2016 NFL Week 5 Predictions, Picks and Preview

How time flies! We’re already a month into the 2016 NFL season and we are slowly seeing teams starting to emerge from the pack. The Broncos, Vikings and the Eagles are the only remaining teams without a loss this season and it will be interesting to see if they can keep those unbeaten slates intact when NFL action resumes in Week 5.

To find out which will team will surprise this week, check out our complete NFL Week 5 picks below. And while you’re at it, don’t miss out on our preview of the Monday Night Football game between the New York Giants and Minnesota Vikings.

NFL News and Previews

2016 NFL Week 5 Complete Picks and Predictions

Thursday, October 6

Arizona Cardinals (-3.5) at San Francisco 49ers (+3.5) – 8:25 PM ET

What in the world is happening to Arizona? The Cardinals stumbled to their second consecutive defeat with a shocking 17-13 upset loss to the Los Angeles Rams. The Cards’ offense struggled mightily once again as they failed to produce points in the first quarter for the fourth time this season. To make matters worse for Arizona, quarterback Carson Palmer has entered the league’s concussion protocol and is now a major doubt for Thursday’s clash against the San Francisco 49ers.

With Palmer possibly out, the onus is on backup QB Drew Stanton to deliver the goods against the 49ers. He completed just 4 of 11 passes for 37 yards and a pair of interceptions during his short stint on Sunday. That will be music to the ears of San Francisco head coach Chip Kelly who saw the 49ers implode in their loss to Dallas. Penalties, injuries and turnovers doomed the 49ers who squandered an early 14-point advantage against the Cowboys. The 49ers are 6-1 SU and 5-2 ATS in their last seven home games against the Cardinals.

Writer’s Prediction: The Cards (-3.5) eke out a 24-17 win.

Sunday, October 9

New England Patriots (-10.5) at Cleveland Browns (+10.5) – 1:00 PM ET

Cleveland’s losing woes show no sign of abating as the Browns absorbed their fourth consecutive setback with a 31-20 loss to the Washington Redskins. It was another disappointing defeat for the Browns who are the only NFL team that’s still winless this campaign. It’s back to the drawing board for head coach Hue Jackson and the rest of the Browns who will next face the New England Patriots.

For the Browns to snap their losing skid this coming Sunday, they will need to find ways to limit the opposing team’s quarterback. In their past two outings, Ryan Tannehill and Kirk Cousins went a combined 46 of 66 for 502 yards with six touchdown passes against them.

That will be easier said than done, though, as they will next face the legendary Tom Brady. The four-time Super Bowl champion will be making his season debut for New England after serving a four-match suspension because of Deflategate. Brady will look to revitalize a Patriots offense that was shut out for the first time at Gillette Stadium on Sunday.

Writer’s Prediction: The Patriots (-10.5) cover the spread against the Browns.

Philadelphia Eagles (-3) at Detroit Lions (+3) – 1:00 PM ET

Things are going from bad to worse for the Detroit Lions who crashed to their third consecutive loss with a heart-breaking 17-14 defeat to Chicago on Sunday. The Lions’ vaunted offense, which came into the game ranked sixth in the NFL, could get little going against Chicago’s injury-plagued defense. They managed just 263 total yards against the Bears.

It won’t get any easier for them this coming weekend as standing in their way are the streaking Philadelphia Eagles. Philadelphia is tops in the league in scoring defense, allowing just 9.0 points per game this season. The onus then is on quarterback Matthew Stafford to deliver a solid performance for the Lions this coming weekend. He struggled mightily against the Bears, completing just 23 of 36 passes for 213 yards and two interceptions. Stafford didn’t throw a single touchdown pass in that contest.

Writer’s Prediction: Detroit (+3) snaps Philadelphia’s winning streak at three with a narrow three-point victory.

Chicago Bears (+5) at Indianapolis Colts (-5) – 1:00 PM ET

The Chicago Bears finally barged into the win column with a thrilling 17-14 victory over the Detroit Lions on Sunday. Quarterback Brian Hoyer starred for the Bears in this win, completing 28 of 36 throws for 302 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He stepped up big time in the absence of Jay Cutler who’s still nursing a sprained right thumb.

He will look to make it back-to-back wins when the Bears take on the reeling Indianapolis Colts this coming Sunday. The Bears will fancy their chances of doing just that as they have fared extremely well against the Colts of late. They have won six of their last eight meetings with Indianapolis. The Colts (1-3) are languishing at the bottom of the AFC South standings after absorbing a gut-wrenching 30-27 defeat to Jacksonville on Sunday.

Writer’s Prediction: The Colts cover -5.

