AFC Week 5 Matchups: That’s My Quarterback?!

Lopsided QB Matchups Headline Early Afternoon AFC Matchups

Few positions in professional sports are as polarizing as the quarterback. This singular unit is responsible for what happens with most of the game even if they only play on offense. That is why teams that have an “elite” quarterback tend to be favored on the online sports betting odds. That is certainly where we find ourselves with the AFC Week 5 matchups this early Sunday afternoon.

Detroit Lions vs New England Patriots

  • Records: Lions (1-3), Patriots (1-3)
  • Location: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts
  • Streaming: Live Stream Sports

Lions and Patriots will Exchange Haymakers

If this were a fight, it would be akin to a heavyweight slugfest. You can cancel the defenses, especially on Detroit’s part. Dan Campbell’s crew seems to only play one side of the ball as the Lions are achieving historic numbers in both offensive proclivity and defensive futility: The 281 points through four Lions games is an NFL record.

That’s right. Detroit has scored 140 points and allowed 141. All four of its games have gone over the total. The Lions’ last six games, dating back to last season, have gone ‘over’. But against a defensive-minded Patriots team with a third-string quarterback, this trend should end. Right? Brian Hoyer joins Mac Jones on the NFL injury report Week 5.

Bailey Zappe was no pushover against Green Bay. The rookie completed 10-of-15 passes for 99 yards and a touchdown. The heavily-favored Packers needed overtime to put them away. As such, New England is favored to win here as the home team. The total of 45.5 also seems low considering Detroit’s reputation and the fact that New England’s last seven home games have gone over the total.

Houston Texans vs Jacksonville Jaguars

  • Records: Texans (0-3-1), Jaguars (2-2)
  • Location: TIAA Bank Field, Jacksonville, Florida

Can Texans Extend Lawrence’s Misery?

Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars had a nightmare of an afternoon in Philadelphia. Playing through rain, he turned the ball overfivetimes as he was constantly under siege from the Eagles. The good news is that they are back in (mostly) sunny Jacksonville.

The NFL point spread for Week 5 has Houston as seven-point underdogs in this AFC South matchup. Lawrence and company should have a bounceback game. But Houston is a frisky bunch. The defense has forced a turnover in each of its four games and is ranked 12th in pressure rate (25.2 percent). Jacksonville’s offensive line was taken to the cleaners against Philadelphia. But this unit remains a solid group and should hold its own against Houston.

As for Davis Mills, the sophomore has thrown five touchdowns to four interceptions. He’s been sacked at least three times in three of his four starts and could be running for his life against Jacksonville’s pass rush, which ranks fourth in the NFL in pressure rate (29.3 percent). He’ll be hard-pressed to outperform his more prominent counterpart.

Los Angeles Chargers vs Cleveland Browns

  • Records: Chargers (2-2), Browns (2-2)
  • Location: FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

Herbert to Deliver Electricity to Cleveland

Justin Herbert and the Chargers visit the Browns as one of two road favorites per the AFC Week 5 matchups’ odds. The quarterback leads the NFL in passing yards and will have an edge over Jacoby Brissett. To the latter’s credit, he has played well enough to get Cleveland a pair of wins in place of Deshaun Watson. But he’s no more than a game manager.

Cleveland still boasts one of the best offenses in the NFL. It’s a combination of a stiff offensive line and a powerful running game. The Browns have scored the sixth-most points and the second-most rushing yards. They will look to run all over the Chargers, who have allowed the most rushing yards and have the third-most points.

So Herbert may have his hands full as he’s pushed to carry his team while Brissett simply looks to avoid mistakes. The Chargers are just 2-4-1 against the spread (ATS) since 2020 as a road favorite. On the flip side, Cleveland is 6-1 ATS in the last seven times it faced the Chargers as underdogs.

The Chargers are just 2-4-1 against the spread (ATS) since 2020 as a road favorite. On the flip side, Cleveland is 6-1 ATS in the last seven times it faced the Chargers as underdogs.

Miami Dolphins vs New York Jets

  • Records: Dolphins (3-1), Jets (2-2)
  • Location: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

Reeling ‘Fins’ Visit Resurgent Jets

Thanks a lot, “doctor”. Now, Miami has to contend without Tua Tagovailoa. Fortunately, Teddy Bridgewater is not a bad quarterback. The 29-year-old has a hefty amount of weapons at his disposal and should be protected enough by the offensive line to help Miami win and cover. But the Jets are on a roll.

Zach Wilson was not the best in his return. But he got the job done as the Jets sprung an upset over Pittsburgh. The Jets look for a second straight upset at home in a more even matchup with Tagovailoa sitting on the sidelines. Thus far, home teams have gone 16-10-2 ATS as underdogs this season.

Both Miami and New York have rising defenses that still have cracks to exploit. We could be in for a high-scoring game even if the betting history between the two says otherwise; their last five games in East Rutherford have gone under. Bridgewater and Wilson may not be the best quarterback tandem either but this one could be more fun than anticipated.

Pittsburgh Steelers vs Buffalo Bills

  • Records: Steelers (1-3), Bills (3-1)
  • Location: Highmark Stadium, Orchard Park, New York

Allen’s Bills Seek Revenge Against Steelers

In a rematch of last season’s Week 1 stunner, the Bills look to finish the job against the struggling Steelers this time. Favored by two touchdowns, the Bills are the biggest favorite for the weekend – not just with the AFC Week 5 matchups. Buffalo is expected to blow out Pittsburgh, which would be a return to form for a team that run roughshod over the Rams and Titans in weeks 1 and 2.

Pittsburgh should start rookie Kenny Pickett. Against the Jets, Pickett got picked three times but also rushed for two touchdowns. Going from the Jets’ defense to the Bills is another thing. Buffalo will assail Pickett and force him to make mistakes. The Pittsburgh quarterback could be in for a rough day.

And if Mike Tomlin elects to “save” Pickett, Mitchell Trubisky is not much of an improvement. Though he was a former Bill, Trubisky will have a tough time outdoing the quarterback he backed up. Josh Allen has a passer rating of 75.9 against Pittsburgh. He may overcorrect that and explode as Buffalo dominates at home.

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