NFL Week 5 picks: Packers beat Giants; Eagles, Rams win

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The Times’ NFL writer, Sam Farmer, examines this week’s matchups. Lines according to FanDuel Sportsbook (O/U = over/under). Last week’s record 8-8 (.500); season 35-28-1 (.556). Using point spreads with the scores Farmer predicted, the record against the spread last week would have been 6-9-1 (.400); season 33-30-1 (.524). Times Pacific.

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Colts (1-2-1) at Broncos (2-2)

Denver Broncos linebacker Bradley Chubb during the first half against the Las Vegas Raiders.

Thursday, 5:20 p.m.

TV: Amazon Prime

Line: Broncos by 3½. O/U: 42½.

Both teams have lost their No. 1 running back. Denver’s defense is the key here. Patrick Surtain II will be all over Michael Pittman, and the Colts are struggling along the offensive line.

Prediction: Broncos 24, Colts 20

3

Giants (3-1) vs. Packers (3-1)

New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley runs the ball against the Chicago Bears during the first quarter.

Sunday, 6:30 a.m.

TV: NFL Network (London)

Line: Packers by 8½. O/U: 40½.

The Giants will get their yards on the ground, but they’ll have a tough time passing, especially with Daniel Jones hobbled. Running back Aaron Jones has another big game for Green Bay.

Prediction: Packers 28, Giants 17

4

Steelers (1-3) at Bills (3-1)

Buffalo Bills running back Devin Singletary works out prior to a game against the Baltimore Ravens.

Sunday, 10 a.m.

TV: None. DirecTV: 705.

Line: Bills by 14. O/U: 46½.

The Steelers will get a little emotional bump from Kenny Pickett, but the rookie quarterback will take some chances (and some sacks). Josh Allen lights up a Pittsburgh defense that’s missing T.J. Watt.

Prediction: Bills 34, Steelers 18

5

Chargers (2-2) at Browns (2-2)

Chargers running back Austin Ekeler runs past Houston Texans safety Jalen Pitre to score a touchdown.

Sunday, 10 a.m.

TV: Channel 2. DirecTV: 706.

Line: Chargers by 2½. O/U: 47½.

Chargers are the walking wounded, but what else is new? Their defense is giving up running yards, which is a concern, but Justin Herbert helps them overcome the Browns — with or without Keenan Allen.

Prediction: Chargers 24, Browns 20

6

Texans (0-3-1) at Jaguars (2-2)

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence smiles after the team scores a touchdown game the Chargers.

Sunday, 10 a.m.

TV: None. DirecTV: 707.

Line: Jaguars by 7. O/U: 43½.

The Jaguars bounce back at home, and QB Trevor Lawrence plays better than he did against Philadelphia. Still, Davis Mills is a solid QB and the Texans tend to play teams closely. Interesting game.

Prediction: Jaguars 28, Texans 23

7

Dolphins (3-1) at Jets (2-2)

Miami Dolphins tight end Mike Gesicki runs for the play during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Sunday, 10 a.m.

TV: None. DirecTV: 708.

Line: Dolphins by 3. O/U: 45½.

Teddy Bridgewater is going to get Raheem Mostert involved in the screen game, and Miami’s defense is going to turn up the heat on Zach Wilson. Miami has too many weapons in this matchup.

Prediction: Dolphins 30, Jets 21

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Titans (2-2) at Commanders (1-3)

Tennessee Titans running back Hassan Haskins returns a kickoff against the Indianapolis Colts.

Sunday, 10 a.m.

TV: None. DirecTV: 709.

Line: Titans by 2½. O/U: 42½.

The Titans are well coached and better than they should be. They don’t have a lot of weapons and Treylon Burks is hurt. Washington quarterback Carson Wentz is starting to look unreliable again.

Prediction: Titans 24, Commanders 20

9

Bears (2-2) at Vikings (3-1)

Minnesota Vikings linebacker Brian Asamoah II runs up the field during a game against the New Orleans Saints.

Sunday, 10 a.m.

