Our NFL sleeper picks for Week 5 includes exciting, under-the-radar teams. These underdogs are sure to give their opponents all they can handle on both sides of the field. Read on below and know why each club can pull off an upset!
NFL News and Previews
- Washington Redskins vs. Kansas City Chiefs Preview - October 2, 2017
- Oakland Raiders vs. Denver Broncos Preview - October 1, 2017
- Carolina Panthers vs. New England Patriots Preview - October 1, 2017
- 2017 NFL Week 4 Picks and Predictions
NFL Week 5 Sleepers Predictions
Arizona Cardinals (-3) at San Francisco 49ers (+3); total: 42 (Sun, Oct. 9, 8:25 PM ET)
Why the 49ers will win: Chip Kelly’s unique fast-paced offense gets a lot of flak for its eraticness. It is a fair judgement, but that trait is also what makes the system great and dangerous – it can go from zero to a hundred in no time. Against the wobbly Arizona Cardinals, their chances should be good.
This game will be won by who’s less inconsistent, and it looks like the Niners will get the upper hand. The Cardinals, as talented as they are on defense, can’t seem to defend the pass and the run at once. In Week 3, they limited Bills QB Tyrod Taylor to 119 passing yards, but they let him and his offense rush for 208 yards. The following week, they fenced Rams RB Todd Gurley and held him to 33 yards, but they let Rams’ unsung QB Case Keenum pass for 266 yards and two TDs.
That type of inconsistency on defense is perfect for Kelly’s unpredictable offensive attack. Look for Niners’ feature back Carlos Hyde to produce great yardage.
Why the 49ers will lose: The Niners will lose if the Cardinals’ defense CAN STOP THE PASS AND THE RUN AT ONCE. The Cards’ front seven (Chandler Jones, Calais Campbell, etc.) and secondary (Patrick Peterson, Tyrann Mathieu, etc.) is a defensive coordinator’s dream.
Writer’s Prediction:
The Niners (+3) win, 24-20.
Buffalo Bills (+3) at Los Angeles Rams (-3); total: 40 (Sun, Oct. 9, 4:25 PM ET)
Why the Bills will win: Because this features two teams who can defend well, but cannot score consistently, this game could probably be won by the lesser stagnant offense. Stat-wise, it’s probably the Bills, as they are averaging more points (22-16), rushing yards (123-77), and yards from scrimmage (319-283) per game.
L.A.’s main assignment is containing Bills’ elusive RB Lesean McCoy and mobile QB Tyrod Taylor, who are combining for over 100-plus rushing yards per game. Based on the rushing yards the Rams are allowing this season (105 per game), it looks like they will have trouble doing that.
Should Tyrod Taylor play more on the pocket, the Rams could have problems too; they have now let opposing QBs pass for 300-plus yards in back-to-back games.
Why the Bills will lose: It will again go back to the defense. The Los Angeles Rams’ defensive unit, who’s been credited with almost 200 sacks in the past few years, can intimidate the hell out of offenses, especially QBs.
The Bills can also lose if Rams’ RB Todd Gurley has his breakout game for the season. The second-year back is struggling as of the moment, but his athletic abilities can make him run wild anytime, just like what he did last season, when he had a stretch of 120-plus yard games.
Writer’s Prediction: Buffalo (+3) wins, 20-14.
Washington Redskins (+3.5) at Baltimore Ravens (-3.5); total: 46.5 (Sun, Oct. 9, 1:00 PM ET)
Why the Redskins will win: The 2-2 Redskins are now building off a two-game momentum, winning against division rival New York Giants and the Cleveland Browns. In those two games, their QB Kirk Cousins had a 68-percent completion rate and five passing TDs, while leading Washington to scoring 30 points per game.
They will be facing a 3-1 Baltimore Ravens that could’ve easily been 1-3. The Ravens had to go hell and back before winning against the undermanned Browns; they then almost lost to the NFL’s laughing stock Jacksonville Jaguars, and this past week, they lost to the young Oakland Raiders at home.
Why the Redskins will lose: Washington will drop to 2-3 if they let Baltimore QB Joe Flacco connect with ageless wonder Steve Smith; the 37-year-old receiver has been averaging six receptions and 70 yards per game this season. Opposing running back Terrance West should also be contained, who is coming off a breakout, 113-yard performance.
Baltimore can also kill them defensively. Led by Pro Bowlers Terell Suggs and CJ Mosley, the Ravens are only allowing 18 points per game (7th in the league).
Writer’s Prediction:
Redskins win, 23-20.
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