Week 5 of the 2024 NFL season is packed with exciting matchups, and it’s a crucial occasion for sports betting. If you want to bet on the NFL, the Week 5 schedule with spreads and expert advice can help you make the right decisions.
In this blog post, we will give you a deep dive on the complete Week 5 match schedule, spreads and best betting strategies so you can place your bets wisely..
What Is an NFL Spread?
The spread, in NFL betting, is a difference set by bookmakers to show the estimated score of a match between teams. This means how many points the favored team will win by and how many points the underdog team will lose by.
Example:
- Team A -5: This means Team A is favored by 5 points. They must win by more than 5 points to “cover the spread.”
- Team B +5: Team B is the underdog. They can lose by up to 5 points or win the game outright for a successful bet.
Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s look at the key matchups for Week 5 and their spreads.
Week 5 NFL Schedule with Spread
The following table displays the Week 5 NFL matchups along with their current point spreads as provided by various sportsbooks.
Game | Date/Time (ET) | Spread | Venue |
---|---|---|---|
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Atlanta Falcons | Thursday, Oct. 3 – 8:15 PM | Buccaneers -3.5 | Mercedes-Benz Stadium |
New York Jets vs. Minnesota Vikings | Sunday, Oct. 6 – 9:30 AM | Jets +2.5 | Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (London) |
Carolina Panthers vs. Chicago Bears | Sunday, Oct. 6 – 1:00 PM | Bears -1.5 | Soldier Field |
Buffalo Bills vs. Houston Texans | Sunday, Oct. 6 – 1:00 PM | Bills -7 | NRG Stadium |
Baltimore Ravens vs. Cincinnati Bengals | Sunday, Oct. 6 – 1:00 PM | Ravens -2.5 | Paycor Stadium |
Indianapolis Colts vs. Jacksonville Jaguars | Sunday, Oct. 6 – 1:00 PM | Jaguars -4 | EverBank Stadium |
Miami Dolphins vs. New England Patriots | Sunday, Oct. 6 – 1:00 PM | Dolphins -6 | Gillette Stadium |
Cleveland Browns vs. Washington Commanders | Sunday, Oct. 6 – 1:00 PM | Browns -3 | FedExField |
Arizona Cardinals vs. San Francisco 49ers | Sunday, Oct. 6 – 4:05 PM | 49ers -9 | Levi’s Stadium |
Las Vegas Raiders vs. Denver Broncos | Sunday, Oct. 6 – 4:05 PM | Broncos -1 | Empower Field |
Green Bay Packers vs. Los Angeles Rams | Sunday, Oct. 6 – 4:25 PM | Packers -2.5 | SoFi Stadium |
New York Giants vs. Seattle Seahawks | Sunday, Oct. 6 – 4:25 PM | Seahawks -5 | Lumen Field |
Dallas Cowboys vs. Pittsburgh Steelers | Sunday, Oct. 6 – 8:20 PM | Cowboys -4.5 | Acrisure Stadium |
New Orleans Saints vs. Kansas City Chiefs | Monday, Oct. 7 – 8:15 PM | Chiefs -6.5 | Arrowhead Stadium |
(Note: Spreads are subject to change as more bets come in, injuries are reported, and other factors influence oddsmakers.)
Key Matchups and Betting Tips for Week 5
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Atlanta Falcons (Thursday Night Football)
This Thursday night showdown sees the Buccaneers favored by 3.5 points against the Falcons. Tampa Bay’s defense has been impressive, but the Falcons have shown surprising resilience this season. Tip: Consider taking the Falcons +3.5 if you expect a close game. The short week often results in tighter contests.
New York Jets vs. Minnesota Vikings (London Game)
The Jets are slight underdogs with a +2.5 spread in this London matchup. The Vikings have struggled with consistency, while the Jets’ defense has been stout. Tip: Betting on the underdog Jets +2.5 could provide value if their defense can contain the Vikings’ offense.
Buffalo Bills vs. Houston Texans
With a -7 spread in favor of the Bills, this is one of the larger spreads of Week 5. Buffalo’s high-powered offense has been dominant, but Houston has been better than expected. Tip: While the Bills should win, this large spread may lead to a backdoor cover for Houston.
You may like to read about Top 10 Quarterbacks of All Time
Factors Influencing Spreads and Betting Strategies
Injuries
Key injuries can drastically shift spreads leading up to a game. Monitoring injury reports is essential to smart betting. For example, if a star quarterback like Josh Allen or Patrick Mahomes gets injured, the spread will adjust accordingly.
Home-Field Advantage
Home teams typically receive a small boost in the spread (about 3 points), which represents the value of playing in front of home fans. Be mindful of how teams perform on the road versus at home.
Team Trends and Recent Performance
Always analyze how teams have been performing in recent games. Teams on a hot streak might outperform the spread, while struggling teams may have difficulty covering even small spreads.
Weather Conditions
Weather can also be a key factor in spreads. Cold, rain, or wind may lead to lower scoring games, which can affect point spreads and over/under totals.
FAQs
1. What is a point spread in NFL betting?
A point spread is a margin set by sportsbooks, predicting the difference in points between two teams. Bettors wager on whether a team will win by more than the spread (cover the spread) or lose by fewer points than the spread.
2. How often do NFL teams cover the spread?
On average, teams cover the spread about 50% of the time, which is why spreads are set to make both sides equally appealing to bettors.
3. Where can I find the latest NFL spreads?
NFL spreads are updated frequently on major sportsbooks such as DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetMGM. You can check their websites or apps for the most up-to-date information.
4. Are there specific strategies to bet on the spread?
Yes, common strategies include betting on underdogs in divisional games, paying attention to injuries, and analyzing how teams perform at home versus on the road.
By understanding spreads and how to bet on them, bettors can make informed decisions for Week 5 of the NFL season. Good luck, and may your bets bring you success!