As we roll into Week 5 of the 2023 NFL season, the gridiron action continues to captivate fans and sports bettors alike. The past four weeks have been a rollercoaster ride of thrilling touchdowns, jaw-dropping plays and unexpected upsets, reminding us once again why NFL football is the crown jewel of American sports.
As the country’s leading online sportsbook, Bovada’s dedicated to helping you navigate the complex landscape of NFL betting season. From the early-season surprises to the resurgence of perennial contenders, this year has already provided its fair share of storylines. As we delve into Week 5, we stand at the precipice of more exciting moments and challenging decisions for both NFL teams and those looking to cash in on their football knowledge.
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Continue reading as we dissect the upcoming matchups, evaluate the latest injury reports and analyze the ever-shifting betting trends in the NFL. Bovada Sportsbook remains your trusted source for NFL betting odds, props and futures, ensuring that your NFL experience is not just thrilling but also offers the potential for huge rewards.
Whether you’ve been sharpening your betting skills for years or are just starting to explore the world of NFL wagering, this article will put you on the path to success. Let’s plunge headfirst into the heart of Week 5, armed with a wealth of NFL analysis and invaluable betting insights, as we continue this exhilarating journey through the 2023 NFL season.
Houston, We Have a Quarterback
When the Houston Texans selected C.J. Stroud with the second overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, the team was hopeful that they had found their quarterback of the future. Even with all of the fanfare, few could have predicted such a spectacular start to rookie campaign for the former Ohio State Buckeye. Through his first 4 career games in the NFL, Stroud has thrown for a staggering 1,212 yards with 6 touchdowns and 0 interceptions. At his current pace, the rookie is on track to demolish the rookie passing record by more than 700 yards!
As a result of his stellar play, the Texans are 2-2 on the season and just 1.5-point underdogs in their Week 5 matchup with the Atlanta Falcons. Houston is 4-1 against the spread (ATS) in their last 5 road games and is going up against a 2-2 Falcons team coming off back-to-back losses to the Lions and Jaguars. With Atlanta QB Desmond Ridder averaging just 186 passing yards per game this season, it could be tough for the dirty birds to keep up with Stroud and the new-look Texans.
NFC’s Finest Face Off
Through the first four weeks of the NFL season, there have been at least two NFC teams that have stood out from the rest the pack: The Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers. Both teams entered the season with Super Bowl aspirations and appear to be right on track – Dallas, at 3-1, boasts the best scoring defense in the league while San Francisco remains undefeated on the campaign at 4-0. Football fans are in store for a treat in Week 5 as these two teams go head-to-head in a battle for NFC supremacy.
San Francisco are currently a 3.5-point betting favorite over Dallas and there’s a lot to love about this year’s 49ers team. In addition to their perfect record, San Francisco is also 5-0 ATS over their past 5 home games. While Dallas has looked good early, their three wins have come against the Giants, Jets and Patriots – not the most impressive list of opponents. The Cowboys are supported by an elite defense, but the team is ranked just 16th against the run and will have their hands full with 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey.
Lions on the Prowl
The Detroit Lions play host to the Carolina Panthers in Week 5 and currently Detroit are the 9.5-point betting favorite. That may seem like an awful lot of points for the Lions to be giving up, but the Panthers have looked awful this season, with No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young under center. One of only two winless teams remaining in the NFL, Carolina is putting up just 16.8 PPG and has gone a dismal 0-4 ATS for NFL bettors.
It’s a much different story in Detroit where, for the first time in a long time, things are looking up. The Lions improved to 3-1 and took control of the NFC North with a huge road win over the Packers at Lambeau Field last week and look to keep the momentum going into Week 5. This team continues to enjoy elite quarterback play from Jared Goff, yet the real catalyst has been on defense – Detroit now boasts a talented stop-unit and has given up just 60.8 rushing yards per game so far this season, best in the NFL. The Lions have been great for bettors since midway the 2022 campaign, with Detroit going on an impressive 12-2 run against the spread over their last 14 games.
Staying Perfect: SU vs. ATS
It hasn’t always been pretty, as evidenced in the team’s 34-31 overtime win over the Redskins, but the Philadelphia Eagles are now 4-0 straight up (SU) on the campaign. In Week 5, the Eagles travel to Los Angeles to take on a 2-2 Rams squad that’s been surprisingly respectable so far this season. The Rams are also coming off an overtime win, having beaten the Colts 29-23 in extra time.
The Eagles have yet to face a truly elite opponent so far this year, and while that trend will continue in Week 5, they may be in for a bigger challenge than most fans realize. Philadelphia’s offense is still finding its rhythm and the defense definitely has room for improvement after giving up 31 points to Washington. The Eagles may be undefeated in the standings, but the Rams are actually undefeated where it really counts – against the spread. At 3-0-1 ATS so far this season, Los Angeles is the only team in the NFL that has not yet lost a game for bettors. With the Rams currently listed as a 4-point home dog this Sunday, you may want to consider betting on Los Angeles and taking the points!
