NFL Upset Picks, Predictions: Top Underdog Picks for Week 5
Week 4 in the NFL was the first week of the season where an underdog of at least 7 points did not win outright. That doesn't mean the 'dogs didn't bark, as favorites went 11-5. We are back to highlight the top upset picks for the NFL's Week 5 action.
While the top three favorites from last week made it out unscathed, the biggest favorites of the week, the Green Bay Packers, needed overtime to come out victorious against the New England Patriots. Entering Week 5, 10 of the 16 underdogs have point spreads of +5 or shorter, which means we could be in for another handful of upsets.
Here are our top NFL upset picks for Week 5 (odds via FanDuel Sportsbook and DraftKings Sportsbook).
NFL Upset Picks for Week 5
NFL Week 5 Underdog Predictions
Browns (+136)
At some point, the Los Angeles Chargers' injuries will catch up with them. Los Angeles navigated injuries to Keenan Allen, Rashawn Slater, and Joey Bosa, among others, on the road against the Houston Texans. But the Texans are now 4-28-1 straight up against everyone over than the Jacksonville Jaguars over the last few seasons, and we expect the Cleveland Browns to be a much more formidable challenge.
Browns running back Nick Chubb is the only player in the league with 100-plus scrimmage yards in all four games this season and will challenge a Chargers defense that has allowed at least one 50-plus yard run in three consecutive games. The Browns have run for 170-plus yards in their first four games, marking the first time their franchise has accomplished that feat since 1958. Thus, a strong running game would do wonders for keeping Chargers QB Justin Herbert off the field. He has 300-plus yards in seven consecutive road games, becoming just the second player in history to do that.
Cleveland is more equipped to take advantage of L.A.'s shortcomings than Houston was, and a second consecutive road game should take its toll on the Chargers this week.
Check out our NFL betting trends to know for Week 5.
Lions (+140)
Welcome to the bizarro world of 2022, where we expect the Detroit Lions to go into Foxborough and upset Bill Belichick's New England Patriots. This wager comes with the caveat that neither Mac Jones (ankle) nor Brian Hoyer (head) is under center for New England.
Bailey Zappe became the first NFL rookie to throw a touchdown pass this season, going 10-for-15 for 99 yards in relief of the injured Hoyer. However, his QBR of 16 is still underwhelming, and he had never been given much time to work with the first team offense in the offseason. No matter who New England's quarterback is, he will have to put up points, as Detroit leads the league with 35.0 points per game.
Detroit was without leading receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and top running back D'Andre Swift last week and still racked up 520 yards and 45 points on the Seattle Seahawks. This could be a tricky spot for Zappe, who needs to be brought up to speed in a hurry.
Cardinals (+195)
The Philadelphia Eagles are the only unbeaten team remaining in the league, which speaks to the parity in the NFL that just one team remains unscathed through four weeks. We are taking a flier on the Arizona Cardinals to snap a seven-game home losing skid (their longest since 1956-58) in a big way this week.
Arizona's offense looks to build on the momentum it generated in the second half of last week's 26-16 road win against the Carolina Panthers. The Cardinals scored on their first four possessions of the second half (three touchdowns, one field goal), as QB Kyler Murray went 10-for-12 with 117 yards and three touchdowns over the final 30 minutes.
The Eagles have a huge home date looming with the Dallas Cowboys next week, making this week's trip to the desert a tricky spot and a likely upset if they are not careful.
Where to Bet on NFL Upset Picks
Here are our top-rated sportsbooks:
NFL Week 5 upset picks made 10/4/2022 at 5:54 a.m. ET.
Related Articles
