We’re past the one-quarter mark in the NFL and now that we’re heading into Week 5, it’ll be interesting to see which teams start to assert themselves as playoff contenders heading forward. Read on to check out our Week 5 Picks & Predictions.

Bet The NFL Week 5

If it weren’t for a dismal effort by the Bills in Buffalo last Sunday, we would have posted our first 4-0 day of the year. But thanks to the Browns, Rams and Jaguars, we finished 3-1 for our Week 4 picks and predictions.

That runs our season total to 8-7-1 on the year and we’re looking to improve that mark even more this week. To check out all of our picks and predictions for Week 5 in the NFL, be sure to visit our NFL section.

Below are my top four picks for Week 5.

Denver Broncos vs. Baltimore Ravens, 1:00PM ET

Baltimore is coming off two divisional games the past two weeks, which includes an emotional last-minute victory over the Steelers last Sunday in Pittsburgh. Now they’re favored by a touchdown against a non-divisional opponent at home. Denver, which has played well the past three weeks and had they taken advantage of some key situations against the Colts two Sundays ago, they may be 3-1 right now. They also proved last week against the Titans that they can win on the road. The Ravens are just 1-4-1 against the spread in their last six games following an ATS win and 0-5 ATS in their last five games in week 5. The Broncos, meanwhile, are 4-0 against the spread in their last four October games and are 4-1 ATS versus a team with a winning record. Again, my pick is the Broncos plus the points.

NFL Week 5 Free Pick: DENVER +7 BroburySports.com

Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Buffalo Bills, 1:00PM ET

After beating the Colts last Sunday, there’s going to be a natural letdown for the Jaguars this weekend playing a winless team. Don’t forget that this was a team that scored just 16 combined points in two games after beating the Broncos in Week 1 and they’re just 1-4 against the spread in their last five games following a straight up win. The underdog, on the other hand, is 4-1 against the number in the last five meetings between these two teams and the Jags are just 2-6 ATS in their past eight games with the Bills. As hard as it may be to back a winless team in essentially a pick’em game, my prediction is the Bills +1.5.

NFL Week 5 Free Pick: BUFFALO +1.5 BroburySports.com

Chicago Bears vs. Carolina Panthers, 1:00PM ET

Even though the Panthers have been brutal this season, it would be hard to pick the Bears after what transpired last Sunday night in East Rutherford. Todd Collins was a statue in the pocket and even though Carolina doesn’t have the same pass rush the Giants do, it may not matter. If Mike Martz can’t change his offensively philosophy and go run-heavy on Sunday, then Chicago is in trouble. The Bears are 1-3-1 against the spread in the last five meetings between these two teams and 1-9-1 against the number in their last 11 games as a road underdog. The Panthers, meanwhile, are 6-0-1 against the spread in their last seven games as a favorite of 0.5-3.0.

NFL Week 5 Free Pick: CAROLINA -1.5 BroburySports.com

Green Bay Packers vs. Washington Redskins, 1:00PM ET

The Packers are a banged up football team right now, especially on the defensive side of the ball. They lost middle linebacker Nick Barnett to a wrist injury earlier in the week and he may miss the rest of the season. Safety Morgan Burnett is already set to miss the entire season with a torn knee and rookie tackle Bryan Bulaga will fill in for the injured Mark Tauscher on Green Bay’s offensive line. My prediction is that the Packers will struggle on the road this week, just as they have in each of their last two games. They’re 1-4 against the spread in their last five games in Week 5 and 1-4 ATS in their last five games as a favorite of 0.5-3.0 points. Meanwhile, the Redskins are 5-1-3 against the number in their last nine games on grass and 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games in Week 5. They beat the Cowboys at home in Week 1 and nearly pulled off the upset against the Texans in Week 2, so they play well at FedEx Field. My prediction is that they win this game outright.

NFL Week 5 Free Pick: WASHINGTON +2.5 BroburySports.com

Bet The NFL Week 5

Posted : October 10, 2010 10:18 am