Week 5 of the NFL schedule features three games between 2-2 teams that have our attention.
That starts with the matchup between the Chargers and Browns. Los Angeles has survived some injuries and Justin Herbert leads the NFL with 1,250 passing yards. Cleveland's Nick Chubb ranks second in the league with 459 rushing yards, and the Browns continue to rally around Jacoby Brissett. It's a huge game for Cleveland when you look at the future schedule.
Tom Brady is trying to get the Buccaneers back on track after a two-game losing streak and has a history of tormenting the Falcons. The losses to the Packers and Chiefs are more palatable knowing the competition and the injuries at receiver, but Tampa is healthy. That's a must-win game against Atlanta.
The Sunday Night Football matchup should be amazing. The Bengals scored 41 points in both meetings against the Ravens last season, and both AFC North contenders are off to slower-than-expected starts. Joe Burrow and Lamar Jackson should provide a thriller in Baltimore.
Each week, Sporting News will pick all the NFL games straight up and against the spread. A look at our track record this season:
- Record: 36-27-1
Here are our straight-up picks for Week 5 (lines courtesy of Caesars):
POWER RANKINGS: Undefeated Eagles soar to No. 1; Chiefs, Cowboys also rise as Broncos, Steelers fade for Week 5
NFL picks, predictions for Week 5
- Indianapolis Colts at Denver Broncos (-3)
Thursday, 8:15 p.m., Prime Video
Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (ankle) and Broncos running back Javonte Williams (knee) suffered injuries in Week 4. That's not going to help two of the five worst scoring offenses in the NFL. The Colts have been a major disappointment this season, but they won their lone game as an underdog. Prepare for an ugly game.
Pick: Colts 20, Broncos 17
Result: Colts 12, Broncos 9
- New York Giants at Green Bay Packers (-8)
Sunday, 9:30 a.m., NFL Network
The Packers make their first trip to London, and they face the surprising Giants, who have allowed 20 points or less in every game with first-year coach Brian Daboll. The Giants, however, might be without Daniel Jones (ankle) and Tyrod Taylor (concussion), meaning the Packers would face a backup or third-string quarterback for the second straight week in Davis Webb. They can load the box to slow down Saquon Barkley and the league's top rushing attack. Despite last week's drop, Romeo Doubs is emerging as Aaron Rodgers' favorite target.
Pick: Packers 28, Giants 20
- Pittsburgh Steelers at Buffalo Bills (-14)
Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS
This is a huge spread for what could be Kenny Pickett's first start for the Steelers, though coach Mike Tomlin hasn't committed to that. The Steelers average just 97.3 rushing yards per game, and that won't cut it against the Bills – who have played just one home game this season. This could get ugly no matter who is under center for the Steelers.
Pick: Bills 32, Steelers 16
- Los Angeles Chargers (-3) at Cleveland Browns
Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS
We have not picked a Browns' game correctly since Week 1, so keep that in mind. Cleveland should be able to have success on the ground with Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt, but stopping the Chargers' well-rounded offense is going to be a problem. Los Angeles won a 47-42 shootout between these teams last season. There won't be that many points, but it will be a shootout. The Browns are 1-2 in one-score games this season.
Pick: Chargers 30, Browns 28
- Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings (-7)
Sunday, 1 p.m., FOX
The Vikings return from London for a home game with Chicago. Justin Fields has attempted just 67 passes in four games, and that 50.7% completion percentage is not good enough on the road. As long as Kirk Cousins does not turn the ball over, Minnesota should be fine.
Pick: Vikings 28, Bears 19
- Detroit Lions at New England Patriots (-3)
Sunday, 1 p.m., FOX
The Patriots have quarterback issues, and it's possible Bailey Zappe could get his first start against the Lions, who have the top-scoring offense and worst-scoring defense in the league. Only in Detroit, right? It's difficult to trust the Lions as an underdog, and if it's close you're trusting Dan Campbell over Bill Belichick. The Lions break through in a close game.
Pick: Lions 30, Patriots 26
- Seattle Seahawks at New Orleans Saints (-4)
Sunday, 1 p.m., FOX
The Seahawks showed life with a 48-point outburst against the Lions, and Geno Smith leads the NFL with a 77.3% completion percentage. Andy Dalton completed 71.4% of his passes in the losses to the Vikings. Neither quarterback will take a bunch of chances, and this one will be close. The Saints, however, have a -7 turnover differential. Seattle could steal this one.
