NFL Week 5 TV Schedule, Point Spreads, Announcers, and Picks

Update: The NFL Week 17 TV schedule, point spreads, and picks post is up.

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Well, this is the earliest I’ve ever gotten the new NFL TV schedule, spreads, and picks post up. I’m putting the finishing touches on it as I watch Monday Night Countdown in anticipation of the Vikings-Packers game tonight.

But in three or four hours, this game will be over and we’ll all be turning our attention to the pivotal games on the Week 5 schedule: Bengals-Ravens, Falcons-49ers, and the biggest game of the week: Bill Belichick and the Patriots traveling to Denver to face former Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and his 4-0 Broncos.

None of these games will have the anticipation of tonight’s Favre-Packers clash, but the ante gets upped each week and lines of demarcation between the haves and have nots becomes more strongly defined.

As always, this post is designed to be the most complete viewing guide you’ll find anywhere. Not only is every game listed (with date, time, network, and announcer pairing) but we also give you the point spread and over-under, as well as an educated guess at a spread pick for each game.

Through three weeks I am 35-27 against the spread. I had my first week at 50% last week, so I’m looking to rebound this week.

Read on for the NFL Week 5 tv schedule, point spreads, and picks.

A couple of quick things to keep in mind:

• All times are ET.
• Some games do not have all of the information filled in as of this post being published (i.e. a few games don’t have spreads yet and the announcer assignments have not yet been announced). I’ll up date this post as soon as the information is available at the506.com.
• Point spread and over-under listings are as of Monday night, and obviously subject to change throughout the week. If you want update point spread info, or some expert advice as you make your weekly picks, below are a few helpful links.
• DocSports: NFL Odds
• DocSports: NFL Picks

And with all that said, here is your mood music and the Week 5 TV schedule, point spreads, announcers, and free picks, and byes.

NFL Week 5 Viewer’s Guide

TV Schedule – Announcers – Kickoff Times – Byes

Point Spreads – Free Picks – Odds – Over-Unders

Cincinnati Bengals (3-1) at Baltimore Ravens (3-1)

• Bengals-Ravens Date: Sunday, October 11th
• Bengals-Ravens Kickoff Time: 1:00 PM
• Bengals-Ravens TV Network: CBS
• Bengals-Ravens Announcers: GUS JOHNSON and Steve Tasker
• Bengals-Ravens Point Spread: Ravens -8.5
• Bengals-Ravens Over-Under: 42
• Bengals-Ravens Spread Pick: What an intriguing game. Baltimore has been outstanding this year and could very well have beaten New England. Cincinnati has also played well, but barely squeaked by Cleveland last week. I think the Bengals were looking past the Browns towards the Ravens and should be ready to play. However, ready or not, Cedric Benson is not running on the Ravens and the Carson-Ochocinco connection won’t be able to do enough to keep the Bengals in this on the road. Bengals-Ravens free pick: Ravens -8.5

Oakland Raiders (1-3) at New York Giants (4-0)

• Raiders-Giants Date: Sunday, October 11th
• Raiders-Giants Kickoff Time: 1:00 PM
• Raiders-Giants TV Network: CBS
• Raiders-Giants Announcers: Greg Gumbel and Dan Dierdorf
• Raiders-Giants Point Spread: Giants -16.5
• Raiders-Giants Over-Under: 40.5
• Raiders-Giants Spread Pick: Hahahaha. This game just makes me laugh. The spread, however, does not. 16.5 points is a lot of points, even against a team as bad as the Raiders. And now we have reports that Eli Manning may have plantar fasciitis.  Guess what? I don’t care. Maybe if this game was in Oakland I’d think about it, but I don’t think the Raiders can compete with the Giants. Raiders-Giants free pick: Giants -16.5

Dallas Cowboys (2-2) at Kansas City Chiefs (0-4)

• Cowboys-Chiefs Date: Sunday, October 11th
• Cowboys-Chiefs Kickoff Time: 1:00 PM
• Cowboys-Chiefs TV Network: FOX
• Cowboys-Chiefs Announcers: Joe Buck and Troy Aikman
• Cowboys-Chiefs Point Spread: Cowboys -9.5
• Cowboys-Chiefs Over-Under: 42.5
• Cowboys-Chiefs Spread Pick: The Cowboys are a Jekyll-Hyde team. They dominated Tampa Bay in Week 1 and have looked good on offense at times, but Tony Romo has also played very poorly in stretches this year. 9.5 points is a lot for a road team to cover, even playing a team as bad as the Chiefs. But the Chiefs did come within 11 of the Giants last week, and the Giants are a much better team right now than the Cowboys, especially if both Roy Wiliams and Felix Jones are out. Cowboys-Chiefs free pick: Chiefs +9.5

Washington Redskins (2-2) at Carolina Panthers (0-3)

