2024 NFL Week 5 Odds and Predictions

Time flies, doesn’t it?

Week 5 of the 2024 NFL season is already upon us. We only saw a few upsets in Week 4 as order was somewhat restored following a wild first 3 weeks of the campaign. The Week 5 slate looks terrific on paper, with a number of games featuring tight spreads.

The week will officially kick off when the Atlanta Falcons play host to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a showdown that could go a long way toward determining the ultimate winner of the NFC South. We’ll cap off Week 5 with a potentially high-scoring clash between the New Orleans Saints and Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.

With teams beginning to separate themselves from the pack, this week’s slate of games offers plenty of intrigue for bettors. Let’s take a closer look at the updated NFL odds and predictions for each matchup.

NFL Week 5 Schedule

NFL Week 5 Predictions

Let’s check out the odds and make our favorite NFL picks for each game on the Week 5 schedule.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Atlanta Falcons Odds

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers face the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday night in a key NFC South battle. Tampa Bay bounced back from a stunning loss to Denver with an easy blowout win over Philadelphia last week. The Bucs are now 3-1 on the young season as they prepare to face off against their first divisional foe.

Baker Mayfield looks more comfortable with each passing week, and he’s a low-key MVP contender early in the year. Mayfield threw for a season-high 347 yards with a pair of touchdowns on Sunday. For the season, the former Heisman Trophy winner has completed better than 70 percent of his throws for 984 yards with 8 touchdowns to just 2 interceptions. Taking care of the football will always be a key to his success, and he’s done an excellent job of that so far in ’24.

The Buccaneers will need to lean on Mike Evans and Chris Godwin to find success in the passing game, while also establishing a running attack behind Rachaad White and rookie Bucky Irving. Evans and Godwin combined to grab 14 passes for 163 yards and a touchdown in Week 4. White and Irving both rushed 10 times for 49 yards, while Irving found the end zone for the first time in his career. Atlanta’s defense, though improved, has been vulnerable to deep passing plays, which could give Tampa Bay an edge if they can exploit it.

The Falcons improved to 2-2 after a narrow 26-24 win over the Saints on Sunday despite failing to score an offensive touchdown. Atlanta’s lone touchdowns of the game came on a KhaDarel Hodge fumble recovery in the end zone and a Troy Anderson pick-six. Younghoe Koo also converted all 4 of his field goal attempts, including a 58-yarder in the waning seconds to secure the victory.

For whatever reason, Atlanta continues to have issues getting its young players involved. Tyler Allgeier wound up carrying the ball 8 times to just 7 attempts for Bijan Robinson. Tight end Kyle Pitts, meanwhile, was held without a catch as the offense struggled to move the ball against New Orleans’ underrated defense.

Kirk Cousins has been serviceable but needs to take advantage of Tampa Bay’s secondary to keep the Bucs’ defense honest. The Falcons’ defense will need to get pressure on Mayfield to avoid big plays and keep the game within reach.

Predictions

Spread: Falcons -2 (-112)

• I’m a bit surprised Atlanta is favored in this game considering Tampa Bay has been the better all-around team early in the year. Home-field advantage does matter, though.

Moneyline: Buccaneers +114 / Falcons -135

• The Falcons are slight favorites, but Tampa Bay offers value if you believe they can capitalize on Atlanta’s weaknesses.

Total: 43.5

• Both offenses have talent, making the over a safer bet. This game will also take place in a dome, which is generally more favorable for offensive production.

Betting Trends:

• Buccaneers are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games as road underdogs.
• Falcons are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 home games.
• The total has gone UNDER in 4 of the last 5 games between Atlanta and Tampa Bay.

Prediction: Falcons -2, Over 43.5
Best Bet: Falcons -2 (-112)

New York Jets vs. Minnesota Vikings Odds

The New York Jets and Minnesota Vikings will head across the pond this week. The 2 sides will square off in London at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the NFL’s second international game of the young season. The Jets are fresh off of a narrow home loss to the Broncos, while the Vikings ran their record to 4-0 after going into Lambeau Field and toppling the Packers on Sunday afternoon.

The weather in New Jersey was brutal on Sunday, but that only partially explains the Jets’ offensive woes. New York mustered all of 9 points against a beatable foe and failed to find the end zone. Breece Hall endured the worst game of his career, totaling just 4 rushing yards on 120 carries. Rookie Braelon Allen was the better of the 2 backs, though he still finished with only 34 yards on 8 carries.

Aaron Rodgers threw the ball 42 times in the loss but only averaged 5.4 yards per attempt. He continues to lean heavily in Allan Lazard, while Garrett Wilson’s slow start is a head-scratcher. Wilson has a pair of 1,000-yard seasons under his belt since entering the league, yet he’s been slow to develop a rapport with Rodgers. The Ohio State product has just 20 catches for 191 yards and a touchdown through 4 games on the year.

