In Week Five, all of the players will have had four quarters of competitive play under their belts and will have acclimated to the game speed. Better yet, for gamblers, we finally have some actual data to pair with our observations in order to guide our wagers.
For our preview, we’ll look at each game and try to ascertain which team has the advantage and how big that advantage is.
All of the games are presented with the point spread, but you can place a variety of wagers (moneyline, props, over/under) on these games at numerous online sportsbooks like Bovada.
Week 5 NFL Odds & Matchups
Week 5 NFL Schedule
Thursday, October 5
- Chicago Bears @ Washington Commanders (-1 ½)
Sunday, October 8
- Jacksonville @ Buffalo Bills (-3) (GAME PLAYED IN LONDON, ENGLAND)
- Houston Texans @ Atlanta Falcons (-3 ½)
- Carolina Panthers @ Detroit Lions (-5)
- Tennessee Titans @ Indianapolis Colts (+1)
- New York Giants@ Miami Dolphins (-4)
- New Orleans Saints @ New England Patriots (-3)
- Baltimore Ravens @ Pittsburgh Steelers (+1)
- Philadelphia Eagles @ Los Angeles Rams (+4 ½)
- Cincinnati Bengals @ Arizona Cardinals (+8)
- New York Jets @ Denver Broncos (+2)
- Kansas City Chiefs @ Minnesota Vikings (+4)
- Dallas Cowboys @ San Francisco 49rs (-2)
Monday, October 9
- Green Bay Packers @ Las Vegas Raiders (-1 ½)
Odds: Courtesy of Bovada
Bye Week: Cleveland Browns, Los Angeles Chargers, Seattle Seahawks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
NFL Week Five Game Previews and Betting Odds
Week five of the NFL schedule marks the beginning of bye weeks, which results in a slightly diminished slate of games. That said, there are still some great matchups, with the Ravens and Steelers renewing their rivalry in the AFC North while familiar foes Dallas and San Francisco square off in prime time on Sunday Night.
There may even be some drama when the Jets visit Denver, and Aaron Rogers defends his coach’s honor against the slings and arrows of Sean Payton. We hope there is. And let’s not forget the Week 5 London game between the Jaguars and Bills and their very tall QB’s.
In the NFL, any game can become must-watch TV, so let’s take a deeper look at the full slate of Week 5 offerings from the National Football League.
>> Place your NFL Week 5 bets at Bovada <<
Thursday, October 5. NFL Schedule & Point Spread
Chicago Bears @ Washington Commanders (-1 ½)
In the NFC, there is more opportunity for teams to break into the playoff pack. These two teams will surely count themselves among those contenders. Chicago is counting on continued development in the passing game from third-year quarterback Justin Fields, who has already proven himself to be a threat with his legs.
Washington looks to be handing the reins over to second-year QB Sam Howell at this point, although backup Jacoby Brissett has found himself going from backup to starter several times in his career. Whoever it is lining up under center, they will be taking commands from new offensive coordinator Eric Bienemy, who is looking to prove that he had as much to do with the offensive success in Kansas City as Andy Reid did.
If both teams are healthy for this one, the most interesting matchup will be Justin Fields against the Commanders Defense, which is the pride and joy of head coach Ron Rivera (he’s also the reason we aren’t expecting huge jumps in the offense under Bienemy).
The Oddsmakers don’t have much faith in Washington (-1 ½ ), as the home field is usually worth three points. We happen to agree and think Chicago is the pick and wouldn’t be so bad as a straight-up moneyline pick, either.
Sunday, October 8. NFL Schedule & Point Spread
Jacksonville @ Buffalo Bills (-3)
This game will be played in Tottenham Stadium and will count as a home game for the Buffalo Bills. Jacksonville seems to play in London every year, though, so the usual rules of point spreads kind of go out the window. As it stands, the Bills are giving up three points, which would be a paltry spread if these teams were facing off in Buffalo.