• Redskins-Panthers Date: Sunday, October 11th
• Redskins-Panthers Kickoff Time: 1:00 PM
• Redskins-Panthers TV Network: FOX
• Redskins-Panthers Announcers: Thom Brennaman and Brian Billick
• Redskins-Panthers Point Spread: Panthers -3.5
• Redskins-Panthers Over-Under: 37
• Redskins-Panthers Spread Pick: Yuck. I am not a big fan of this game. Sure, Washington is 2-2, but their wins have come against St. Louis and Tampa Bay, with a loss to Detroit sprinkled in there. I have to think that the Panthers, coming off of a bye, will be ready to play and ready to win. The question is, can they win by more than a field goal? I would not be willing to take that bet. Redskins-Panthers free pick: Redskins +3.5

Minnesota Vikings (4-0) at St. Louis Rams (0-4)

• Vikings-Rams Date: Sunday, October 11th
• Vikings-Rams Kickoff Time: 1:00 PM
• Vikings-Rams TV Network: FOX
• Vikings-Rams Announcers: Chris Myers and Charles Davis
• Vikings-Rams Point Spread: Vikings -9.5
• Vikings-Rams Over-Under: 40.5
• Vikings-Rams Spread Pick: I don’t know what the line is on this game, and we won’t until Tuesday, but barring some sort of catastrophic injury in tonight’s game to Adrian Peterson, I’m going with the Vikings minus whatever the point spread is. Vikings-Rams free pick: Vikings -9.5

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-4) at Philadelphia Eagles (2-1)

• Buccaneers-Eagles Date: Sunday, October 11th
• Buccaneers-Eagles Kickoff Time: 1:00 PM
• Buccaneers-Eagles TV Network: FOX
• Buccaneers-Eagles Announcers: Sam Rosen and Tim Ryan
• Buccaneers-Eagles Point Spread: Eagles -14.5
• Buccaneers-Eagles Over-Under: 43
• Buccaneers-Eagles Spread Pick: Another game where there is no line right now, most likely as we await word on who will start at QB and RB for the Eagles. I expect it to be Donovan McNabb and Brian Westbrook. Even if it was Kevin Kolb and LeSean McCoy, I’d pick the Eagles minus whatever the spread is at home. Buccaneers-Eagles free pick: Eagles -14.5

Pittsburgh Steelers (2-2) at Detroit Lions (1-3)

• Steelers-Lions Date: Sunday, October 11th
• Steelers-Lions Kickoff Time: 1:00 PM
• Steelers-Lions TV Network: CBS
• Steelers-Lions Announcers: Dick Enberg and Dan Fouts
• Steelers-Lions Point Spread: Steelers -10.5
• Steelers-Lions Over-Under: 44
• Steelers-Lions Spread Pick: It is very tempting to pick the Lions here…very tempting. They are playing better football lately, and they are at home. And 10.5 points is a large spread against a team, Pittsburgh, that has not been dominant this year. Still, I’m going with the Steelers. I think we may have seen the birth of Rashard Mendenhall last night, which could signal the rebirth of a balanced offensive attack for the Steelers. Their defense isn’t as dominating without Troy Polamalu, but it’s good enough against a rookie QB or Daunte Culpepper, if Stafford can’t go. Steelers-Lions free pick: Steelers -10.5

Cleveland Browns (0-4) at Buffalo Bills (1-3)

• Browns-Bills Date: Sunday, October 11th
• Browns-Bills Kickoff Time: 1:00 PM
• Browns-Bills TV Network: CBS
• Browns-Bills Announcers: Don Criqui and Randy Cross
• Browns-Bills Point Spread: Bills -6.5
• Browns-Bills Over-Under: 40.5
• Browns-Bills Spread Pick: I’ll be honest with you: I think this is the easiest game of the week to pick, and it’s not because I’m a Browns fan. Cleveland is a much better team with Derek Anderson at QB and with the dynamic Jerome Harrison in the backfield. Rookie WR Mohammed Massaquoi stepped up last week to give Derek Anderson a reliable option on the outside. And Cleveland’s defense has not been as bad as advertised this year.  Oh, and the Bills are coming off of two horrendous offensive performances. I don’t know if Cleveland will win this game, but they are definitely keeping it within in a TD. Browns-Bills free pick: Browns +6.5

Atlanta Falcons (2-1) at San Francisco 49ers (3-1)

• Falcons-49ers Date: Sunday, October 11th
• Falcons-49ers Kickoff Time: 4:05 PM
• Falcons-49ers TV Network: FOX
• Falcons-49ers Announcers: Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston, and Tony Siragusa
• Falcons-49ers Point Spread: 49ers -2.5
• Falcons-49ers Over-Under: 41
• Falcons-49ers Spread Pick: This is an enticing game. Atlanta is a very good team that ran into a tough, focused Patriots team for their only loss of the year. And without a miracle throw-catch from Brett Favre to Greg Lewis, the 49ers would be undefeated. I think Shaun Hill is one of the more underrated QBs in the league, but I don’t think he’s on Matt Ryan’s level yet. San Francisco has a good defense, and could well win a close game, but I don’t think they cover 2.5 points; in fact, I think Atlanta wins this one outright, even though I am still very high on the 49ers overall this year. Falcons-49ers free pick: Falcons +2.5

