BETONLINE PRO PICKS BY BARRY WILNER: NFL WEEK 5

By Barry Wilner

As the injuries pile up throughout the NFL, not only does it make picking winners straight up and against the spread more difficult, it diminishes the quality of games.

In a perfect world, every team would have its best players available weekly. We’re entering the fifth go-round on the schedule, with another 13 weekends beyond that, and the only thing perfect – for now – is the record of the Eagles.

While the Philly Phans celebrate their quick start, there are tales of woe and doom being uttered nearly everywhere else.

T.J. Watt, Dak Prescott, Joey Bosa, Keenan Allen, Jonathan Taylor, Michael Thomas, Shaquille Leonard, Micah Hyde and Myles Garrett have been sidelined at various times. The Tua Tagovailoa situation is frightening, a dilemma the NFL and the players’ union must solve immediately.

So take any predictions in Week 5 – and beyond – with the necessary caution.

Raiders at Chiefs (-7)

Sure, this is one of the NFL’s fiercest rivalries. But these teams are on two different planets right now.

BEST BET, CHIEFS, 33-17

Bengals at Ravens (-3)

We clearly know nothing about upsets this season. Maybe we get out of the plummet here.

UPSET SPECIAL, BENGALS, 23-22

Texans at Jaguars (-7)

Thought about this for Best Best even with how poorly the Jags played after taking a 14-0 lead at Philly last week.

JAGUARS, 26-13

Giants vs. Packers (-8) at London

New York’s QB situation should have taken this off the board. Aaron Rodgers is ready to put lots of points on the board.

PACKERS, 30-13

Falcons at Buccaneers (-9)

Atlanta is playing everyone tougher than expected and is tied for the NFC North lead. Until Sunday.

BUCCANEERS, 27-20

Eagles at Cardinals (+5)

Are the Eagles good enough to go 5-0? Might they be looking ahead to the Dallas prime-time game next week?

EAGLES, 26-20

Cowboys at Rams (-5 ½)

Wouldn’t worry about the Cowboys looking past the defending Super Bowl champs, who looked like chumps against San Francisco.

RAMS, 24-22

49ers at Panthers (+6 1/2)

A cross-country trip after a Monday night game rarely is beneficial. It certainly helps the Niners that they match up so well with the Panthers.

49ERS, 20-10

Steelers at Bills (-14)

Nice place for the Steelers to throw rookie QB Kenny Pickett is as the starter. A lot of points to be spotting. We’ll bite.

BILLS, 31-15

Bears at Vikings (-7)

Minnesota chose to play this week rather than take a bye after its London trip. Some people say playing the Chicago offense constitutes a bye.

VIKINGS, 27-12

Dolphins at Jets (+3)

Even without Tua, the Dolphins are superior to the gutsy but limited Jets.

DOLPHINS, 19-13

Seahawks at Saints (-6)

We’ve always ranked Pete Carroll among the elite NFL coaches. Seattle’s 2-2 start confirms that.

SEAHAWKS, 23-20

Titans at Commanders (+2 1/2)

Looks like Tennessee is getting itself straightened out. The best way: Run the ball straight ahead with Derrick Henry.

TITANS, 27-17

Chargers at Browns (+2 1/2)

Two very banged-up teams, but the Chargers are getting a bit healthier – and have Justin Herbert, bad ribs and all.

CHARGERS, 26-20

Lions at Patriots (-3)

New England is a last-place team in the AFC East, if you can believe it. But the schedule gets a lot easier for the Patriots – unless they aren’t good enough to win this one.

PATRIOTS, 24-20

Wilner’s 2022 RECORD

Last Week – Straight up: 11-4. Against the spread: 8-7.

Season – Straight up: 35-24-1. Against the spread: 29-30-1.

Best Bet – Straight up: 2-2. Against the spread: 1-3.

Upset Special – Straight up: 0-4. Against the spread: 0-4.