The Bills have been a Super Bowl contender for the past few years, while the Jaguars just arrived on the playoff scene last year with their amazing second-half comeback against the Chargers. It would seem like the spread should be larger, and perhaps it will grow as we get closer to the game – something to consider when betting on NFL online.
Jacksonville was a bit of a surprise last year, as Trevor Lawrence finally took the leap (Turns out it WAS Urban Meyer). This season teams will be ready for the Jags, and after falling short the past few seasons, the Bills could be looking at this year as a make-or-break for this roster.
We think Buffalo is going to send a message to Jacksonville that there is still a way to go before these two teams can call themselves equals. We like Buffalo to cover the three points easily.
Houston Texans @ Atlanta Falcons (-3 ½)
Considering we just profiled these two teams as easy wins for Jacksonville, we’re not going to bill this game as a Week 5 highlight. The Falcons are home favorites by 3 ½ points and could be battling for the NFC South division title this year.
They are hoping first-round draft pick Bijan Robinson is the type of running back worthy of the #8 overall pick. If he is, it will make life much easier for QB Desmond Ridder, who enters his second year with a tenuous grip on the starting job.
The Texans probably don’t have any delusions about their playoff chances, which are approximately zero. With top 3 picks on offense (QB CJ Stroud) and defense (LB Will Anderson Jr.) Houston will be looking towards the seasons beyond this one. Having traded their first-round pick to move up and draft Anderson Jr, the Texans won’t exactly be tanking, though, and the talent gap between these teams really isn’t that wide.
Ultimately we think Atlanta will win this, but 3 ½ points might be one point too many to give us confidence.
Carolina Panthers @ Detroit Lions (-5)
Number 1 overall pick Bryce Young will head into Detroit for week five as the Panthers face the Lions. Now that Aaron Rodgers has left the NFC North, the division is up for grabs, and Detroit looks like the favorite to win it (at least to us).
Carolina traded into the first pick from the ninth position, so the roster is closer to middle-of-the-pack than bottom-of-the-barrell. In an incredibly mediocre NFC South, Carolina might even have a shot at their own division title.
While Carolina might be a playoff contender, we don’t expect Bryce Young to shine in his first few games. The Panthers will try to protect their rookie QB with a run-heavy game plan, but at some point he’s going to have to make some plays with his arm, as we think Detroit will be able to score on Carolina. That’s a lot to ask of a rookie QB on the road. Therefore we are in favor of taking the Lions and giving the five points. We can easily see this line rising as we get closer to week 5.
>> Start betting on Week 5 NFL at MyBookie <<
Tennessee Titans @ Indianapolis Colts (+1)
Yet another rookie quarterback to consider (and possibly two) in this matchup. Colts rookie QB Anthony Richardson was the biggest projection of the three top QBs taken in the draft. But he also may be the most athletically gifted, with the highest ceiling.
Tennessee should enter the season with Ryan Tannehill behind center, but a slow start for the Titans could signal a changing of the guard and an opportunity for second-round pick Will Levis to show that he was overlooked by many teams.
At this point in the season, we think Tannehill will still be the starter in Tennessee. And Derrick Henry will have only carried the ball 150 times or so for the season by week 5, so he’ll still be fresh. In the other backfield, it remains to be seen (at the time of this writing) if Jonathan Taylor will be playing for the Colts, as the player and team are in a contract dispute.
It’s usually a bad idea to bet on a road favorite, but the difference between these two teams seems wider than one point. We like Tennessee here quite a bit.
New York Giants @ Miami Dolphins (-4)
Daniel Jones and the Giants will head down to Miami to take on Tua Tagovailoa and the Dolphins. These are two teams with high expectations and questions at the Quarterback position.
Jones signed a contract extension in the off-season after showing massive improvement under new head coach Brian Dabol, but many wonder if Jones has hit his ceiling and if so, how far can the Giants go with him under center. It will help to have Saquon Barkley lining up in the backfield, but are there enough weapons in the passing game to keep up in the NFC East?
