We’re already four weeks into the current pro football season, and the NFL Playoff picture is already beginning to take shape. Heading into the Week 5 slate of games, several teams are in make-or-break situations as their postseason hopes could be dashed with another loss this weekend.
Here are a few NFL betting matchups that stood out to us this weekend. Read on to learn where our staff is placing their bets for Week 5.
Jacksonville Jaguars @ Buffalo Bills
- Point Spread – Jaguars +5.5, Bills -5.5
- Moneyline – Jaguars +215, Bills -260
- Over/Under – 48.0
This Sunday at 9:30 a.m., the 2-2 Jacksonville Jaguars will play their second game in a row in England. Last weekend, the Jags looked impressive over the lackluster Atlanta Falcons, besting them by a final score of 23-7.
The Buffalo Bills just cooled off the red-hot Miami Dolphins at home last Sunday. The Dolphins have been scoring points at will, but ran into a buzzsaw when they faced the Buffalo defense in Week 4.
The spreads offered at NFL betting sites suggest that the Bills will win by 5.5 points. We’re betting on Buffalo to cover. The game will be carried on the NFL Network.
Baltimore Ravens @ Pittsburgh Steelers
- Point Spread – Ravens -4.0, Steelers +4.0
- Moneyline – Ravens -195, Steelers +165
- Over/Under – 38.0
Sunday at 1:00 p.m., the Pittsburgh Steelers host their AFC North rival, the Baltimore Ravens. Pittsburgh were just trounced on the road by the surging Houston Texans, and now must face a Ravens offense that is firing on all cylinders.
Rivalry games tend to feature close scores, but we’re projecting the Ravens to win by at least a touchdown. Bet on Baltimore to cover.
Carolina Panthers @ Detroit Lions
- Point Spread – Panthers +10.0, Lions -10.0
- Moneyline – Panthers +355, Lions -490
- Over/Under – 44.5
Also at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, the Carolina Panthers travel to Michigan to battle the Detroit Lions. The Panthers are 0-4 and are desparate to earn a victory. They find themselves as a ten-point dog on the road against the Lions, but we think that the final score will be a little closer than that.
QB Bryce Young is expected to return to the starting lineup for the Panthers. Carolina is 0-3-1 against the spread this season, and we’re betting that they finally cover in Week 5 against Detroit now that oddsmakers have granted them a 10-point gap.
Houston Texans @ Atlanta Falcons
- Point Spread – Texans +1.5, Falcons -1.5
- Moneyline – Texans +110, Falcons -130
- Over/Under – 41.5
We’ll make no bones about it. We’re loving what the Houston Texans are doing this season and have enjoyed watching quarterback CJ Stroud light up oppossing defenses with his passing prowess.
Sunday at 1:00 p.m., the Texans look to make a statement against an Atlanta Falcons team that just got their butts handed to them by the Jags. We’re betting on Houston to outright win the game and cover the 1.5 points that they are expected to lose by.
We’re also placing NFL Playoff bets on the Houston Texans, as their futures odds for the AFC South are listed at over +400 at most sportsbooks. We expect the Texans to become AFC South Champions this season unless Stroud suffers an injury that forces him to miss time.
Sources: Bovada.LV, The Official Website Of The Buffalo Bills