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(Updated 12:01 PM) NFL Week 5 Sunday - The 1:00 pm Games to Watch

PLUS: Updated Inactive List, Predictions, Betting Odds and Top Picks

Author

Kevin Draft
October 08, 2023

Game Day Insights
Read Time: 5 mins

NFL Week 5 Sunday 1 pm Games are About to Kick Off

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 8

NFL Week 5 rolls on with six early 1 p.m. games, followed by four in the late afternoon. While the early games promise to offer their own intrigue, all eyes may be set on the Dallas vs. San Francisco showdown on Sunday Night Football.

Why is this matchup so anticipated?

It's a throwback to past playoffs and a potential teaser of upcoming postseason battles.

In their recent history, the 49ers have been a thorn in the Cowboys' side, dashing their Super Bowl dreams in consecutive postseasons. This sentiment led Cowboys owner Jerry Jones to declare that the road to the Super Bowl inevitably leads through San Francisco.

Guided by Coach Kyle Shanahan, the 49ers are arguably the toughest team the Cowboys have squared off against this season, excelling both offensively and defensively.

Dallas, despite their undeniable talent, has displayed weak spots, particularly when facing teams with potent running games.

Considering the 49ers' prowess in ground offense, complemented by their sharp passing strategies, it's shaping up to be a nail-biter for the Cowboys.

It’s almost game time. Let’s get it!


  1. 1:00pm Matchups

  2. Our Take

  3. Betting Nuggets

  4. Injury Report

  5. Inactive List (updated as of 12 Noon ET)

Texans (2-2) vs. Bills (2-2)


Our Take

Two quarterbacks, C.J. Stroud and Desmond Ridder, are on diverging paths in their careers. Stroud has been phenomenal for Houston, recently achieving impressive stats against the Jags and Steelers, averaging 9.8 yards per attempt and leading the team to score 30 points in two successive games. This is a significant feat for Houston, as they last accomplished this in 2020. On the other hand, Ridder, despite having a talented team around him, has yet to perform well. Leading the Falcons, he only scored 13 points in their last two games and has had four giveaways. Interestingly, as many as Stroud's touchdown passes. Ridder is desperately in need of a comeback. He has a perfect record at Mercedes-Benz Stadium but struggles on the road. However, given the Texans' current form and confidence, it might be tough for Ridder to find his footing in the upcoming game.

Betting Nuggets

  • The Falcons are 0-3 ATS in their past three games.

  • The Texans are 4-1 ATS in their past five road games.

  • Arthur Smith is 4-6 ATS as a home favorite.

Injury Report

TEXANS

  • OUT: OT Josh Jones (hand), LB Christian Harris (concussion)

  • QUESTIONABLE: WR John Metchie III (illness), OT Laremy Tunsil (knee), DT Maliek Collins (abdomen), LB Jake Hansen (neck), CB Shaquill Griffin (calf)

FALCONS

  • N/A

Panthers (0-4) vs. Lions (3-1)

Our Take

Bryce Young may face challenges against the Lions, who recently dominated Jordan Love with 11 hits in a single game. With the advantage of a mini-bye and playing at home, the Lions are poised to exploit one of the weakest offensive lines in the league. Young, the rookie quarterback, has been struggling, managing only one touchdown in his last 10 quarters. The Detroit defense is likely eager to capitalize on this.

Betting Nuggets

  • They are 14-5 ATS at home under Dan Campbell, the best ATS record in that span.

  • Jared Goff is 58-43-2 ATS in his career, including 58-36-2 ATS since his second season (0-7 ATS as rookie).

  • Frank Reich is 5-2-1 ATS in his career as at least a six-point underdog.

Injury Report

PANTHERS

  • OUT: TE Stephen Sullivan (hip), OG Austin Corbett (knee), S Xavier Woods (hamstring)

  • QUESTIONABLE: CB Donte Jackson (shoulder)

LIONS

  • OUT: FB Jason Cabinda (knee), DB Brian Branch (ankle)\

  • DOUBTFUL: RB Jahmyr Gibbs (hamstring), WR Amon-Ra St. Brown (abdomen), TE James Mitchell (hamstring)

  • QUESTIONABLE: WR Josh Reynolds (groin), WR Jameson Williams (not injury-related), OT Taylor Decker (ankle), OG Halapoulivaati Vaitai (knee), LB Julian Okwara (shoulder), CB Emmanuel Moseley (knee/hamstring), S Kerby Joseph (hip)

Titans (2-2) vs Colts (2-2)

Our Take

The AFC South has all teams at a 2-2 record, showcasing league parity. However, the Titans and Colts seem to be on different trajectories. The older Titans aim for their third division title in four years, while the rising Colts are targeting their first in almost ten years. The key questions are whether Mike Vrabel can secure his sixth consecutive win against the Colts or if Shane Steichen will achieve his inaugural home victory as head coach. The matchup between Derrick Henry and Anthony Richardson also promises excitement. Given the game's location, the prediction leans towards the Colts.

Betting Nuggets

  • The Titans have covered nine straight games in October. They are 11-2 ATS in October since 2020, 9-1 ATS since 2021 and 5-0 ATS since last season.

  • The Colts are 1-6 ATS as favorites since the start of last season. They are 1-8 ATS in their last nine games as favorites.

  • The Colts are 6-14 ATS in division games since 2020.