Tennessee Titans (+3.5) at Miami Dolphins (-3.5) – 1:00 PM ET

The Miami Dolphins wasted a glorious opportunity to gain some ground in the AFC East as they suffered a gut-wrenching 22-7 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday. The Eagles let slip an early four-point lead as they remained two games behind leaders New England in the division standings. Miami will look to get its season back on track when it takes on the reeling Tennessee Titans this coming Sunday.

The Dolphins will fancy their chances of doing just that as they have fared extremely well against the Titans of late. The Dolphins thrashed the Titans, 38-10, in their lone meeting last season. The Dolphins hounded Marcus Mariota all game long as they registered a whopping six sacks. They will need that same kind of defensive performance against a Tennessee side that’s averaging just 15.5 points per game this season, the worst-scoring mark in the NFL this campaign.

Writer’s Prediction: The Dolphins (-3.5) cover the spread against the Titans.

Washington Redskins (+3.5) at Baltimore Ravens (-3.5) – 1:00 PM ET

The Washington Redskins will look to extend their winning streak to three games when they face the Baltimore Ravens this coming weekend. The Redskins’ confidence is at an all-time high after they hacked out a commanding 31-20 win over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. It has been a remarkable recovery for the Redskins who are now just 1.5 games behind the Eagles for the NFC East lead.

Key to the Redskins’ turnaround has been the improved play of Kirk Cousins. He threw three touchdown passes in the win against the Browns. Cousins will look to punish a Baltimore defense that allowed a total of 261 yards in its recent loss to Oakland. The Ravens simply had no answer for Raiders quarterback Derek Carr who created four touchdowns in that stinging 28-27 loss. There would be no fourth quarter comeback for the Ravens this time around as they lost for the first time this season.

Writer’s Prediction: Baltimore (-3.5) not only wins but also covers the spread against Washington.

Houston Texans (+6) at Minnesota Vikings (-6) – 1:00 PM ET

The Minnesota Vikings preserved their unbeaten record with an impressive 24-10 victory over the New York Giants on Monday night. The Vikings’ defense took center stage once again, forcing two crucial turnovers that led to 10 easy points. The Vikings, who have conceded only 50 points in their first four games, have an NFL-best turnover margin of plus-10.

The Vikings will have their work cut out for them, however, this coming weekend as standing in their way in Week 5 are the surging Houston Texans. The Texans improved to 3-1 this season after beating Tennessee, 27-20, on Sunday. The Texans showed that there’s life after J.J. Watt, holding Titans QB Marcus Mariota to just 202 passing yards. The Texans lead the league in passing defense, allowing just 162.5 yards per game through the air this season.

Writer’s Prediction: The Vikings (-6) extend their winning run to five games with a comprehensive 21-10 victory.

New York Jets (+7) at Pittsburgh Steelers (-7) – 1:00 PM ET

All is right in Pittsburgh once again after the Steelers recorded a jaw-dropping 43-14 win over the Kansas City Chiefs at Heinz Field on Sunday. It was a huge bounce-back win for the Steelers, who suffered a humiliating 34-3 loss to Philadelphia last weekend. Le’Veon Bell made a triumphant return for the Steelers, accounting for 178 total yards on 23 touches.

The Steelers will look to make it back-to-back wins when they lock horns with the New York Jets this coming Sunday. The Jets have lost their last two games to fall further behind in the AFC East race. For New York to end its losing rut, the Jets need to get a better performance from quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. He threw a touchdown pass in the loss to Minnesota but was also intercepted thrice. Fitzpatrick has already thrown a league-worst 10 picks this season.

Writer’s Prediction: The Steelers (-7) beat the Jets by double-digits.

Atlanta Falcons (+6) at Denver Broncos (-6) – 4:05 PM ET

Who can bet against the Falcons after their amazing offensive display Sunday afternoon? Julio Jones had a performance for the ages as he tallied a franchise-record 300 yards receiving in Atlanta’s 48-33 win over the Carolina Panthers. Matt Ryan also excelled for the Falcons, passing for a team-record 503 yards. The totals by Ryan and Jones were the most ever allowed by the Panthers in a game.

That being said, the Falcons can expect a tough challenge against a Denver side that possess one of the league’s best defenses this season. The Broncos are fifth in the NFL in scoring defense, allowing just 16 points per game this campaign. The reigning Super Bowl champions are still undefeated this season after thrashing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, 27-7. The Broncos are 4-0 for the third time in the last four years.

Writer’s Prediction: Atlanta (+6) prevails, 27-23.

