NFL Week 5 game picks, schedule guide, fantasy football tips, odds, injuries and more

The Week 5 NFL schedule for the 2021 season is stacked with great matchups, and we got you covered with what you need to know heading into the weekend. Our NFL Nation reporters bring us the biggest keys to every game, a bold prediction for each matchup and, of course, final score picks.

Additionally, ESPN Stats & Information provides a big stat to know for each contest, and our Football Power Index (FPI) goes inside the numbers with a matchup rating (on a scale of 1 to 100) and a game projection. ESPN researcher Kyle Soppe hands out helpful fantasy football and betting nuggets as well. Everything you want to know is here in one spot to help you get ready for a loaded weekend of NFL football.

Let’s get into the full Week 5 slate, including the first international game of the season, a big Justin Herbert-Baker Mayfield showdown, a tough test for Kyler Murray against the Niners’ defense and, of course, a great matchup between the Bills and Chiefs on Sunday night. It all culminates with a Monday Night Football matchup between the Colts and the Ravens on ESPN. (Game times are Sunday unless otherwise noted.)

Jump to a matchup:
NYJ-ATL | MIA-TB | NO-WSH
GB-CIN | DEN-PIT | PHI-CAR
DET-MIN | NE-HOU | TEN-JAX
CLE-LAC | CHI-LV | SF-ARI
NYG-DAL | BUF-KC | IND-BAL

Thursday: LAR 26, SEA 17

9:30 a.m. ET | NFL Network
Matchup rating: 10.6 | Spread: ATL -2.5 (45)

What to watch for: According to the Elias Sports Bureau, this is the first time ever that two interception-less teams have met this late in the season. Atlanta dropped multiple near-interceptions last week, and Falcons defensive coordinator Dean Pees said he needs his defensive backs to be attacking the ball more. Jets quarterback Zach Wilson leads the NFL with eight interceptions, while Atlanta’s Matt Ryan has three, so perhaps this is the week that at least one of these teams gets a big takeaway through the air. — Michael Rothstein