NFL Week 5 Picks 2026: Game-by-Game Predictions & Winners
NFL Week 5 picks 2026 cover all 15 games, from Buccaneers at Cowboys on Thursday night to Bills at Rams on Monday. Every game gets a straight up winner, the injury news that matters and a short reason why.
Week 5 brings the first byes of the season, with the Panthers and Chiefs off, and a second straight London kickoff at 9:30 a.m. ET. Quarterback health is still the story: Tampa Bay starts an undrafted rookie again, Chicago waits on Caleb Williams and Washington hopes to get Jayden Daniels back.
These are early picks made before the Week 4 Sunday games, and we will update records, injuries and any changed picks after Monday night.
For every kickoff time and channel, see the NFL Week 5 schedule 2026. These are fan predictions for entertainment only.
Thursday Night Football Pick
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Dallas Cowboys, 8:15 p.m. ET on Prime Video
Baker Mayfield dislocated his right thumb in Week 3 and will miss at least three weeks, so undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels from Kansas stays under center. Tampa Bay entered Week 4 at 0 and 3 and was also without pass rusher Rueben Bain Jr. and cornerback Benjamin Morrison against Green Bay.
Dallas entered Week 4 at 1 and 2 after losing 34 to 31 to Baltimore in Rio, a game it was 2 yards from tying or winning at the end. Linebacker DeMarvion Overshown and cornerback Cobie Durant (both hamstring) have been out. Dak Prescott at home against a rookie quarterback on a short week is the clearest edge of the night.
Pick: Cowboys
Sunday, October 11: London Game Pick (9:30 a.m. ET)
Philadelphia Eagles at Jacksonville Jaguars, 9:30 a.m. ET on NFL Network, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London
Jacksonville is the home team and stays in London afterward to host Houston at Wembley in Week 6. The Jaguars entered Week 4 at 2 and 1 after a 35 to 6 rout of New England, with Travis Hunter catching his first career interception and the defense forcing three turnovers.
Philadelphia was beaten 27 to 7 in Chicago in Week 3, with Jalen Hurts throwing an interception in the end zone. The injury list is long: Dallas Goedert (knee) will miss multiple weeks, and DeVonta Smith (hamstring), Zack Baun (concussion) and Marquise Brown (ankle) were all ruled out for Week 4. Jacksonville is healthier and playing better.
Pick: Jaguars
Sunday, October 11: Early Game Picks (1:00 p.m. ET)
Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers (FOX)
The NFL moved this game from 4:25 to 1:00 p.m. ET. Caleb Williams has a Grade 2 hamstring strain from Week 2 and has been ruled out for Week 4, when Tyson Bagent is expected to start, and ESPN reported a three to four week timeline, so his status is the biggest question of the week. Case Keenum threw two touchdowns in a 27 to 7 win over the Eagles, and the Bears defense forced three turnovers.
Green Bay entered Week 4 at 1 and 2 after a 35 to 14 loss to Atlanta. Josh Jacobs remains on the commissioner exempt list, the run game has stalled and Jayden Reed is on injured reserve for the season. Micah Parsons (ACL) is eligible to come off the PUP list this week but has not returned to practice and is unlikely to play, with Week 6 or later more realistic. This is the most played rivalry in NFL history, and Chicago has been the steadier team.
Pick: Bears
Cincinnati Bengals at Miami Dolphins (FOX)
Cincinnati entered Week 4 at 2 and 1. Joe Burrow fumbled away a chance to beat Pittsburgh in the final minute of Week 3, and safety Kyle Dugger (quad) was ruled out for Week 4.
Miami entered Week 4 at 0 and 3 and lost De’Von Achane to a torn ACL for the season. The Dolphins move the ball between the 20s but have struggled to finish drives.
Pick: Bengals
Minnesota Vikings at New Orleans Saints (FOX)
Minnesota entered Week 4 at 3 and 0 on the strength of its defense, which sacked Baker Mayfield six times in Week 3. Justin Jefferson (ankle sprain) was ruled out for Week 4, and his return is the main thing to watch.
New Orleans entered Week 4 at 1 and 2. Tyler Shough threw four touchdown passes against Las Vegas but also had four fourth quarter turnovers, and Travis Etienne Jr. (hamstring) is expected to miss time.
Pick: Vikings
New York Giants at Washington Commanders (FOX)
Jayden Daniels (dislocated left elbow) was ruled out for the London game, but Dan Quinn said the plan is for him to get a full week of practice before Week 5, which he called a big deal for the team. Terry McLaurin (hamstring) was questionable for Week 4.
The Giants entered Week 4 at 2 and 1, but Jaxson Dart is out for the regular season, pass rusher Brian Burns tore his ACL and the team traded for J.J. McCarthy. With Daniels likely back at home, this is a strong spot for Washington.
Pick: Commanders
Las Vegas Raiders at New England Patriots (CBS)
Las Vegas entered Week 4 at 3 and 0, with Brock Bowers catching 10 passes for 116 yards and a touchdown in a 35 to 27 win at New Orleans. The Raiders host Kansas City in Week 4 before this trip east.
New England entered Week 4 at 1 and 2 after a 35 to 6 loss in Jacksonville, where Drake Maye threw two interceptions and lost a fumble. Cornerback Christian Gonzalez and defensive tackle Christian Barmore (both shoulder) were ruled out for Week 4, and A.J. Brown is not eligible to return until Week 6.
Pick: Raiders
Cleveland Browns at New York Jets (CBS)
Cleveland beat Pittsburgh 27 to 24 on Thursday night in Week 4 and moved to 3 and 1, in first place in the AFC North. The defense has carried the team all season, and the Browns get extra rest after a Thursday game.
The Jets entered Week 4 at 1 and 2. Breece Hall (quad), tight end Mason Taylor (thumb) and receiver Adonai Mitchell (finger) were all ruled out for Week 4. Geno Smith can throw for big numbers, but the Browns defense is the best unit on the field.
Pick: Browns
Indianapolis Colts at Pittsburgh Steelers (CBS)
Pittsburgh fell to 2 and 2 with the Thursday loss in Cleveland, but it also has extra rest and the offense has woken up, with Jaylen Warren running for 127 yards against Cincinnati in Week 3.
Indianapolis plays Washington in London in Week 4 and then travels to Pittsburgh. The Colts entered Week 4 at 1 and 2, Daniel Jones had three turnovers in Week 3 and Alec Pierce is on injured reserve. The travel and the rest gap favor the Steelers.
Pick: Steelers
Houston Texans at Tennessee Titans (CBS)
Both teams entered Week 4 at 0 and 3. Houston gets Nico Collins back after he was a full participant in practice and cleared to play in Week 4, which gives C.J. Stroud his best weapon again.
Tennessee lost 12 to 7 to the Giants in Week 3 when Cam Ward threw an end zone interception in the final seconds. This is one of the last games at the current Nissan Stadium before the Titans move next door in 2027. Collins makes Houston the better offense.
Pick: Texans
Sunday, October 11: Late Game Picks (4:05 and 4:25 p.m. ET)
Denver Broncos at Los Angeles Chargers, 4:05 p.m. ET (CBS)
Denver entered Week 4 at 2 and 1 after coming back from 16 to 0 down to beat the Rams, with Talanoa Hufanga returning an interception for a touchdown. The defense keeps the Broncos in every game.
The Chargers entered Week 4 at 0 and 3. They forced three first half turnovers in Buffalo and still lost. David Njoku is on injured reserve and Charlie Kolar (forearm) was ruled out for Week 4.
Pick: Broncos
San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks, 4:25 p.m. ET (FOX)
San Francisco entered Week 4 at 3 and 0 and ranked first in the NFL.com power rankings. Kyle Shanahan’s offense is scoring at will, though Nick Bosa (knee, calf) was ruled out for Week 4 and Mike Evans (ribs) was questionable.
Seattle, the defending champion, lost 33 to 31 in Washington in Week 3 as Sam Darnold threw two interceptions, one returned for a touchdown. Lumen Field makes this the closest call of the week, but the 49ers have been the better team.
Pick: 49ers
Detroit Lions at Arizona Cardinals, 4:25 p.m. ET (FOX)
Jared Goff has eight touchdown passes and no interceptions through three games, and Jahmyr Gibbs had 164 yards and three touchdowns against the Jets in Week 3.
Arizona entered Week 4 at 1 and 2 but scored 30 points in San Francisco. Safety Dadrion Taylor-Demerson (back) was ruled out for Week 4. Detroit’s offense is the difference.
Pick: Lions
Sunday Night Football Pick
Baltimore Ravens at Atlanta Falcons, 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock
Baltimore entered Week 4 at 2 and 1 after beating Dallas 34 to 31 in Rio. Pass rusher Trey Hendrickson (finger) and centers Jovaughn Gwyn and Ethan Pocic were ruled out for Week 4.
Atlanta routed Green Bay 35 to 14 in Week 3 behind Michael Penix Jr. and Bijan Robinson, then plays at New Orleans on Monday night in Week 4, which leaves a shorter week before this game. Lamar Jackson on a full week of rest is the pick.
Pick: Ravens
Monday Night Football Pick
Buffalo Bills at Los Angeles Rams, 8:15 p.m. ET on ESPN and ABC
Buffalo entered Week 4 at 3 and 0. James Cook ran for 154 yards in a 24 to 16 win over the Chargers, and Josh Allen keeps making the big plays.
The Rams entered Week 4 at 1 and 2 after blowing a 16 to 0 halftime lead in Denver. Puka Nacua (groin) was set to return in Week 4, which helps, but Buffalo has been the more complete team.
Pick: Bills
NFL Week 5 Picks 2026: Quick Recap Table
| Date | Matchup | Time (ET) | TV | Pick |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thu, Oct 8 | Buccaneers at Cowboys | 8:15 PM | Prime Video | Cowboys |
| Sun, Oct 11 | Eagles at Jaguars (London) | 9:30 AM | NFL Network | Jaguars |
| Sun, Oct 11 | Bears at Packers | 1:00 PM | FOX | Bears |
| Sun, Oct 11 | Bengals at Dolphins | 1:00 PM | FOX | Bengals |
| Sun, Oct 11 | Vikings at Saints | 1:00 PM | FOX | Vikings |
| Sun, Oct 11 | Giants at Commanders | 1:00 PM | FOX | Commanders |
| Sun, Oct 11 | Raiders at Patriots | 1:00 PM | CBS | Raiders |
| Sun, Oct 11 | Browns at Jets | 1:00 PM | CBS | Browns |
| Sun, Oct 11 | Colts at Steelers | 1:00 PM | CBS | Steelers |
| Sun, Oct 11 | Texans at Titans | 1:00 PM | CBS | Texans |
| Sun, Oct 11 | Broncos at Chargers | 4:05 PM | CBS | Broncos |
| Sun, Oct 11 | 49ers at Seahawks | 4:25 PM | FOX | 49ers |
| Sun, Oct 11 | Lions at Cardinals | 4:25 PM | FOX | Lions |
| Sun, Oct 11 | Ravens at Falcons (SNF) | 8:20 PM | NBC | Ravens |
| Mon, Oct 12 | Bills at Rams (MNF) | 8:15 PM | ESPN, ABC | Bills |
Home teams: 4. Road teams: 11. Closest calls: 49ers at Seahawks, Bears at Packers and Eagles at Jaguars. Bye: Panthers and Chiefs.
Running a pool? Print the free NFL Week 5 pick’em sheet. Week 5 has 15 games because the Panthers and Chiefs are on bye. See all 32 dates in our NFL bye weeks guide.
How Our Week 4 Picks Are Doing
Our Week 4 card opened with a win, as the Browns beat the Steelers 27 to 24 on Thursday night. That puts our season record at 31 and 18 with 15 Week 4 games still to play. Follow every result on our NFL Week 4 picks page. We went 12 and 4 in Week 1, 8 and 8 in Week 2 and 10 and 6 in Week 3.
