Bye weeks are here for a selection of NFL squads as a fresh month of football begins.
Week 5 at a glance: Once again, NFL Sunday starts with a morning matchup across the pond as the Minnesota Vikings face Dillon Gabriel and the Cleveland Browns. Later on, the Baltimore Ravens will be playing desperately without Lamar Jackson, while the Washington Commanders will graciously welcome back Jayden Daniels under centre.
Check out our Week 5 NFL betting guide for staff picks and predictions on the loaded 14-game slate, which features the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs in primetime slots.
NFL betting guide
Key storylines:
- It’s getting late early for the Ravens (1-3), who turn to backup quarterback Cooper Rush in place of the injured Jackson. According to ESPN, only 10.6% of teams in the Super Bowl era that started 1-3 were able to turn things around and make the playoffs (43 of 405 teams).
- It hasn’t always looked pretty for the Philadelphia Eagles (4-0), but they’re one of just two unbeaten teams remaining. This week, they host the Denver Broncos, who have the No. 2 scoring defence so far 16.8 PPG).
- Joe Flacco out, Gabriel in. Cleveland’s third-round rookie QB will make his first start in this week’s international game in London. Three weeks ago, Gabriel went 3 for 3 through the air for 19 yards and a touchdown in mop-up duty against Baltimore.
- The Tampa Bay Buccaneers finally had a comeback attempt fall short, losing at home against the reigning champion Eagles last week. Now the Bucs face a fellow 3-1 squad, the Seattle Seahawks, who are at home with extra rest after a Thursday Night Football victory in Week 4.
- Rashee Rice still won’t be back for a couple of weeks, but Xavier Worthy showed what he can unlock for the Chiefs in his return last Sunday. The second-year speedster turned seven touches into 121 scrimmage yards, pacing KC in both receiving and rushing yards.
- There were some big-name injuries in Week 4. Star wideouts Tyreek Hill and Malik Nabers are done for the season with knee injuries and standout defensive end Nick Bosa is out for the season, while the aforementioned Jackson is reportedly expected to miss multiple weeks.
NFL betting hub
NFL Week 5 betting notes
- The Houston Texans are 1-4 SU in their past five road games, while the Denver Broncos are 1-7 SU in their past eight road games.
- The Tennessee Titans are on a truly miserable ATS run, going 3-18 in their last 21 games. First overall pick Cam Ward hasn’t stopped the bleeding and is 1-3 ATS as a starter … coming off a 26-0 loss in Houston.
- The Detroit Lions quickly put their season-opening loss to the Green Bay Packers in the rearview and are 3-0 ATS since. Since the start of last season, Detroit is 6-1 ATS as a road favourite, according to Team Rankings.
- How much will home-field advantage matter when Miami visits Carolina? These teams are a combined 0-5 on the road, and the Panthers won their lone home game 30-0 over the Falcons (as 5-point underdogs).
- For the third straight week, Buffalo is favoured by more than a touchdown. But the Bills failed to cover their hefty spreads in Weeks 3 and 4, and they went 0-4 ATS vs. the Patriots over the previous two seasons.
Biggest spreads: Lions (-10.5) vs. Bengals; Patriots vs. Bills (-8.5); Titans vs. Cardinals (-7.5)
Highest totals: Lions vs. Bengals (49.5); Patriots vs. Bills (49.5); Commanders vs. Chargers (48)
NFL betting guide: Week 5 predictions
49ers vs. Rams TNF picks: Puka Nacua is on an absurd run to start his third season, and he should be L.A.’s main weapon in this divisional clash between two 3-1 teams. A Nacua prop bet is one of two picks displayed here.
49ers vs. Rams TNF SGP: Brock Purdy, Ricky Pearsall and Jauan Jennings have all been ruled out, while the Rams come into Thursday Night Football almost completely healthy. L.A. should have the edge, and Christian McCaffrey should be heavily involved for the visiting Niners.
ATS picks: Get ATS predictions for the entire slate, headlined by Lions vs. Ravens on Monday Night Football.
Upset picks: The Browns (+150) and the Patriots (+340) are this week’s underdogs to watch. Want to know why? Click the link to find out.
Best bets: We’re serving up a true combo platter this week, with two ATS picks (a favourite and an underdog), a plus-money moneyline pick and a Justin Fields prop bet.
TD picks: This week, Avery Perri has two plus-money recommendations on star players Alvin Kamara and Trey McBride.
Broncos vs. Eagles Week 5 SGP: What’s more exciting than lots of scoring and strong quarterback play? Check out this +310 SGP that includes the over with prop picks on Jalen Hurts and Bo Nix.
Patriots vs. Bills SNF picks: Can Drake Maye continue his strong season? Find out how Spencer Closs is backing him on Sunday Night Football.
Patriots vs. Bils SNF SGP: Looking for a long shot? Steven Psihogios has a +500 ticket for Sunday Night Football that features Josh Allen and Hunter Henry.
Prop bets: Ladd McConkey is due for a big game. Click the link to see his best prop bet, plus two extra picks for Sunday.
Chiefs vs. Jaguars picks: Is Kansas City back? Psihogios says not so fast. He’s backing the Jaguars to cover the spread, and tacking on props for Trevor Lawrence and Kareem Hunt.s
We’ll release more NFL predictions throughout the week. Here’s what you can expect for Week 5.
Oct. 4
Patriots vs. Bills SNF SGP
Chiefs vs. Jaguars MNF picks
Oct. 5
Patriots vs. Bills TD picks
Chiefs vs. Jaguars MNF SGP
NFL Week 5 matchups
Thursday Night Football (Oct. 2)
- 49ers vs. Rams (8:15 p.m. ET)
International Series game in London (Oct. 5)
- Vikings vs. Browns (9:30 a.m. ET)
Sunday, Oct. 5: 1 p.m. ET slate
- Cowboys vs. Jets | Broncos vs. Eagles
- Texans vs. Ravens | Raiders vs. Colts
- Dolphins vs. Panthers | Giants vs. Saints
Sunday, Oct. 5: 4 p.m. ET slate
- Buccaneers vs. Seahawks | Titans vs. Cardinals
- Lions vs. Bengals | Commanders vs. Chargers
Sunday Night Football
- Patriots vs. Bills (8:20 p.m. ET)
Monday Night Football (Oct. 6)
- Chiefs vs. Jaguars (8:15 p.m. ET)
Jordan enjoys writing data-driven game previews and analysis articles — especially for MLB markets or NFL/NBA props. And as a proud Ohio University grad, he’ll always have a soft spot for college sports (especially if the Bobcats are involved). Previous stops include mlb.com, Sportsnet and The Athletic.