NFL Week 5 Anticipated Matchups
Buffalo Bills (-5.5) @ Jacksonville Jaguars
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – SEPTEMBER 11: Quarterback Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills scrambles with the ball during the fourth quarter of the NFL game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on September 11, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Bills-Jaguars is the Sunday morning London game this weekend, and it’s basically a home game for the Jaguars, as they played in London last week and stayed over there. The Bills had their biggest win of the season last week, outpacing the high-powered Miami offense in a track meet style game. The Jaguars will look to prove they’re a legit playoff contender this year after some struggles early in the season, while the Bills will look to continue to dominate as Super Bowl hopefuls. I expect this to be a fast-paced shoot out across the pond. If Trevor Lawrence can limit his turnovers and the Jags defense can force a Josh Allen turnover or two, this will be a close game. Jacksonville should have an advantage staying in London the last week, we’ll see if it pays off.
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – SEPTEMBER 10: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens drops back to pass against the Houston Texans at M&T Bank Stadium on September 10, 2023 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
A classic AFC North clash between two defensive minded franchises is always an anticipated match up. However, the Ravens led by Lamar Jackson have been scoring points in bunches while the Steelers have been struggling on both sides of the ball. If this game was in Baltimore, I’d lean blowout Ravens but, Mike Tomlin at home especially coming off a loss in a divisional game will have his team ready to go. I think the Steelers offense is going to struggle in this game, and it’ll come down to their defense keeping Lamar Jackson in check. If they can do this, they have a chance to keep the game close, but if Lamar gets going with his legs, the Steelers could be in for a long day.
CINCINNATI, OHIO – NOVEMBER 06: Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals throws a pass during the second quarter in the game against the Carolina Panthers at Paycor Stadium on November 06, 2022 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
Heading into the season, I don’t think anyone would’ve expected this Week Five matchup between the Bengals and Cardinals to be an anticipated match up. However, the Bengals, starting the season 1-3 and the Cardinals surprising play so far this season has turned this game into a must win for the Bengals. Joe Burrow has said this is the healthiest he’s felt all season, and the Bengals will need him to be healthy and looking like the Joe Burrow of last season if they’re going to get their season back on track. The Bengals will be looking for any signs of life out of their offense after being held to three points in Tennessee last weekend. I do expect the Bengals to bounce back and get back in the win column. The Cardinals will look to play spoiler as they’ve proven they can do this season, upsetting the Cowboys earlier in the year, but I think the Bengals desperation gets them over the edge.
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – NOVEMBER 20: Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 20, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JANUARY 07: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs signals at the line of scrimmage against the Las Vegas Raiders during the first half of the game at Allegiant Stadium on January 07, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images)
The defending Super Bowl champs started the season with a loss to the Detroit Lions but have rebounded to win their next 3 games. The Chiefs haven’t looked like the well oiled machine we’re used to seeing, with Patrick Mahomes having some uncharacteristic turnovers and the offense struggling to score points outside of blowing out the NFL’s worst team, the Chicago Bears. The Vikings on the other hand are coming off their first win of the season after beating the Panthers in Carolina. Kirk Cousins and Justin Jefferson have been incredible through the first 4 weeks of the season, but the rest of the Vikings not so much. Harrison Smith and the Vikings defense seemed to find something in the second half against the Panthers, and they’ll need to grow on it to have a chance at stopping Mahomes. Another game that if the favorite was playing at home, I might lean blowout, but I think the Vikings coming off a win headed home will give the Chiefs all they can handle in this one.
Dallas Cowboys (+3.5) @ San Francisco 49ers
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 30: Christian McCaffrey #23 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Two of the best teams in the league through week 4 will face off on Sunday night football in my most anticipated matchup of the weekend. A classic NFC clash between two of the more storied franchises in NFL history. Who are both firing on all cylinders heading into this one. The 49ers have far and away been the most dominant team in the league and Brock Purdy isn’t just managing games anymore he’s helping the 49ers win them. Make no mistake, their offense is still heavily run through Christian McCaffery and for good reason, he had 4 touchdowns last weekend and looks as explosive as ever. The Cowboys are coming off a blowout win themselves, handing Bill Belichick and the Patriots the worst loss of the Belichick era. Jerry Jones himself said the “road to the Super Bowl goes through San Francisco” this will be a great test for Dan Quinn’s defense and Micah Parsons trying to slow down Shanahan’s run heavy offense. I expect the 49ers to come away with the win, but Dallas will throw everything they have at them, trying to prove their week 3 loss to the Cardinals was just a fluke.
