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NFL Week 5 Picks: Vikings and Chiefs put their undefeated records to the test

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NFL Week 5 Picks: Vikings and Chiefs put their undefeated records to the test

NFL logo for Sam Farmer picks

(Tim Hubbard/Los Angeles Times)

Los Angeles Times NFL writer Sam Farmer examines this week’s matchups. Lines according to FanDuel Sportsbook (O/U = top/bottom). Record last week 8-8 (.500); season 35-29 (.547). If we used point spreads with the scores Farmer predicted, the record over last week’s spread would have been 8-8 (.500); season 32-31-1 (.508). Times Pacific. OUT: Chargers, Lions, Eagles, Titans.

BUCCANIERS (3-1) AT FALCONS (2-2)

Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins ​​throws against the Eagles.Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins ​​throws against the Eagles.

Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins ​​has two impressive wins. (Matt Rourke/Associated Press)

Tonight, 5:15 PM. TV: Amazon Prime Video

Line: Falcons with 1½. O/U: 43½.

The Falcons are coming off a win over New Orleans and are starting to gain some momentum. The Buccaneers are going to be tough, especially along the offensive line. Join the home team.

Choose: Falcons 24, Buccaneers 21

JETS (2-2) at VIKINGS (4-0)

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold, center, calls a play at the line of scrimmage.Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold, center, calls a play at the line of scrimmage.

Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold, center, has made the right choices through the first four weeks of the NFL season. (Stacy Bengs/Associated Press)

Sunday, 6:30 am TV: NFL Network

Line: Vikings with 2½. O/U: 40½.

Sam Darnold has played better than almost anyone could have expected, but this will be a test for the Jets defense. Still, the Jets had a big disappointment last week and are on their way.

Choose: Vikings 21, Jets 18

BROWNS (1-3) AT COMMANDERS (3-1)

Commanders' Jayden Daniels runs down the sideline against the Giants.Commanders' Jayden Daniels runs down the sideline against the Giants.

Rookie Jayden Daniels’ ability to run and throw has made the difference for the Commanders. (Matt Slocum/Associated Press)

Sunday, 10am TV: Channel 11

Line: Commanders per 3. O/U: 44½.

Defense should be the Browns’ strongest point, but that wasn’t enough to carry them. Jayden Daniels is a problem for the defense and has discovered Terry McLaurin.

Choose: Commanders 27, Browns 20

BILLS (3-1) AT TEXANS (3-1)

Texans quarterback CJ Stroud runs with his arms outstretched as he celebrates a play.Texans quarterback CJ Stroud runs with his arms outstretched as he celebrates a play.

Texans quarterback CJ Stroud led a fourth-quarter drive to beat the Jaguars last week. (Maria Lysaker/Associated Press)

Sunday, 10am TV: Channel 2

Line: Bills per 1½. O/U: 47½.

While Sean McDermott has a great track record in the immediate aftermath of losses, the Bills have a lot of injuries on defense. CJ Stroud and his corps of receivers can take advantage of that.

Choose: Texans 27, Bills 23

PANTHERS (1-3) AT BEARS (2-2)

Bears quarterback Caleb Williams smiles as he speaks during a press conference.Bears quarterback Caleb Williams smiles as he speaks during a press conference.

Bears quarterback Caleb Williams faces an old veteran this week in Panthers quarterback Andy Dalton. (Nam Y. Huh / Associated Press)

Sunday, 10am TV: NFL ticket

Line: Bears with 3½. O/U: 41½.

Although they have a rookie quarterback who is ironing out the wrinkles in his game, the Bears are getting it done defensively. The Panthers are slightly better with Andy Dalton, but still bad.

Choose: Bears 24, Panthers 17

RAVENEN (2-2) AT BENGALS (1-3)

Ravens running back Derrick Henry, center, runs away from the Bills defense Monday night.Ravens running back Derrick Henry, center, runs away from the Bills defense Monday night.

Ravens’ Derrick Henry, center, went wild against the Bills defense on Monday night. (Stephanie Scarbrough/Associated Press)

Sunday, 10am TV: NFL ticket

Line: Raven with 2½. O/U: 50½.

Baltimore is trying to use Derrick Henry even though Lamar Jackson is mostly in the shotgun. That will allow the Ravens to dictate the pace in this AFC North showdown. Does a win get the Bengals on the right track?

Choose: Ravens 28, Bengals 24

FOLDING (2-2) AT JAGUARS (0-4)

Quarterback Trevor Lawrence looks at the scoreboardQuarterback Trevor Lawrence looks at the scoreboard

Quarterback Trevor Lawrence has looked at the scoreboard and seen a Jaguars loss in nine consecutive starts. (Maria Lysaker / Associated Press)

Sunday, 10am TV: NFL ticket

Line: Jaguars by 2½. O/U: 46½.

