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The updated point spreads, matchups and betting odds for Week 5 NFL action…
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS @ DENVER BRONCOS
Sunday, October 11 at 4:15 p.m. ET
Spread: Patriots -3
Protégé meets pupil when Bill Belichick’s Patriots visit Josh McDaniels’ Broncos. Sooner or later, football fans are going to have to admit the Broncos (4-0) are for real. New England (3-1) poses Denver’s stiffest challenge yet, especially with Tom Brady looking more comfortable each week.
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ATLANTA FALCONS @ SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
Sunday, October 11 at 4:05 p.m. ET
Spread: 49ers -2.5
The Falcons (2-1) surprised everyone with an 11-win season and playoff appearance last year—are the 49ers (2-1) on a similar path in 2009? Matt Ryan and Michael Turner will try slowing down San Fran’s postseason drive, but Patrick Willis and the 49ers defense have been nearly impenetrable.
HOUSTON TEXANS @ ARIZONA CARDINALS
Sunday, October 11 at 4:15 p.m. ET
Spread: Cardinals -5.5
Bet the over on this one. With Matt Schaub, Kurt Warner, Larry Fitzgerald, Andre Johnson, Anquan Boldin, Steve Slaton and Beanie Wells in the mix, Arizona (1-2) and Houston’s (2-2) offenses look like fantasy football all-star teams. Both teams are desperate for wins so they’ll take no prisoners on Sunday.
CINCINNATI BENGALS @ BALTIMORE RAVENS
Sunday, October 11 at 1:00 p.m. ET
Spread: Ravens -9
The Bengals (3-1) scraped by the lowly Browns last week; now, with a win, they can claim first-place in the AFC North. The Ravens (3-1), who own the second-highest scoring offense in the NFL, aren’t going to give it up easily—and they have something to prove after a loss to New England.
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS @ TENNESSEE TITANS
Sunday, October 11 at 8:20 p.m. ET
Spread: Colts -3.5
The Titans (0-4) have already lost more games in four weeks than they did in four months last year—now it’s do-or-die time against the Colts (4-0). A win keeps Tennessee’s razor-thin playoff hopes alive; a loss means we’ll probably see Vince Young take over at quarterback as planning for 2010 begins.
NEW YORK JETS @ MIAMI DOLPHINS
Monday, October 12 at 8:30 p.m. ET
Spread: Jets -2
Rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez came crashing back to earth last weekend in a blowout to the Saints. The Jets (3-1) could have their hands full with Miami (1-3) this weekend; wins in the AFC East never come easily, and the Dolphins crushed the Bills in Week 4.
DALLAS COWBOYS @ KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
Sunday, October 11 at 1:00 p.m. ET
Spread: Cowboys -8.5
Few could have predicted a Week 5 game against the hapless Chiefs (0-4) would mean so much to Dallas (2-2). Tony Romo, Wade Phillips, the Cowboys cheerleaders—everyone is taking heat in Big D right now. If the Cowboys don’t get their act together fast, winning the NFC East is nothing but a pipe dream.
OAKLAND RAIDERS @ NEW YORK GIANTS
Sunday, October 11 at 1:00 p.m. ET
Spread: Giants -16
It’s early, but the Giants (4-0) look like an early Super Bowl favorite. The defense has been dominant while Steve Smith has flourished as Plaxico Burress’ replacement. That’s bad news for a Raiders (1-3) team that is completely melting down; in fact, their coach might literally be arrested this week.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS @ DETROIT LIONS
Sunday, October 11 at 1:00 p.m. ET
Spread: Steelers -10.5
The Steelers (2-2) bounced back last week thanks to a dominating performance by second-year back Rashard Mendenhall. If Pittsburgh’s new-found ground game is as good as advertised, the Lions (1-3) don’t stand a chance—especially with rookie quarterback Matt Stafford nursing a knee injury.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS @ ST. LOUIS RAMS
Sunday, October 11 at 1:00 p.m. ET
Spread: Vikings -10
Brett Favre had his most impressive game with the Vikings (4-0) last week in a dominating effort against the Packers. Now Minnesota must be wary of not looking past the floundering Rams (0-4), as the Ravens visit the Metrodome in two weeks.
WASHINGTON REDSKINS @ CAROLINA PANTHERS
Sunday, October 11 at 1:00 p.m. ET
Spread: Panthers -3.5
It doesn’t feel like it, but the Redskins (2-2) are still very much in playoff contention. The winless Panthers (0-3) face an uphill battle to sneak into the postseason; if they’re going to pull off a miracle, it must start with a win over Washington.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS @ PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
Sunday, October 11 at 1:00 p.m. ET
Spread: Eagles -14.5
Donovan McNabb and Brian Westbrook are practicing this week and both are expected to start for the Eagles (2-1) this weekend. With Tampa Bay (0-4) allowing over 25 points per game, this should be a nice ease-in game for the duo.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS @ SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
Sunday, October 11 at 4:15 p.m. ET
Spread: NO LINE
The scrappy Jaguars (2-2) are keeping themselves in the playoff discussion thanks to two straight divisional victories. Seattle (1-3) still has a shot in the underwhelming NFC West, but it could use a healthy Matt Hasselbeck this week; he’s recovering from cracked ribs and his status is unknown.
CLEVELAND BROWNS @ BUFFALO BILLS
Sunday, October 11 at 1:00 p.m. ET
Spread: Bills -6
The struggling Browns (0-4) took Cincy to overtime last week but the meltdown continues—receiver Braylon Edwards was shipped off to the Jets. Buffalo (1-3) was absolutely crushed by the Dolphins but beating the winless Browns will right the ship.
