Week 5 NFL betting report: Bettors hammering Rams, Eagles
Week 5 of the NFL season rolls along on Sunday with four games in the late-afternoon window and another to cap off the night. Will Bernanke, the lead analyst at CG Technology in Las Vegas, provided insight on how bettors are approaching the games.
Oakland at Los Angeles
Open: LA -6.5 / 52.5
Current: LA -5.5 / 52
The Oakland Raiders earned their first win of the season, and first under head coach Jon Gruden, last week in an overtime victory over the Cleveland Browns. The Raiders carry a 3-1 record against the spread into Los Angeles to face the Chargers, who barely survived against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 4 as 10-point favorites, winning 29-27.
"57 percent of all dollars as of now are on Oakland," Bernanke told theScore on Sunday morning. "Bettors are slightly on the Raiders, but nothing too big here."
Arizona at San Francisco
Open: SF -4.5 / 41
Current: SF -3 / 40
The Arizona Cardinals are the only winless team in the NFL, though they appear to be making positive strides. After being outscored 58-6 in their first two games, the Cardinals have lost their last two by a combined five points.
If there was ever a time to get win No. 1, it's against the San Francisco 49ers and their offense that's now moving forward with backup quarterback C.J. Beathard under center.
"As the line move (San Francisco -4.5 to -3) might represent, the public's on the underdog here," Bernanke said. "They might not be buying the Niners without (Jimmy) Garoppolo."
Los Angeles at Seattle
Open: LA -7 / 49.5
Current: LA -7.5 / 50.5
The Los Angeles Rams are winning, and they're doing it with ease. The defending NFC West champs have scored 33-plus points in four straight games, and they're one of two remaining undefeated clubs.
Looking to hand the Rams their first loss are the Seattle Seahawks, who clawed back to .500 last week with a win over Arizona after starting the year 0-2.
With how hot the Rams have been to start the year, the ticket count should come as no surprise.
"74 percent of the dollars are on the Rams and this could be one of our biggest decisions of the day," Bernanke said.
Minnesota at Philadelphia
Open: PHI -3 (-110) / 44.5
Current: PHI -3 (-130) / 47.5
The Minnesota Vikings and Philadelphia Eagles meet for the second time in eight months in a rematch of the 2018 NFC Championship Game. Minnesota is seeking revenge while coming off a loss to the Rams when the Vikings pushed as a seven-point 'dog in a 38-31 defeat.
The Eagles are also coming off a loss after falling to the Tennessee Titans in overtime on the road.
"It’s pretty lopsided – 74 percent of all dollars are on Philly," Bernanke said. "We might need the Vikings come kickoff."
Dallas at Houston
Open: HOU - 3 (-125) / 45
Current: HOU -3 (-120) / 45
The Dallas Cowboys won their second game of the season on Sunday to even their record at 2-2, though they failed to cover as 3.5-point favorites, narrowly beating the Detroit Lions 26-24.
Houston finally grabbed its first victory of 2018 in Week 4, getting a game-winning field goal in overtime against the Indianapolis Colts as a pick 'em.
'"67 percent of all dollars are on Houston, so I guess bettors might expect that Houston might be back," Bernanke said. "Bettors love Houston; they’ve been on the Texans all year. It’s been like that the last five weeks."