Houston Texans (2-2) at Arizona Cardinals (1-2)

• Texans-Cardinals Date: Sunday, October 11th
• Texans-Cardinals Kickoff Time: 4:15 PM
• Texans-Cardinals TV Network: CBS
• Texans-Cardinals Announcers: Ian Eagle and Rich Gannon
• Texans-Cardinals Point Spread: Cardinals -5.5
• Texans-Cardinals Over-Under: 48
• Texans-Cardinals Spread Pick: Talk about a couple of up and down teams. I would certainly anticipate this game going over the 48, and it’s something of a crap shoot as to who will win. Arizona is rested coming off its bye, and is also at home, so I like them to win, but 5.5 points is a decent number. The fact that Houston may have rediscovered Steve Slaton and the running game would make me nervous if I was a Cards fans. I like Houston with the points. Texans-Cardinals free pick: Texans +5.5

New England Patriots (3-1) at Denver Broncos (4-0)

• Patriots-Broncos Date: Sunday, October 11th
• Patriots-Broncos Kickoff Time: 1:00 PM
• Patriots-Broncos TV Network: CBS
• Patriots-Broncos Announcers: Jim Nantz and Phil Simms
• Patriots-Broncos Point Spread: Patriots -3.5
• Patriots-Broncos Over-Under: 41.5
• Patriots-Broncos Spread Pick: Absolutely the game of the week. If this one was in New England, I’d like the Pats and the points, but in Denver I think the Broncos can cover and there is one main reason why: pressure. The Broncos can mirror what the Jets did to New England: pressure Tom Brady and cover Randy Mass. Elvis Dumervil and Champ Bailey have been great this year. I think Tom Brady leads New England to a close victory, but I don’t think they are getting it done by more than a field goal. Patriots-Broncos free pick: Broncos +3.5

Jacksonville Jaguars (2-2) at Seattle Seahawks (1-3)

• Jaguars-Seahawks Date: Sunday, October 11th
• Jaguars-Seahawks Kickoff Time: 1:00 PM
• Jaguars-Seahawks TV Network: CBS
• Jaguars-Seahawks Announcers: Kevin Harlan and Solomon Wilcots
• Jaguars-Seahawks Point Spread: No line as of Monday, probably awaiting news on Matt Hasselbeck
• Jaguars-Seahawks Over-Under: No line as of Monday, probably awaiting news on Matt Hasselbeck
• Jaguars-Seahawks Spread Pick: There is not a line on this game yet, most likely because Matt Hasselbeck’s status is still up in the air. I’d have to assume that this game will be something close to a pick ‘em. Jacksonville has rebounded to play relatively well the last couple of weeks, whereas Seattle has been all over the place. I still like the Seahawks to win because they are at home, but I’ll have to see the spread to pick this one. Jaguars-Seahawks free pick: waiting for the spread…

Indianapolis Colts (4-0) at Tennessee Titans (0-4)

• Colts-Titans Date: Sunday, October 11th
• Colts-Titans Kickoff Time: 8:20 PM
• Colts-Titans TV Network: NBC
• Colts-Titans Announcers: Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth
• Colts-Titans Point Spread: Colts -3.5
• Colts-Titans Over-Under: 45.5
• Colts-Titans Spread Pick: Wow. Here is another easy one. Tennessee has been terrible this year. I keep picking them thinking that surely their pride and talent will at some point remind us of the team we saw last year. That has not happened yet, and I don’t think it’s going to happen against the Colts and high-octane offense. I don’t even care if Dwight Freeney or Bob Sanders play in this game; I think Indianapolis wins it by two TDs.  Until Tennessee proves it can stop someone from throwing the ball, why would you predict them to get well against the best QB in the league? Please, I’ll give 3.5 and be confident I could give double digits even on the road. Colts-Titans free pick: Colts -3.5

New York Jets (3-1) at Miami Dolphins (1-3)

• Jets-Dolphins Date: Sunday, October 11th
• Jets-Dolphins Kickoff Time: 8:30 PM
• Jets-Dolphins TV Network: ESPN
• Jets-Dolphins Announcers: Mike Tirico, Ron Jaworski, and Jon Gruden
• Jets-Dolphins Point Spread: Jets -1.5
• Jets-Dolphins Over-Under: 36.5
• Jets-Dolphins Spread Pick: This is a huge game for the Dolphins. They can slowly but surely sneak their way back into the AFC East discussion with a win and a New England loss on the road to Denver. The question, of course, will be whether or not Chad Henne can handle the Jets’ immense pressure; and, whether or not the Dolphins can effectively operate their Wildcat offense against Rex Ryan and his defensive madmen. I’d really like to say yes — and the presence of turnover machine Sanchez gives me hope — but I think the Jets’ D will good enough to overwhelm Miami on Monday night. Jets-Dolphins free pick: Jets -1.5

The following teams have bye weeks in Week 5: Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, New Orleans Saints, San Diego Chargers

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