What to watch for in every game. Bold predictions. Fantasy advice. Key stats to know. And, of course, final score picks. It’s all here for Week 5.
The Week 5 NFL schedule for the 2022 season is stacked with great matchups, and we have you covered with what you need to know heading into the weekend. Our NFL Nation reporters bring us the biggest keys to every game and a bold prediction for each matchup.
Additionally, ESPN Stats & Information provides a big stat to know and a betting nugget for each contest, and our Football Power Index (FPI) goes inside the numbers with a matchup rating (on a scale of 1 to 100) and a game projection. ESPN researcher Kyle Soppe hands out helpful fantasy football intel, as well. Finally, Seth Walder and Eric Moody give us final score picks for every game. Everything you want to know is here in one spot to help you get ready for a loaded weekend of NFL football.
Let’s get into the full Week 5 slate, including another London showdown (Giants-Packers), Kenny Pickett’s first start, Jalen Hurts vs. Kyler Murray and an AFC North meeting between the Bengals and Ravens. It all culminates with a Monday Night Football matchup between the Raiders and the Chiefs on ESPN. (Game times are Sunday unless otherwise noted.)
Jump to a matchup:
NYG-GB | ATL-TB | PIT-BUF
DET-NE | CHI-MIN | MIA-NYJ
LAC-CLE | SEA-NO | TEN-WSH
HOU-JAX | SF-CAR | PHI-ARI
DAL-LAR | CIN-BAL | LV-KC
Thursday: IND 12 DEN 9
1 p.m. ET | FOX
Spread: TB -9.5 (47)
What to watch for: The Bucs are on a rare two-game slide and are 0-2 at home so far this season, while the Falcons have won two straight. The Bucs also gave up an uncharacteristic 189 rushing yards in their 41-31 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs last week — the most they’ve surrendered since 2018. Getting back to what they do best — stopping the run — is paramount this week. On the other side of the ball, Tom Brady said his shoulder is fine, but former Falcon Julio Jones’ status is up in the air after missing the second half last week because of a knee injury. — Jenna Laine
Bold prediction: The Falcons, with no Cordarrelle Patterson and against a good run defense, will manage to once again top 150 rushing yards with Tyler Allgeier leading the way. Allgeier and Caleb Huntley will handle the majority of the work with Patterson (knee) on injured reserve, and the two young backs will alternate to cause problems for the Buccaneers. Atlanta has rushed for at least 179 yards in three of its four games. — Michael Rothstein
Stat to know: Brady’s only three-game losing streak in his career came from Weeks 4 to 8 in 2002, his second season as a starter.
Injuries: Falcons | Buccaneers
What to know for fantasy: When you see “Brady vs. Atlanta,” you likely think about the Super Bowl comeback, but that’s not going to help you. What will help you is the fact that the GOAT is averaging 28.0 PPG as a Buccaneer against the Falcons. See Week 5 rankings.
Betting nugget: Atlanta is 4-0 ATS this season, all as an underdog. Atlanta is the only team this season undefeated against the spread. Read more.
Moody’s pick: Buccaneers 34, Falcons 14
Walder’s pick: Buccaneers 30, Falcons 13
FPI prediction: TB, 85.9% (by an average of 12.9 points)
Matchup must-reads: Falcons put Cordarrelle Patterson on IR … Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles explains handling of TE Cameron Brate’s concussion … Veteran WR Cole Beasley retires after 11 NFL seasons
1 p.m. ET | CBS
Spread: BUF -14.0 (46.5)
What to watch for: Rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett is set to make his first career start against a Bills defense that is tied with the San Francisco 49ers for giving up the fewest yards per game (234.5). Pickett was picked off three times while playing in the second half last week vs. the Jets, and his ability to make good decisions on the road will go a long way against a defense tied for the league lead in interceptions (seven). — Alaina Getzenberg
Bold prediction: Bills RB Devin Singletary will have his first 100-yard game of the season. With a banged-up Steelers defense that has struggled since T.J. Watt’s Week 1 injury, this game has the potential for any number of Buffalo offensive superlatives. But let’s put the bold in bold prediction. The Bills aren’t known for a traditional ground game, but the Steelers’ defense is giving up an average of 131.5 rushing yards per game. Because of the injuries in the Steelers’ secondary, Josh Allen is primed to jump out to a big lead early and then let the ground attack go to work to run out the rest of the game. — Brooke Pryor
Stat to know: Allen has accounted for all 12 of the Bills’ offensive touchdowns this season (either pass or scored).
Injuries: Steelers | Bills
What to know for fantasy: Najee Harris averaged over 4.0 yards per carry for the first time this season last week, but he failed to record a reception in Pickett’s NFL debut. See Week 5 rankings.
Betting nugget: Last season, first-round quarterbacks making their first career starts went 0-5 ATS. Read more.
