NFL Tipsheet: Mini previews and recommended bets for all Week 5 fixtures

Luca Bercelli
02 October 2014

Can Tom Brady prove his critics wrong against the Bengals?

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Luca Bercelli tries to untangle the mess that is the NFL form book with tips on all the weekend's games...

"With the Tom Brady era seemingly drawing to a close, a miserly Bengals defense that has given up the fewest points in the league is the last thing the Brady bunch want to face right now."

Back the Cincinnati Bengals to win @ 1.910/11

Atlanta Falcons @ New York Giants
Sunday 18:00

Nostradamus looked at this fixture and came up with a shrug of the shoulders and a 'beats me' quote. Both teams have been wildly unpredictable this season but the Giants are on a mini-roll so we'll take them on the spread.

Baltimore Ravens @ Indianapolis Colts
Sunday 18:00

Indy are scoring for fun (85 points in its last two games), and has the king of the QBs calling the shots in Andrew Luck. He looks capable of anything at the moment and even a resurgent Ravens outfit will struggle to contain him.

Buffalo Bills @ Detroit Lions
Sunday 18:00

Kyle Orton steps in at quarterback for the Bills and that is a huge negative IMO. EJ Manuel at least had potential, whereas we know Orton sucks. How much he'll fancy being literally thrust into the Lions' den, featuring the league's best defense is pretty easy to guess. All players want to play but poor old Kyle picked the wrong week to swap bench for field.

Chicago Bears @ Carolina Panthers
Sunday 18:00

Miserable Jay takes on happy-go-lucky Cam in a battle of polar opposites. Jay might afford himself a smile when the Bears go to three and two after a close victory on the road, but don't bet on it. What you can bet on is a Bears' win with the points.

Cleveland Browns @ Tennessee Titans
Sunday 18:00

The Browns are absolutely hopeless on the road (this could be their eighth loss in a row), but the Titans are under-performing themselves. I made this game a pick so with two and a half points on offer for Cleveland that has to be the play.

Houston Texans @ Dallas Cowboys
Sunday 18:00

If DeMarco Murray doesn't fumble the Cowboys boss this one; especially since the Texans' best weapon, JJ Watt, might not be as effective against the elusive Tony Romo and an O-line that has the pundits understandably drooling. Should be fairly straightforward for the ten-gallon-hat brigade.

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Jacksonville Jaguars
Sunday 18:00

Was Pittsburgh's loss to the woeful Bucks a hiccough of post 'gallon of Sprite' proportions, or was it a true reflection of ability? If the latter, and I've got a feeling it was, the woeful Jags might come away with more than hometown boos from this one. New QB Blake Bortles has a real chance to get an early W under his belt and with the points, he's worth a punt.

St Louis Rams @ Philadelphia Eagles
Sunday 18:00

Bouncebackabilty. That's what we're looking for from the Eagles here after their inept display going forward v the 49ers. No doubt they'll put that debacle behind them and score an offensive point or two, but I think they're overrated and with the Rams quietly improving and coming off a bye week, the handicap is too juicy to overlook.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ New Orleans Saints
Sunday 18:00

Don't get carried away with Tampa Bay's win last week against a hit and miss Pittsburgh; just remember that they were close to falling to their worst ever loss only a week earlier. They've got problems, and with the Saints ready to explode against someone, this could be the week. Jimmy Graham will score a touchdown in this win.

Arizona Cardinals @ Denver Broncos
Sunday 21:05

Arizona actually match up quite well against the Broncos - they should be able to stop the running game and concentrate on upsetting Peyton Manning. If they're able to get any pressure on him they've got a chance. If not, their stellar start to the season is over. Always tough at Mile High but I think the fairy-tale has legs and the Cards role on, especially with the points.

Kansas City Chiefs @ San Francisco 49ers
Sunday 21:25

A fascinating match-up of the best run-defense in the NFC (the 49ers) against arguably the best running back in football, Jamaal Charles. I take the defense to come out on top in that one, in which case we can expect more long ball and potentially more points. The line seems a tad low so we'll take the overs.

Recommended Bet
Back over 44.5pts @ 2.0421/20

New York Jets @ San Diego Chargers
Sunday 21:25

'We want Vick, we want Vick, we want Vick' was just about all Geno Smith could hear during last week's disappointing home loss to the Lions. The chorus is only going to get louder unless young Geno sets the place on fire, and that's unlikely. I'm hoping Vick gets a run out at some stage, and if he does, the Jets are in better shape to win. I think they'll keep this one closer than the line suggests.

Cincinnati Bengals @ New England Patriots
Monday 01:30

The unbeaten Bengals will surely fancy their chances against the battered and bruised Patriots. With the Tom Brady era seemingly drawing to a close, a miserly Bengals defense that has given up the fewest points in the league is the last thing the Brady bunch want to face right now. Will Brady answer his critics? I don't think he can.

Recommended Bet
Back the Cincinnati Bengals to win @ 1.910/11 (Best Bet)

Seattle Seahawks @ Washington Redskins
Tuesday 01:30

The Seahawks have had plenty of time to prepare for this, and after the team was given a full week off I think they'll be more than ready. Kirk Cousins is a good replacement for RG III at quarterback but the Hawks are just a better team all round. They should be able to cover the spread.