Week 4 of the NFL season brought even more season-ending injuries, with New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers and Miami Dolphins counterpart Tyreek Hill both going down with ACL tears. Hill also dislocated his kneecap, to boot.
Now we’re here in Week 5, which marks the first slate with byes. The Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears, Pittsburgh Steelers and Atlanta Falcons can all rest up and get ready for Week 6.
Here are predictions for each Week 5 game. The games on this slate, along with Super Bowl odds for every team, are available at the BetMGM online sportsbook.
Los Angeles Rams vs. San Francisco 49ers
This game will be played on Thursday Night Football, which doesn't bode well for the 49ers' success in Week 5 — especially with quarterback Brock Purdy and receivers Jauan Jennings and Ricky Pearsall all ruled out.
That’s too many key pieces out of the lineup.
PREDICTION: Rams -7 (-110)
Cleveland Browns vs. Minnesota Vikings
The Joe Flacco experience in Cleveland is over, and third-round rookie Dillon Gabriel will get the first start of his NFL career.
Unfortunately for him, it’s in London and against a Brian Flores-coached Vikings defence.
Ouch.
PREDICTION: Vikings -3.5 (-115)
Indianapolis Colts vs. Las Vegas Raiders
When one of your WRs — A.D. Mitchell — fumbles the ball just before he crosses the goal line, it’s hard to get a win. Indeed, that's when happened when the Colts lost 27-20 last week.
The Raiders are just 1-3, and QB Geno Smith leads the league in interceptions with seven after throwing three more in Week 3.
Colts bounce back.
PREDICTION: Colts -7 (-105)
New Orleans Saints vs. New York Giants
Without Nabers in the lineup, there's concern about this Giants passing attack.
The Saints offence this season has been less than inspiring, but this is where they get their first win of the season after a gritty Week 4 performance at Buffalo.
PREDICTION: Saints -2 (-110)
New York Jets vs. Dallas Cowboys
The Jets fell on Monday Night Football to the Miami Dolphins despite their opponents losing Hill to injury.
QB Justin Fields is fine for fantasy football, but it’s hard to have faith in this offence even against a defence as bad as the Cowboys.
PREDICTION: Cowboys -2.5 (-118)
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Denver Broncos
The Broncos were in complete control of their Monday Night Football game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 4. QB Bo Nix finally enjoyed a good passing performance, throwing for 326 yards (7.8 yards per attempt) and two touchdowns.
The Eagles are dealing with some injuries to defensive tackle Jalen Carter and offensive tackle Lane Johnson.
Additionally, the Broncos defence has generated 73 pressures (second in the NFL) and the offensive line has only allowed 39 (fourth).
PREDICTION: Broncos +3.5 (-115)
Carolina Panthers vs. Miami Dolphins
Panthers QB Bryce Young has only won seven NFL games in his career, and six have come at home.
Now, hosting a depleted Dolphins team. I don’t feel overly confident in either side, but I’ll take the home squad.
PREDICTION: Panthers +1.5 (-110)
Baltimore Ravens vs. Houston Texans
Ravens QB Lamar Jackson suffered a hamstring injury in Week 4 and his status is in doubt for Week 5.
Not only that, but the Ravens were hit with numerous other injuries. The list includes cornerbacks Marlon Humphrey and Nate Wiggins, defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike and linebacker Roquan Smith.
The Texans offence is horrendous, but the Ravens defence is starting to fall into the same category.
PREDICTION: Texans -1 (-110)
Arizona Cardinals vs. Tennessee Titans
The Titans are easily the worst team in the NFL, but I’m not sure the Cardinals are good enough to warrant being favoured by 7.5 points.
I know it’s at home, but QB Kyler Murray hasn’t had a yards-per-attempt average of even five yards over the last two weeks.
The Cardinals will win this game, but the Titans will cover.
PREDICTION: Titans +7.5 (-110)
Seattle Seahawks vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers are dealing with numerous injuries, but their run defence is certainly one that needs to be respected. They allow just 85 yards per game (fifth), and opponents are averaging just 3.3 yards per carry against them (second).
This could be a problem as the Seahawks are a more run-heavy team.
I also believe the Buccaneers have the better passing attack.
PREDICTION: Buccaneers +3.5 (-118)
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Detroit Lions
I’ve given up on the Bengals. I thought they could do something against the Broncos, given QB Jake Browning’s splits against certain coverages that the Broncos run often, but none of that mattered.
This team is lifeless.
PREDICTION: Lions -10.5 (-110)
Los Angeles Chargers vs. Washington Commanders
The Chargers are now without starting left tackle Joe Alt after he suffered a high ankle sprain.
The Commanders may have QB Jayden Daniels back this week, and their pass rush is top 10 in the league in pressures with 60.
I’ll take the points.
PREDICTION: Commanders +3 (-110)
New England Patriots vs. Buffalo Bills
The Bills' odds to win the Super Bowl are +375, the best in the league, following a 4-0 start.
That said, against a divisional opponent, I like the Patriots getting the points.
I do think they’ll lose, but the Bills defence does concern me, and Patriots QB Drake Maye is playing well.
PREDICTION: Patriots +7.5 (-110)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs have Xavier Worthy back on the field, which is great for their offence, but they still don’t have a running game. Funny enough, Worthy led the team with 38 yards on two carries.
The Jaguars defence plays cover-3 more than any other coverage, and Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes is completing just 57.1 per cent of his throws against that coverage.
I expect a close game, and I’ll take the home team at +3.5.
PREDICTION: Jaguars +3.5 (-120)
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