The Jaguars are winless, but they have been close in three of their four losses. Trevor Lawrence has to break through at some point. The Colts have won two in a row but are in for a disappointment.

Choose: Jaguars 21, Colts 20

DOLPHINS (1-3) AT PATRIOTS (1-3)

Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett, center, will face a backup quarterback when the Dolphins come to New England.Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett, center, will face a backup quarterback when the Dolphins come to New England.

Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett, center, will face a backup quarterback when the Dolphins come to New England. (Scot Tucker/Associated Press)

Sunday, 10am TV: NFL ticket

Line: Patriots by 1½. O/U: 35½.

The Patriots got smoked by San Francisco, and the Dolphins got smoked by Tennessee. With a healthy quarterback, Miami has the talent to beat anyone, but the quarterback is a problem right now.

Choose: Patriots 16, Dolphins 13

RAIDERS (2-2) AT BRONCOS (2-2)

Broncos quarterback Bo Nix battles the Packers.Broncos quarterback Bo Nix battles the Packers.

Rookie quarterback Bo Nix has led the Broncos to back-to-back wins. (Jack Dempsey/Associated Press)

Sunday, 1:05 PM TV: NFL ticket

Line: Broncos by 2½. O/U: 35½.

Denver’s defense is on fire, holding Tampa Bay to seven and the Jets to nine – both on the road. The Raiders have alternated wins and losses and there is some dissension within their ranks.

Choose: Broncos 20, Raiders 17

CARDINALS (1-3) AT 49ERS (2-2)

Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray runs for a touchdown against the Falcons.Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray runs for a touchdown against the Falcons.

Quarterback Kyler Murray and the Cardinals will face an injury-riddled 49ers team. (Ross D. Franklin/Associated Press)

Sunday, 1:05 PM TV: NFL ticket

Line: 49ers at 7½. O/U: 49½.

The Cardinals were embarrassed by the Commanders last Sunday, the first time they have been blown out this season. They were able to bounce back a little against the 49ers, but not enough.

Choose: 49ers 31, Cardinals 27

PACKERS (2-2) AT WINDOWS (1-3)

Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford signals a play at the line of scrimmage against the Bears.Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford signals a play at the line of scrimmage against the Bears.

Quarterback Matthew Stafford keeps the Rams competitive in games with his heads-up play. (Nam Y. Huh / Associated Press)

Sunday, 1:25 p.m TV: Channel 2

Line: Packers per 3. O/U: 48½.

The Packers fell just short in a loss to Minnesota. The Rams are missing a lot of pieces and their secondary is being picked apart. Matthew Stafford will keep it close, but Green Bay will pull away down the stretch.

Choose: Packers 27, Rams 21

GIANTS (1-3) AT SEAHAWKS (3-1)

Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers looks at the quarterback for a moment.Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers looks at the quarterback for a moment.

If rookie sensation Malik Nabers can’t play against the Seahawks, it would be a big loss for the Giants. (Vera Nieuwenhuis / Associated Press)

Sunday, 1:25 p.m TV: NFL ticket

Line: Seahawks with 6½. O/U: 43½.

The Seahawks held their own against Detroit with some defenders behind them. Seattle should get healthier, and the Giants could be without rookie receiver sensation Malik Nabers. This can quickly get out of hand.

Choose: Seahwaks 24, Giants 10

COWBOYS (2-2) at STEELERS (3-1)

Steelers quarterback Justin Fields is about to throw.Steelers quarterback Justin Fields will throw.

Steelers quarterback Justin Fields has been reliable through the first month of the season. (Matt Freed/Associated Press)

Sunday, 5:20 p.m TV: Channel 4

Line: Steelers by 1½. O/U: 42½.

A defensive battle. The Steelers can make the Cowboys one-dimensional by shutting down the run. It’s hard to pile too many expectations on Justin Fields’ shoulders, but the Steelers are hanging in there.

Choose: Steelers 20, Cowboys 16

SAINTS (2-2) AT CHIEFS (4-0)

Saints quarterback Derek Carr starts throwing against the Falcons.Saints quarterback Derek Carr starts throwing against the Falcons.

After a fast start, Saints quarterback Derek Carr has lost two in a row. (Butch Dill/Associated Press)

Monday, 5:15 PM TV: ESPN

Line: Leaders with 5½. O/U: 42½.

The Chiefs haven’t shut anyone down, but they’re getting the job done on defense. New Orleans should stay this close, especially with that defense, but give the defending champions an edge.

Choose: Heads 24, saints 21

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This story originally appeared in the Los Angeles Times.

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