Minnesota, led by Sam Darnold, might be the league’s most surprising team. This was expected to be a transitional year following the departure of Kirk Cousins, but the Vikings suddenly look like Super Bowl contenders out of the NFC. Darnold now has the 4th-best odds of any player to win MVP this season, which is quite a shocking development. Motivation shouldn’t be an issue for Darnold this week, as he’ll get a crack at the Jets franchise that drafted him 3rd overall out of USC just a few years ago.

Darnold threw for 275 yards and 3 touchdowns on Sunday in Green Bay. For the season, he’s thrown for 932 yards with 11 touchdowns to just 3 interceptions for the 4-0 Vikings. Neither team will have home-field advantage in London, of course, and the high-powered Vikings’ offense could have a more difficult time moving the ball consistently against a Jets defense that looks like one of the best in football for a second straight season.

I think there’s value in taking the Jets to cover here. The spread is smaller than you’d expect for a matchup between a 4-0 team and a 2-2 team, and the trip abroad could throw a wrench into things.

Predictions

Spread: Jets +2.5 (-105)

• The Jets’ defense is likely the most difficult matchup the Vikings have faced, so I like New York to cover.

Moneyline: Jets +124 / Vikings -148

• While the Jets offer value as slight underdogs, the Vikings’ offensive balance and upstart defense make them the safer pick.

Total: 41

• With both teams boasting capable offenses and inconsistent defenses, the over is the more appealing play. This is a low total, though, and jetlag could be a factor.

Betting Trends:

• Jets are 4-2 ATS in their last 6 games as road underdogs.
• Vikings are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 home games.
• The total has gone OVER in 4 of the last 6 matchups between these two teams.

Prediction: Jets +2.5, Over 41
Best Bet: Jets +2.5 (-115)

Cleveland Browns vs. Washington Commanders Odds

The Cleveland Browns travel to DC to take on the Washington Commanders in what should be an interesting AFC-NFC showdown. Cleveland’s offense has been inconsistent, with Deshaun Watson still trying to find his rhythm. Cleveland is just 1-3 on the young season with consecutive losses to the underwhelming Giants and Raiders.

At this point, it’s safe to assume the Browns will never see the version of Watson we saw earlier in his career when he was in Houston. The $200 million man has been one of the league’s worst QBs this season, with 4 touchdowns to 3 interceptions and just 727 passing yards through 4 games. Watson is too expensive for the Browns to bench just yet, but the clock is certainly ticking with Jameis Winston waiting in the wings.

To be fair, Watson hasn’t gotten much help. The interception he threw on Sunday was a perfect pass right into the arms of Amari Cooper, who popped the ball into the air and right into the waiting arms of a Raiders defender. The Browns have also gotten nothing going on the ground. They’re averaging just 94.8 rushing yards per game as a team, which is the 7th-worst mark in the NFL. Jerome Ford is averaging an impressive 5.2 yards per carry, so perhaps giving him more touches could be a better game plan going forward.

Like the Vikings, the Commanders have vastly exceeded expectations to this point. Washington is 3-1 on the young season and they can do no wrong offensively. Led by rookie QB Jayden Daniels, the Commanders are averaging 40 points over their last 2 games. This offense entered the season with very little hype, but Kliff Kingsbury looks like a great fit as Daniels’ play-caller. The reigning Heisman Trophy winner has completed a whopping 82.1 percent of his passes for 897 yards with 3 touchdowns and an interception through 4 NFL starts. He’s also added another 218 rushing yards and 4 TDs with his legs. Daniels has been everything the Commanders could’ve possibly hoped he’d be after making him the No. 2 overall pick in the most recent draft.

The Cleveland defense is stout on paper, but they’ll have their work cut out for them in this spot. Brian Robinson Jr. (21 carries, 101 yards, 1 TD) was efficient on the ground Sunday in Arizona, while Daniels spread the wealth in the passing game. 5 different Commanders hauled in at least 3 passes, while 9 players on the team caught at least 1 pass.

Predictions

Spread: Commanders -3 (-118)

• Washington’s offense looks unstoppable, but this Browns defense has quite a bit of talent. They could find a way to slow Daniels down amid his red-hot start.

Moneyline: Browns +136 / Commanders -162

• The Commanders are the safer pick, but Cleveland offers value as an underdog if the defense can find a way to slow down Daniels.

Total: 44

• I like the over on 44 here considering the Commanders suddenly look like one of the game’s most dynamic offenses. It’s just a matter of whether the Browns can score enough to hold up their end of the bargain.

