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With the Dallas Cowboys’ 20-18 win over the Arizona Cardinals last night in the Hall of Fame Game, the betting action for the 2017 NFL preseason is underway…which means that we’re not all that far away from when the real action starts in the second weekend of September. We’re continuing our series on picks for each week in the early going of the regular season, taking a look at NFL Week 5 for those who like to plan their betting that far ahead.
Early Predictions & Picks for Every Game in NFL Week 5
It’s scrimmage day! Today’s open #PatsCamp practice will include an intrasquad scrimmage. pic.twitter.com/zCOuWk3PW2
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) August 4, 2017
Thursday, October 5
New England (-3) at Tampa Bay
Three days after hosting the Carolina Panthers, the New England Patriots will find themselves in Tampa Bay taking on the Buccaneers. I’m a big believer in the Buccaneers’ breakout year, but I don’t see them outfoxing Tom Brady & Co. Give me the Patriots to win and cover.Sunday, October 8
Buffalo (+3.5) at Cincinnati
Let’s see. Aging, undisciplined angry team hosting a (hopefully) rejuvenated, young team with a new offensive vision. I don’t see this going well for the Bengals. Give me the Bills to win.N.Y. Jets (PK) at Cleveland
Pretty much the same as the Bills-Bengals game, except the Jets don’t have a quarterback to speak of. I’m taking the Browns here.Carolina (+2) at Detroit
The Lions don’t do much on defense, but I like Matthew Stafford (at least on the basis of 2016) better than I like Cam Newton at this point. Will the Panthers rebound from their loss to the Patriots in Week 4? I see them having enough talent (and enough defense) to eke out a win in Detroit.San Francisco (+9) at Indianapolis
That’s a big line for a Colts team that doesn’t play much defense. This is the type of game that Niners quarterback Brian Hoyer goes out and wins about six or seven times a season so that teams keep paying him money. To be honest, I’m probably staying away from this game, but since we’re picking all of them, I’m taking San Fran to cover in NFL Week 5.Tennessee (+3) at Miami
Is Ryan Tannehill’s leg going to become a major problem? We don’t know yet, although early indicators say that it’s not a tear. Matt Moore was good enough for the Dolphins last year — and they have a running game that’s better than Tennessee’s at this point. I like the Fish to win and cover.L.A. Chargers (+7) at N.Y. Giants
Two stellar quarterbacks who are nearing the end of their careers in Philip Rivers and Eli Manning. The Giants have the better defense, but the Chargers have the better offensive line. The Giants have the better receiving corps, but neither team is all that great on the run. This is a big line for the Giants to cover…I see them winning late but give me the Chargers to cover the spread.
