NFL Week 5 Predictions

Written by Matt Foust

Tuesday, 06 October 2009

NFL Week 5 Predictions: In the early portion of the football schedule, there are always a few ballclubs that the odds makers have a difficult time getting a read on. Astute bettors can usually find these teams before the play starts and ride them to some nice profits through the first few weeks of the season. A few teams that have befuddled bookmakers thus far are the Broncos, Jets, Redskins, Giants, Chiefs and Forty-Niners. Given that, look for some possible adjustments in this week's NFL Week 5 Predictions at BetUS.com.

The Chiefs and Redskins have been overvalued through the first four games of the season, albeit against vastly different NFL Week 5 Predictions competition. Aside from their opener against the Giants, Washington has faced a string of patsies that included Detroit, St. Louis, and Tampa Bay. They lost outright to the Lions and barely survived both the Rams and the Bucs. They failed to cover the spread on every occasion. The line had the 'Skins favored anywhere from -5.5 (on the road against Detroit) to -10 (at home against the Rams). This week they are listed as a +3.5 road dog against Carolina, a team that has yet to win a game. Washington scored a push in their only other underdog scenario this season, against New York, but that was the season opener. Could still be overvalued, even at +3.5, against a team coming off a bye that is not as bad as its record.

The Chiefs have faced a murderer's row sort of schedule through the first quarter of the season, squaring off against Baltimore, Oakland (the exception), Philly, and New York (Giants). KC has been a dog ranging anywhere from +13 to +9 and the team finds itself in the same situation this week, hosting the Cowboys at Arrowhead (+9). Mistakes and penalties have kept the Chiefs from scoring a single win against the spread, even as a favorite in a game they statistically dominated the Raiders in. Throw out the Oakland game, and Kansas City has lost by an average of 15 points per contest. However, the +9 line in this game seems about right. At home the Chiefs porous offensive line seems to do a better job protecting Matt Cassel and eventually he will find a rhythm. The Cowboys are not a juggernaut by any means, and if KC can secure the ball (i.e. no fumbles on the opening kickoff, giving a great team the ball at your own 15 yard line to open the game) than they should be competitive against Dallas.

NFL Week 5 Predictions:

Washington 13, Carolina 27

Dallas 24, Kansas City 17

BetUS.com NFL Week 5 Predictions:

Washington Redskins +3.5
Carolina Panthers -3.5

Oakland Raiders +16
New York Giants-16

Dallas Cowboys -9
Kansas City Chiefs +9

Atlanta Falcons +2.5
San Francisco 49ers -2.5

Cincinnati Bengals +8.5
Baltimore Ravens -8.5

Minnesota Vikings N/A
St. Louis Rams N/A

Tampa Bay Buccaneers N/A
Philadelphia Eagles N/A

Cleveland Browns +6
Buffalo Bills -6