5 NFL Week 5 JB Locks Against The Spread
by Jake Brown (@JBSportsRadio)
Topping a 5-0 week was going to be impossible going into an unpredictable Week 4 slate. I went 2-3 last week bringing my record on the season to 11-9. Week 5 features some diaper dandies mixed in with a couple stinkers. Let's take a look at my five JB locks against the spread in NFL Week 5.
1. Steelers (2-2) @ Jaguars (0-4) (+6.5)
Note to all... if it's a tough week to make picks, always look at whoever is playing the Jaguars. The Steelers are furious after blowing a lead in the final minute to the previously 0-3 Bucs. They are going to come out firing against the Jags in Jacksonville. Blake Bortles didn't look all that bad in his first NFL start against the Chargers, but the Jags will have to go through the growing pains. Expect some turnovers and another lopsided loss down in Florida. The Steelers just can not lose this football game.
LOCK: STEELERS
2. Falcons (2-2) @ Giants (2-2) (-4.5)
The Falcons got off to a nice start to the season, but really took a step back last week. Teddy Bridgewater and the Vikings offense got whatever they wanted against the Atlanta defense. This week they are limping into MetLife Stadium. They will play without three starting offensive lineman. Harry Douglas also likely won't play. You can't say the same for the Giants who likely will have Jon Beason back and for the first time have rookie Odell Beckham Jr. on the field. This shapes up to be the Giants CRUZ-ing to victory lane at home. Their offense is starting to click and they are finally protecting Eli Manning.
LOCK: GIANTS
3. Texans (3-1) @ Cowboys (3-1) (-6.5)
It's the battle for Texas, and surprisingly both teams will be fighting for their fourth win, just five weeks into the season. That's why they play the games. Everyone was worried about the Cowboys defense, myself included, and they have played very well through the first quarter of the season. The Texans defense has led the way for them in their 3-1 start, with J.J. Watt having more touchdowns than Arian Foster. Who would have called that? Let's show some respect to the Cowboys after I picked against them last week. Dallas is home and they will put up 30-plus points in this one. I just can't trust Ryan Fitzpatrick to do the same, especially with Foster banged up. The Cowboys should win this one by double digits.
LOCK: COWBOYS
4. Cardinals (3-0) @ Broncos (2-1) (-7.5)
It's pretty remarkable that the Cardinals are 3-0 with two wins coming behind the arm of backup quarterback Drew Stanton. This team is a legit playoff contender. With that said, the streak won't continue in Denver. The Broncos are coming off a bye and are going to be fired up in this one. They just have too much talent offensively. When it comes down to a shootout, you take Peyton Manning over Stanton twice on Sunday. Expect the Broncos to win this one big.
LOCK: BRONCOS
5. Seahawks (2-1) @ Redskins (1-3) (+7.5)
The Redskins are back in complete disarray. It didn't take too long. After everyone was ready to hail Kirk Cousins as the franchise QB, they took a step back against the Giants last week. This team has the talent, but their defense has looked really bad. They have turned it over too much on offense. The Seahawks are coming off a bye. This doesn't spell success for Cousins. He should throw a couple more picks against the Seahawks secondary. That half point is always tough, especially at 7.5, but if the Giants could blow the doors off the Redskins on the road, the Seahawks should do the same.
LOCK: SEAHAWKS