Want to handicap Sunday's NFL action but don't have time
to research every game? Check out our NFL poolies cheat sheet for all your
football wagering needs. We give you quick-hitting notes on all of Week 5's
action.
Miami Dolphins at
Cincinnati Bengals (-3.5, 45)
Dolphins QB Ryan Tannehill will likely not have to go
against the full strength of the Cincinnati secondary, with at least four
cornerbacks either doubtful or questionable. Miami still has to face a Bengals’ pass
rush that has racked up a league-leading 16 sacks, though. Miami leads the NFL in
rushing defense, surrendering just 56.8 yards, but has been susceptible to the
pass. The road team is 4-0 ATS in their last four meetings.
Baltimore Ravens at
Kansas City Chiefs (6, 46.5)
The Ravens, who played their first four games in an 18-day span,
seek their first road win of the season against a bumbling Chiefs team that
committed six turnovers in last week's 37-20 loss to the Chargers. Kansas City ranks
last in the NFL in turnover margin at minus-13. The favorite is 5-2 ATS in
their last seven meetings.
Atlanta Falcons at
Washington Redskins (3, 51)
A pair of red-hot quarterbacks meet in the nation’s capital
on Sunday as Matt Ryan brings the undefeated Falcons into FedEx Field for a
meeting with rookie sensation Robert Griffin III. Ryan is the top-rated passer,
completing more than 69 percent of his attempts with 11 touchdowns and just two
interceptions. Griffin is on
pace to throw for 4,000 yards and run for an additional thousand. The rookie
from Baylor is aiming to help Washington end a seven-game slide at home. The
Redskins have played over the total in their last five home contests.
Philadelphia Eagles
at Pittsburgh Steelers (-3.5, 43)
Pittsburgh benefited from having a bye week to lick its
wounds after dropping a 34-31 overtime decision to Oakland on Sept. 23. The
Steelers are expected to be buoyed by the return of running back Rashard
Mendenhall, who is coming back from last season's torn ACL injury. Stud safety
Troy Polamalu could also return after missing two games with a strained calf and
James Harrison eyes his season debut after nursing a sore left knee. The Steelers
are 9-0 ATS in their last nine games following a loss.
Green Bay Packers at
Indianapolis Colts (7, 48)
The Indianapolis Colts received a shocking setback when it
was revealed earlier in the week that first-year head coach Chuck Pagano was
diagnosed with leukemia. Pagano will be hospitalized for six to eight weeks to
undergo treatment, leaving interim coach Bruce Arians to guide the Colts. Green
Bay is expected to be without wideout Greg Jennings, who aggravated a groin
injury in last week's contest. These clubs have played over the total in their last four meetings.
Cleveland Browns at
N.Y. Giants (-9.5, 44)
The Browns attempt to snap a 10-game losing streak against
the Giants on Sunday. Cleveland RB Trent Richardson leads AFC rookies with 222
rushing yards and has a rushing TD in three straight games. The Giants will likely be without WR Hakeem
Nicks (knee, foot) for a third straight week, but QB Eli Manning has thrown for 1,320, the second highest total in the league
and has won seven straight starts against the AFC dating back to last season.
Seattle Seahawks at Carolina
Panthers (-3, 43.5)
The Seattle offense has been unimpressive under rookie QB
Russell Wilson, ranking 28th in scoring (17.5) and 29th
in total yards (281.5). But the defense has kept the Seahawks in games, allowing just 14.5 points and 275.8 total yards per game. The most puzzling
aspect of Carolina’s early-season struggles has been the inconsistency of the
run game, which averaged 35 yards on the ground against Tampa Bay and the New
York Giants and 209 rushing yards against New Orleans and Atlanta. The home
team is 4-1 ATS in their last five meetings.
Chicago Bears at
Jacksonville Jaguars (4.5, 41)
The Jacksonville Jaguars own the worst offense in the NFL -
and now host a Chicago Bears team that has forced seven interceptions in the
last two weeks and leads the NFL with 11 on the season. The home team is 5-0
ATS in their last five meetings.
Denver Broncos at
New England Patriots (-6.5, 51.5)
Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, two of the most iconic
quarterbacks in NFL history, will meet for the 13th time when the New England
Patriots host the Denver Broncos on Sunday. Brady is 8-4 head-to-head against
Manning - all during Manning's 14 seasons with Indianapolis. New England became the first team in NFL history with a 300-yard passer last week at Buffalo, two 100-yard rushers (Brandon Bolden, Stevan Ridley) and a pair of
100-yard receivers (Wes Welker, Rob Gronkowski). The Broncos are 1-7 ATS in
their last eight October games.
Buffalo Bills at San
Francisco 49ers (-9.5, 44.5)
San Francisco had a dominant performance against the Jets
last week. The defense allowed a season-low 145 total yards in the shutout, and
the offense was efficient, which has become quarterback Alex Smith's hallmark.
Smith has been steady as ever, completing 67.3 percent of his passes for 784
yards with five touchdowns and one interception, and Frank Gore (326 yards, 3
TDs) averages 4.9 yards per attempt. The over is 8-2-1 in the Bills’ last
11 road games.
Tennessee Titans at
Minnesota Vikings (-5.5, 44)
The Titans’ biggest problem is a defense that is allowing an
NFL-worst 37.8 points per game. The passing defense has been especially
horrific, allowing an NFL-worst 75.3 percent completion rate and the second
most touchdowns (10). The Titans' other current issue is at quarterback after
Jake Locker (shoulder) was injured in the loss to Houston last week. Veteran QB Matt
Hasselbeck, who had a pair of interceptions returned for touchdowns in relief, will
be called on to start. The Vikings are 1-5 ATS in their last six home games.
San Diego Chargers
at New Orleans Saints (-3.5, 54)
The Saints will continue to have trouble winning until their
NFL-worst defense (463.2 yards per game) figures out a way to keep the opponent
out of the end zone. The Chargers are coming off a 37-20 victory at Kansas
City, and will try for their second consecutive 4-1 start. New Orleans has
played over the total in eight of its last nine games overall.