Betting Trends:

• Browns are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games as road underdogs.
• Commanders are 6-3 ATS in their last 9 games as home favorites.
• The total has gone UNDER in 5 of the last 6 Browns-Commanders matchups.

Prediction: Browns +3, Over 44
Best Bet: Browns +3 (-102)

Carolina Panthers vs. Chicago Bears Odds

Carolina travels to Chicago in what looks like a battle between two teams looking to rebound after slow starts. The Carolina Panthers benched Bryce Young after 2 disastrous games to start the season, and the offense has fared much better with Andy Dalton under center. Carolina fell to 1-3 with a 34-24 loss at home to Cincinnati in Week 4.

Even in defeat, the Panthers should feel somewhat optimistic after they looked like the most hapless team in the NFL through the first 2 weeks of the year. Dalton has now thrown 5 touchdowns across his 2 starts. The offense couldn’t do a damn thing with Young leading the way, and Dalton’s prowess through the air has opened things up for Chuba Hubbard and the ground game. In the last 2 games with Dalton as the starter, Hubbard has racked up 228 rushing yards with 2 touchdowns.

The Chicago Bears, led by Caleb Williams, have shown flashes of offensive improvement, especially on the ground. The running game gave Chicago nothing through the first 3 weeks of the season, but D’Andre Swift finally showed signs of life in Sunday’s win over the Rams. After totaling just 68 rushing yards on 37 attempts in Weeks 1-through-3, Swift went off for 93 yards and a touchdown against Los Angeles.

The passing game remains a work in progress, which is hardly a surprise with a rookie quarterback leading the way. Williams has completed just under 62 percent of his throws for 787 yards with 3 touchdowns to 4 interceptions thus far. Williams didn’t turn the ball over on Sunday, however, and he did just enough to help Chicago pick up their 2nd win of the young season.

Predictions

Spread: Bears -3.5 (-112)

• I’m not at all sold on Chicago as a 3.5-point favorite here given the Panthers’ offensive improvements with Dalton leading the charge.

Moneyline: Panthers +154 / Bears -185

• Carolina could offer value as a road underdog if Dalton can keep the offense humming along.

Total: 42

• Both teams have struggled to put up points, making the under the safer play.

Betting Trends:

• Panthers are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games as road underdogs.
• Bears are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 home games as favorites.
• The total has gone UNDER in 4 of the last 5 Panthers-Bears matchups.

Prediction: Panthers +3.5, Under 42
Best Bet: Under 42 (-108)

Indianapolis Colts vs. Jacksonville Jaguars Odds

In a classic AFC South rivalry, the Indianapolis Colts take on the Jacksonville Jaguars in Florida. The Colts picked up their 2nd win of the season with a narrow 27-24 win over the Steelers in Week 3. QB Anthony Richardson went down early in the game with a hip injury, yet the offense didn’t skip a beat after backup Joe Flacco took over. Richardson is expected to be healthy enough to return to the lineup for Week 5, though the jury is certainly out on whether that’s actually good or bad news for Indianapolis.

Richardson wasn’t the only casualty of that one, as running back Jonathan Taylor suffered a high-ankle sprain in the game’s final minutes. Taylor has rushed for 348 yards and 4 touchdowns already this season, though it’s reportedly not a serious injury. If JT doesn’t recover quickly enough to suit up this week, expect Richardson and Trey Sermon to handle the bulk of Indy’s running game.

Richardson will have to get something going in the passing game for the Colts to have a shot at the playoffs this season. Flacco threw touchdown passes to Josh Downs and Drew Ogletree on Sunday in what was easily Indy’s most prolific passing game of the season. Richardson has already thrown 6 INTs on the year, and he’s completed a paltry 50.6 percent of his throws.

The Jaguars have seen better days. Jacksonville fell to 0-4 on the year with a heartbreaking last-second loss to the Texans in Week 4. Former No. 1 overall pick Trevor Lawrence threw a pair of touchdown passes, but the offense as a whole is still shaky. Lawrence missed a few would-be easy throws in the defeat, and he was stuffed on a goal-line run late in the 4th quarter on what could’ve ultimately been the game’s deciding score. T-Law’s completion percentage (53.3 percent) is easily the worst mark of his career, which is curious considering the Jags have surrounded him with ample weaponry in the passing game.

Getting the ground game going will be a key for the Jaguars after they found success in that department on Sunday. Jacksonville ran for 6.6 yards per carry against Houston, totaling 158 yards on 24 attempts. Tank Bigsby’s 58-yard scamper helped to boost that average, of course, but Travis Etienne also added a solid 4.5 yards per tote across 11 carries.