Tagovailoa is playing for a contract and will need to prove he can stay healthy for a full season to earn it. Unlike the Giants, the Dolphins are loaded at the wide receiver position. And head coach Mike McDaniel knows how to get them the ball.
It’s always tough to play in Miami before November, and we think the Giants might wilt under the heat and the Dolphins offense. Four points seem like an easy cover for the Dolphins at home.
New Orleans Saints @ New England Patriots (-3)
Derrick Carr doesn’t like to play in cold weather, so he will be watching the forecast closely. Even if the game is blizzard free, we don’t think either offense is going to run away from the other.
Both Carr and Patriots quarterback Mack Jones are good players, but no one would call either great. These two teams are both led by their playoff-caliber defenses, and we think that this game has “under” written all over it.
Unfortunately, that is where our certainty ends. It seems likely that this game could be decided by a field goal, but who will kick that field goal has us stymied.
>> Find the best Week 5 NFL odds at BetOnline <<
Baltimore Ravens @ Pittsburgh Steelers (+1)
These two AFC North heavyweights will slug it out in Pittsburgh in week 5. Mike Tomlin and John Harbaugh are two of the longest-tenured coaches in the league, and this game will mark their 33rd head-to-head matchup (Tomlin is 18-14 against Harbaugh).
The Ravens finally gave Lamar Jackson a contract in the offseason, and we think he’s primed for a huge season. Baltimore also invested in the wideout position, spending a first-round pick on Zay Flowers and signing Odell Beckham. This could be the most talented offense Jackson has played with in his time with Baltimore – keep this in mind when placing your NFL best bets online.
Despite our rosy outlook for Baltimore, we have too much respect for Mike Tomlin and the Steelers at home to make a recommendation in this one other than to watch it!
Philadelphia Eagles @ Los Angeles Rams (+4 ½)
There are an unusual number of home underdogs on the week 5 slate, which makes for some tricky wagering. The defending NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles are favored on the road against the LA Rams, who last season discovered the price of trading all of their high draft picks for a Super Bowl Trophy.
The Eagles built their roster the “old fashioned way” through the draft and were just a couple of plays away from their own Super Bowl victory. Unlike the Rams, Philadelphia seems to be built for the long haul, with depth throughout the lineup.
By week five, the Rams might already be thinking about next year. While we don’t think it’s probable, we can even see a scenario where the Rams trade Matthew Stafford or Aaron Donald in an effort to replenish their empty draft pick closet.
Even with those players, we still think the Eagles are the better team, and if you have the stomach for giving the home team 4 ½ points, we support you.
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Cincinnati Bengals @ Arizona Cardinals (+8)
This is the biggest spread of the week, and it might actually end up even higher than this when we get to week 5. Put simply, the Bengals are a Super Bowl contender with one of the very best Quarterbacks in the league. The Cardinals…are not. In fact, they might end up contending for the #1 pick in the draft.
Arizona will probably still be without their starting quarterback, Kyler Murray, who is recovering from an ACL tear. Even though Murray is hoping to return by week 1, the Cardinals have no reason to rush him back quickly.
Our only question about this game is how much the Bengals will win. Eight points (the current spread) is a HUGE spread for a road favorite, and we’ve mentioned the danger of those bets. And yet, we still think the Bengals will cover in a game that only matters to them.
New York Jets @ Denver Broncos (+2)
For any football fans who don’t follow the off-field drama, let us fill you in: During the off-season, new Broncos head coach Sean Payton threw OLD Broncos head coach Nathaniel Hackett under the bus in reference to his performance last season. Hackett is now coaching for the Jets, and their new quarterback, Aaron Rogers, took offense to this and told Payton to “keep his coach’s name out of your mouth”. So now you are caught up.