TV: None. DirecTV: 710.

Line: Vikings by 7. O/U: 43½.

The Bears are barely throwing the ball, and that’s not going to change against the Vikings. Minnesota stopped Green Bay’s run pretty well and should do the same against Chicago.

Prediction: Vikings 27, Bears 21

10

Lions (1-3) at Patriots (1-3)

New England Patriots running back Damien Harris celebrates his touchdown with quarterback Bailey Zappe.

Sunday, 10 a.m.

TV: None. DirecTV: 711.

Line: Patriots 3½. O/U: 45½.

The Lions score tons of points and give up tons of points. Patriots third-string QB Bailey Zappe doesn’t have a lot of weapons, but he should do pretty well at home. The Patriots will slow down the game with the run.

Prediction: Patriots 23, Lions 21

11

Seahawks (2-2) at Saints (1-3)

New Orleans Saints tight end Adam Trautman runs the ball up the field during against the Minnesota Vikings.

Sunday, 10 a.m.

TV: None. DirecTV: 712.

Line: Saints by 5½. O/U: 45½.

Geno Smith is playing well, Rashaad Penny is coming off a monster game, and Seattle defenders are keeping stuff in front of them. Still, New Orleans has to be good enough to stop this slide.

Prediction: Saints 27, Seahawks 24

12

Falcons (2-2) at Buccaneers (2-2)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans runs to the line during a game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Sunday, 10 a.m.

TV: Channel 11. DirecTV: 713.

Line: Buccaneers by 9. O/U: 48½.

Tampa Bay tends to score in the 30s against Atlanta. The Falcons have put four games of this read-option stuff on tape, and that helps a Tampa Bay defense that should return to form.

Prediction: Buccaneers 31, Falcons 21

13

49ers (2-2) at Panthers (1-3)

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel runs toward the end zone to score against the Rams.

Sunday, 1:05 p.m.

TV: None. DirecTV: 714.

Line: 49ers by 6½. O/U: 38½.

If Jimmy Garoppolo plays the way he did against the Rams, the 49ers are scary. Their defense is top-notch. Panthers QB Baker Mayfield isn’t playing well, and that Carolina offensive line is struggling.

Prediction: 49ers 30, Panthers 17

14

Eagles (4-0) at Cardinals (2-2)

Philadelphia Eagles linebackers Haason Reddick and T.J. Edwards against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Sunday, 1:25 p.m.

TV: None. DirecTV: 715.

Line: Eagles by 5½. O/U: 48½.

The undefeated Eagles keep it rolling. Philadelphia’s defensive and offensive lines dominate in this matchup. Arizona figures to start slowly and then pick up some cosmetic yards in the second half.

Prediction: Eagles 34, Cardinals 23

15

Cowboys (3-1) at Rams (2-2)

Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp catches a pass and runs against the San Francisco 49ers.

Sunday, 1:25 p.m.

TV: Channel 11. DirecTV: 716.

Line: Rams by 5½. O/U: 43½.

The Rams were embarrassed in Santa Clara so they need to bounce back. They tend to match up well against Dallas and should be able to bring Cooper Rush back to earth. Micah Parsons is scary.

Prediction: Rams 24, Cowboys 20

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Bengals (2-2) at Ravens (2-2)

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase catches a pass against the Miami Dolphins.

Sunday, 5:20 p.m.

TV: Channel 4

Line: Ravens by 3. O/U: 48½.

The Bengals are coming on a little bit, and Baltimore’s pass defense is a liability. Cincinnati can score and is solid at stopping the run, which puts a ton of pressure on Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson.

Prediction: Bengals 30, Ravens 27

17

Raiders (1-3) at Chiefs (3-1)

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes changes the call during a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Monday, 5:15 p.m.

TV: ESPN

Line: Chiefs by 7½. O/U: 51½.

Division opponents, so this figures to be closer than a lot of people expect. The Raiders need to dump this strategy of trying to slow down games in the second half. The Chiefs have too much.

Prediction: Chiefs 34, Raiders 27