Week 5 NFL Betting Recap
The byes have begun, so there were only 14 games this past week. Are the Patriots done? Will San Francisco ever lose? Can the Eagles surprise them? Are the Chiefs still the team to beat in the AFC or will Miami or Buffalo show they are for real? Let's take a look back at Week 5 in the NFL.
(Home team in caps)
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Thursday, October 5, 2023
Chicago (+6/45.5) over WASHINGTON
Chicago shocked the Commanders, opening up with a 27-3 start at the half and held on to win their first game by 20 on the road on the same day legendary linebacker Dick Butkus passed away. Justin Fields completed just 15 of 29 for 282 yards and 57 yards rushing, but he threw for FOUR TD passes. Three of the TDs went to former Maryland Terps WR D.J. Moore, playing in his home state (Landover). Moore caught eight passes for 230 yards. Washington's defense allowed 178 yards on the ground, including 76 from Khalil Herbert, who wound up injured. He has a high ankle sprain and will miss 2-3 weeks.
Sunday, October 8, 2023
Jacksonville (+5.5/48.5) over BUFFALO 25-20
The Jags were the road team in London and took advantage of their ability to adapt to a place they are familiar with. The Bills just landed in England on Friday morning and it showed. Josh Allen did completed 27 of 40 for 359 yards with two TDs and a pick. But the Bills were held to just 29 rushing yards, while the Jags ran fro 196 yards. Trevor Lawrence also had a big game with 315 yards passing and a TD. RB Travis Etienne, his former teammate at Clemson, ran for 136 yards and two TDs, while Calvin Ridley caught seven passes for 122 yards to lead Jacksonville.
New Orleans (+2.5/38) over NEW ENGLAND 34-0
It's one thing to get clobbered by Dallas on the road, but another to get shut out at home by the Saints. Give New Orleans credit, as they took advantage of the reeling Pats. Derek Carr threw for two TD passes while Alvin Kamara rushed for 80 yards. The Saints ended a streak of going 10 straight games with scoring 21 or less points. They got some help from Mac Jones, who threw two picks (and lost a fumble) and was benched for the second straight week for Bailey Zappe. New England finished with 156 total yards, eight first downs and they went 1-for-14 on third downs.
PITTSBURGH (+4.5/38.5) over Baltimore 17-10
The Ravens owned the first half, but the Steelers did what they do often in this rivalry-they steal a game and take advantage of miscues. Baltimore had plenty of those miscues, including two late turnovers from Lamar Jackson (fumble and INT). However, Jackson received very little help from his receivers, who dropped at least seven passes. RB Justice Hill, who scored the team's only TD, fumbled the ball near midfield. The Steeler's offense showed up at the end when Kenny Pickett hit Geoge Pickens for a 41-yard TD pass with 1:17 left to win the game. Pickens caught six passes for 130 yards, while Pickett completed 18 of 32 for 326 yards with a pick.
MIAMI (-12.5)/48) over NY Giants 31-16
This game barely went under and the Dolphins barely covered the game. Daniel Jones completed 14 of 20 for 119 yards, before going out with a neck injury. If he can't go, veteran Tyrod Taylor will take his place. The reason this game was a two-possession game was that Tau Tagovailoa threw two picks. WR Tyreek Hill had another monster game with eight catches for 181 yards and a TD. Rookie RB De'Von Archane also had a fumble and then was injured. He'll be out for several weeks with a knee injury.
DETROIT (-9.5/43.5) over Carolina 42-24
The Lions are for real. Sure, the Panthers fell to 0-5, but Detroit improved to 4-1 despite playing without star WR Amon-Ra. St. Brown (abdomen) and rookie RB Jahmyr Gibbs (hamstring). Detroit had strong games from RB David Montgomery (108 yards) and QB Jared Goff completed 20 of 28 for 236 yards. Bryce Young had 247 yards passing and three TDs, but also had two picks. WR Adam Thielen caught 11 passes for 107 yards with a TD.
Houston (+2.5/42) over ATLANTA 19-21
This was a close game and a tough loss for the Texans, who fell to 2-3. They were up 19-18 as C.J. Stroud hit TE Dalton Schultz for an 18-yard TO pass with 1:49 left. But Houston's defense couldn't keep Desmond Ridder and the Falcons from scoring in the two-minute drill. Younghoe Koo nailed a 37-yard field goal as time expired to give the Falcons the win. Ridder had one of his best games as a passer, completing 28 of 37 for a career-high 329 yards and a TD. TE Kyle Pitts led the way with seven catches for 87 yards. Stroud finished with 20 of 35 for 249 yards and a TD. He now has an NFL record 186 passes without an interception to begin his career.
