NFL Picks Week 5: Advice on Latest Vegas Odds and Spreads for Upcoming Schedule

With one month of the NFL season officially in the books, Week 5 kicks off the second quarter of the 2016 campaign, which means it is time for struggling teams to either make a move or risk getting left in the dust.

While four weeks can tell plenty of truths about teams, it is still a relatively small sample size. Plenty of highly talented teams have been unable to get things going thus far, but Week 5 represents an opportunity to build some positive momentum moving forward.

This week's slate also features plenty of surprising teams that have fared much better than most expected, but now they must prove that they can keep up their current pace over the long haul.

With Week 5 of the NFL season ready to commence, here is a full rundown of betting lines and picks for every game, as well as a closer look at the top locks of the week.

Week 5 Lines and Picks

Date	Time (ET)	Away Team	Home Team	Spread	Pick Straight Up	Pick ATS
Thursday, Oct. 6	8:25 p.m.	Arizona Cardinals	San Francisco 49ers	ARI (-3)	ARI	ARI
Sunday, Oct. 9	1 p.m.	Tennessee Titans	Miami Dolphins	MIA (-3.5)	MIA	TEN
Sunday, Oct. 9	1 p.m.	Washington Redskins	Baltimore Ravens	BAL (-3.5)	WAS	WAS
Sunday, Oct. 9	1 p.m.	Chicago Bears	Indianapolis Colts	IND (-4.5)	IND	IND
Sunday, Oct. 9	1 p.m.	New York Jets	Pittsburgh Steelers	PIT (-7)	PIT	NYJ
Sunday, Oct. 9	1 p.m.	Houston Texans	Minnesota Vikings	MIN (-5.5)	MIN	HOU
Sunday, Oct. 9	1 p.m.	New England Patriots	Cleveland Browns	NE (-10.5)	NE	NE
Sunday, Oct. 9	1 p.m.	Philadelphia Eagles	Detroit Lions	PHI (-2.5)	DET	DET
Sunday, Oct. 9	4:05 p.m.	Atlanta Falcons	Denver Broncos	DEN (-5.5)	DEN	ATL
Sunday, Oct. 9	4:25 p.m.	Buffalo Bills	Los Angeles Rams	LA (-2.5)	BUF	BUF
Sunday, Oct. 9	4:25 p.m.	San Diego Chargers	Oakland Raiders	OAK (-4)	OAK	OAK
Sunday, Oct. 9	4:25 p.m.	Cincinnati Bengals	Dallas Cowboys	CIN (-1)	CIN	CIN
Sunday, Oct. 9	8:30 p.m.	New York Giants	Green Bay Packers	GB (-7)	GB	GB
Monday, Oct. 10	8:30 p.m.	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	Carolina Panthers	No Line	CAR	x

Top Picks Against the Spread

Indianapolis Colts (-4.5) vs. Chicago Bears

On the surface, Sunday's meeting between the Colts and Bears may look like it favors Chicago.

The Bears are coming off their first win of the season after beating the Detroit Lions, while Indy suffered a highly disappointing loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars and won't have the benefit of a bye week after playing in London.

Despite the Colts' struggles, though, they look to be a better and more talented team on paper, and they play in an AFC South division that is still winnable, whereas the Bears have little hope in a division that features the undefeated Minnesota Vikings as well as the Green Bay Packers.

While quarterback Andrew Luck has taken some of the blame for the Colts' 1-3 start, he has often been failed by poor offensive line play, drops from his skill-position players and pedestrian defensive performances.

The team didn't come to play until late in the loss to the Jags, and according to Zak Keefer of the Indianapolis Star, that didn't sit well with Luck:

There is some level of pressure on Luck to perform after signing a huge contract extension during the offseason, and the Bears are the type of team he should be able to beat even if it means putting the Colts entirely on his back.

One potential good sign is that Colts head coach Chuck Pagano is looking into utilizing more hurry-up elements offensively, per Kevin Bowen of Colts.com. Indy was at its best when playing uptempo against the Jaguars, and that could serve it well in Week 5.

While quarterback Brian Hoyer has played well during Jay Cutler's injury absence, the Bears may have a controversy on their hands, as head coach John Fox is either unable or unwilling to name a definitive starter under center yet, according to Josh Liss of WBBM 780 AM.

