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NFL Week 5 Game Analysis

NFL Week 5 Picks from the team at BetOnline. Compare this popular online sportsbook with other offshore sportsbooks rated and recommended for US and Canadian bettors.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS @ DENVER BRONCOS
Sunday, October 11 at 4:15 p.m. ET
Spread: Patriots -3

Protégé meets pupil when Bill Belichick’s Patriots visit Josh McDaniels’ Broncos. Sooner or later, football fans are going to have to admit the Broncos (4-0) are for real. New England (3-1) poses Denver’s stiffest challenge yet, especially with Tom Brady looking more comfortable each week.

ATLANTA FALCONS @ SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
Sunday, October 11 at 4:05 p.m. ET
Spread: 49ers -2.5

The Falcons (2-1) surprised everyone with an 11-win season and playoff appearance last year—are the 49ers (2-1) on a similar path in 2009? Matt Ryan and Michael Turner will try slowing down San Fran’s postseason drive, but Patrick Willis and the 49ers defense have been nearly impenetrable.

HOUSTON TEXANS @ ARIZONA CARDINALS
Sunday, October 11 at 4:15 p.m. ET
Spread: Cardinals -5.5

Bet the over on this one. With Matt Schaub, Kurt Warner, Larry Fitzgerald, Andre Johnson, Anquan Boldin, Steve Slaton and Beanie Wells in the mix, Arizona (1-2) and Houston’s (2-2) offenses look like fantasy football all-star teams. Both teams are desperate for wins so they’ll take no prisoners on Sunday.

CINCINNATI BENGALS @ BALTIMORE RAVENS
Sunday, October 11 at 1:00 p.m. ET
Spread: Ravens -9

The Bengals (3-1) scraped by the lowly Browns last week; now, with a win, they can claim first-place in the AFC North. The Ravens (3-1), who own the second-highest scoring offense in the NFL, aren’t going to give it up easily—and they have something to prove after a loss to New England.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS @ TENNESSEE TITANS
Sunday, October 11 at 8:20 p.m. ET
Spread: Colts -3.5

The Titans (0-4) have already lost more games in four weeks than they did in four months last year—now it’s do-or-die time against the Colts (4-0). A win keeps Tennessee’s razor-thin playoff hopes alive; a loss means we’ll probably see Vince Young take over at quarterback as planning for 2010 begins.

NEW YORK JETS @ MIAMI DOLPHINS
Monday, October 12 at 8:30 p.m. ET
Spread: Jets -2

Rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez came crashing back to earth last weekend in a blowout to the Saints. The Jets (3-1) could have their hands full with Miami (1-3) this weekend; wins in the AFC East never come easily, and the Dolphins crushed the Bills in Week 4.

DALLAS COWBOYS @ KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
Sunday, October 11 at 1:00 p.m. ET
Spread: Cowboys -8.5

Few could have predicted a Week 5 game against the hapless Chiefs (0-4) would mean so much to Dallas (2-2). Tony Romo, Wade Phillips, the Cowboys cheerleaders—everyone is taking heat in Big D right now. If the Cowboys don’t get their act together fast, winning the NFC East is nothing but a pipe dream.

OAKLAND RAIDERS @ NEW YORK GIANTS
Sunday, October 11 at 1:00 p.m. ET
Spread: Giants -16

It’s early, but the Giants (4-0) look like an early Super Bowl favorite. The defense has been dominant while Steve Smith has flourished as Plaxico Burress’ replacement. That’s bad news for a Raiders (1-3) team that is completely melting down; in fact, their coach might literally be arrested this week.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS @ DETROIT LIONS
Sunday, October 11 at 1:00 p.m. ET
Spread: Steelers -10.5

The Steelers (2-2) bounced back last week thanks to a dominating performance by second-year back Rashard Mendenhall. If Pittsburgh’s new-found ground game is as good as advertised, the Lions (1-3) don’t stand a chance—especially with rookie quarterback Matt Stafford nursing a knee injury.

MINNESOTA VIKINGS @ ST. LOUIS RAMS
Sunday, October 11 at 1:00 p.m. ET
Spread: Vikings -10

Brett Favre had his most impressive game with the Vikings (4-0) last week in a dominating effort against the Packers. Now Minnesota must be wary of not looking past the floundering Rams (0-4), as the Ravens visit the Metrodome in two weeks.

WASHINGTON REDSKINS @ CAROLINA PANTHERS
Sunday, October 11 at 1:00 p.m. ET
Spread: Panthers -3.5

It doesn’t feel like it, but the Redskins (2-2) are still very much in playoff contention. The winless Panthers (0-3) face an uphill battle to sneak into the postseason; if they’re going to pull off a miracle, it must start with a win over Washington.

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS @ PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
Sunday, October 11 at 1:00 p.m. ET
Spread: Eagles -14.5

Donovan McNabb and Brian Westbrook are practicing this week and both are expected to start for the Eagles (2-1) this weekend. With Tampa Bay (0-4) allowing over 25 points per game, this should be a nice ease-in game for the duo.

