2026 NFL Week 5 Sunday Preview and Picks

Week 5 brings the first byes of the 2026 NFL season, a London breakfast game, three undefeated teams in action, and several important quarterback questions. This is the complete Sunday slate for October 11: all 13 games, from Eagles-Jaguars at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium through Ravens-Falcons on Sunday night.

Research cutoff: Records and statistics are through the four games completed by October 5, 2026. Schedule details were rechecked against the NFL on October 7. The official NFL injury page had not yet populated Sunday practice participation or final game designations as of 6:09 a.m. ET Wednesday. Reported Week 4 injuries are noted below, but they are not final availability calls.

The four games I would circle first

49ers at Seahawks: The only Sunday matchup between teams with at least three wins, plus a sharp contrast between San Francisco’s efficient passing and Seattle’s takeaway production.
Bears at Packers: Chicago leads the league in yards per game through four weeks, while Green Bay has spent less time with the ball than all but one team.
Eagles at Jaguars in London: Jacksonville owns the league’s best early turnover margin, and Philadelphia may be without Saquon Barkley.
Ravens at Falcons: Two top-10 offenses meet at night, but Lamar Jackson’s ankle could change the entire game.

Photo by Lucas Andrade on Pexels.

Sunday slate at a glance

Kickoff ET	Matchup	Venue	Records
9:30 a.m.	Eagles at Jaguars	Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London	PHI 2-2, JAX 3-1
1:00 p.m.	Browns at Jets	MetLife Stadium	CLE 3-1, NYJ 1-3
1:00 p.m.	Bears at Packers	Lambeau Field	CHI 3-1, GB 2-2
1:00 p.m.	Bengals at Dolphins	Hard Rock Stadium	CIN 2-2, MIA 0-4
1:00 p.m.	Raiders at Patriots	Gillette Stadium	LV 3-1, NE 2-2
1:00 p.m.	Vikings at Saints	Caesars Superdome	MIN 4-0, NO 1-3
1:00 p.m.	Texans at Titans	Nissan Stadium	HOU 0-4, TEN 0-4
1:00 p.m.	Giants at Commanders	Northwest Stadium	NYG 3-1, WAS 1-3
1:00 p.m.	Colts at Steelers	Acrisure Stadium	IND 2-2, PIT 2-2
4:05 p.m.	Broncos at Chargers	SoFi Stadium	DEN 2-2, LAC 0-4
4:25 p.m.	Lions at Cardinals	State Farm Stadium	DET 2-2, ARI 1-3
4:25 p.m.	49ers at Seahawks	Lumen Field	SF 4-0, SEA 3-1
8:20 p.m.	Ravens at Falcons	Mercedes-Benz Stadium	BAL 3-1, ATL 2-2

Carolina and Kansas City are on bye. The NFL announced that Bears-Packers moved to 1:00 p.m. ET on FOX.

Every Sunday matchup, broken down

Eagles at Jaguars, 9:30 a.m. ET

Form and matchup: Jacksonville is 3-1 after winning 22-17 at Cincinnati. Philadelphia is 2-2 after consecutive losses and is scoring 18.8 points with 269.8 yards per game through four weeks. The Jaguars are at 26.0 points per game, have 10 sacks, six interceptions, and a league-best plus-six turnover margin. That puts the pressure squarely on Jalen Hurts, who has seven touchdown passes but three interceptions, to avoid handing Jacksonville short fields.

Injuries and script: Saquon Barkley is considered week to week with a hamstring injury, Tank Bigsby is headed to injured reserve, and Philadelphia also had Quinyon Mitchell and Jonathan Greenard leave Week 4. Jaguars safety Caleb Ransaw left last week’s game with a knee issue. No Wednesday practice status or final designation was available at the research cutoff. If Barkley cannot play, Jacksonville can press a thin Eagles backfield and make Hurts win from obvious passing situations. The Jaguars have the cleaner early profile, but the London setting and incomplete injury report keep the confidence moderate.