Cincinnati Bengals (-1) at Dallas Cowboys (+1) – 4:25 PM ET

There’s just no stopping Dallas right now. The Cowboys recorded their third consecutive victory with a thrilling 24-17 come-from-behind win over San Francisco on Sunday. That’s the first time since 2014 that Dallas has recorded such a long winning run. Key to the Cowboys’ resurgence has been the excellent play of quarterback Dak Prescott. The rookie play-caller still hasn’t been intercepted in his NFL career, as he completed 23-of-32 passes for 245 yards and two touchdowns in the Cowboys’ win against the 49ers.

They will look to sustain the momentum of that huge win when they face the Cincinnati Bengals this coming Sunday. The Bengals are fresh off an impressive 22-7 victory over the Miami Dolphins which helped snap their two-game losing streak. A.J. Green was simply sensational for the Bengals, catching 10 passes for 173 yards and a touchdown against the Dolphins. He will look to create that same kind of success against a Dallas secondary that’s allowing 263.5 yards per game through the air this season, 19^th in the NFL.

Writer’s Prediction: The Cowboys (+1) extend their winning streak to four games with a gritty 24-17 victory.

Buffalo Bills (+2) at Los Angeles Rams (-2) – 4:25 PM ET

Don’t look now but the Los Angeles Rams are on top of the NFC West division after recording an enthralling 17-13 comeback victory over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. Case Keenum and Brian Quick combined for two touchdown passes to lead the Rams to their third consecutive win. The Rams are 3-1 for the first time since 2006.

They can create further separation from the chasing pack when they face the Buffalo Bills this coming Sunday. The Bills stretched their unbeaten run to two games with a resounding 16-0 victory over the New England Patriots. It was an impressive performance by the Bills who handed the Patriots their first home shutout at Gillette Stadium. Tyrod Taylor starred in Buffalo’s victory, throwing for 246 yards and a touchdown. He kept the chains moving on Sunday as he converted seven of his 15 third-down opportunities.

Writer’s Prediction: The Bills (+2) edge past the Rams, 20-14.

San Diego Chargers (+3.5) at Oakland Raiders (-3.5) – 4:25 PM ET

Oakland’s hot start continued on Sunday with a gutsy 28-27 victory over the Baltimore Ravens. With the victory, Jack Del Rio is off to his first 3-1 start as a head coach since his 2007 stint with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Providing the impetus for Oakland’s solid start is their dynamic duo of Derek Carr and Michael Crabtree. They combined for three touchdown passes in the win against the Ravens.

They will be licking their chops at the prospect of facing a San Diego secondary that’s surrendering 289.5 yards per game through the air this season, sixth-worst in the NFL. The Chargers squandered another winning situation on Sunday with a gut-wrenching 35-34 loss to the New Orleans Saints. The Chargers committed two crucial turnovers in the dying minutes as they blew another late lead for the third time this season.

Writer’s Prediction: The Raiders (-3.5) pile more misery on the 49ers with an easy 10-point win.

New York Giants (+7.5) at Green Bay Packers (-7.5) – 8:30 PM ET

Things are going from bad to worse for the New York Giants who crashed to their second consecutive loss with a humiliating 24-10 defeat to Minnesota Monday night. Eli Manning had a horrible day for the Giants, finishing with just 261 yards on 25-of-45 passing, zero touchdowns, one interception and a 63.3 passer rating.

He will look to turn things around against a Green Bay secondary that’s allowing a whopping 307.3 yards per game through the air this season, fourth-worst in the NFL. He will fancy his chances this coming weekend as the Giants have fared extremely well against the Packers of late. The Giants are 3-0 SU and ATS in their last three meetings with the Packers. Manning threw for 279 yards and a pair of touchdowns in New York’s 27-13 win over Green Bay back in 2013.

Writer’s Prediction: The Packers (-7.5) ease past the Giants, 28-17.

Monday, October 10

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Carolina Panthers – 8:30 PM ET

Something’s gotta give. The Carolina Panthers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will put their respective losing streaks on the line when they square off at Bank of America Stadium this coming Monday. One of the key matchups to watch in this game is the showdown between quarterbacks Cam Newton and Jameis Winston.

For the Bucs to emerge victorious in this game, they will need Winston to improve on his highly-erratic play. He has already thrown eight interceptions over his first four games, second-highest in the NFL. Newton, on the other hand, will need to improve on his passing accuracy for the Panthers to snap their two-game losing skid this coming weekend. He completed just 14 of 25 passes for 165 yards and a touchdown in Carolina’s 48-33 loss to Atlanta. Newton looked out of sorts in this match as he managed a quarterback rating of just 47.2.

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