As for the game itself, we have to take one of these home underdogs at some point and this feels like the right game to do it. Playing in the Denver altitude is never easy for opposing teams, and we think Payton is the kind of coach who can bring out the best in Russell Wilson.
We like Denver in this one, and you might even consider taking them on the money line.
Kansas City Chiefs @ Minnesota Vikings (+4)
The World Champions head to Minnesota for a rematch of Super Bowl 4 (That’s what everyone was thinking, right?). Unlike that game, this one only features one Super Bowl contender.
Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City offense may have already circled this game on the schedule. The Vikings defense was horrible last season and turned several mediocre offenses into juggernauts. We shudder to think what Andy Reid will cook up for this one.
The Chiefs will put up a lot of points in this game, and we like them to cover, AND we like the over when it eventually comes out (the over tends to go up, so get it early).
>> Check out the latest Week 5 odds at SportsBetting.ag <<
Dallas Cowboys @ San Francisco 49rs (-2)
The Sunday night game pits two of the NFC’s most accomplished franchises against one another, and like many times before, both teams enter the season with their sights set on the Super Bowl.
The Cowboys have been playoff disappointments during the Mike McCarthy era, and he might not be around next season if the Cowboys don’t make a deep playoff run. Perhaps that’s the reason why McCarthy took over offensive play calling this year. If he’s gonna go down, he might as well be the one making the calls.
On the other side, no one is taking the calls away from Kyle Shanahan, who regularly turns unknown quarterbacks into world beaters (it’s the high draft picks he can’t figure out). It helps to have offensive weapons all over the field, and the 49rs have more than most.
Both teams have dominant defenses that pressure the quarterback, but over the past few matchups, Shanahan and the 49ers have had the Cowboys number. We expect that trend to continue in this one with the 49rs covering.
Monday, October 9. NFL Schedule & Point Spread
Green Bay Packers @ Las Vegas Raiders (-1 ½)
Week 5 wraps up in Las Vegas as the Raiders host the Packers on Monday night. Both teams head into the 2023 season, having to replace long-time starters at the most important position in football.
Jordan Love has been patiently waiting for his turn in Green Bay, just like Aaron Rogers did before him. Will Love end up being the third Hall of Fame quarterback in a row for the Packers? The odds say no, but we’ve seen it happen before.
The Raiders new QB, Jimmy Garrapalo was once in the same position as Love, an understudy to a legend when he was Tom Brady’s backup in New England. Two teams later, Jimmy G has been reunited with his old Patriots offensive coordinator, Josh McDaniels, the Raiders head coach. In a strange twist, Garrapalo still has to deal with the shadow of Brady, who is a part owner of the Raiders and might be staying in shape “just in case”.
Too many unknowns in this one for us, we’ll pass.
NFL Week Five Betting Tips and Strategies
We’ve put together some words of wisdom for the curious sports bettor to help you navigate the football season and NFL betting systems. Take or leave whatever you like.
Have a Bankroll: Your Bankroll is the total amount of money you can afford to wager for the season. Divide your Bankroll by 100, and this number will be 1 betting “unit” for you. If you have $500 total in your bankroll, each unit would be $5. Professional bettors use this system, so why shouldn’t you? Also, the pros very rarely put more than 2 or 3 “units” on any one wager.
Shop Around for the Best Value: Online sports betting sites are allowed around the world. Oftentimes, these sites will offer different lines from one another on various games. If you are registered at numerous sites, in just a couple of minutes, you can search for lines on all of your sites and find the best one for your wager.
A ½ point difference in a spread can be the difference between winning and losing, why wouldn’t you get the best odds for all of your wagers?
Be Choosey: Only a fool bets on every game of the week. You aren’t a fool, are you? I didn’t think so. Concentrate on just a few games to research and wager on each week.
Important Stats: Two statistics directly related to chances of winning are turnover margin and passing yards per attempt. Look for the team with the advantage in these statistics if you want to win more than you lose.
