HOW TO WATCH NFL WEEK 5

Mike Shara Oct 6, 2021

We’re starting to separate the wheat from the chaff, aren’t we? There is just one unbeaten team left, and that team hasn’t had a winning record since 2015 and plays in the NFL’s toughest division. Arizona served notice to everyone in the league that they are for real, manhandling the Rams in Los Angeles. Demonstrating an enviable efficiency and depth on offense (they are now +5 on turnover ratio and have six different players with at least 15 receptions) and their defense finally showing that it could outsmart Sean McVay, whose team’s streak of eight consecutive wins vs. the Cardinals finally came to an end.

Elsewhere, Tom Brady returned to New England and beat his old team on a missed field goal, even sort of hugging former Head Coach Bill Belichick afterwards. The Bills and Packers both won their third straight, proving that their disappointing Week One efforts were officially in the rearview mirror, and both woebegone New York area teams got their first wins of the season. Additionally, the Cleveland Browns won a game in which they didn’t play very well at all – a thing that probably hasn’t happened since about 1965.

As far as betting results go, eight of the favorites covered the spread this past week. Six underdogs actually won their game outright and seven games went over the predicted points total.

This week’s schedule of games has all four NFC West heavyweights facing off against each other, with a rare must-see Thursday night game featuring the Rams going into Seattle and on Sunday the 49ers will officially begin the Trey Lance era with a huge test for the rookie QB – trying to rally from two straight losses vs. the unbeaten Cardinals in Glendale. Sunday night’s game is a repeat of last year’s AFC Championship (and possibly a preview for this year, too) as the Bills go into Arrowhead Stadium to face the Chiefs and the Bengals will try to prove they’re for real by hosting Green Bay in a battle of 3-1 teams. 

This week also begins the series of games played in London, England. Those games start at 9:30 am Sundays, so make sure you get your bets in and set your fantasy lineups before then. All game times listed below are EST. Check your local listings to see which games are available in your area.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 7

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 10

MONDAY, OCTOBER 11