NFL Week 5 will start with an interesting NFC matchup and a Super Bowl rematch between Tom Brady and Nick Foles.
Sunday’s slate included some pretty lopsided affairs. That was to have included the injury-plagued Denver Broncos taking on a good New England Patriots yet positive COVID-19 initially forced the game to Monday night and now he has been postponed. Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Eagles will look to overcome their early-season struggles against the undefeated Pittsburgh Steelers.
It’s in this that we look at the NFL Week 5 schedule and give you game-by-game predictions.
Updated on Sunday at 9:56am EDT on October 11, 2020.
NFL Week 5 Sunday games
Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons
Time/station: 1:00 PM EST, Fox
Panthers-Falcons point spread: Falcons -2.5 (over/under 54.0)
Injury update: Panthers RB Christian McCaffrey (ankle) out at least one more week
Injury update: Calvin Ridley (thigh) will play. Julio Jones (hamstring) questionable
Whether it means a Julio Jones trade or firing head coach Dan Quinn, the Falcons are in need of a major reset. At 0-4 on the season, this team has blown two massive second-half leads and is yielding a whopping 34.5 points per game. Did we mention Quinn is a defensive-minded head coach? Way to blow the remaining years of Matt Ryan’s prime.
Related: NFL Week 5 injury report
On the other hand, Carolina remains in a season of transition under first-year head coach Matt Rhule and former first-round pick, quarterback Teddy Bridgewater. The team has now won two consecutive games following a brilliant showing in a 31-21 win over the Arizona Cardinals in Week 4. Bridgewater completed 26-of-37 passes while going for north of 300 total yards. He seems to fit Rhule’s offense to a T. That will help Carolina win its third consecutive game in Week 5.
Related: NFL coaches on the hot seat
Week 5 NFL predictions: Panthers 31, Falcons 27
Las Vegas Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs
Time/station: 1:00 PM EST, CBS
Raiders-Chiefs point spread: Chiefs -11.5 (over/under 54.5)
Raiders general manager Mike Mayock spent the 2020 NFL Draft attempting to mirror the Chiefs’ success by adding play makers Henry Ruggs, Bryan Edwards and Lynn Bowden Jr. to the mix. There’s a chance none of the three will be on the field in Week 5 game. Ruggs and Edwards are dealing with injuries. Bowden was shockingly traded to the Dolphins ahead of Week 1.
As it is, Las Vegas is not even on the same planet as the defending Super Bowl champs. During its current two-game losing streak, Las Vegas has yielded 33 points per outing. No team is on the Chiefs’ level right now, as their Week 3 win over the Ravens proved. This game isn’t going to be close.
Week 5 NFL predictions: Chiefs 38, Raiders 17
Los Angeles Rams at Washington Football Team
Time/station: 1:00 PM EST, Fox
Rams-Washington point spread: Rams -7.0 (over/under 46.0)
Injury update: Washington DE Chase Young expected to play
How’s this for a stat? Including their controversial Week 3 loss to the undefeated Bills, Sean McVay’s Rams have dropped more than 30 points in two of their past three games. Washington has scored 30-plus points just twice since Week 11 of the 2017 season. Talk about two teams in vastly different situations.
While Los Angeles’ streak broke during a narrow Week 4 win over the hapless New York Giants, Washington put up a mere 17 points in a 14-point loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday. Ron Rivera’s squad has now lost three consecutive after a season-opening win over Philadelphia. Expect that streak to continue in Week 5.
NFL Week 5 predictions: Rams 31, Washington 14
Jacksonville Jaguars at Houston Texans
Time/station: 1:00 PM EST, CBS
Jaguars-Texans point spread: Texans -5.5 (over/under 54.5)
The Texans’ decision to fire head coach Bill O’Brien on Monday acts as a major backdrop here. Houston is 0-4 on the season. O’Brien’s performance as both coach and general manager had come under criticism in recent months. Now that he’s gone, I expect the Texans to play better football under interim coach Romeo Crennel.