INDIANAPOLIS (+2.5/43.5) over Tennessee 23-16
The big story coming in was the Colts signing RB Jonathan Taylor to an extension. But Zack Moss was the story during the game, rushing for 165 yards and two TDs. Indy lost rookie QB Anthony Richardson in the first half due to a shoulder injury and was placed on the IR. Gardner Minshew took his pace, completing 11 of 14 for 155 yards to help the Colts improve to 3-2. The Titans had their chances including with 8:03 left in the game when Derrick Henry was stopped on 4th-and-1 at the Colts' 5-yard line by DT DeForest Buckner. Ryan Tannehill threw for 264 yards and was picked off at midfield with 10 seconds left by Julian Blackmon. DeAndre Hopkins stepped up with eight catches for 140 yards.
Cincinnati (-3.5/45.5) over ARIZONA 34-20
The Bengals stepped up finally in the passing game as Joe Burrow threw three TD passes to Ja'Marr Chase, who had a spectacular game. Chase set a Cincy record for catches with 15 for 192 yards. Burrow finally looked healthy and completed 36 of 46 for 317 yards. Joshua Dobbs, who had been a solid game-manager thus far, completed just 15 of 32 for 166 yards with two TDs, but also had his first two picks of the season. The Cardinals also lost RB James Conner due to a knee injury in the second quarter and he'll be for multiple weeks. Arizona fell to 1-4, while the Bengals improved to 2-3.
Philadelphia (-3.5/50.5) over LA RAMS 23-14
This was a close game going into the fourth quarter and the Eagles defense took over. Despite having WR Cooper Kupp back in the fold, the Rams still need a running game. Jalen Hurts threw for 303 yards and rushed for 72 yards with two TDs. The Philly defensive line just dominated the Rams' offensive line, sacking Matthew Stafford four times. He wound up throwing for a season-low 222 yards and two TDs. Kupp returned with eight catches for 118 yards. The Rams had the ball for just 22:05 and once again, not being able to run the ball against a very good defense (54 yards on 14 carries) is their big problem.
Kansas City (-3.5/52.5) over MINNESOTA 27-20
Even with a banged-up TE Travis Kelce (ankle), the Chiefs found a way to win. That's what Patrick Mahomes does (281 yards, 2 TDs) and Kelce did catch a TD pass after his foot was wrapped up in the first half. The Vikings couldn't run the ball in this one or even attempt to run. They had just 15 carries from the running backs and Alexander Mattison was held to just 26 yards. Kirk Cousins completed 29 of 47 for 284 yards and two TDs for the 1-4 Vikings.
New York Jets (+2.5/42) over DENVER 31-21
You know your defense is bad when you give up 31 points at home to the Jets. That's where Denver is right now and it was really about stopping the run. They didn't as the Broncos gave up 234 yards rushing on 34 attempts. Breece Hall, now off the carries limitations, ran for a career-high 177 yards for the Jets, who improved to 2-3. Zach Wilson was adequate, completing 19 of 26 for 199 yards with a pick. Greg Zuerlein booted five field goals to boost the Jets. Russell Wilson completed 20 of 31 for 196 yards and two TDs.
SAN FRANCISCO (-3.5/45) over Dallas 42-10
The Niners were never in doubt as just hammered the Cowboys from the start in this one. Dak Prescott was picked off three times for the Cowboys, who did nothing of value on offense or defense. The Niners were led by TE George Kittle, who caught three TD passes, while Brock Purdy threw four to lead the Niners to a 5-0 start. LB Fred Warner dominated the game on defense with an interception, a forced fumble, a sack and eight tackles. San Francisco has now won four of five games by at least 18 points.
Monday, Oct. 9, 2023
LAS VEGAS (+1.5/44.5) over Green Bay 17-13
This was not a masterpiece of a game and the Packers had their chances in this one which was played in a stadium full of Packers' fans. Jordan Love showed his inexperience with 182 yards passing and three picks. Without RB Aaron Jones (hamstring), the Packers had very little explosive plays. A.J. Dillon did his part 76 yards rushing and a TD. Green Bay had a chance to win at the end, but LV cornerback Amik Robertson intercepted a Love pass in the end zone. Jimmy Garoppolo completed 22 for 31 for 208 yards with a TD and a pick. But it was the defense that one this game, thanks to linebacker Robert Spillane's two picks.