.m. ET kickoff from Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. The Giants might be without starting quarterback Daniel Jones and backup Tyrod Taylor after both were hurt in Sunday’s win over Chicago. Who might start if both sit? Good question. The Packers don’t have any QB worries with Aaron Rodgers. This is their first-ever regular-season international game.
Pick ATS: Green Bay
Pittsburgh Steelers at Buffalo Bills
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin benched Mitch Trubisky in Sunday’s loss against the Jets and rookie first-round pick Kenny Pickett showed some good and worrisome signs (three picks) in his place, but he is the new starter. Buffalo trailed in Baltimore 20-3 on Sunday but rallied for a 23-20 win as Tyler Bass made a 21-yard field goal as time expired. It was the largest comeback win for the Bills since they erased a 21-point deficit to beat New England in 2011.
Pick ATS: Pittsburgh (alternate line of +14.5)
Los Angeles Chargers at Cleveland Browns
About the best news from Sunday’s win over Houston for the Chargers is that they didn’t lose another key player to major injury. Cleveland played without its best defensive player Sunday in Myles Garrett and was upset 23-20 in Atlanta.
Pick ATS: Cleveland (+3.5 alternate line)
Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings
The Bears continue to be easily the most inept passing team in the NFL and didn’t have No. 1 running back David Montgomery in Sunday’s ugly loss at the Giants. Minnesota was a 28-25 winner over New Orleans in London on Sunday (teams usually take their bye after that trip) as Greg Joseph made a 47-yard field goal with 24 seconds left.
Pick ATS: Minnesota (alternate line of -6.5)
Detroit Lions at New England Patriots
If Detroit could play a little defence, it probably would be 4-0 instead of 1-3 following a 48-45 home loss to Seattle on Sunday. Tight end T.J. Hockenson had eight receptions and set career highs with 179 yards receiving and two touchdowns. Top running back D’Andre Swift was out. New England lost 27-24 in OT at Green Bay. Starting QB Mac Jones was out. Backup Brian Hoyer left with an injury and 2022 fourth-round pick Bailey Zappe saw his first NFL action and was solid.
Pick ATS: Detroit (alternate line of +3.5)
Seattle Seahawks at New Orleans Saints
Seattle journeyman QB Geno Smith has actually been pretty good. He threw for 320 yards and two scores while running for a touchdown in Sunday’s high-scoring win in Detroit. The Seahawks went the entire game without punting for the first time in franchise history. The Saints lost in the final seconds in London to Minnesota playing without No. 1 QB Jameis Winston (who hasn’t been very good) or Pro Bowl running back Alvin Kamara. Andy Dalton could get the start again this week under centre.
Point spread: Saints -5.5
Pick ATS: New Orleans
Miami Dolphins at New York Jets
Fins QB Tua Tagovailoa has suffered head injuries in back-to-back games, and he already has been ruled out this week in the concussion protocol. I wouldn’t expect to see him for a while. Teddy Bridgewater will start. Jets No. 1 QB Zach Wilson made his season debut Sunday off injury and led a 24-20 upset of Pittsburgh.
Pick ATS: Miami (alternate line of -2.5)
Atlanta Falcons at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Atlanta is a surprising 2-0 after a 23-20 upset of Cleveland on Sunday but lost top running back Cordarrelle Patterson to an injury. He has been placed on injured reserve. Tampa Bay’s excellent defence was torched for 41 points Sunday night in a home loss to Kansas City. Tom Brady threw for 385 yards and three touchdowns.
Pick ATS: Tampa Bay
Tennessee Titans at Washington Commanders
Don’t be surprised if Commanders coach Ron Rivera benches struggling QB Carson Wentz sooner rather than later. He had two more interceptions and only 170 yards passing on Sunday’s loss at Dallas. The Titans were 24-17 upset winners at Indianapolis as Derrick Henry rushed for a season-high 114 yards.
Pick ATS: Tennessee
Houston Texans at Jacksonville Jaguars
The Texans have lost three straight since tying the Colts Week 1, and second-year quarterback Davis Mills is regressing. Houston is going to take a QB with its very high first-round pick in next year’s draft. The Jaguars are much improved, but Trevor Lawrence had an interception and a whopping four lost fumbles in Sunday’s loss in Philadelphia, although there were rainy conditions.
Pick ATS: Jacksonville (alternate line -6.5)
San Francisco 49ers at Carolina Panthers
Short week for the Niners off beating the Rams on Monday to close Week 4. Carolina might make a coaching change very soon after dropping to 1-3 with Sunday’s 26-16 home loss to Arizona. The trade for QB Baker Mayfield simply hasn’t worked out.
Pick ATS: Carolina
Dallas Cowboys at Los Angeles Rams
Short week for the Rams off visiting San Francisco and losing Monday to close Week 4. The Cowboys might have a quarterback controversy if Dak Prescott is ready to return from thumb surgery this week as Cooper Rush is 3-0 in his place this year.
Pick ATS: Dallas
Philadelphia Eagles at Arizona Cardinals
The Eagles are the NFL’s only unbeaten team as they forced five turnovers in Sunday’s win over Jacksonville and dominated on the ground once again with 210 yards rushing. Arizona evened its record at 2-2 with a 26-16 win at Carolina but didn’t look all that impressive as the Cards had only 10 points entering the fourth quarter. Arizona has been outscored 66-16 in the first half this season.
Pick ATS: Arizona
Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens
Sunday night game. The Bengals have protected Joe Burrow much better the past two weeks and that’s why they won both by double digits. The Ravens blew their second 17-point home lead of the season on Sunday in a 23-20 loss to Buffalo as Coach John Harbaugh had a questionable late decision. Cincinnati easily swept Baltimore last year.
Pick ATS: Baltimore (alternate line of -2.5)
Las Vegas Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs, Monday
Patrick Mahomes threw for three touchdowns in Sunday’s win at Tampa and also became the fastest QB to reach 20,000 career yards. The Raiders got their first win of the season 32-23 at home vs. Denver. Josh Jacobs ran for a career-high 144 yards and two touchdowns.
Pick ATS: Kansas City (alternate line of -6.5)
