NFL Week 5 Betting Preview and Predictions for Every Game

After four weeks of play in the 2018 NFL regular season, there are only two unbeaten teams left. The Los Angeles Rams edged the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday to keep their record pristine, and the Kansas City Chiefs take a 3-0 record into Monday Night Football up in Denver. Parity is the order of things in the NFL again this year, as there is only one team (Arizona) that still has yet to win. Of the teams that have played four games, no team has given up fewer points than Baltimore (65), winners of two straight. The rookie quarterback movement took a beating in Week 4, with all four of the rookie starters seeing their teams lose. What can we expect in this coming week? We have NFL Week 5 betting predictions for each matchup. As always, home teams are in all caps.

NFL Week 5 Preview and Predictions for Every Game

Where does YOUR team land on @HarrisonNFL‘s Week 4 Power Rankings?! pic.twitter.com/Oby8sRaucM

— NFL (@NFL) September 26, 2018

• Bye Week: Chicago, Tampa Bay

Thursday, October 4, 8:20pm ET (FOX / NFL Network)

NEW ENGLAND (-10.5) over Indianapolis

The Indianapolis Colts do look better this season with the return of Andrew Luck, but inconsistent play on defense and in the running game has this team sitting at 1-3. The New England Patriots looked awful at 1-2 but then put a 38-7 whipping on Miami. So I’d say they’re back.

Sunday, October 7, 1:00pm ET

Denver (+2.5) over N.Y. JETS

We’ll know a little more about this game after Denver faces Kansas City tonight. As it stands, Sam Darnold has one transcendent game and three forgettable games for the Jets, and that’s why they have a 1-3 record. Denver has two comeback wins and a thumping in Baltimore, but I see Case Keenum outdueling Darnold.

Green Bay (-1) over DETROIT

The Packers can pick apart the Detroit secondary and, if they watched the Detroit-Dallas game, they know that the running game will be there all day. Detroit has a great quarterback and an intriguing running back, but they don’t have the defense to stop Aaron Rodgers.

CAROLINA (-7) over N.Y. Giants

The Giants hung with New Orleans before taking a convincing loss at home. Now they go visit a Carolina team that is rested from their bye week and has a smashmouth defense with a grinding offense.

Tennessee (-3) over BUFFALO

Josh Allen is a budding talent in Buffalo, but he doesn’t have much around him. Tennessee eked out another tough win, edging Philadelphia in overtime.

BALTIMORE (-1.5) at Cleveland

I probably wouldn’t bet a ton on this game, because we don’t know what Baker Mayfield will do, but Baltimore has convincing wins against Cincinnati and Pittsburgh in their last two contests.

CINCINNATI (-5.5) over Miami

The Bengals are delivering win after convincing win, after they took down Atlanta yesterday. Is Andy Dalton for real? Maybe, but it’s just October. And Miami doesn’t look nearly as tough after responding to their chance to take control of the AFC East by lying down for the Patriots.

KANSAS CITY (-3) at Jacksonville

Blake Bortles is falling back to earth, while Patrick Mahomes still can do no wrong. The Jags’ defense will test him, but the Chiefs will make enough plays to win.

Sunday, October 7, 4:05pm ET

Oakland (+6) over L.A. CHARGERS

I see the Chargers winning, but after beating the 49ers (with C.J. Beathard at quarterback) by just two last Sunday, I’m not sure if they can beat the Raiders by a touchdown after Oakland hung 45 on the Cleveland defense.

Sunday, October 7, 4:25pm ET

PHILADELPHIA (-3) over Minnesota

The Vikings’ defense hasn’t looked the same since the Eagles shredded it in the NFC Championship last year. I don’t see the Vikings getting their revenge this week.

L.A. Rams (-7.5) over SEATTLE

The Rams can score at will, and the Seahawks just lost Earl Thomas — and had him flip off his bench on his way out on the cart. Troubles in Seattle, to be sure.

SAN FRANCISCO (NL) over Arizona

If the Niners can stay with Philip Rivers, they can wallop Josh Rosen or Sam Bradford, even with a backup quarterback.

Sunday, October 7, 8:20pm ET

HOUSTON (-3.5) over Dallas

The Cowboys will think they solved all their problems after barely beating Detroit. Meanwhile, Deshaun Watson looks like he’s finally back in Houston.

Monday, October 8, 8:15pm ET

Washington (+7) over NEW ORLEANS

Washington has shown some defensive starch this year, and Alex Smith can move the ball on the Saints. I like New Orleans to win late, but that’s a huge spread.