Pick: Seahawks 24, Saints 21
- Miami Dolphins (-3) at New York Jets
Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS
Most of the pregame talk will center around Tua Tagovailoa (concussion), but the Dolphins have a capable backup in Teddy Bridgewater. The Jets have improved, but they have not shown it at home with a pair of 15-point losses. Miami takes advantage of the long break from the Thursday Night Football loss and scores a key AFC East victory.
Pick: Dolphins 31, Jets 20
- Atlanta Falcons at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-8)
Sunday, 1 p.m., FOX
The Buccaneers are on a two-game slide, and Atlanta has shown improvement. The Falcons are 2-2 and all of their games have been decided by four points or less. Atlanta also is the only team in the NFL that is 4-0 ATS. That said, Brady avoided a serious arm injury against the Chiefs, and Tampa Bay is getting healthy at receiver again. This is a much-needed bounce-back game. Brady is 9-0 with 26 TDs and three interceptions against the Falcons for his career. That dominance continues.
Pick: Buccaneers 29, Falcons 22
- Tennessee Titans (-2.5) at Washington Commanders
Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS
Washington has played tough against the run the last two weeks, which theoretically could make it tough for Derrick Henry to get going. The Titans still will feed Henry 20-plus times, and the Commanders' offense has been abysmal in the last two losses with an average of 9.0 points per game. Tennessee's defense could score on here, too.
Pick: Titans 24, Commanders 14
- Houston Texans at Jacksonville Jaguars (-7)
Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS
Jacksonville a touchdown favorite? Trevor Lawrence committed five turnovers in the loss to the Eagles in Week 4, and it was still a one-score game. Dameon Pierce has lived up to the hype for the Texans, but there is not much explosiveness around Davis Mills. The Jaguars break an eight-game losing streak to their AFC South counterparts here.
Pick: Jaguars 27, Texans 23
- San Francisco 49ers (-5) at Carolina Panthers
Sunday, 4:05 p.m., CBS
Baker Mayfield has been limited to less than 200 yards each of the last three weeks, and the 49ers will be able to key on Christian McCaffrey with their talented group of linebackers led by Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw. Deebo Samuel, an Irmo, S.C., native, scores a pair of TDs in a homecoming of sorts.
Pick: 49ers 27, Panthers 17
- Philadelphia Eagles (-6) at Arizona Cardinals
Sunday, 4:25 p.m., FOX
The Eagles are the last unbeaten team left in the league, and Jalen Hurts is building a MVP case with each week. The Cardinals are 23rd in the league in pass defense, and Hurts averages a league-best 9.1 yards per passing attempt. Kyler Murray will make some fantastic plays, too, but the Eagles keep rolling.
Pick: Eagles 35, Cardinals 28
- Dallas Cowboys at Los Angeles Rams (-4.5)
Sunday, 4:25 p.m., FOX
Imagine the conversations in Dallas if Cooper Rush leads a victory against the defending Super Bowl champions on the road. The Cowboys are second in the NFL in sacks with 15, so Matthew Stafford will have to get the ball out quick. That should not be a problem with Cooper Kupp, and the running game will continue to pick up for the Rams. Enjoy watching Aaron Donald and Micah Parsons in the same game.
Pick: Rams 28, Cowboys 23
- Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens (-3.5)
Sunday, 8:20 p.m., NBC
This is a pivotal game for two AFC North contenders with matching 2-2 records. The Bengals allow four sacks per game, so the Ravens will turn up the pressure on Burrow. Baltimore also has the worst defense in the NFL (315.3). Burrow torched the Ravens for 941 yards, seven TDs and one interception in a season-sweep in 2021. What does Jackson have as a response against a Bengals' defense that has been solid so far? Which kicker – Evan McPherson or Justin Tucker – will hit the game winner? It's a coin flip, but we'll go with the road upset.
Pick: Bengals 28, Ravens 25
- Las Vegas Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs (-7)
Monday, 8:15 p.m., Monday
The Chiefs rank second in the NFL in scoring offense (32.3), and that is despite playing three road games in four weeks. Patrick Mahomes III is in MVP form with 11 TDs and two interceptions. The Raiders picked up their first victory last week, but Derek Carr is 3-13 as a starter against the Chiefs. Kansas City is simply too much to handle at home.
Pick: Chiefs 33, Raiders 22