Predictions

Spread: Jaguars -2.5 (-125)

• With their balanced offense and home-field advantage, Jacksonville should be able to cover the spread. I like the Jags to get off the schneid this week.

Moneyline: Colts +124 / Jaguars -148

• I don’t trust Richardson enough to bet on the Colts as a road ‘dog, and the injury to Taylor further complicates their case.

Total: 46

• Both teams have the firepower to score, making the over a more attractive play in this matchup.

Betting Trends:

• Colts are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games as road underdogs.
• Jaguars are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 home games.
• The total has gone OVER in 4 of the last 6 Colts-Jaguars matchups.

Prediction: Jaguars -2.5, Over 46
Best Bet: Jaguars -2.5 (-125)

Buffalo Bills vs. Houston Texans Odds

The Buffalo Bills head to Houston in a game where they are narrow favorites. The Bills got off to a flying 3-0 start before a humbling setback on Sunday night in Baltimore. Buffalo fell, 35-10, in a game in which they were absolutely gouged by Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson. Buffalo had scored at least 31 points in each of their first 3 games before the offense sputtered its way to just 10 points in Week 4.

The Bills were never in that game, but they’re still off to an encouraging start overall. There were questions all offseason about whether Buffalo would be able to account for the offseason departures of Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis. So far, so good. Josh Allen is among the league’s early-season MVP frontrunners. In addition to his 814 yards and 7 passing touchdowns, Allen has also supplied 106 yards and a couple of more TDs on the ground.

Speaking of Diggs, he’ll face off against his former team for the first time. Allen’s former favorite target is off to a solid start with his new team. Diggs has 25 receptions on 33 targets for 233 yards and a couple of touchdowns through 4 games. Diggs also added his first career rushing TD in Sunday’s win over the Jaguars.

Running the ball in general has been an issue for the Houston Texans, though Joe Mixon is expected to return in Week 5 from the ankle sprain he suffered back in Week 2. Mixon went off for 159 rushing yards against Indianapolis in the first game of the season, but Houston hasn’t gotten the ground game going ever since. As a team, the Texans averaged just 3.9 yards per carry against Jacksonville.

Fortunately for Houston, they also have C.J. Stroud and Nico Collins. Stroud posted a season-high 345 yards through the air in Week 4, while Collins caught 12 passes for 151 yards and a score. Houston may have added Diggs for depth, but Collins is the unquestioned top target for Stroud in this offense. The former Michigan standout leads the league with 489 receiving yards, which is over 100 more than the league’s second-leading receiver (Malik Nabers, 386).

Predictions

Spread: Bills -1 (-108)

• Buffalo is the real deal, but I like the Texans as home underdogs in this one. We’re getting good value on Houston.

Moneyline: Bills -118 / Texans -102

• As mentioned, I like the value on Houston as a home underdog at -102 moneyline odds. The expected return of Mixon should bring some much-needed balance to this offense.

Total: 46.5

• This game features 2 of the NFL’s most prolific passing offenses, and it’ll take place in a dome. Gimme the over, baby.

Betting Trends:

• Bills are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 road games as favorites.
• Texans are 4-2 ATS in their last 6 home games as underdogs.
• The total has gone OVER in 5 of the last 7 Bills-Texans matchups.

Prediction: Texans +1, Over 46.5
Best Bet: Texans ML (-102)

Baltimore Ravens vs. Cincinnati Bengals Odds

In a highly anticipated AFC North matchup, the Baltimore Ravens travel to Ohio to face the Cincinnati Bengals. The Ravens got to 2-2 with a thrashing of the Bills on Sunday Night Football. The Bengals picked up a much-needed victory – their first of the season – on Sunday in Charlotte. Lamar Jackson has been playing at an MVP level, while Joe Burrow and the Bengals offense have struggled to find consistency.

The Ravens signed Derrick Henry this offseason in order to take some pressure off of Jackson in the running game. After a couple of inauspicious outings in Weeks 1 and 2, Henry has exploded over the past couple of weeks. The former rushing champ has a total of 350 rushing yards with 4 total touchdowns over the past 2 games. In news that surprise nobody, the Ravens won both of those games. In Weeks 1 and 2 – both Baltimore losses – Henry totaled just 130 rushing yards.

Thanks to Henry’s exploits, Jackson hasn’t needed to carry the offense. The reigning MVP has still been terrific, though, with 858 yards passing and 5 touchdowns to just 1 interception thus far. Lamar has also run for another 308 yards with a couple of rushing touchdowns.

The Bengals entered the season with plenty of Super Bowl hype, yet they haven’t lived up to it just yet. Ja’Marr Chase has scored 3 times over the past 2 games as the offense has clicked into gear, however, and the return of Tee Higgins gives Burrow ample weapons in the passing attack.