The better news for these Texans heading into Week 5? Jacksonville has recorded four sacks in as many games and was just manhandled by Bengals rookie quarterback Joe Burrow in Week 4. The trades of former Pro Bowler Calais Campbell and Yannick Ngakoue has obviously played a role here. Even with their early-season issues, it’s hard to imagine the Texans’ offense struggling too much in this one.
NFL Week 5 predictions: Texans 30, Jaguars 23
Related: Top 100 NFL players of 2020
Arizona Cardinals at New York Jets
Time/station: 1:00 PM EST, Fox
Cardinals-Jets point spread: Cardinals -7.0 (over/under 47.5)
Hapless. Humiliating. Pathetic. Any which way we use to describe what Adam Gase’s Jets have looked like through three weeks would be an understatement. Here’s a squad that ranks dead last in points scored and 31st in points allowed. It suffered a blowout 36-7 loss to the Indianapolis Colts back in Week 3, a game that saw Sam Darnold hand Indianapolis 16 points on his own. The team was a bit more competitive in Week 4, but fell to the injury-plagued Broncos on “Thursday Night Football.” Heading into Week 5, it looks like Joe Flacco will be under center for the injured Darnold. That’s what what we’d call an upgrade.
As for the Cardinals, they came crashing back down to earth big time during a mistake-filled Week 3 loss to the Detroit Lions. After being seen as a legit MVP candidate earlier in the campaign, second-year quarterback Kyler Murray threw three picks in that defeat. Arizona was then defeated soundly by Teddy Bridgewater and the Carolina Panthers in Week 4. Even then, the Jets lack any real talent to keep this one close.
NFL Week 5 predictions: Cardinals 35, Jets 10
Philadelphia Eagles at Pittsburgh Steelers
Time/station: 1:00 PM EST, Fox
Eagles-Steelers point spread: Steelers -7.0 (over/under 44.5)
The Eagles’ struggles to start this season have been eye-opening. That came to a culmination during an ugly tie against the Cincinnati Bengals at home back in Week 3. Carson Wentz had thrown two interceptions in each Philadelphia’s first three games leading up to last Sunday night’s game against the San Francisco 49ers. In turn, Wentz played good football in an upset win over San Francisco. He made plays when they were needed, leading the Eagles to their first win of the season.
Related: Doug Pederson on the hot seat?
As for the Steelers, they are playing great football. Despite seeing their Week 4 game postponed, the Steelers head into this matchup with a perfect 3-0 record. Ben Roethlisberger looks 100%. Meanwhile, a dominating Steelers pass rush (15 sacks in three games) has led a top-five ranked scoring defense. Even after playing well last week, offensive line issues remain a problem for Wentz (hit 10 times in Week 4). That will be the difference here.
Week 5 NFL predictions: Steelers 27, Eagles 14
Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens
Time/station: 1:00 PM EST, CBS
Bengals-Ravens point spread: Ravens -12.5 (over/under 5.05)
Injury update: Lamar Jackson misses practice, expected to play.
Given that rookie No. 1 pick Joe Burrow and the Bengals have been competitive in their first four games, it’s surprising that Baltimore opens up as near two-touchdown favorites in this one. Burrow is completing over 64% of his passes for 1,121 yards with seven total touchdowns and just two interceptions thus far in his young career. He threw for 300 yards on Week 5’s win over the Jaguars, the first of Burrow’s career.
As for the Ravens, they still remain one of the NFL’s best teams despite their Week 3 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. The Washington Football Team found that out first-hand this past Sunday. While the Bengals should keep this competitive, I don’t envision them coming out on top.
NFL Week 5 predictions: Ravens 28, Bengals 20
Miami Dolphins at San Francisco 49ers
Time/station: 4:05 PM EST, CBS
Dolphins-49ers point spread: 49ers -8.0 (over/under 51.0)
Injury update: Jimmy Garoppolo (ankle) likely to start for 49ers
San Francisco entered last week’s game against the Eagles having outscored its previous two opponents by the combined margin of 67-22. Even with the injuries Kyle Shanahan’s team has been dealing with, the expectation was that the 49ers would be able to defeat Philadelphia. In Jimmy Garoppolo’s stead, Nick Mullens turned the ball over three times. He almost literally gave the game away. Now at 2-2, the 49ers are in must-win territory against Miami in Week 5.
