Before Week 5 of the 2015 NFL season schedule kicks off, I thought we would have some fun by taking a look at the spreads for this week's round of games. (Click here for NFL Week 5 picks without regard to the spread.)
Here are my suggestions when trying to beat the odds. You can find all of today's NFL betting lines and more at the SB Nation odds page via OddsShark. My record so far this season is 35-24 after going 7-7 last week. My overall record is decent.
2015 NFL WEEK 5 PICKS AGAINST THE SPREAD
Jacksonville Jaguars at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-3): Ugh. All three of Florida's football teams are pretty awful right now. Having to pick one to win isn't very fun. I think the Bucs are arguably the NFL's worst team, but the Jags aren't far behind. I don't really have confidence in the Bucs being able to cover, so I'll take the Jags with the points and hope it's a close game. Pick: Jaguars +3
Chicago Bears at Kansas City Chiefs (-9): The Chiefs are on a three game losing streak but they've had a pretty tough schedule so far. After losing to the Broncos at home, they've had to play in Green Bay and Cincinnati in back to back weeks. Andy Reid will get back on track here against a bad Bears team. Pick: Chiefs -9
Washington Redskins at Atlanta Falcons (-7.5): Washington will be without DeAngelo Hall and Chris Culliver. If Sam Bradford can find success against this Washington secondary, Matt Ryan and Julio Jones should be able to rip them apart in the Georgia Dome. Pick: Falcons -7.5
Seattle Seahawks at Cincinnati Bengals (-3): This line opened with the Bengals as only one point favorites. The Bengals usually take care of business at home, so I like them here. Pick: Bengals -3
New Orleans Saints at Philadelphia Eagles (-6): Six point favorites? Geez. The Eagles have not really done anything to earn that type of confidence. Philly's offense is terrible. Taking the Saints outright would be reasonable, so taking them with the points is an easy call. Pick: Saints +6
Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens (-7): The Browns are bad but you never know with these ugly AFC North games. I guess I'll have to count on the ELITE Joe Flacco to get the job done. Pick: Ravens -7
St. Louis Rams at Green Bay Packers (-9.5): How are you going to bet against Aaron Rodgers at Lambeau Field? Pick: Packers -9.5
Buffalo Bills (-3) at Tennessee Titans: As much as I want to bet on former Eagles quarterback Marcus Mariota to beat the Bills here, I think I like Buffalo more. Pick: Bills -3
Arizona Cardinals (-3) at Detroit Lions: Poor Lions. They came so close to getting their first win of the season last week. The Cardinals are rightfully favored, but I'll throw Detroit a bone and say it's possible they get an upset win to get on the board this week. Pick: Lions +3
Denver Broncos (-5) at Oakland Raiders: That Denver defense is really good, even if Peyton Manning is not so good. Pick: Broncos -5
San Francisco 49ers at New York Giants (-7): The 49ers look downright awful. Meanwhile, the Giants suddenly might not be so bad. Pick: Giants -7
Pittsburgh Steelers at San Diego Chargers (-4): Philip Rivers and the Bolts are at home and should be able to take care of a Stillers team without Big Ben and Martavis Bryant. Pick: Chargers -4