Browns at Jets, 1:00 p.m. ET

Form and matchup: Cleveland improved to 3-1 with a 27-24 win over Pittsburgh. New York fell to 1-3 after scoring 12 points in Chicago. Neither offense is averaging 21 points or 300 yards, so field position should matter. Cleveland’s defense has 12 sacks and four interceptions through four games. The Jets have only one defensive interception, but Geno Smith has protected the ball extremely well with five touchdown passes and no interceptions.

Injuries and script: Jets edge defender Braiden McGregor left Week 4 with a chest injury. The official Sunday practice report was not yet populated. Cleveland should test a Jets run defense with Quinshon Judkins, even though his 3.0 yards per carry shows how little room he has found. The Jets’ best path is to keep Smith on schedule and force Deshaun Watson to sustain long drives. This looks like a one-score game where a single takeaway may decide it.

Bears at Packers, 1:00 p.m. ET

Form and matchup: Chicago is 3-1 and leads the NFL with 429 yards per game and 36:35 of possession per game through four contests. Green Bay is 2-2, averaging 18.2 points, and ranks 31st in possession at 26:46. Both defenses have 10 sacks. The pivotal matchup is Chicago’s run game, led by Kyle Monangai at 5.4 yards per carry, against a Packers front that must get off the field and give Jordan Love enough possessions.

Injuries and script: Monangai injured his thumb in Week 4. Packers linebacker Edgerrin Cooper was ruled out with an Achilles injury, and coach Matt LaFleur said afterward that he suspected Cooper would miss the rest of the season. Brandon Cisse was evaluated for a concussion. No final Sunday designations were posted. If Chicago controls first down, the Bears can shrink the game and keep Love from attacking downfield to Christian Watson. Green Bay’s home-field path is pressure, turnovers, and a faster start than its recent possession numbers suggest.

Bengals at Dolphins, 1:00 p.m. ET

Form and matchup: Cincinnati is 2-2 and Miami is 0-4. The Bengals average 24.2 points and 351.8 yards, while the Dolphins are last in scoring at 11.5 points per game and 30th in yardage at 267.5. Cincinnati has 14 sacks, tied for third in the league, against a Miami offense that has struggled to stay on schedule. Joe Burrow has completed 71.3 percent of his passes across four games.

Injuries and script: Ja’Marr Chase exited Week 4 with a concussion and must clear the league protocol. Miami defensive back Reese Taylor left with a quad injury, while De’Von Achane is already out for the season with a torn ACL. No Sunday designation was available Wednesday morning. Cincinnati can win by making Miami chase points and letting its pass rush take over. If Chase sits, Tee Higgins becomes the primary explosive target and Miami has a better chance to keep the score compressed.

Raiders at Patriots, 1:00 p.m. ET

Form and matchup: Las Vegas is 3-1 after a 30-27 loss to Kansas City. New England is 2-2 after winning 29-26 at Buffalo. The Raiders score 28.8 points per game, have 12 sacks, and own a plus-three turnover margin. The Patriots are at 16.2 points with a minus-five turnover margin. Kirk Cousins has 11 touchdown passes against four interceptions, while Drake Maye has four touchdowns and seven interceptions.

Injuries and script: Raiders receiver Jalen Nailor left Week 4 with a concussion. Patriots receiver Mack Hollins and tight end Eli Raridon did not return because of calf and ankle injuries. No final designation was available. New England needs a repeat of its aggressive performance in Buffalo without giving Cousins short fields. Las Vegas should make Maye prove he can beat pressure and disguised coverage. The Raiders have the steadier four-game profile, but a West Coast team playing at 1:00 p.m. in Foxborough adds legitimate uncertainty.

Vikings at Saints, 1:00 p.m. ET

Form and matchup: Minnesota is 4-0 even though its offense ranks 31st in yards. The engine is a defense with a league-high 16 sacks and a plus-five turnover margin. New Orleans is 1-3 after Monday’s 45-24 loss to Atlanta. The Saints average 367 yards and 26.2 points, but their minus-five turnover margin is the wrong weakness against this Vikings defense. Chris Olave has 491 receiving yards through four games and will be the stress point for Minnesota’s coverage.

Injuries and script: Minnesota linemen Donovan Jackson and Christian Darrisaw left Week 4, the latter for a concussion evaluation. Justin Jefferson missed that game with an ankle injury. New Orleans has Travis Etienne on injured reserve. No final Sunday status was posted at the cutoff. Minnesota wants pressure and short fields, not a track meet. New Orleans must protect Tyler Shough, avoid the giveaway that flips the game, and recover on a short week.

Texans at Titans, 1:00 p.m. ET

Form and matchup: Somebody gets a first win. Both clubs are 0-4, but Houston’s statistical base is much healthier. The Texans average 343.8 yards, have 14 sacks, and C.J. Stroud has thrown for 1,141 yards without an interception. Tennessee averages 13.8 points, a league-low 261.3 yards, and only 24:18 of possession per game. The main test is whether Houston can turn movement between the 20s into touchdowns.

Injuries and script: Texans cornerback Jaylin Smith left Week 4 with a hamstring injury. The league page had not posted the Sunday practice report or designations. Tennessee needs Tony Pollard and Cam Ward to create manageable third downs, because another pass-heavy comeback script invites Houston’s rush. The Texans should control territory, but an 0-4 road favorite is not the place for blind confidence.

Giants at Commanders, 1:00 p.m. ET

Form and matchup: New York is 3-1 after beating Arizona 36-24. Washington is 1-3 after a 30-13 loss to Indianapolis. Both teams have a plus-three turnover margin, but the Giants have produced six interceptions despite only three sacks. The matchup turns on whether Washington can field a functional quarterback and prevent New York from sitting on its short passing game.

Injuries and script: Jayden Daniels has missed two games with a dislocated elbow. Marcus Mariota then injured his right knee in Week 4, leaving rookie Athan Kaliakmanis to finish the game. Washington also lost Charles Omenihu and Jaylin Lane. The Giants had Braxton Berrios, Chauncey Golston, and Jason Pinnock leave Week 4, and Brian Burns is out for the season with a torn ACL. No final quarterback designation was available Wednesday morning. If Washington starts its third quarterback, New York can crowd the line and make him win outside. If Daniels returns, the matchup changes enough to invalidate any early betting lean.

Colts at Steelers, 1:00 p.m. ET

Form and matchup: Both teams are 2-2, but Indianapolis arrives off a 30-13 win while Pittsburgh has extra rest after losing 27-24 on Thursday. Jonathan Taylor has 353 rushing yards and six touchdowns. Pittsburgh counters with 10 sacks, four interceptions, and a plus-two turnover margin. Indianapolis is dead last at minus-six. That is the matchup: Taylor’s efficient volume against a defense built to make Daniel Jones handle pressure.

Injuries and script: The official Sunday practice report was not available, and the NFL’s Week 4 roundup did not identify a major exit for either team. That is not the same as a clean bill of health, so Wednesday participation still matters. Pittsburgh wants a slow, physical game that lets Aaron Rodgers and DK Metcalf choose their shots. Indianapolis wants Taylor to keep the Steelers out of their pressure menu. The first turnover may be more important than the first touchdown.

Broncos at Chargers, 4:05 p.m. ET

Form and matchup: Denver is 2-2; Los Angeles is 0-4. Neither club averages 19 points, and both quarterbacks have been uneven. Bo Nix has five touchdown passes and three interceptions, while Justin Herbert has four touchdowns and six interceptions. The Chargers do have 10 defensive sacks and four interceptions, so Denver cannot treat the record as permission to play loose.

Injuries and script: Denver cornerbacks Patrick Surtain II and Riley Moss left Week 4, as did receiver Pat Bryant. The Chargers lost Ladd McConkey, Joe Alt, Rashawn Slater, and Donte Jackson during their defeat in Seattle. No Wednesday practice status or final designation was available. The availability of the Chargers’ tackles is especially important against Denver’s pressure. If Los Angeles cannot protect Herbert, this becomes a field-position game that favors the team with fewer giveaways.