Related: 49ers Week 5 injury report
As for the Dolphins, they continue to play pretty good football under head coach Brian Flores. Miami nearly took out Buffalo in Week 2 before blowing out the Jaguars during “Thursday Night Football” Week 3. Miami might not win this game, but the team could potentially keep it close for a half or so.
NFL Week 5 predictions: 49ers 27, Dolphins 17
New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys
Time/station: 4:25 PM EST, Fox
Giants-Cowboys point spread: Cowboys -7.5 (over/under 52.5)
Injury update: Cowboys LT Tyron Smith (neck) out for the season
Just ouch. Fresh off losing Saquon Barkley for the season with a torn ACL, the Giants dropped their following outing to the above-mentioned 49ers by the score of 36-9. Daniel Jones has seemingly regressed as a sophomore under center. He also doesn’t have any real legit weapons to work with under first-year offensive coordinator Jason Garrett. This has New York at 0-4 heading into Week 5.
Speaking of Garrett, his former Cowboys team has been balling out on offense. That includes Dak Prescott entering the MVP conversation while leading Dallas to an average of 29.3 points per game. Unfortunately for the Cowboys, their defense has been an unmitigated disaster. That included giving up 49 points to the Cleveland Browns in Week 4. It’s been embarrassing. The good news here is that it’s unlikely to play a role against New York.
NFL Week 5 predictions: Cowboys 35, Giants 14
Indianapolis Colts at Cleveland Browns
Time/station: 4:25 PM EST, CBS
Colts-Browns point spread: Colts -2.5 (over/under 48.0)
Injury update: Browns RB Nick Chubb on IR
Despite boasting a 3-1 record the Colts’ offense has not been terribly impressive under the leadership of 38-year-old quarterback Philip Rivers. Indianapolis scored just 19 points in last week’s win over the Chicago Bears. For his part, Rivers threw for less than 200 yards. It is, however, the defense that has stepped up. The Colts have yielded just 29 points over the past three games.
As for the Browns, they are 3-1 for the first time since 2001 and only the second time since 1995. That included a 49-38 win over the Dallas Cowboys in Week 4. All said, Cleveland is now averaging 39.3 points in during its three-game winning streak. I fully expect Baker Mayfield and Co. to keep this up against Indianapolis in Week 5.
NFL Week 5 predictions: Colts 30, Browns 20
NFL Week 5 Sunday Night Football
Minnesota Vikings at Seattle Seahawks
Time/station: 8:20 PM EST, NBC
Vikings-Seahawks point spread: Seahawks -7.0 (over/under 56.0)
This could get pretty ugly in a quick manner. Despite their first win of the season in Week 4, Minnesota still ranks in the bottom five of the NFL in scoring defense. Kirk Cousins has been dreadful through four weeks, throwing as many interceptions as he did all of last season (six). This has the Vikings at 1-3 and in must-win territory against an undefeated Seahawks
Russell Wilson is playing out of his mind in the Pacific Northwest. The MVP candidate has tallied 16 touchdowns compared to two interceptions through four games. This has Seattle averaging 35.5 points per game. You can do the math here.
NFL Week 5 predictions: Seahawks 35, Vikings 21
NFL Week 5 Monday Night Football
Denver Broncos at New England Patriots (Postponed)
This game has been rescheduled for Week 6. The Broncos were supposed to play Miami in Week 6, and now that game is being rescheduled.
Related: Patriots CB Stephon Gilmore has COVID-19
It does not seem like the Patriots have missed a beat with Cam Newton replacing Tom Brady under center. They ranked 11th in the NFL in scoring prior to Week 4’s loss to the Chiefs. Newton has returned to earlier-career form, compiling nearly 900 total yards with six touchdowns and two interceptions in three games. Meanwhile, the Pats also rank in the top-11 in scoring defense heading into this game. It remains to be seen if Newton will be able to go Week 5 after being diagnosed with COVID-19. It’s also an open question whether this game will be played after reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday.