Home Underdogs and Unders: Home underdogs cover more often than not, historically speaking. The Under hits more often than the over. If you only made these 2 types of bets, history says you would win more often than not.
Where to Bet on NFL Week 5:
Top 5 Online Betting Sites for NFL Week 5 Odds:
- Bovada: Best overall
- MyBookie: Best sign up bonus
- BetOnline: Best mobile app
- BUSR: Top choice for beginners
- Sportsbetting.ag: Best Crypto Bonus
You can bet on NFL games at a number of online sportsbooks or even at your local brick-and-mortar establishment, depending on where you live.
We’d recommend spending your money at a big, established online bookie like Bovada or MyBookie, though, where you’ll also be able to place individual game and prop bets as well.
These sites have been around for years, building up a reputation for treating players fairly. That’s far from the only reason to bet with them, though:
- They’re Convenient: You can get the most up-to-date lines anytime you want, simply by refreshing the page.
- They Reward Players: These sites are always competing for your business and are constantly offering bonuses and special promotions. They’re always looking for ways to get you into the action — other sportsbooks simply can’t compete with that.
- They Offer Round-The-Clock Action: You can bet on most sports matchups right up to the start time, and then you can get the best NFL live bets during the game.
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Why Bet on NFL Week Five?
The NFL is the most popular sport in America to wager on. By Week Five, you will have had several games’ worth of data to base your picks on, and we all know that information is the key to success! Here are some more reasons why betting on the NFL Week Five Matchups represents unique value:
- Early odds = Great odds: As we get closer to the games, the line makers wise up, and the value on some of these point spreads go away.
- More than just the Spread: With the explosion of legal online gambling, there are more wagers available to bettors than ever before. Futures, Props, and Over/Under bets are great ways to get involved without having to pick a winner!
- You’re already ahead of the public: If you’ve made it to this point in the preview, you’ve put more research into your wagering than the vast majority of casual bettors. Knowledge is power, and now that you’ve got it, go out and use it!
NFL Week 5 Odds: FAQs
Where should I bet on the NFL Week Five Games?
We listed some of the top Online sportsbooks earlier, but here is a more comprehensive list. All of these sites are safe, reliable, and easy to use.
When is NFL Week 5?
The NFL Week 5 games begin on Thursday, October 5, and end on Monday, October 9.
How Long is the NFL Season?
The NFL season runs for 18 weeks, from Sept 7 until January 7, 2024. Each team plays 17 games over the course of the season. The NFL playoffs begin the following week, culminating in the Superbowl on Sunday, February 11.
Where can I watch the NFL Week Five Games?
The NFL is available on a number of networks and streaming services.
- Thursday Night Football- Weeks 2-17 Amazon Prime Video
- Sunday 1pm and 4pm games- CBS and Fox
- Sunday Night Football- NBC
- Monday Night Football- ESPN (Doubleheaders shown on ABC)
Check these out:
Got Your Picks for NFL Week Five?
By the time Week Five rolls around, the good teams will have started to distinguish themselves from the rabble.
Some of the lines will invariably look much different than they do now. The key is to identify where the current odds are giving value and strike before everyone else figures it out. Don’t forget about our tips and strategies. Hopefully, they will propel you to a fun, profitable 2023 NFL season!
Good luck, everyone, and remember, no matter when or where you place your wagers, be sure to do so responsibly!
DISCLAIMER: The information on this site is for entertainment purposes only. Online gambling comes with risks. There’s no guarantee of financial gain, so you should only gamble with what you can afford to lose.
While gambling can be fun, it can also be addictive. If you or anyone you know suffer from a gambling addiction problem, we recommend that you call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700 to speak with an advisor. Please remember that our guides and all gambling sites are only for people who are 21+. Also, check with local laws to find out if online gambling is legal in your area.
For free online gambling addiction resources, visit these organizations:
