Exactly when you decide to place your bets is crucial when it comes to NFL betting. Looking ahead at future lines is always smart in case you identify a game where the spread may increase or decrease depending on what happens during the current week. For example, wouldn't you like to have the Buffalo Bills at +3.5 against the Kansas City Chiefs instead of +2.5? You could have for no extra charge if you placed that bet last week.
Every Friday, we take a look at the NFL lines a week in advance to determine if we should put money down now in order to get the best bang for our buck. Depending on what happens in Week 5, all of these lines could change before we reach Week 6, so we want to go ahead and get our bets in if we see a nice opportunity for an upset, or to jump on a favorite before the line moves even more in its favor.
Before we jump into some early bets to consider, here are the lookahead lines for Week 5. All NFL odds come courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook.
Week 6 lookahead lines
Buccaneers (-6.5) at Eagles
Dolphins (-3) at Jaguars
Chiefs (-6) at Washington
Texans at Colts (OFF)
Chargers at Ravens (-3)
Rams (-6.5) at Giants (before "TNF")
Vikings at Panthers (-1)
Packers (-4.5) at Bears
Bengals (-3.5) at Lions
Cardinals at Browns (-3)
Cowboys (-1) at Patriots
Raiders at Broncos (-2.5)
Seahawks (-2.5) at Steelers (before "TNF")
Bills (-3) at Titans
Picks to consider
Cardinals (+3) at Browns
The last remaining undefeated NFL team playing a divisional opponent this week seems like a ripe opportunity for the Cardinals to suffer their first loss, but it appears rookie quarterback Trey Lance may be set to record his first career start for the 49ers. Jimmy Garoppolo suffered a calf contusion last week and said after the game that he hoped he would be out "just a couple weeks." Now, head coach Kyle Shanahan thinks he has a chance to play Sunday, but it's unknown if he will practice. If Garoppolo starts, it's clear he won't be 100 percent healthy. If Lance starts, then we have a rookie trying to take down the hottest team in the NFL on the road. I think the Cardinals beat the 49ers on Sunday.
As for the Browns, it was reported this week that Baker Mayfield is playing through a partially torn labrum. It's not his throwing shoulder that is injured, but it's something that can still affect him moving forward. The former No. 1 overall pick had his worst statistical performance of the season against the Vikings, as he threw for just 155 yards. The Browns should be OK with their run game and the defense, but they face a tough opponent in the Chargers on Sunday. If they lose, this line could move.
Cowboys (-1) at Patriots
The Cowboys are red hot, and they are facing a one-win Giants team at home this week. It should be an emotional game for Dak Prescott, who suffered his season-ending ankle injury the last time Dallas played host to New York. The Cowboys have the No. 3 offense in the league and a defense which is much better than years past. The Patriots have an easy matchup in the Texans this week, but that doesn't matter if the Cowboys beat up on the Giants. I am going to guess this line increases.
Bills (-3) at Titans
Be careful with this one, but I may sprinkle some dollars on the Bills here. Buffalo is of course playing its most important game so far this season against Kansas City -- a rematch of the AFC Championship Game from last year. While the Bills are underdogs, I think they win. They have been the better team so far this season.
As for the Titans, they are banged up and just lost to the previously winless Jets. They now have to take on a Jaguars team that has been improving each week under Trevor Lawrence -- and while I think the Titans ultimately emerge victorious -- it may be an ugly affair. That should cause this line to increase in favor of Buffalo. Yes, the Bills will have to play two road games in a row, but Buffalo has won 13 out of its last 17 regular-season games on the road.
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