Week 5 featured some great matchups, as we were treated to a back-and-forth classic between the Cleveland Browns and Los Angeles Chargers. Plus, the Buffalo Bills fully asserted themselves as a Super Bowl favorite with a dominating win on the road over the Kansas City Chiefs. Now, it's time to look ahead to Week 6 from a betting perspective.
**All betting lines from bet365.com (updated Sunday)**
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-1) @ Philadelphia Eagles (2-3)
The Bucs cruised to another win over the Dolphins last week and now set their sights on an Eagles team that has traditionally been stout against the run, but the script has flipped this year. Surprisingly, they have given up 142 RYDS/G (30th in NFL) so far this year and have defended the pass well, allowing just 194.8 PYDS/G (3rd in NFL). The Bucs enter this game with a league-leading 349.4 PYDS/G and Tom Brady has shown no signs of slowing down at the age of 44. I think Brady in primetime will be too much for this young Eagles secondary and the big matchup to keep an eye on will be Mike Evans vs. Darius Slay. Pick: Bucs, 28-20.
Line: Buccaneers -7
Spread: Buccaneers
ML: Buccaneers
Miami Dolphins (1-4) @ Jacksonville Jaguars (0-5)
Both of these teams need a win badly and for Urban Meyer and his squad, they're still in search of their first victory. There's a chance that Tua Tagovailoa suits up for this game and that could be a boost for the Dolphins offense, but this game could have the makings of some sloppy play on both ends as both of these teams rank in the Top 5 for giveaways. Since it's being played over in England, there's no real advantage here for either squad, even though traditionally the Jags have played in a lot of these games. I'm going to lean towards the Dolphins snapping their four-game losing streak. Pick: Dolphins, 21-17.
Line: Dolphins -1.5
Spread: Dolphins
ML: Dolphins
Cincinnati Bengals (3-2) @ Detroit Lions (0-5)
The Bengals proved they are a playoff contender last week, forcing the Packers to overtime in what was such a bizarre array of missed kicks throughout the extra time until finally Mason Crosby made the final dagger. Dan Campbell showed a lot of emotion during the post game presser following last week's loss to the Vikings. He's a hard-nosed, players coach (at least that's the vibe I get) and really, the Lions probably don't deserve to be winless right now. Unfortunately for them, the Bengals are coming to town and Joe Burrow is looking very poised under center. Pick: Bengals, 27-20.
Line: Bengals -3.5
Spread: Bengals
ML: Bengals
Green Bay Packers (4-1) @ Chicago Bears (3-2)
This is a big divisional tilt as the Bears are suddenly back in the NFC North conversation following a big road win over the Raiders. Justin Fields is their quarterback moving forward and he will get his first taste of action against Aaron Rodgers this Sunday, a guy that's been running the division for years. The Packers have been moving the ball offensively with relative ease and Rodgers has had a lot of success in his career against the Bears. I expect the veteran to come out on top here with a road victory. Pick: Packers, 24-17.
Line: Packers -6
Spread: Packers
ML: Packers
Houston Texans (1-4) @ Indianapolis Colts (1-4)
What a lost season this feels like for the Colts after bringing in Carson Wentz during the offseason. I think many anticipated he would be a difference maker in a change of scenery, but that just really hasn't been the case. The defense hasn't been as good as advertised for the most part and now they'll play a pesky Texans team. The Texans don't really have much going for them and I would expect the Colts to comfortably take a home win here. Pick: Colts, 26-21.
Line: Colts -10
Spread: Texans
ML: Colts
Kansas City Chiefs (2-3) @ Washington Football Team (2-3)
The Chiefs were embarrassed in their own backyard by the Bills on Sunday night -- there's no sugarcoating that. Now, they turn their attention to a big road game in Washington where they desperately need to get back to .500. I think this could be a tough spot for Patrick Mahomes as he can't do everything for this team, especially making plays on the defensive side of the ball. Washington themselves have been in some tough battles this year and will give the Chiefs a push here. Pick: Chiefs, 30-23.
Line: Chiefs -6.5
Spread: Chiefs
ML: Chiefs
L.A. Chargers (4-1) @ Baltimore Ravens (4-1)
This is a great matchup as both these teams are rolling right now with two QB's that are in the running for MVP. Lamar Jackson put on an unbelievable show on Monday night in a comeback win over the Colts and he already slayed the dragon against the Chiefs a few weeks ago. Now, it's a big matchup against Justin Herbert and really, this game has home field implications for the playoffs already this early into the season. The Chargers defense needs to find a way to contain Lamar (easier said than done) and limit his red zone chances. I think they can find a way here and Herbert will show up big. Pick: Chargers, 30-27.