Moody’s pick: Bills 34, Steelers 17
Walder’s pick: Bills 30, Steelers 10
FPI prediction: BUF, 86.2% (by an average of 13.0 points)
Matchup must-reads: QB Kenny Pickett, Steelers begin work to get on ‘same page’ … The Steelers’ 2022 quarterback journey, and what happens next
Mike Clay explains why Bills RB Devin Singletary is a lineup lock if you have him on your roster.
1 p.m. ET | FOX
Spread: NE -3.0 (45.5)
What to watch for: The Patriots have given up 325 rushing yards on 51 carries (6.37 on average) over their past six quarters, while the Lions rank first in the NFL in average yards per rush (5.9) and sixth in total rushing yards per game (164). New England’s slide has coincided with losing DT Lawrence Guy (shoulder), who might be ready to return. That would help against a Lions offensive line featuring three solid first-round picks in left tackle Taylor Decker (2016), center Frank Ragnow (2018) and right tackle Penei Sewell (2021). — Mike Reiss
Bold prediction: Lions running back Jamaal Williams will rush for at least two touchdowns. No, Williams isn’t the greatest running back of all time — or possibly even the best overall on his team — but he has proven to be consistent and durable behind a strong offensive line. He will etch his name in the record books, joining Jim Brown in 1958 as the second player in league history to score multiple touchdowns in four of the team’s first five games. Even without D’Andre Swift, the Lions’ ground attack is rolling, and that won’t stop against New England. — Eric Woodyard
Stat to know: Jared Goff is tied for the lead in passing touchdowns with 11. That is tied for most through four games in his career (2018).
Injuries: Lions | Patriots
What to know for fantasy: T.J. Hockenson had 24.2 fantasy points through three weeks before exploding for a career-best 39.9 points last week against the Seahawks. The Patriots have allowed a league-high five touchdowns to tight ends this season. See Week 5 rankings.
Betting nugget: Detroit has covered six straight road games, but it is 0-10-1 outright in its past 11 road games (0-9-1 under Dan Campbell). Read more.
Everything you need this week:
• Full schedule » | Standings »
• Depth charts for every team »
• Transactions » | Injuries »
• Football Power Index rankings »
More NFL coverage »
Moody’s pick: Lions 27, Patriots 24
Walder’s pick: Lions 31, Patriots 17
FPI prediction: NE, 56% (by an average of 1.7 points)
Matchup must-reads: Lions’ defense holding them back … LB Jamie Collins joins Patriots for fourth time … Swift likely out again vs. Patriots, source says
1 p.m. ET | FOX
Spread: MIN -7.5 (44)
What to watch for: The Vikings’ defense has given up 1,054 passing yards this season, seventh-most in the NFL, as it meanders through the adjustment process to coordinator Ed Donatell’s 3-4 scheme. The Bears, however, are the league’s least-equipped team to exploit that shortcoming. Through four games, they have collected an NFL-low 390 passing yards — the fourth fewest by any team at this point in a season since 2000. — Kevin Seifert
Bold prediction: Kirk Cousins will have another three-interception day against the Bears’ defense, akin to the last time the Vikings played against Matt Eberflus in Indianapolis, where Cousins recorded a 15.7 passer rating and three picks. This scheme has not changed and is bolstered on the back end by Eddie Jackson, who leads the NFC in interceptions with three in four games. Chicago knows how dangerous Minnesota’s run game can be, so they’ll stack the box to try to take away Dalvin Cook and make Cousins beat them with his arm. — Courtney Cronin
Stat to know: The Vikings have allowed at least 300 yards in 12 straight games dating back to last season. While they are struggling in the passing game, the Bears are third in the NFL in rushing yards (709).
Injuries: Bears | Vikings
What to know for fantasy: Darnell Mooney hauled in 17 of 25 targets for 183 yards when playing the Vikings last season. See Week 5 rankings.
Betting nugget: Chicago is 4-12 ATS as an underdog since the start of last season. Justin Fields is 3-9 ATS as an underdog. Read more.
Moody’s pick: Vikings 24, Bears 10
Walder’s pick: Vikings 28, Bears 13
FPI prediction: MIN, 81.9% (by an average of 10.7 points)
Matchup must-reads: Bears designate WR N’Keal Harry for return; OL Cody Whitehair headed to IR … Inside Kelly Kleine’s historic journey, from Vikings to Broncos … Justin Fields, Bears’ struggling passing game looking for answers … Vikings riding ups and downs as Cousins learns new scheme
1 p.m. ET | CBS
Spread: MIA -3.5 (46)
What to watch for: The Dolphins, aiming to put aside the Tua Tagovailoa concussion controversy, hope to improve to 4-1 for the first time since 2003. QB Teddy Bridgewater is 2-0 lifetime against the Jets, who look to go over .500 for the first time since a 1-0 start in 2018. They’re tied for fourth with 25 explosive pass plays (16-plus yards), and Miami’s banged-up secondary is giving up huge chunks in the passing game (31st in yards). — Rich Cimini
Bold prediction: Bridgewater with throw for 300 yards and three touchdowns, including two to Tyreek Hill.
