Heading into the fifth week of the 2020 NFL season, positive COVID results are increasing, sending the league schedulers to collect overtime – or to be put in a position to ask for a raise. Thank the Tennessee Titans, the team that continues to be the hottest mess. There have also been a few big names with positive test results, including Cam Newton and Stephon Gilmore of the New England Patriots. This news, along with a vast variety of injuries, make for a challenging pathway to making smart picks. With all of these factors in mind, it is time for my Week 5 NFL Picks ATS (Sunday games only).
Since I took a few weeks off from posting my selections, I have decided to pepper you with picks against the spread for the entire Sunday slate.
Spreads are via Bovada on Friday October 9th, with the lone exception being the Cards-Jets game and that line was pulled from CBS Sports.
Let’s get on with the Week 5 NFL Picks ATS, shall we?
KP’s Week 5 NFL Picks ATS: The Pop-Culture-less Quick Takes Edition
Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons (-1)
Well, would you look at that? The Panthers are winning without Christian McCaffrey. Mike Davis is filling in nicely and the new coaching staff is getting their feet wet. Teddy Bridgewater has been quite effective and should be again, considering a questionable Atlanta defense that is ranked 31st against the pass. The Falcons WR core is also banged up and Julio Jones remains questionable for Sunday. Let’s assume that either Jones or Ridley is out. If true, Carolina is on my mind. Panthers win on the road.
Arizona Cardinals at New York Jets (+7)
Kyler Murray has had an inconsistent start for the Cards. Joe Flacco, meanwhile, gets the start for New York – and he claims there’s still a lot left in the tank. Arizona has had little success over the years traveling to New York, but it’s really hard to pick the Jets in any situation right now. Seriously, the Jets couldn’t even convince anyone that they wear green. Who knows, maybe Flacco will provide a spark, but I’m not willing to take that chance. Arizona has too much firepower. Cardinals cover.
Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens (-13.0)
Lamar Jackson missed a practice this week due to a “non-serious” knee injury. Still, anything with the knee, it makes you worry about his mobility, which is obviously a major part of his game. Additionally, three of the last five games in this rivalry have been decided by a touchdown or less. While the Ravens have the talent edge, my gut says Joe Burrow finds ways to get into the end zone. If Dwayne Haskins and the WFT can keep it at two touchdowns, Cincinnati can, too. Give me the Bengals and the points.
Jacksonville Jaguars at Houston Texans (-6.0)
Few expected the Texans to be winless through four games. The Houston defense has been a mess and the offense has been disjointed and completely out of sync at times. With Bill O’Brien out, maybe the coaching change is exactly what this team needs. If Houston doesn’t wake up now, they never will. It’s either Rip Van Winkle (waking) or just plain R.I.P. for the Texans. Jacksonville’s 24th ranked pass defense should be just what the doctor ordered. Texans cover.
Las Vegas Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs (-11.5)
Patrick Mahomes survived the Stephon Gilmore post-game handshake. That was the story during the week. Well, not really. At least, it wasn’t that dramatic. Speaking of dramatic, this rivalry has been far from it as of late. K.C. has outscored the Raiders 103-22 over the last three meetings. While Las Vegas is improving, they aren’t that much better. Chiefs cover at home.
Los Angeles Rams at Washington Football Team (+7.5)
Like with the Jets and Texans, Washington is also making a change, benching Dwayne Haskins in favor of Kyle Allen. The headlines in D.C. aren’t pretty, with stories challenging the WFT decision. Other headlines mention how Ron Rivera had to make this move, or he’d lose the locker room. Others state how Haskins didn’t study much and was not prepared. On the bright side, Chase Young returned to practice this week and if available, his presence will give the ‘D’ a boost. These factors point to a stronger performance by the WFT. Rams win, but give me the Football Team and the points.
Philadelphia Eagles at Pittsburgh Steelers (-7.5)
The Eagles often play up to their competition. Nabbing a first win against the Niners was a big start. Pittsburgh has extra rest and a ferocious defense that will certainly challenge an Eagles line that has been owned at times. Despite that, this inner-state rivalry is always a fun one and I’m seeing signs of Carson Wentz coming out of his early season struggles. This should be a highly competitive game and one that is close throughout. Give me the Eagles and the points.
Miami Dolphins at San Francisco 49ers (-9)
With the Niners, the story remains injuries. If you want to pick a game or focus on Fantasy with the 49ers, google the team injury report and begin scrolling. Nick Mullens has now been dropped to #3 on the QB depth chart, leaving C.J. Beathard with Jimmy Garoppolo. By the injury report, it’s possible that Garoppolo, Raheem Mostert and Deebo Samuel could all play. So what if they do? Considering the game is on the west coast, I’ll take the 49ers to cover at home.
Indianapolis Colts at Cleveland Browns (+1)
There is optimism surrounding the Browns. I repeat: THERE. IS. OPTIMISM. SURROUNDING. THE. CLEVELAND. BROWNS. So much that I use all caps and ignore all forms of proper writing. Oh, this just in… the Colts are damn good, too. Indianapolis has the number one defense allowing just 159.2 passing yards per game. While Cleveland has looked great and is running the ball well, there are injuries mounting in said run game and the Colts… well… this defense isn’t Dallas. Colts cover on the road.
New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys (-8.5)
Dallas made a coaching change in the offseason and well… they remain a mess. Zeke is underutilized and Dak keeps playing from behind because the Dallas defense is brutally bad – to put it lightly. Daniel Jones has had flashes in year two. Jones has the talent and poise to make some big plays against this defense. Sure, Saquon has been out for weeks, but the the Giants should be able to compete in this divisional matchup. Until I see Dallas post a steady week on both sides of the ball, I’m picking every opponent they face. With that in mind, give me the Giants and the points.
Minnesota Vikings at Seattle Seahawks (-7)
This has nothing to do with the game, but I’m still smarting after cutting Justin Jefferson in Fantasy following two mediocre games with minimal targets. As for this game, the Vikings are smarting, too – and now they get MVP candidate Russell Wilson. Sure, the 12th man won’t be filling the stands, which takes away some of the home field advantage. Dalvin Cook will need to have a monster game and considering Seattle is currently 3rd against the run, well… yeah. Good luck. Seahawks cover.
Week 2’s BEST BETS against the spread
- Carolina Panthers at TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (-8.5) – WIN
- Detroit Lions at GREEN BAY PACKERS (-6.5) – WIN
- LOS ANGELES RAMS at Philadelphia Eagles (+1.0) – WIN
- SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS at New York Jets (+7.0) – WIN
- WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM at Arizona Cardinals (-7.0) – LOSS
Week 2: 4-1 | Week 1: 3-1
2020 Season: 7-2
If you’re playing Fantasy or making picks this week, best of luck to you! Let me know your Week 5 NFL Picks ATS or your favorite plays in Daily Fantasy.
Oh and as always, thank you for visiting The Wife Hates Sports!