The run game was a question mark heading into the season following the departure of Joe Mixon. Zack Moss struggled in Week 4, but Chase Brown enjoyed a breakout performance. Cincy’s young speedster averaged 5.3 yards per carry on 15 attempts with a couple of rushing scores.

Predictions

Spread: Ravens -2.5 (-112)

• With Jackson playing at a high level and the Bengals’ struggles, the Ravens should cover the spread on the road. If Henry keeps it going, the Ravens are an impossible matchup.

Moneyline: Ravens -148 / Bengals +124

• Cincinnati does offer some value as an underdog at home, but the Ravens looked like the real deal in Week 4.

Total: 51

• Both offenses are capable of big plays, making the over a likely outcome.

Betting Trends:

• Ravens are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games as road favorites.
• Bengals are 4-2 ATS in their last 6 home games.
• The total has gone OVER in 4 of the last 5 Ravens-Bengals matchups.

Prediction: Ravens -2.5, Over 51
Best Bet: Ravens -2.5 (-112)

Miami Dolphins vs. New England Patriots Odds

The Miami Dolphins will take a trip to Foxborough to square off with the New England Patriots in a key AFC East showdown. Both teams are off to rough 1-3 starts. The Dolphins haven’t been able to put points on the board since Tua Tagovailoa went down with his latest concussion, and they’re a bit lucky to not be 0-4. The Patriots, meanwhile, have lost 3 straight after their surprising season-opening win over the Bengals in Cincinnati.

Tyler Huntley took over for the ineffective Skylar Thompson in Week 4, but the former Pro Bowler sure doesn’t look like the answer. Miami’s offense was stuck in the mud in a blowout home loss to the Tennessee Titans, which was a fairly surprising outcome considering all the talent on the Miami roster. As it turns out, QB play matters quite a bit.

Huntley mustered all of 96 yards on 14-for-22 passing without a touchdown or intervention. Miami’s lone score of the game came on a Huntley run after the game was already well out of reach. You’d think Mike McDaniel could find a way to scheme big-play threats like Tyreek Hill, De’Von Achane, and Jaylen Waddle into the game, but the post-Tua results have been grim to this point.

The Patriots aren’t much better, of course. New England’s offense looks like the most impotent group in football, which isn’t much of a surprise. It’s just a matter of time until Drake Maye replaces the ineffective Jacoby Brissett under center, though we’re expecting Brissett to draw another start in Week 5.

New England’s best chance to win hinges on their defense keeping the Miami offense under wraps. They’ll also have to run the ball effectively and control the clock. Rhamondre Stevenson got off to a hot start in Weeks 1 and 2, but the Pats’ leading rusher has been a non-factor ever since. Stevenson has just 66 yards rushing over the past 2 games combined, and he’s lost a fumble in both games, as well.

Predictions

Spread: Dolphins -1 (-112)

• The spread is tight, and rightfully so. I have no faith in either of these teams.

Moneyline: Dolphins -118 / Patriots +102

• The Dolphins don’t look like a safe bet as favorites, especially on the road.

Total: 36.5

• Both defenses could keep scoring low, making the under more likely.

Betting Trends:

• Dolphins are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games as road favorites.
• Patriots are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 home games.
• The total has gone UNDER in 6 of the last 7 Dolphins-Patriots matchups.

Prediction: Dolphins -1, Under 36.5
Best Bet: Under 36.5 (-115)

Arizona Cardinals vs. San Francisco 49ers Odds

The San Francisco 49ers host the Arizona Cardinals in an NFL West matchup to kick off the late Sunday window slate of games.

San Francisco’s defense has been dominant, and Brock Purdy has efficiently managed the offense. After back-to-back losses to the Vikings and Rams, the Niners got back into the win column with a stress-free triumph at home over the Patriots on Sunday. Deebo Samuel and George Kittle returned to the lineup after missing Week 3, while Christian McCaffrey is reportedly a few weeks away from returning to the lineup.

C-Mac can afford to take his time, however, as Jordan Mason has fared exceptionally well as the temporary starting running back. Mason has now carried the ball 91 times for 447 yards on the year with 3 touchdowns. That 4.9 yards-per-carry average will do just fine, and he’s currently the NFL’s 2nd-leading rusher behind only Derrick Henry. Mason should be in a position to do plenty of damage on Sunday against an Arizona defense that was decimated by Jayden Daniels, Brian Robinson Jr., and the Commanders’ rushing attack last week.

Arizona, led by Kyler Murray, will need to score early and often to have any chance of competing with the 49ers’ balanced attack. The Cardinals looked plucky to begin the season, but they’ve suffered back-to-back defeats to the Lions and Commanders after a 41-10 drubbing of the Rams in Week 2.

