NFL Week 5 Predictions: Our Picks Against the Spread

Las Vegas Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs, 1 p.m., CBS

Line: Chiefs -13 | Total: 56

The Chiefs (4-0) are starting to feel like a team capable of beating the best teams with ease, but one that often shows a total lack of concentration and urgency when playing against lesser competition. Needing overtime to beat the Chargers was bad enough, but playing three quarters of totally uninspired football against the decimated Patriots in Week 4 — the score was 6-3 at halftime, and 13-3 after three quarters — was even worse. The offense did finally wake up, cruising to a 26-10 win, but if the Chiefs are not going to take the entire game seriously, making them two-touchdown favorites against the Raiders (2-2), who run and pass the ball fairly well, doesn’t seem right. Pick: Raiders +13

Philadelphia Eagles at Pittsburgh Steelers, 1 p.m., Fox

Line: Steelers -7 | Total: 44

The Steelers (3-0) are playing at home with an extra week of rest (as a result of their Week 4 game against Tennessee being delayed) against the Eagles (1-2-1), who despite being the nominal division leaders in the N.F.C. East are beat up and wildly inconsistent. Despite everything, Philadelphia’s defense has played above average football and the team shouldn’t get blown out too often. But this doesn’t seem like it will be a pretty week for them, and their reign as a division leader should be short-lived. Pick: Steelers -7

Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons, 1 p.m., Fox

Line: Falcons -2.5 | Total: 53.5

If the Falcons (0-4) have a desperation mode, this is the time to engage it. Coach Dan Quinn almost has to be on the hot seat after a winless start and multiple dramatic collapses, and a game against the Panthers (2-2) is a challenge even at home. Carolina has played well in the last two weeks, spreading the ball around and beating two decent teams, the Chargers and the Cardinals. Atlanta doesn’t have its typical home-field advantage because of the reduced capacity at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, so the Panthers might be able to get above .500 after starting the season 0-2. Pick: Panthers +2.5

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/08/sports/football/nfl-picks-week-5.html