Sadly for the Broncos, their season was derailed before even two games were played. Drew Lock remains sidelined. He was initially replaced under center by journeyman quarterback Jeff Driskel before Brett Rypien took over. The season-ending injuries to Pro Bowlers Courtland Sutton, Von Miller and A.J. Bouye have also ravaged Vic Fangio’s squad. Despite their Week 4 win over the hapless Jets, I don’t envision these Broncos putting up a fight against New England.
Week 5 NFL predictions: Game Postponed
Los Angeles Chargers at New Orleans Saints
Time/station: 8:20 PM EST, ESPN
Chargers-Saints point spread: Saints -8.0 (over/under 50.0)
Injury update: Chargers RB Austin Ekeler (hamstring) out 4-6 weeks
Here’s a random, but eye-opening stat. When the then-San Diego Chargers selected Drew Brees in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft, current Chargers starter Justin Herbert was three years old. From one generation to another in this “Monday Night Football” matchup. Unfortunately for the Chargers, they are coming off their 11th one-score loss since the start of last season. This is despite the fact that Herbert completed 20-of-25 passes for 290 yards with three touchdowns against the Buccaneers in Week 4.
There’s no real reason to believe that Los Angeles can come into the Bayou and earn a win over the heavily favored Saints. Despite issues early this season, New Orleans can rely on the electric Alvin Kamara to make the difference against a lesser team. New Orleans snapped its two-game losing streak with a 35-29 win over Detroit this past Sunday.
NFL Week 5 predictions: Saints 31, Chargers 17
NFL Week 5 Tuesday Night Football
Buffalo Bills at Tennessee Titans
Time/station: 7:00 PM EST, CBS
Bills-Titans point spread: Bills -1 (over/under 49.0)
Related: Titans-Bills Week 5 moved to Tuesday
Unfortunately for the Titans, their three-game winning streak to start the season had to take a back seat in Week 4 after their game against the Steelers was postponed due to a COVID-19 outbreak within the organization. It’s obviously more of a concern off the field. However, there’s something to be said about getting a break and rewinding. Tennessee won its first three games, all against lackluster competition, by a combined six points.
That’s not going to cut it against the undefeated Buffalo Bills led by MVP candidate Josh Allen. The young quarterback has Buffalo averaging north of 30 points per game and has accounted for 15 touchdowns compared to one interception in four games. Despite taking a step back on defense, these Bills are the real deal. Tennessee will find that out first-hand in this Week 5 game.
NFL Week 5 predictions: Bills 34, Titans 23
NFL Week 5 Thursday Night Football
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Chicago Bears
Time/station: 8:20 PM EST, NFL Network
Buccaneers-Bears point spread: Buccaneers -3.0 (over/under 44.5)
Injury update: Buccaneers TE O.J. Howard out for season with Achilles
In wins over the Panthers and Broncos, Tampa Bay’s defense gave up an average of 13.5 points. It masked some issues on offense. That changed big time in Tampa Bay’s 38-31 win over the Los Angeles Chargers this past Sunday. After throwing a pick-six early, Tom Brady recorded five passing touchdowns to help the Bucs to a third consecutive win.
Meanwhile, Chicago benched Mitchell Trubisky in Week 3 against the Atlanta Falcons. Former Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles replaced him, throwing three fourth-quarter touchdowns en route to a comeback win. Foles could not keep up that excellent play this past weekend, completing 26-of-42 passes for 249 yards with a touchdown and an interception in a loss to Indianapolis. It’s hard to imagine Foles being able to do much more on a short week. Go with Tampa Bay for a fourth consecutive win.
NFL Week 5 predictions: Buccaneers 27, Bears 17
Final Score: Chicago 20, Tampa Bay 19