Injury Report

TITANS

  • OUT: WR Treylon Burks (knee), OT Nicholas Petit-Frere (not injury-related), DL Teair Tart (toe), LB Luke Gifford (hamstring)

COLTS

  • OUT: LT Bernhard Raimann (concussion), OLB Shaquille Leonard (groin), DE Kwity Paye (concussion)

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

Our Take

The Dolphins have a favorable chance to rebound against the Giants, who have the lowest scoring record this season. While the Giants may slightly improve their performance, especially if Saquon Barkley plays, their weak offensive line remains a concern. Brian Daboll's team is not equipped to compete with the top-scoring teams in the league.

Betting Nuggets

  • Daniel Jones is 18-9 ATS on the road and 17-6 ATS as a road underdog.

  • Tua Tagovailoa is 8-3 ATS as a home favorite.

  • The Giants are 5-0 ATS in non-conference games under Brian Daboll.

  • The Dolphins are 1-8-1 ATS in October since 2021.

Injury Report

GIANTS

  • OUT: G Shane Lemieux (groin), C John Michael Schmitz (shoulder), OT Andrew Thomas (hamstring)

  • QUESTIONABLE: RB Saquon Barkley (ankle), TE Daniel Bellinger (knee), LB Micah McFadden (ankle)

DOLPHINS

  • OUT: OL Robert Jones (knee), CB Nik Needham (Achilles)

  • QUESTIONABLE: C Connor Williams (groin), OL Lester Cotton (ankle), LB Jaelan Phillips (oblique)

Saints (2-2) vs Patriots (1-3)

Our Take

Derek Carr and the Saints' offense underperformed last week. However, facing the Patriots, who average even fewer points per game than the Saints, provides a favorable matchup for New Orleans. Despite the Saints' lack of explosive plays, they have a good chance to outdo New England in their upcoming game.

Betting Nuggets

  • All four Saints games have gone under the total this season.

  • Mac Jones is 12-7-1 ATS as a favorite including 5-1 ATS in his past six.

  • Over the last 10 seasons, the Saints are 26-10 ATS in October, while the Patriots are 26-14 ATS. The two best records in the NFL in that span.

Injury Report

SAINTS

  • OUT: TE Juwan Johnson (calf), OT Landon Young (hip), S Lonnie Johnson (hamstring)

  • QUESTIONABLE: QB Derek Carr (right shoulder), G Andrus Peat (concussion), OL James Hurst (ankle), CB Paulson Adebo (hamstring)

PATRIOTS

  • OUT: LB Matthew Judon (elbow), CB Christian Gonzalez (shoulder)

  • QUESTIONABLE: RB Rhamondre Stevenson (thigh), OL Trent Brown (chest), OL Riley Reiff (knee), OG Cole Strange (knee), DL Christian Barmore (knee), DL Trey Flowers (foot), DL Davon Godchaux (ankle), CB Jonathan Jones (ankle), CB Shaun Wade (shoulder), DB Cody Davis (knee)

Ravens (3-1) vs. Steelers (2-2)

Our Take

Kenny Pickett's return from a knee injury is positive for the Steelers. However, their offense hasn't performed as expected, failing to reach 300 total yards in three out of four games. Baltimore is bolstered by the return of Rashod Bateman, Odell Beckham Jr., and Marlon Humphrey to practice. If they play alongside Zay Flowers and Mark Andrews, Lamar Jackson, with his impressive passer rating against division rivals, could dominate the struggling Pittsburgh defense. The prediction is in favor of the Ravens, who, with a victory, would match the 2019 Chiefs in winning their first three divisional road games.

Betting Nuggets

  • Lamar Jackson is 20-9-2 ATS in his career on the road.

  • The Steelers have covered four straight games after a loss.

  • The Ravens are 9-17 ATS as favorites over the past three seasons.

Injury Report

RAVENS

  • OUT: OLB Odafe Oweh (ankle), S Daryl Worley (shoulder)

  • DOUBTFUL: OT Morgan Moses (shoulder)

  • QUESTIONABLE: RB Justice Hill (foot, hamstring), RB Keaton Mitchell (shoulder), WR Odell Beckham Jr. (ankle), CB Marlon Humphrey (foot)

STEELERS

  • OUT: TE Pat Freiermuth (hamstring), OT Dan Moore (knee), OL James Daniels (groin), DL DeMarvin Leal (concussion), P Pressley Harvin III (right hamstring)

  • QUESTIONABLE: LB Alex Highsmith (groin)

Updated as of 12:45 pm ET

Panthers

  • Xavier Woods (S)

  • Stephen Sullivan (TE)

Lions

  • Brian Branch (S)

  • Jason Cabinda (LB)

Ravens

  • Odafe Oweh (DE)

  • Daryl Worley (CB)

Steelers

  • Pat Freiermuth (TE)

  • DeMarvin Leal (DT)

Texans

  • Christian Harris (LB)

Falcons

  • n/a

Saints

  • Juwan Johnson (TE)

  • Lonnie Johnson Jr. (CB)

Patriots

  • Matthew Judon (LB)

  • Christian Gonzalez (CB)

Titans

  • Treylon Burks (WR)

  • Luke Gifford (LB)

  • Teair Tart (DT)

Colts

  • Shaquille Leonard (LB)

  • Kwity Paye (DE)

Giants

  • n/a

Dolphins

  • Chase Claypool (WR)

  • Nik Needham (CB)