Murray is one of the NFL’s elite rushing quarterbacks, yet we haven’t seen him utilize that aspect of his game much this season. He’s averaging better than 10 yards per carry, yet he’s only attempted 16 rushes on the season. He contributed just 1 carry for 3 yards in the 42-14 loss to Washington in Week 5. Kyler is going to have to prove he can be a threat with his legs if Arizona is going to have much of a chance to pull off the upset in this one.

Predictions

Spread: 49ers -7.5 (-105)

• With their strong defense and balanced offense, the 49ers should cover the large spread at home. The Arizona defense is still a weakness.

Moneyline: Cardinals +280 / 49ers -355

• The 49ers are heavy favorites, but there’s little value unless parlayed with other bets.

Total: 50.5

• With the 49ers likely controlling the game, the under is more appealing.

Betting Trends:

• Cardinals are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 road games as underdogs.
• 49ers are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 home games as favorites.
• The total has gone UNDER in 4 of the last 6 Cardinals-49ers matchups.

Prediction: 49ers -7.5, Under 50.5
Best Bet: 49ers -7.5 (-105)

Las Vegas Raiders vs. Denver Broncos Odds

The Las Vegas Raiders and Denver Broncos will tangle in Colorado for a renewal of a classic AFC West rivalry. These 2 teams appear to be headed nowhere fast, though you never truly know what’ll happen in this league. Both teams were also victorious in Week 4, so perhaps I shouldn’t slander them. The Raiders outlasted the Browns in an ugly slugfest at home, while the Broncos toppled the Jets, 10-9, in an even more disgusting game in New Jersey.

Denver has reeled off back-to-back road wins, and this will be just their 2nd home game of the young season. While wins are wins, we’re still waiting for the offense to show signs of life. Bo Nix finished the first half of Sunday’s game with negative-9 passing yards, which I didn’t even know was humanly possible. He finished the game with just 60 passing yards on less than 50 percent completions, yet it was enough to nudge the Broncos to a 1-point win.

For the season, Nix is completing about 60 percent of his throws, yet he’s still only thrown 1 touchdown pass. It’s not like the ground game has gotten going, either, as Denver is only averaging just over 106 rushing yards per game to this point. In order to win, the Broncos will likely need their defense to force turnovers.

The Raiders’ offense hasn’t been much better. Gardner Minshew has been an unremarkable addition, and I think it’s likely just a matter of time until Aidan O’Connell takes his job. Las Vegas managed to win on Sunday despite leading receiver Davante Adams sitting out with a hamstring injury. Adams is considered week-to-week, so I’d be surprised if he returns to the field in Denver on Sunday.

It sounds like we can also expect to see Alexander Mattison start to get more carries than Zamir White for the Raiders moving forward. Mattison racked up 60 yards on just 5 carries on Sunday, while White slogged his way to 50 yards on 17 attempts. White has played the vast majority of the snaps to this point, yet he’s only contributing 3.1 yards per carry. Mattison, meanwhile, has gained 5.1 yards per attempt.

Predictions

Spread: Broncos -2.5 (-110)

• Denver’s defense has been terrific, but I have a hard time backing this team as a favorite given the offensive woes.

Moneyline: Raiders +120 / Broncos -142

• The value here is on the Raiders at +120. As mentioned, Denver doesn’t look like a team that should ever be trusted as a favorite.

Total: 36.5

• With both teams struggling offensively, the under is the safer bet.

Betting Trends:

• Raiders are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games as road underdogs.
• Broncos are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 home games as favorites.
• The total has gone UNDER in 5 of the last 7 Raiders-Broncos matchups.

Prediction: Raiders +2.5, Under 36.5
Best Bet: Under 36.5 (-108)

Green Bay Packers vs. Los Angeles Rams Odds

The Green Bay Packers head to Los Angeles to face the Rams in what promises to be a high-scoring affair. Jordan Love has been impressive for Green Bay, but the Los Angeles Rams, led by Matthew Stafford, have the firepower to keep up. Both defenses have struggled, which could lead to a high-scoring affair.

Both teams suffered losses in Week 4, but the Packers got a boost with the return of Love, who missed Weeks 2 and 3 with a sprained MCL. Love showed signs of rust by throwing 3 interceptions in the loss to Minnesota, but he also nearly led the Packers to a dramatic comeback. In all, Love racked up 389 yards passing and added 4 touchdown passes. Green Bay did lose Christian Watson, however, who’s likely to miss some time with a high-ankle sprain.

