As the season turns the corner into October, this weekend delivers a slate that blends more divisional rivalries, international flavor, and heavyweight showdowns with plenty of intrigue. The action begins Thursday night in Los Angeles, where the Rams, now one of the NFC’s steadier teams, host a battered 49ers squad in a matchup that could shake up the West, and continues Sunday morning with the Vikings facing the Browns in London in what projects to be a grind-it-out contest dominated by defenses. The afternoon window offers even more intrigue, as the Texans travel to Baltimore hoping to expose a struggling Ravens squad, while the Broncos head to Philadelphia aiming to end the Eagles’ perfect start. Later, the Commanders and Chargers meet in SoFi Stadium’s second game of the weekend, the Lions try to flex their muscle in Cincinnati as double-digit favorites, and the Patriots and Bills reignite their AFC East rivalry under the Sunday night lights. By the time Patrick Mahomes and Trevor Lawrence square off on Monday in Jacksonville, the first round of bye weeks will already be underway, adding to the sense that Week 5 marks a true turning point in the NFL season, so with all of that in mind, let’s look into each matchup:

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Thursday, October 2

49ers @ Rams (-8.5) (O/U: 44.5)

SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA

8:15 pm, Prime Video

Best Bet: Under 44.5

Prediction

Final Score: Rams 27, 49ers 16

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Sunday, October 5

Vikings (-3.5) vs. Browns (O/U: 41.5)

Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, UK

9:30 am, NFL Network

Best Bet: Quinshon Judkins o75.5 Rushing Yards

Prediction

Final Score: Vikings 21, Browns 17

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Texans (-2.5) @ Ravens (O/U: 41.5)

M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, MD

1 pm, CBS

Best Bet: Xavier Hutchinson o12.5 Receiving Yards

Prediction

Final Score: Texans 24, Ravens 13

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Broncos @ Eagles (-4.5) (O/U: 44.5)

Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, PA

1 pm, CBS

Best Bet: Saquon Barkley Anytime TD

Prediction

Final Score: Eagles 27, Broncos 24

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Giants @ Saints (-2.5) (O/U: 41.5)

Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, LA

1 pm, CBS

Best Bet: Saints -2.5

Prediction

Final Score: Saints 20, Giants 17

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Cowboys @ Jets (-2.5) (O/U: 47.5)

MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ

1 pm, FOX

Best Bet: Cowboys ML

Prediction

Final Score: Cowboys 30, Jets 24

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Dolphins (-1.5) @ Panthers (O/U: 44.5)

Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC

1 pm, FOX

Best Bet: De’Von Achane o67.5 Rushing Yards

Prediction

Final Score: Panthers 28, Dolphins 20

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Raiders @ Colts (-7.5) (O/U: 46.5)

Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN

1 pm, FOX

Best Bet: Colts -7.5

Prediction

Final Score: Colts 31, Raiders 20

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Titans @ Cardinals (-7.5) (O/U: 41.5)

State Farm Stadium, Glendale, AZ

4:05 pm, CBS

Best Bet: Elic Ayomanor o38.5 Receiving Yards

Prediction

Final Score: Cardinals 23, Titans 16

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Buccaneers @ Seahawks (-3.5) (O/U: 44.5)

Lumen Field, Seattle, WA

4:05 pm, CBS

Best Bet: Under 44.5

Prediction

Final Score: Seahawks 24, Buccaneers 20

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Lions (-9.5) @ Bengals (O/U: 49.5)

Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati, OH

4:25 pm, FOX

Best Bet: Lions -9.5

Prediction

Final Score: Lions 31, Bengals 7

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Commanders @ Chargers (-2.5) (O/U: 47.5)

SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA

4:25 pm, FOX

Best Bet: Over 47.5

Prediction

Final Score: Chargers 31, Commanders 27

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Patriots @ Bills (-7.5) (O/U: 49.5)

Highmark Stadium, Orchard Park, NY

8:20 pm, NBC/Peacock

Best Bet: Josh Allen o1.5 Passing TDs

Prediction

Final Score: Bills 31, Patriots 17

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Monday, October 6

Chiefs (-3.5) @ Jaguars (O/U: 45.5)

EverBank Stadium, Jacksonville, FL

8:15 pm, ABC/ESPN

Best Bet: Isiah Pacheco o27.5 Rushing Yards

Prediction

Final Score: Chiefs 23, Jaguars 17

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Make sure to stay tuned into yet another unique mix of matchups!