Another week of NFL action kicks off this Friday morning as the Chicago Bears host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 11.20am! As usual, we have you covered with a preview for some of the key games in Week 5 as well as our betting tips for every matchup below.
This NFL season, Before You Bet has a special partnership with 'The Punt Return' podcast! Catch Josh Wye & Nick Splitter weekly in the lead up to action in the NFL, breaking down some of the key games and storylines.
NFL Week 5 Betting Tips
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Chicago Bears
Friday 11.20am (AEDT)
The Buccaneers train continued to roll on in Week 4, recording their third straight win after an opening week loss to the Saints. The Buccs now sit atop a tough NFC South division with a 3-1 record and have covered the spread in all three if their wins, beating the Panthers by 14 points, the Broncos by 18 and the Chargers by 7 on the weekend.
The Bears secured a miraculous comeback win over the Falcons in Week 3 after Nick Foles entered the game in the third quarter. They couldn’t replicate the feat with him in the starting line-up in Week 4, however, as they went down to the Colts by eight points at home.
The Buccs start as 3.5 point favourites here, and we really like them at that line despite being away from home. The Bears have struggled to score at times this season, averaging just 14 points per game at home compared to 28.5 on the road. We are struggling to find a way for them to keep up with this high powered Buccs offence.
Minnesota Vikings at Seattle Seahawks
Monday 11.20am (AEDT)
Thank god the Vikings captured a solid win against the Texans on the road in Week 4 otherwise this line could have been in double digits in favour of the Seahawks. Instead, it has opened at just seven points, which seems unders given Seattle’s form at home this season. They are 4-0 straight up and 4-0 against the spread this year, having racked up an average of 35.5 points per game, second only to the Packers.
The Vikings started the year 0-3 but bounced back in Week 4 to defeat the Texans by eight points. Running back Dalvin Cook was dominant in the win, accumulating 130 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Contrary to what we have come to expect of the Vikings over the past few seasons, their defence has been their Achilles heel, allowing the seventh most points per game at 31.3.
Love the Seahawks here. They score a lot of points and the Vikings allow a lot of points. There’s no way the Minnesota defence will be able to stop Russel Wilson and co. from putting up 35+ points here and the Vikings likely won’t be able to go with them.
Los Angeles Chargers at New Orleans Saints
Tuesday 11.15am (AEDT)
The Saints won and covered in Week 4 but did not look convincing at all. At one stage, they trailed the Detroit Lions by 14 points before mounting a solid comeback to win by six on the road. They are 2-2 against the spread this season, with their performance on the weekend and an opening week win over the Buccs sandwiching two disappointing efforts against the Raiders and Packers.
The Chargers might be 1-3 so far this season but there is definitely admiration to be found in every one of their performances. They defeated the Bengals in Week 1 in a scrappy affair and have since gone on to lose their next three games by just three, five and seven points. They are 3-1 against the spread and look like one of the underrated teams in the league.
The Chargers start as heavy 8.5 point underdogs here and we are leaning towards them at that line. The Saints still have some injury concerns, most notably to star receiver Michael Thomas. The Chargers have the grit to keep this one close and we think they do that, even in New Orleans.
Other Tips:
Friday October 9th
11.20am (AEDT)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Chicago Bears - See Above
Monday October 12th
4.00am (AEDT)
Philadelphia at Pittsburgh - Steelers -7 ($1.86 at Sportsbet)
Arizona at New York Jets - Over 47.5 Points ($1.95 at Sportsbet)
Carolona at Atlanta - Falcons -1.5 ($1.90 at Sportsbet)
Jacksonville at Houston - Texans -6.5 ($1.95 at Sportsbet)
LA Rams at Washington - Over 45.5 Points ($1.95 at Sportsbet)
Cincinnati at Baltimore - Ravens -12.5 ($1.90 at Sportsbet)
Las Vegas at Kansas City- Over 45.5 ($1.90 at Sportsbet)7.05am (AEDT)
Miami at San Francisco - Dolphins +8.5 ($1.96 at Sportsbet)
7.25am (AEDT)
New York Giants at Dallas - Dallas -9.5 ($1.88 at Sportsbet)
Indianapolis at Cleveland - Browns +1.5 ($1.90 at Sportsbet)
11.20am (AEDT)
Minnesota at Seattle - See Above
Tuesday October 13th
11.20am (AEDT)
LA Chargers at New Orleans - See Above
