A look at the NFL Week 5 slate and the weekend’s key match-ups, including Rams @ Seahawks in Thursday Night Football!
While it’s still early in the NFL season, a number of teams that hoped to be 2020 Super Bowl contenders will be getting nervous. Last weekend saw the bookmakers prevail over the public, as favorites went 4-9. The likes of the Texans, Ravens and Rams all failed to cover. The three most popular spread bets of the weekend were the Patriots (-7), Cowboys (-3) and Chiefs (-7), with all three failing to cover. However, this was just one bad week for bettors and there are plenty of opportunities to change your fortunes with Week 5’s slate!
Week 5 begins with a battle between NFC playoff contenders, the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks, in Thursday Night Football. This is followed by a loaded Sunday slate, with 10 games kicking off in the early afternoon. There are just two games late afternoon on Sunday, but both are sure to be tasty match-ups as the Denver Broncos visit the Los Angeles Chargers and the Cowboys host the Packers. The final two games of Week 5 involve a Sunday night clash between the Indianapolis Colts and the Kansas City Chiefs, followed by the Browns at the 49ers in Monday Night Football.
Key Match-Ups
Rams @ Seahawks (Thu Oct 3, 8.20pm ET)
What an opening to Week 5 this is! The Rams travel to the CenturyLink Field to face the Seahawks Thursday Night Football and it’s expected to be a close one. Seattle are favoured by just 1.5 points with the sportsbooks. The Seahawks are 26-5-1 in primetime games under Pete Carroll and hold a 17-2 record on home turf, but are currently on a three-game losing streak against the Rams.
The Rams have traveled well, covering in five of their last six road games. Aaron Donald could be a deciding factor for the Rams, so the Seahawks must ensure that they pay full attention to him.
Steelers @ Ravens (Sun Oct 6, 1pm ET)
The Pittsburgh Steelers have their second straight AFC North matchup at Heinz Field when they host the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday. The lines moved in favor of the Steelers on Monday night after a 24-point win over the Cincinnati Bengals. Was this resounding victory just a one-off for the Steelers?
The Ravens are 5-2 ATS over their last seven meetings with the Pittsburgh Steelers. This AFC North brawl is sure to be exciting, but will the Ravens finally back down on the road, where they have covered in 4 of their last 5 games?
Packers @ Cowboys (Sun 0ct 6, 4.25pm ET)
With both teams losing last weekend, the Packers and the Cowboys come into Week 5 at 3-1 and top of their respective divisions. The Packers have certainly been the better side to back when playing the Cowboys, after winning 7 of the last 8 matchups. However, the sportsbooks think the Cowboys can change their fortunes on Sunday, putting them at 3.5-point favorites.
Injuries may be a big issue for the Packers, as they will likely be without top receiver Devante Adams after he suffered turf toe in Week 4. The deciding factor here is that Aaron Rodgers simply doesn’t lose when visiting Dallas. Let’s see if this trend continues.
