NFL Week 5 Predictions and Odds: Rams over Seahawks on Thursday Night Football

This week’s slate of games are set to begin tonight with a NFC West battle between the Rams (3-1) and Seahawks (2-2).

Continuing our kickoff week to celebrate SB Nation’s partnership with DraftKings, we’re writing up weekly predictions for every game in the NFL, each and every Thursday for the rest of the season.

Curious to see who I like this weekend? Well, let’s get to it. Of course, all odds below are via DraftKings Sportsbook.

Odds/lines subject to change. T&Cs apply. See draftkings.com/sportsbook for details.

Thursday Night Football

Rams (-2) vs. Seahawks - O/U 53.5

Prediction: Rams - Heading into week four, the Rams were viewed as the best team in the NFL. A humbling loss to the Cardinals is just what they need to reset their minds before another divisional matchup on a short week.

Sunday Morning Games

Jets vs. Falcons (-3) - O/U 45.5

Prediction: Falcons - In a battle between two 1-3 teams that are struggling to find consistent play, I got the Falcons winning this one across the pond thanks to their veteran quarterback. In a new environment — one in a completely different country — I like the team that’s led by a guy who has been there before.

Lions vs. Vikings (-10) - O/U 49.5

Prediction: Vikings - The Vikings have started this season similar to how they usually begin each year: pretty up-and-down. Kirk Cousins was off to a hot start through the first three weeks but he ran into a brick wall last Sunday in Cleveland. I expect a bounce-back performance for the Minnesota offense against a Lions team still looking for their first win in 2021.

Packers (-3) @ Bengals - O/U 51

Prediction: Packers - I think this one is pretty easy. The reigning MVP against a young quarterback who missed most of his rookie season. If this becomes a shootout, you have to go with Aaron Rodgers.

Broncos vs. Steelers (-1) - O/U 39.5

Prediction: Broncos - Vic Fangio’s defense is playing as well as anyone in the NFL right now. Pair that with an efficient offense led by Teddy Bridgewater and you’ve got the makings to take care of an easy start to your season. Denver gets another struggling opponent this week which should only help their stellar start to the season.

Dolphins vs. Buccaneers (-10) - O/U 48

Prediction: Buccaneers - The Dolphins are trotting out a backup quarterback against the reigning Super Bowl champs. I think this is one of the easier games to call in the entire slate. Tom Brady won’t accept his team losing back-to-back games.

Saints (-2.5) vs. Washington - O/U 43.5

Prediction: Saints - After losing to the lowly Giants, I have a feeling Sean Payton and Co. will do whatever it takes to keep themselves from beginning an early-season slide. I do believe this one will be close but Payton’s ability to adapt from week-to-week will be a difference-maker in this one.

Eagles @ Panthers (-3) - O/U 45.5

Prediction: Panthers - The Panthers added former Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore to their secondary just ahead of a game where they’re expected to face plenty of speed with the Eagles wide receivers. That, plus an athletic defensive front, should be enough to slow down Jalen Hurts and the rest of the offense to let Sam Darnold throw them to victory.

Titans (-4) vs. Jaguars - O/U 48.5

Prediction: Titans - With all the off-field drama surrounding the Jaguars, I doubt anyone affiliated with the franchise is prepared to win a game over the Titans. Like he always seems to do against Jacksonville, I expect another monster performance from Derrick Henry.

Patriots (-8.5) @ Texans - O/U 39.5

Prediction: Patriots - The Texans have seen little to no success when it comes to finding any sort of offense since Tyrod Taylor wound up injured. Davis Mills is playing like a rookie who is far from ready to lead a team and Bill Belichick will likely make this Sunday the worst day playing football he’s ever experienced.

Sunday Afternoon Games

Bears @ Raiders (-5.5) - O/U 44.5

Prediction: Raiders - Justin Fields is finally the starting quarterback for the Bears he’s got a tough test this week in the Raiders. Fields didn’t fare well against the Browns’ defensive and the Raiders happen to have a pretty good unit of their own. I expect Derek Carr to rebound from his Monday Night Football performance and out-gun a Bears team missing their starting running back.

Giants vs. Cowboys (-7) - O/U 52.5

Prediction: Cowboys - The Giants managed their first win of the season after beating the Saints this past Sunday but that’s where the momentum ends. The high-flying Cowboys offense is up next and I just can’t imagine Daniel Jones being able to keep up with Dak Prescott. I expect the Cowboys to win this one handedly.

49ers vs. Cardinals (-4.5) - O/U 49.5

Prediction: Cardinals - The NFL’s top offense gets a tough divisional matchup this week against the 49ers who currently rank 10th in total defense. With injuries ailing Jimmy Garoppolo this week, rookie Trey Lance may be in line to make his rookie debut. If he does, he’s going to have to stare down Chandler Jones and J.J. Watt the entire time and that’s not a situation any quarterback would envy for their first start in the NFL.

Sunday Night Football

Bills vs. Chiefs (-3) - O/U 56.5

Prediction: Bills - The Chiefs responded to the loss against the Chargers with a dominating performance against the Eagles where Patrick Mahomes threw for five touchdowns. Despite them looking like their usual selves, the Bills are also looking like the top team in the AFC after their own high-level play in a 40-0 win over the Texans. In the end, I believe the Bills are the better, well-rounded team and I think the Bills win this one in a shootout after turning Mahomes over more than once.

Monday Night Football

Colts vs. Ravens (-7) - O/U 45

Prediction: Ravens - This Colts team does not look anything like the squads we’ve seen in recent years. The trade for Carson Wentz continues to look like a dud and that viewpoint likely won’t change much with the Ravens up next. I think Baltimore wins this one handedly.

Odds/lines subject to change. T&Cs apply. See draftkings.com/sportsbook for details.