NFL Picks for Week 5: Best NFL Bets & NFL Week 5 Predictions

• Date: Sunday, Oct. 8, 2023, 1:00 p.m.
• TV: FOX
• My Best Bet: Texans +2 (-110) at bet365 Sportsbook

Houston has found life after an 0-2 start, winning in back-to-back weeks over the Pittsburgh Steelers and Jacksonville Jaguars. Much of the team's success can be traced to the strong start from rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud. In four games, stroud has thrown for 1,212 yards, which ranks fourth in the league. He also has six touchdowns and zero interceptions. It's been an impressive showing from the rookie.

⭐ Place Your NFL Picks on the Texans vs. Falcons Week 5 Matchup NOW! ⭐

Meanwhile, Atlanta's young quarterback, Desmond Ridder, has struggled. He's coming off a 23-7 loss to the Jaguars where he completed just 19 of 31 passes for 191 yards and two interceptions. Ridder wasn't much better in Week 3 during the 20-6 loss to the Detroit Lions, throwing for just 201 yards and no touchdowns. With Atlanta scoring just 13 points int eh last two weeks and the Texans recording dominant wins over two teams prognosticators figured to be in the playoff chase, we feel confident in taking the Texans as small underdogs.

My Best Bet: Texans +2 (-110) at bet365 Sportsbook

• Date: Sunday, Oct. 8, 2023, 1:00 p.m. EDT
• TV: FOX
• My Best Bet: Lions -9.5 (-110) at BetMGM

There's not much to get excited about with the 0-4 Carolina Panthers. Carolina hasn't even been that competitive in a lot of games and is just 0-2-1 against the spread this season, with the lone push coming on a backdoor cover in a 20-17 loss to the New Orleans Saints that wasn't even that close. 

No. 1 pick Bryce Young has struggled in his rookie season, too. The Carolina quarterback missed one game due to injury but returned for the Week 4 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Young has struggled this season and ranks 33rd out of 34 quarterbacks in yards per pass attempt at 4.9. He has just two touchdowns and two interceptions. Just last week, Carolina's defense scored more points than the offense with a 99-yard interception return for a touchdown by Sam Franklin Jr., while the offense just managed two field goals.

⭐ Place Your NFL Picks on the Panthers vs. Lions Week 5 Matchup NOW! ⭐

We're going to back the Lions here, who are 3-1 against the spread this season. Detroit has dominated its last two opponents, beating the Falcons 20-6 and the rival Green Bay Packers 34-20 in a game it led 27-3 at halftime. With how dominant the Lions have been rolling and the Panthers' continued offensive struggles, we expect a big Lions victory in Detroit.

My Best Bet: Lions -9.5 (-110) at BetMGM

• Date: Sunday, Oct. 8, 2023, 1:00 p.m. EDT
• TV: CBS
• My Best Bet: Titans Moneyline (-110) FanDuel

It's been an interesting season for the Tennessee Titans. They've won a close game, beating the Los Angeles Chargers in overtime, 27-24, and also lost a tight one, falling to the New Orleans Saints 16-15. Then there were the blowouts. Tennessee is coming off a 27-3 win over the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 4, but also lost to the Cleveland Browns by the same score in Week 3. 

⭐ Place Your NFL Best Bets on the Titans vs. Colts Week 5 Matchup NOW! ⭐

Meanwhile, the Indianapolis Colts are also 2-2 and have played two consecutive drama-filled games of their own, beating the Baltimore Ravens in overtime 22-19 before falling to the Los Angeles Rams 29-23. But those two games highlighted a weakness for the Colts. Baltimore gained 186 yards on the ground, averaging 5 yards per carry, while the Rams finished with 164 yards and averaged 4.6 yards per attempt. 

Tennessee is at its best when it can establish the run, as it was able to do so in the win over the Bengals. The Titans ran for 173 yards (5.2) and were led by Derrick Henry gaining 122 yards and a touchdown. We like the Titans in this matchup and expect Henry to have a strong game against the Colts' porous run defense.

My Best Bet: Titans Moneyline (-110) FanDuel