NFL - My 5 Best Bets for Week 5

Buffalo Bills (3-1) @ Cincinnati Bengals (1-3) - Paul Brown Stadium

BET = Over 40.5 Total Points ($2.05) 

After a miserably slow start to the season, Andy Dalton and the Bengals’ offence are finally showing signs of life. The Bills’ defence has been very stingy here, however they face a real test against an improving opponent. The Bengals’ defence always give up some big plays, so my thinking is this game will be higher scoring than anticipated and can go over 40 points. 

Carolina Panthers (3-1) @ Detroit Lions (3-1) - Ford Field

Bet = Over 43.5 Total Points ($2)

This could be the bet of the round, for me, with both sides’ offences capable of putting up big numbers. Played in perfect indoor conditions at Ford Field,the Lions have been involved in plenty of highs scoring shootouts at home over the past 12 months. Panthers’ quarterback Cam Newton got back to somewhere near his best last week. throwing for 3 touchdowns and over 300 yards in a raid victory over the Patriots. 

Baltimore Ravens (2-2) @ Oakland Raiders (2-2) - Oakland Coliseum

BET = Baltimore Ravens +3.5  ($1.80) 

I'm really surprised the Raiders are favourites here, given it seems more than likely Derek Carr will miss the game with a back injury. Even with Carr the past 2 weeks the Raiders’ offence has looked a mess and with EJ Manuel under centre, I can't see that improving. The Ravens are also coming off 2 poor defeats, however I think even if they don't win this game, it will go right down to the wire. 

Seattle Seahawks (2-2) @ Los Angeles Rams (3-1)- Los Angeles Coliseum

BET = Los Angles Rams -1.5 ($1.90) 

The Rams have a great record against the Seahawks at home, having won at the LA Coliseum last year when the teams met. That was when the Rams were terrible, and now they are playing like one of the best teams in the NFL behind a high flying offence. The Seahawks are just not the same team on the road as they are at home, having gone down convincingly in both games this year. 

Kansas City Chiefs (4-0) @Houston Texans (2-2) - NRG Stadium

BET = Kansas City Chiefs -1.5 ($2) 

The Chiefs love going to Houston, having blown out the Texans in their home stadium in each of the past 2 seasons. I know there is plenty of hype about DeShaun Watson and rightly so; however he has not come up against a defence as rounded and impressive as the Chiefs. The Chiefs, to me, look like the best balanced side in football at the moment, and I think they can roll in Houston and win this game fairly comfortably.