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS @ SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
Sunday, October 11 at 4:15 p.m. ET
Spread: NO LINE

The scrappy Jaguars (2-2) are keeping themselves in the playoff discussion thanks to two straight divisional victories. Seattle (1-3) still has a shot in the underwhelming NFC West, but it could use a healthy Matt Hasselbeck this week; he’s recovering from cracked ribs and his status is unknown.

CLEVELAND BROWNS @ BUFFALO BILLS
Sunday, October 11 at 1:00 p.m. ET
Spread: Bills -6

The struggling Browns (0-4) took Cincy to overtime last week but the meltdown continues—receiver Braylon Edwards was shipped off to the Jets. Buffalo (1-3) was absolutely crushed by the Dolphins but beating the winless Browns will right the ship.

Add comment October 10th, 2009

NFL Week 4 Picks

NFL Week 4 Picks from the team at BetOnline. Compare this popular online sportsbook with other offshore sportsbooks rated and recommended for US and Canadian bettors.
SAN DIEGO CHARGERS @ PITTSBURGH STEELERS
Sunday, October 4 – 8:20 p.m. ET
Spread: Steelers -6.5

The Super Bowl Champion Steelers have stumbled out of the gate, dropping to 1-2 after last week’s loss to the Bengals. Beating the Chargers could light the fire, but losing will put Pittsburgh in a big hole in the AFC North.
In-depth analysis.

GREEN BAY PACKERS @ MINNESOTA VIKINGS
Monday, October 5 – 8:30 p.m. ET
Spread: Vikings -3.5

This is Brett Favre’s first chance at revenge against his former team. Need we say more? Well, new Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers probably has something to say about it.
In-depth analysis.

BALTIMORE RAVENS @ NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
Sunday, October 4 – 1:05 p.m. ET
Spread: Patriots -2

Can Tom Brady and the Patriots get back to the top of the hill, or are the Baltimore Ravens the AFC’s new heavyweight? We’ll find out Sunday.
In-depth analysis.

NEW YORK JETS @ NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
Sunday, October 4 – 4:05 p.m. ET
Spread: Saints -7

“The best defense is a good offense” or “Defense wins championships”? No, it’s not a title game, but one of those maxims will be reinforced when the high-scoring Saints play the defensive-minded Jets.
In-depth analysis.

DALLAS COWBOYS @ DENVER BRONCOS
Sunday, October 4 – 4:15 p.m. ET
Spread: Cowboys -3

Finally, a real test for Denver. The Broncos defense has played unbelievable, but this is the first NFL-caliber offense they will face this season.
In-depth analysis.

NEW YORK GIANTS @ KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
Sunday, October 4 – 1:00 p.m. ET
Spread: Giants -8.5

The Giants are in midseason form after destroying Tampa Bay last weekend, but they need to be careful not to look past the Chiefs, who are fighting for their first win of 2009.
In-depth analysis.

DETROIT LIONS @ CHICAGO BEARS
Sunday, October 4 – 1:00 p.m. ET
Spread: Bears -10

Can the Lions deliver their second straight victory after stopping a 19-game losing streak? Not if Jay Cutler and the Bears have anything to say about it.
In-depth analysis.

BUFFALO BILLS @ MIAMI DOLPHINS
Sunday, October 4 – 4:05 p.m. ET
Spread: Bills -2

Miami and Buffalo each had reasons for optimism heading into 2009, but most of them have already been flushed down the drain. The clock on the Terrell Owens Time Bomb has started.
In-depth analysis.

ST. LOUIS RAMS @ SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
Sunday, October 4 – 4:15 p.m. ET
Spread: 49ers -9.5

The Niners suffered a tough loss against Minnesota last week, but a victory over the Rams will give them a 3-1 record, including three division wins. They’ll have to do it without Frank Gore, though.
In-depth analysis.

CINCINNATI BENGALS @ CLEVELAND BROWNS
Sunday, October 4 – 1:00 p.m. ET
Spread: Bengals -5.5

The Bengals would like to believe they can compete in the AFC North by knocking off Pittsburgh next week, but they have to beat teams they’re supposed to—like Cleveland—to do it.
In-depth analysis.

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS @ WASHINGTON REDSKINS
Sunday, October 4 – 1:00 p.m. ET
Spread: Redskins -7

It’ll be a fight of field goals in this one, as both teams are struggling on offense. Both coaches could be on the hot seat, too, so expect some desperation and creativity.
In-depth analysis.

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS @ INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
Sunday, October 4 – 1:00 p.m. ET
Spread: Colts -10.5

Peyton Manning has thrown for 300 yards in three straight games; he’ll try to make it four against the struggling Seahawks, who could be without Matt Hasselbeck again.

OAKLAND RAIDERS @ HOUSTON TEXANS
Sunday, October 4 – 1:00 p.m. ET
Spread: Texans -9

Houston has fallen flat on its face after an offseason filled with playoff hype. The Texans have been accused of being chokers and, if they lose to the Raiders, we’ll know it’s true.

TENNESSEE TITANS @ JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
Sunday, October 4 – 1:00 p.m. ET
Spread: Titans -3

Incredibly, the Titans have already lost three games—as many as they did all of last season. If they’re going to salvage their playoff hopes they must beat the Jaguars.

Add comment October 2nd, 2009