Line: Ravens -2.5
Spread: Chargers
ML: Chargers
L.A. Rams (4-1) @ N.Y. Giants (1-4)
The Giants were steam rolled by the Cowboys last week, and to make matters worse they lost Saquon Barkley and Kenny Golladay in the process. It appears Daniel Jones could play this week, but I feel as though he's about to be a sitting duck out there for this Rams defense. I don't see anyone on the Giants being able to cover Cooper Kupp as that could be a huge mismatch in the slot and really, this is a turnover game where Jones has made too many. I think the Rams roll. Pick: Rams, 28-17.
Line: Rams -8
Spread: Rams
ML: Rams
Minnesota Vikings (2-3) @ Carolina Panthers (3-2)
It looks like Dalvin Cook, Adam Thielen and Justin Jefferson will be good to go for this game, which is a huge boost for the Vikings. The Panthers defense has been tough this year, allowing just 17.4 PTS/G (3rd in NFL) and will look to keep the pressure on Kirk Cousins in the pocket. Some discouraging news for the Panthers on offense though, as Christian McCaffrey will sit out his third straight game. This would have been the dynamic this offense needed in this game, but I think their defense can stand tall. Pick: Panthers, 21-20.
Line: Vikings -2.5
Spread: Panthers
ML: Panthers
Arizona Cardinals (5-0) @ Cleveland Browns (3-2)
The Cards are the lone undefeated team left in the NFL and they fought through a tough divisional matchup with the 49ers last week. Now, they get a Browns team coming off a heartbreaking loss at the hands of the Chargers in what could be a potential shootout here. Baker Mayfield continues to play through a torn labrum, while Kyler Murray continues his early season case for MVP. At some point the Cards lose, right? Pick: Browns, 27-23.
Line: Browns -3
Spread: Browns
ML: Browns
Dallas Cowboys (4-1) @ New England Patriots (2-3)
Well, we're in Week 6 and I think it's safe to say the Cowboys are real contenders. The offense is absolutely rolling on all cylinders and this defense is currently second in the league in takeaways with 12. Ezekiel Elliott has been his usual self the last couple weeks and could be the key to the Cowboys controlling this game. I don't know if Bill Belichick has a defensive gameplan to slow this offense down (we certainly can't underestimate him though) and Dan Quinn's guys will probably make life tough on Mac Jones. Pick: Cowboys, 27-20.
Line: Cowboys -3
Spread: Cowboys
ML: Cowboys
Las Vegas Raiders (3-2) @ Denver Broncos (3-2)
What a week it has been for the Raiders franchise. Ugly rumors surfaced about some of Jon Gruden's behavior in his coaching past and with each day it just kept getting more and more out of control. Now, he has resigned from the team and they will move forward on an interim basis. What does that mean heading into Sunday? I think it means this team is in survival mode with too much on their plate. The Broncos are pesky defensively and even though Mile High is a familiar place for Derek Carr, I can't trust in the Raiders right now with all of this turmoil. Pick: Broncos, 23-17.
Line: Broncos -4
Spread: Broncos
ML: Broncos
Seattle Seahawks (2-3) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (2-3)
Losing Russell Wilson for an extended period of time is really going to hurt this Seahawks squad and I don't think Geno Smith can make them a playoff contender. The writing might be on the wall here for the Seahawks as maybe their time is up under this current regime. As for the Steelers, they are coming off a much needed home win over the Broncos last week and will look to make it two in a row here. Look for Najee Harris to be leaned on heavily in this game. Pick: Steelers, 24-20.
Line: Steelers -5
Spread: Seahawks
ML: Steelers
Buffalo Bills (4-1) @ Tennessee Titans (3-2)
The final game of the week features two teams that are very familiar with one another. Having Derrick Henry and A.J. Brown available for this game is huge for the Titans as they will need to keep pace with the high flying Bills offense that leads the NFL with 34.4 PTS/G. Josh Allen has been on an absolute tear of late and this Titans team is too much of a cupcake to be able to slow him down. I think the Titans can move the chains by leaning on Henry, but this team just doesn't have the same appeal as it did last year. Pick: Bills, 28-24.
Line: Bills -5.5
Spread: Titans
ML: Bills
2021 Results
Week 5
ATS: 12-3-1
ML: 11-5
Overall
ATS: 48-31-1
ML: 51-29
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