That isn't likely to impact the Colts' preparation significantly, but the uncertainty could throw the Bears off leading up to the game.

The matching 1-3 records say that both teams are in the same spot, but the reality is that Indianapolis has a much better chance to make the playoffs and contend.

The Colts have to beat teams like the Bears in order to do so, however, and they'll do precisely that with their backs against the wall Sunday.

Buffalo Bills (+2.5) at Los Angeles Rams

Things can turn around quickly in the NFL, and the Bills and Rams are two great examples of that, as they are very much in the hunt despite starting the season in less-than-ideal fashion.

Buffalo lost each of its first two games, but it has since scored huge victories over the Arizona Cardinals and New England Patriots to establish itself as a playoff contender.

Although Sunday's 16-0 victory over the Pats came against a third-string quarterback in Jacoby Brissett, the Bills were highly impressive defensively and accomplished something that had never been done before, according to Tom Martin of News 4 Buffalo:

"

FINAL: #Bills 16, #Patriots 0. First Pats shutout in Gillette EVER. Dareus + Henderson back next week. Buffalo moves to 2-2 w/ Rams next.

— Tom Martin (@4TomMartin) October 2, 2016"

The San Francisco 49ers dominated the Rams in Week 1, but they have since reeled off three consecutive victories, including a come-from-behind win over the Cards in Week 4.

L.A. has gotten the job done primarily with defense, too, as running back Todd Gurley has yet to get things going, and quarterback Case Keenum has been a caretaker at best.

There are seemingly a lot of similarities between the Rams and Bills, but Buffalo is better equipped to come out on top in Week 5.

The Bills are among the NFL's best teams against the run, as they are allowing just 3.6 yards per carry, and reinforcements are on the way. Head coach Rex Ryan indicated that Pro Bowl defensive tackle Marcell Dareus will play Sunday upon returning from his four-game suspension, per Chris Brown of BuffaloBills.com.

"I expect him to play (Sunday)," Ryan said. "He's already been delayed four games. So he'll play. In what capacity? How much he really plays I'm not sure, but he's definitely going to play. My understanding is he's in good spirits and looking forward to getting back out there with his teammates."

Not only should Dareus' return help the Bills shut down Gurley and his 2.6 yards-per-carry average, but it should also bolster a pass rush that already ranks third in the NFL with 13 sacks.

For all the Rams' success this season, Keenum has just four touchdowns and three interceptions, and he is completing a mere 55.4 percent of his passes. If he is under siege Sunday, he could be forced into making some huge mistakes.

Los Angeles has a great defense in its own right, but the mobility of Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor is a huge X-factor that will make the difference and push Buffalo to a straight-up victory on the road.

New England Patriots (-10.5) at Cleveland Browns

The Patriots and Browns have been polar opposites for years, and that doesn't seem to be changing anytime soon as New England travels to Cleveland in Week 5.

While the Pats are coming off a shutout loss to the Bills, future Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady is back in the fold after serving a four-game suspension, and he figures to be motivated to turn in a huge performance.

According to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, Browns head coach Hue Jackson already appears to be dreading Brady's return:

With Brady back, the Pats looking to bounce back and the Browns sitting as the NFL's only winless team, Pete Blackburn of Fox Sports believes it is a recipe for disaster for Cleveland:

"

Brady's first game back AND the Patriots coming off a loss? God help the Cleveland Browns next week

— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) October 2, 2016"

Although New England is on the road, the 10.5-point line seems a bit low, especially considering head coach Bill Belichick will be dialing up the defense to go against rookie quarterback Cody Kessler.

It can be argued that the Pats need some time before they're firing on all cylinders offensively, but there is little reason to believe Brady won't be able to step in and play at a high level immediately.

Tight end Rob Gronkowski has been brought along slowly while recovering from injury, and wide receiver Julian Edelman has yet to turn in a huge performance, so the potential for growth is immense when it comes to the New England offense.

The arrow is pointing upward for a Patriots team that is already 3-1, and that should lead to a blowout win over the Browns in Week 5.

Follow @MikeChiari on Twitter.