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I may be getting way ahead of things for looking at the NFL Week 5 schedule, but there are a few games I have my eye on that look to be must-watch. By that time we’ll know if the renewed Cleveland Browns can hold its own or once more be taking on water in their AFC North showdown against the Ravens. The NFC North divisional battle between the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers is another game that’s packed with powder-keg potential to be explosive.
Let’s not forget the Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Atlanta Falcons, an inter-conference matchup between two Super Bowl caliber teams. And last but not least, keep your sights on the Vikings vs the Eagles in Philly, a rematch of last season’s NFC Championship game.
None of these games hold any value right now, but keeping a close eye on a few of them may keep you ahead of the curb in making a profit down the line.
NFL Week 5 – Games To Bet On – Season 2018
When it's #NationalAvocadoDaypic.twitter.com/c5Xp4C3xuj
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) July 31, 2018
New York Giants at Carolina Panthers
2017 wasn’t the best of years for Eli Manning and the New York Giants. In fact, New York ended their season with a 3-13 under former head coach Ben McAdoo. At the helm this is year is former Vikings offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur, who will jump into the job welcomed by what seems one of the toughest schedules in the NFL.
By the time week 5 rolls along, the Giants will have already gone through playing against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans, and the New Orleans Saints. Nope, the Giants won’t get a break, 3-13 record notwithstanding.
Carolina is playing at home, where they’re a much different team than on the road. The Panthers will be looking to stick it to the aging Manning and exploit the various chinks in Giants’ armor. The last time the Panthers were in Carolina was a week 3 game in 2013. Carolina ran over them with a 38-0 score and kept Eli Manning to just 119 yards. The Panthers win.
Atlanta Falcons at Pittsburgh Steelers
How can you imagine this isn’t going to be one terrific shootout between two great quarterbacks? Matt Ryan vs. Ben Roethlisberger is as good as it gets, come one! It's also sparking another showdown between two of the best receivers in the game, Steeler Antonio Brown and Falcon Julio Jones.
All this means is you can expect a high-scoring game from both sides. Nevertheless, I expect the combination of Roethlisberger, Brown, and Bell to edge out whatever Ryan counters with. Even if the Steelers seem to lack consistency in winning at times, against the Falcons I expect them to bring their A-game. Steelers win.
Indianapolis Colts at New England Patriots
The Colts made a great decision in my book when they hired former Eagles offensive coordinator Frank Reich as their new head coach. Reich looks like he knows what he’s doing despite this job being his first rodeo as a head coach. But, it’s going to take a lot more than confidence to stand up against the Patriots on their field.
Even if Colts general manager Chris Ballard thinks the Colts vs. Patriots rivalry is “…back on,” the odds are good the game will turn out with the same result as the infamous Deflategate AFC Championship game in January 2015. The fact Josh McDaniels left Ballard on the altar before wiggling his way back into the Patriots’ arms will only be adding more salt to the wound left by the Colts loss. Patriots win.
Minnesota Vikings at Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles have dominated the Vikings in Philadelphia in the last few years. But, Minnesota heads into this game with the newly-appointed Kirk Cousins at the quarterback position and that can change things for how this game will turn out. The Vikings’ new offensive coordinator John DeFilippo also happens to have faced the Eagles defense in practice for two years.
The Vikings will also have had a couple of days of rest time after their Week 4 match against the LA Rams which will only give them more motivation to stick it to the team that knocked them out of Super Bowl contention last year. Vikings win.
