Steve Starr
- Bovada has updated spreads, moneylines and over/unders for NFL Week 5
- The Chiefs (-11.5) have defeated the Raiders by an average of 22 points per game since Jon Gruden returned to coaching
- A quarterback change in Washington (+285) could lead to an unexpected upset over the overrated Rams this Sunday
As we found out last week as well, this year’s NFL schedule is written in pencil, not pen, with Broncos/Patriots and Bills/Titans moving from Sunday to Monday and Tuesday night, respectively. We’re still waiting on lines for those games so be sure to check Bovada for the latest Week 5 odds.
Let’s look at the board and pick some winners from the other 12 matchups. After going 2-1 against the spread in Week 4, we’re a sterling 10-5 on the season while going over .500 with our weekly moneyline upset picks.
WEEK 5 NFL ODDS
| Game | Spread | Moneyline | Over/Under |
| Panthers vs. Falcons |
+1.0 (-105) -1.0 (-115) |
EVEN -120 |
Over 54.0 (-110) Under 54.0 (-110) |
| Bengals vs. Ravens |
+13.0 (-115) -13.0 (-105) |
+550 -900 |
Over 51.0 (-110) Under 51.0 (-110) |
| Jaguars vs. Texans |
+6.0 (-120) -6.0 (EVEN) |
+205 -245 |
Over 54.5 (-110) Under 54.5 (-110) |
| Raiders vs. Chiefs |
+11.5 (+105) -11.5 (-110) |
+440 -680 |
Over 55.5 (-110) Under 55.5 (-110) |
| Rams vs. Washington |
-7.5 (EVEN) +7.5 (-120) |
-370 +285 |
Over 47.0(-105) Under 47.0 (-115) |
| Eagles vs. Steelers |
+7.5 (-120) -7.5 (EVEN) |
+265 -330 |
Over 44.5 (-110) Under 44.5 (-110) |
| Dolphins vs. 49ers |
+9.0 (-110) -9.0 (-110) |
+315 -430 |
Over 51.5 (-110) Under 51.5 (-110) |
| Colts vs. Browns |
-1.0 (-105) +1.0 (-115) |
-115 -105 |
Over 47.5 (-110) Under 47.5 (-110) |
| Giants vs. Cowboys |
+8.5 (-115) -8.5 (-105) |
+310 -420 |
Over 54.0 (-110) Under 54.0 (-110) |
| Vikings vs. Seahawks |
+7.0 (-115) -7.0 (-105) |
+265 -330 |
Over 56.5 (-110) Under 56.5 (-110) |
| Chargers vs. Saints |
+8.0 (-115) -8.0 (-105) |
+290 -380 |
Over 50.5 (-110) Under 50.5 (-110) |
COVERING THE SPREAD
Given that Colts/Browns is likely the marquee matchup of Week 5, this might be the Sunday to take the wife and kids apple picking. Both 3-1 teams rely heavily on their beefy offensive lines and run games, but Indianapolis will be without left tackle Anthony Castonzo, as well as star linebacker Darius Leonard.
While Nick Chubb is out six weeks with a knee injury, Kareem Hunt and the lesser placeholder backs performed admirably against Dallas last week, and as a whole, Cleveland’s offense is running more efficiently than Philip Rivers’ dink-and-dunk operation. Browns (+1.0)
KAREEM HUNT STONKS 📈📈 pic.twitter.com/H23M6X48Df
— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) October 7, 2020
Last week, we predicted Carolina would upset the sputtering Cardinals and see no reason to turn away from a hot Panthers team that hasn’t skipped a beat without Christian McCaffrey. If you’re like me and think the Falcons are going to lose at home to a division rival and drop to 0-5, you would be wise to also bet on Dan Quinn becoming the next NFL coach fired (+250) at BetOnline. Panthers (+1.0)
Jon Gruden and Andy Reid worked together 26 years ago as gopher-level assistants under Green Bay’s Mike Holmgren. While they’re reportedly “great friends”, Big Red has not treated Chucky as such. In the four games the Chiefs and Raiders have played since Gruden returned to coaching in 2018, Kansas City has outscored Oakland by 88 points. Chiefs (-11.5)
Starting to think it might not have been “all Jason Garrett’s fault” in Dallas. 🤷♀️ pic.twitter.com/1bXwmB3JQt
— Ross Tucker (@RossTuckerNFL) October 4, 2020
The Cowboys should destroy the Giants on Sunday, but then again, they should also be 0-4. Dallas’ defense has been downright pathetic under Mike Nolan, one of the worst NFL hires in years, and the team will also be without left tackle Tyron Smith, who is undergoing season-ending neck surgery.
Meanwhile, Big Blue has been competitive in three-of-four games this year and ex-Cowboys boss Jason Garrett will be plenty motivated to finally put up some points this weekend. Giants (+8.5)
MONEYLINE UPSET PICKS
At 0-4, the Texans (finally) took the keys away from Bill O’Brien after he reportedly had a heated exchange with J.J. Watt. Oddsmakers have since made Houston six-point home-favorites over the Jaguars, but other than hoping for a dead cat bounce, there’s little reason to expect improvement from a team coached by 73-year-old Romeo Crennel.
After already defeating the Colts in Week 1 and playing the Titans tough in Week 2, Jacksonville (+205) is plenty capable of upsetting another divisional foe on Sunday.
He’s returned to practice 😤 pic.twitter.com/5Dok1zlDLZ
— Washington Football Team (@WashingtonNFL) October 8, 2020
The general consensus around the league seems to be that “Sean McVay’s Rams are back!!”, but it’s worth mentioning that all three of Los Angeles’ wins have come against the NFC East. Of course, their opponent this week, the 1-3 Washington Football Team, also play in the same sorry-ass division, but Ron Rivera’s club does have a few things going for it.
Rookie DPOY favorite Chase Young should be back, there’s a good chance Kyle Allen will be an improvement over Dwayne Haskins at quarterback, rookie running back Antonio Gibson looks better and better every week, and the Rams are flying cross-country and playing a 1 p.m. game on the East Coast. We like the Football Team as a +285 upset.