After using him heavily earlier in the year, the Packers essentially abandoned Josh Jacobs against the Vikings. The former NFL rushing champion totaled just 9 carries for 51 yards. It’s worth noting the Packers fell into a 28-0 hole in that one, however, which forced Matt LaFleur to adopt a more pass-heavy approach. Expect Jacobs to be much more heavily involved in Week 5 against the Rams.

Los Angeles went into Chicago and fell at the hands of Caleb Williams and the Bears in Week 4. The Rams are still playing without Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua, which takes 2 of the league’s best pass-catchers out of the mix. Kyren Williams has been the focal point of the offense in the meantime. Williams is only averaging 3.5 yards per carry on the year, but he’s totaled a whopping 73 rushing attempts with 5 touchdowns through 4 games.

Stafford has been forced to spread the wealth in the passing attack without his top 2 weapons. Rookie Jordan Whittington was the standout in Sunday’s loss, finishing with 6 catches on 8 targets for 62 yards.

Predictions

Spread: Packers -3.5 (-108)

• Green Bay’s more consistent offense should give them the edge to cover the spread.

Moneyline: Packers -192 / Rams +160

• The Rams at +160 look a little interesting, but it’s easy to see why the Packers are favored.

Total: 48

• Matt LaFleur and Sean McVay are 2 of the best offensive-minded coaches in the sport, and I’m expecting fireworks in this one.

Betting Trends:

• Packers are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 road games as favorites.
• Rams are 4-2 ATS in their last 6 home games.
• The total has gone OVER in 5 of the last 7 Packers-Rams matchups.

Prediction: Packers -3.5, Over 48
Best Bet: Over 48 (-110)

New York Giants vs. Seattle Seahawks Odds

The New York Giants will fly west to take on the Seattle Seahawks in what could be a one-sided affair. Seattle has been dominant at home, with Geno Smith continuing his impressive play. The Giants, meanwhile, have struggled offensively and will need a near-flawless game from Daniel Jones to have a chance of keeping up.

Seattle is one of the more impressive teams in football in the early going. The Seahawks got off to a 3-0 start, though they didn’t face the most difficult of schedules. They beat teams starting Bo Nix, Jacoby Brissett, and Skylar Thompson at QB, so I was happy to take that 3-0 start with a rather large grain of salt. However, Seattle went toe-to-toe with a high-powered Detroit Lions offense on Monday Night Football and came fairly close to pulling off a stunning road upset in Week 4.

The offense looks dynamic with Smith pulling the strings. The veteran threw for a career-high 395 yards with a touchdown in Seattle’s 42-29 loss in the Motor City. DK Metcalf remains a matchup nightmare, as he’s posted 3 100-yard receiving games in his first 4 to begin the season. The Seahawks also got star running back Kenneth Walker III back from an oblique injury. All he did in his first game back was top 100 total yards with 3 rushing touchdowns.

The Giants may struggle to keep pace. New York is off to a 1-3 start, and their lone win was a road victory at Cleveland back in Week 3. There have been a few bright spots, however. Malik Nabers would be the early Offensive Rookie of the Year favorite if Jayden Daniels didn’t exist, while Wan’Dale Robinson has become a useful safety valve for Jones. Nabers left the Giants’ Week 4 loss to Dallas with a concussion, but he’s expected to return for this one. He’ll be a handful for the Seattle secondary, as he’s already hauled in 35 passes for 386 yards and 3 touchdowns through his first 4 NFL games.

New York’s defense is also generally underrated. While they may find some success in terms of slowing down a talented Seattle offense, I’m still not sold that their own offense will do enough to keep the score close.

Predictions

Spread: Seahawks -6 (-108)

• With their superior offense and home-field advantage, the Seahawks should cover the spread.

Moneyline: Giants +205 / Seahawks -250

• The Seahawks are heavy favorites, but the Giants could offer value for risk-takers.

Total: 41.5

• With Seattle likely controlling the game, the under looks like the safer bet.

Betting Trends:

• Giants are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games as road underdogs.
• Seahawks are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 home games as favorites.
• The total has gone UNDER in 4 of the last 6 Giants-Seahawks matchups.

Prediction: Seahawks -6, Under 41.5
Best Bet: Seahawks -6 (-108)

Dallas Cowboys vs. Pittsburgh Steelers Odds

In a Sunday night classic, the Dallas Cowboys take on the Pittsburgh Steelers in Western Pennsylvania. Dallas has the firepower to put up points, but the Steelers’ defense has been one of the best in the league. The key to this game will be whether Pittsburgh can get pressure on Prescott and force mistakes.

Dallas got back into the win column with a close win over the Giants last Thursday night. The key for the Cowboys all season will be whether they can get much out of the ground game. The Ezekiel Elliott experiment already appears to be over, as Rico Dowdle seems to have taken over as the primary back. Dowdle finished with season-highs in rushing attempts (11) and yards (46) against New York and added a receiving touchdown on his only target.

The Cowboys made a few changes along the offensive line this offseason, and those new faces will be put to the test against a ferocious Steelers defensive front. T.J. Watt is a game-wrecker, and he picked up a sack in each of the first 3 games of the season. The Colts held Watt without a sack on Sunday, however, which also happened to be Pittsburgh’s first loss of the season.

Russell Wilson is reportedly healthy, but the QB1 job is Justin Fields’ until further notice. Fields nearly brought Pittsburgh back from behind on Sunday in Indianapolis, and he’s been one of the bright spots around the league early in the year. Fields totaled a season-high 312 passing yards with 3 total touchdowns – 2 rushing – against the Colts.

The Cowboys have a talented defense of their own, but they’ve had issues containing rushing QBs. If Fields can use his athleticism to his advantage, the Pittsburgh offense could keep humming along in this one.

Predictions

Spread: Steelers -2.5 (-108)

• With their defense and home crowd behind them, the Steelers should be able to cover the spread.

Moneyline: Cowboys +110 / Steelers -130

• The Steelers are favored at home, but this game is essentially a toss-up. A flier on Dallas at +110 has merit.

Total: 42.5

• Both defenses are capable of keeping the score low, making the under more appealing.

Betting Trends:

• Cowboys are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games as road underdogs.
• Steelers are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 home games.
• The total has gone UNDER in 4 of the last 5 Cowboys-Steelers matchups.

Prediction: Cowboys +2.5, Under 42.5
Best Bet: Cowboys ML (+110)

New Orleans Saints vs. Kansas City Chiefs Odds

In the final game of Week 5, the New Orleans Saints travel to Missouri to take on Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. The Saints’ defense will be key in this matchup, as they’ll need to find a way to slow down Kansas City’s high-octane offense.

The Chiefs are a perfect 4-0, but it hasn’t been all lollipops and roses for the defending Super Bowl champs. KC has won those 4 games by a combined 20 points, but wins are wins. The Chiefs’ offense was also dealt a devastating blow when star wideout Rashee Rice went down with a season-ending ACL tear. Rice was one of the season’s breakout stars, and his absence could prove costly to an offense that has uncharacteristically struggled early on.

Kansas City was already without running back Isiah Pacheco, who will remain sidelined for the next several weeks. Rookie Carson Steele got the first crack at carries with Pacheco out, but he didn’t see the field after an early fumble in Sunday’s win over the Chargers. The bulk of the work instead went to veteran Kareem Hunt, who totaled 69 yards on 14 carries in his first game for the Chiefs since 2018.

Will the real Patrick Mahomes please stand up? Mahomes has 6 touchdowns to 5 interceptions on the year, while he still has yet to top 300 yards through the air in a game this season. Travis Kelce did finally break out on Sunday, however, with a season-high 89 yards on 7 catches. With Rice and Marquise Brown done for the season, Kelce and Xavier Worthy will have to step up in a big way.

The Saints are 2-2 following a 2-0 start to the season. New Orleans’ offense has sputtered since topping 40 points in each of the season’s first 2 games. Getting Alvin Kamara heavily involved will be important to the Saints’ chances of pulling the upset in this one. He leads all skill position players in the NFL with 97 offensive touches this season, while he’s scored 6 total touchdowns.

Predictions

Spread: Chiefs -5 (-112)

• The Chiefs are understandable favorites, but they haven’t looked quite right. They could struggle to cover here given the way the injuries are piling up, particularly on offense.

Moneyline: Saints +190 / Chiefs -230

• The Saints at +190 are intriguing considering the Chiefs look a little wobbly, but it’s still hard to bet against Kansas City at Arrowhead.

Total: 42.5

• The total is low enough for me to take a shot on the over.

Betting Trends:

• Saints are 3-5 ATS in their last 8 games as road underdogs.
• Chiefs are 7-2 ATS in their last 9 home games as favorites.
• The total has gone OVER in 5 of the last 7 Saints-Chiefs matchups.

Prediction: Chiefs -5, Over 42.5
Best Bet: Saints +5 (-108)

NFL Week 5 Best Bets

After looking over the entire week, the following wagers are our NFL Week 5 best bets:

• Miami Dolphins vs. New England Patriots Under 36.5 (-115)
• New York Jets +2.5 (-105)
• Las Vegas Raiders ML (+120)

Betting on these 3 individually offers a minimal payout, but you can parlay them for a bigger payday. Putting $100 down on these 3 wagers will pay out $703.04 if it hitsFL Week 5 bets. You can place individual wagers on these NFL best bets or you can combine them for a potential NFL Week 5 parlay.