Week 5 Injury Watch: Statuses That Shape the Picks
- Quarterbacks: Baker Mayfield (TB, right thumb) out at least three weeks from Week 3, so Jalon Daniels starts again. Caleb Williams (CHI, Grade 2 hamstring) has a three to four week timeline from September 20, and Tyson Bagent is expected to start in Week 4. Jayden Daniels (WAS, left elbow) missed London but is expected to get a full week of practice. Jaxson Dart (NYG) is out for the regular season.
- Out for the season: De’Von Achane (MIA, ACL), Brian Burns (NYG, ACL), Jayden Higgins (HOU, ACL), Ricky Pearsall (SF), Leo Chenal (WAS, neck surgery), Josh Oliver (MIN, biceps), Jayden Reed (GB, neck).
- Ruled out for Week 4, watch for Week 5: Justin Jefferson (MIN, ankle), DeVonta Smith (PHI, hamstring), Zack Baun (PHI, concussion), Breece Hall (NYJ, quad), Nick Bosa (SF, knee and calf), Trey Hendrickson (BAL, finger), Christian Gonzalez (NE, shoulder).
- Back in Week 4: Nico Collins (HOU, hamstring) and Puka Nacua (LAR, groin) had no game designation.
- Not playing: Josh Jacobs (GB) remains on the commissioner exempt list, A.J. Brown (NE) is not eligible until Week 6 and Micah Parsons (GB, ACL) is still on the PUP list and has not returned to practice.
Teams release their first Week 5 practice reports on Wednesday, and the Cowboys and Buccaneers file their final report that day for Thursday night. Check the official NFL injury report before you lock your picks.
FAQs About NFL Week 5 Picks 2026
What are the NFL Week 5 picks for 2026?
Our winners are the Cowboys, Jaguars, Bears, Bengals, Vikings, Commanders, Raiders, Browns, Steelers, Texans, Broncos, 49ers, Lions, Ravens and Bills.
How many games are in NFL Week 5 2026?
Fifteen. The Carolina Panthers and Kansas City Chiefs are on bye, the first byes of the 2026 season.
When does NFL Week 5 start and end in 2026?
Week 5 starts Thursday, October 8 with Buccaneers at Cowboys at 8:15 p.m. ET on Prime Video and ends Monday, October 12 with Bills at Rams at 8:15 p.m. ET on ESPN and ABC.
What time is the Week 5 London game?
Eagles at Jaguars kicks off at 9:30 a.m. ET on Sunday, October 11 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, on NFL Network. Jacksonville is the home team.
Is Caleb Williams playing in Week 5 against the Packers?
It is not confirmed. Williams has a Grade 2 hamstring strain from September 20 with a reported three to four week timeline. Case Keenum started in Week 3 and threw two touchdowns in a win over the Eagles, and Tyson Bagent is expected to start in Week 4.
Will Jayden Daniels play in Week 5?
Washington ruled him out for the Week 4 London game, but Dan Quinn said the plan is a full week of practice before the Giants game on October 11.
What time is Bears vs Packers in Week 5?
Sunday, October 11 at 1:00 p.m. ET on FOX at Lambeau Field. The NFL moved it from 4:25 p.m. ET on September 29.
What is our NFL picks record in 2026?
We are 31 and 18 for the season after the Browns won on Thursday night in Week 4. We went 12 and 4 in Week 1, 8 and 8 in Week 2 and 10 and 6 in Week 3.
NFL Week 5 picks 2026 lean on healthy quarterbacks and rested teams. The Cowboys, Bills and Ravens are our strongest calls, and 49ers at Seahawks is the game of the week. Check Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Justin Jefferson on the Week 5 practice reports before you lock in your sheet.
Catch up on our Week 4 picks and Week 3 picks. We will update this page after Monday night in Week 4 and add each Week 5 result as games finish.
