New Jersey sportsbooks had most of the NFL Week 5 opening lines posted even before Week 4 was through.
The New Orleans Saints upset the Dallas Cowboys 12-10 to end Sunday’s NFL action. However, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals were still set to square off on Monday Night Football when oddsmakers opened the Week 5 betting markets.
With the disappointing Miami Dolphins enjoying a bye week, there were no 20-point spreads posted. The Detroit Lions are the other team taking Week 5 off.
NFL Week 5 opening lines
Here’s a look at the NFL Week 5 opening lines at the top three NJ sports betting apps (updated on Oct. 1):
NFL Week 4 | DraftKings | FanDuel | William Hill |
---|---|---|---|
Rams @ Seahawks |
49.5 -1.5 |
-1 49.5 |
-1.5 49 |
Jaguars @ Panthers |
41 -3.5 |
41 -3.5 |
41 -3.5 |
Patriots @ Redskins |
-15 43.5 |
-15 43.5 |
-15 43.5 |
Bills @ Titans |
No line |
38.5 -2.5 |
No line |
Ravens @ Steelers |
-3.5 44 |
-3.5 44 |
-3.5 44.5 |
Cardinals @ Bengals |
47 -3 |
47.5 -3.5 |
47.5 -3 |
Bears @ Raiders |
-4.5 40 |
-5 40.5 |
No line |
Falcons @ Texans |
49 -5 |
49 -5 |
48.5 -5 |
Buccaneers @ Saints |
47 -3.5 |
47.5 -3 |
47 -3 |
Vikings @ Giants |
-5 45.5 |
-5.5 45 |
-5.5 44.5 |
Jets @ Eagles |
44.5 -13.5 |
44.5 -13.5 |
43.5 -13.5 |
Broncos @ Chargers |
44.5 -6.5 |
44.5 -6 |
44.5 -6.5 |
Packers @ Cowboys |
46 -3.5 |
45.5 -3.5 |
46 -3.5 |
Colts @ Chiefs |
56.5 -10.5 |
57 -11 |
56.5 -11 |
Browns @ 49ers |
48.5 -3.5 |
46.5 -3.5 |
46.5 -3.5 |
The impact of injuries on the odds
Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen entered the NFL’s concussion protocol in a loss to the New England Patriots on Sunday.
As a result, most NJ sportsbooks appeared to be waiting for news on his status before setting lines for the Bills versus the Tenessee Titans in Week 5. However, FanDuel Sportsbook did post an opening spread with the Titans at -3.
Major injuries in the Philadelphia Eagles secondary had oddsmakers hesitating as well. Many were still setting lines for the Eagles and New York Jets Week 5 matchup during the late game Sunday.
In fact, DraftKings Sportsbook had yet to set a line on Sunday Night.
However, by the time the Sunday Night game was just about done, FanDuel and William Hill (Caesars Sportsbook) had the Eagles favored by 13.5 and 14 points respectively. DraftKings followed shortly thereafter.
Oddsmakers are clearly putting more stock in how bad the Jets are. It doesn’t seem to matter who will play corner for the Eagles in Week 5.
Giants underdogs again
They are coming off a 24-3 drubbing of the Washington Redskins. However, the New York Giants return to home underdog status again. The Giants face the Minnesota Vikings in Week 5.
Again, this says more about oddsmakers opinion of Washington than anything else. Even a convincing win against the lowly Redskins can’t give oddsmakers confidence in the Giants at home.
In the meantime, the Redskins will enter Week 5 as the biggest underdog. Washington is getting anywhere from 14.5 to 15 points against the vaunted Patriots.
Chiefs getting Super Bowl buzz
The only other double-digit opening spread features the home Kansas City Chiefs at -10 against the Indianapolis Colts.
Behind the play of QB Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City is getting a lot of Super Bowl buzz already. This line could be one that moves significantly before kickoff.
The Chiefs are an obvious Week 5 home favorite. However, there are a somewhat surprising five road favorites this week.
A clearer picture of the NFL’s real contenders and pretenders has begun to emerge. The NFL Week 5 opening lines certainly reflect that.