Lions at Cardinals, 4:25 p.m. ET

Form and matchup: Detroit is 2-2 but carries top-tier underlying production through four weeks: 29.8 points and 389.3 yards per game, plus 15 defensive sacks in total. Arizona is 1-3, allows opponents to dictate pace too often, but owns a plus-three turnover margin. Jared Goff has 1,214 yards, nine touchdowns, and no interceptions. Arizona needs Jacoby Brissett and rookie runner Jeremiyah Love to keep Goff on the sideline.

Injuries and script: Lions cornerback Rock Ya-Sin left Week 4 with a hamstring injury. Arizona lost Andrew Wingard, Isaiah Adams, Hunter Long, and Paris Johnson Jr. during its loss to the Giants. Johnson’s biceps issue is especially relevant against Detroit’s pass rush. No final designations were posted. Detroit should push the pace and force Arizona beyond its preferred ball-control plan. The Cardinals’ route to an upset is pressure, takeaways, and another efficient game from Love.

49ers at Seahawks, 4:25 p.m. ET

Form and matchup: San Francisco is 4-0 and scores 30.5 points per game. Seattle is 3-1 and scores 26.2. Brock Purdy has 11 touchdown passes against one interception, while George Kittle has four scores. Seattle’s answer is a defense with 11 sacks and a league-high six interceptions. Jaxon Smith-Njigba has been explosive with 481 yards and six touchdowns, giving Sam Darnold a direct way to punish aggressive coverage.

Injuries and script: San Francisco lost Kyle Juszczyk and Upton Stout in Week 4, and Nick Bosa was already expected to miss multiple weeks with a calf injury. Seattle defensive tackle Leonard Williams left last week’s win, although the initial postgame assessment did not sound serious. No final status was available. San Francisco wants an efficient Purdy game built off Christian McCaffrey. Seattle wants pressure, noise, and one takeaway that creates separation. This is the strongest game of the afternoon and the matchup most likely to punish a lazy early-week pick.

Ravens at Falcons, 8:20 p.m. ET

Form and matchup: Baltimore is 3-1 with 29.0 points and 395 yards per game. Atlanta is 2-2 with 24.0 points and 360.5 yards. Derrick Henry has seven rushing touchdowns, while Bijan Robinson has 494 rushing yards at 5.8 per carry. Atlanta just scored 45 on Monday night, but the short turnaround matters against a Ravens team that can make the game physically expensive.

Injuries and script: Lamar Jackson left Week 4 with an ankle injury after throwing for 220 yards and two scores in the first half. The initial report called him day to day, but a later NFL Network update said he had only an outside chance to play in Week 5. Marlon Humphrey also left with a calf injury. Atlanta’s full Wednesday report was not available after its Monday game. With Jackson, Baltimore can stress every gap and force Atlanta to defend the full field. Without him, Tyler Huntley makes this a Henry-centered game, and Atlanta can load the box. No side should be finalized until Jackson’s practice work is known.

Photo by Darku on Pexels.

PRELIMINARY PICKS FOR OWNER REVIEW

Odds source: FOX Sports Week 5 odds board, checked October 7, 2026 at 6:09 a.m. ET. Lines move. Recheck the sportsbook, injury reports, weather, and inactives immediately before publication. These are candidate positions, not placed bets, locks, or guarantees.

Jacksonville Jaguars -6.5 vs. Philadelphia. The Jaguars enter with a plus-six turnover margin, while the Eagles rank 29th in yards and may be without Barkley in a depleted backfield. Invalidation: pass if Barkley practices fully and is cleared without limitation, if Jacksonville’s secondary absences grow, or if the price reaches -7.5.
New York Giants +3 at Washington. The Giants are 3-1, and Washington may be down to a rookie third-string quarterback. Invalidation: pass if Daniels is cleared and takes normal first-team work, or if the line drops below +3.
San Francisco 49ers +3 at Seattle. San Francisco is 4-0, averages 30.5 points, and Purdy has an 11-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Invalidation: pass if Purdy or McCaffrey appears on the injury report with a meaningful limitation, if Seattle gets Leonard Williams back while San Francisco loses more offensive linemen, or if the line falls below +3.

PASS or WATCH

Game	Status	Reason
Browns at Jets	PASS	Low-total game with both offenses under 300 yards per game.
Bears at Packers	WATCH	Monangai and Green Bay’s defensive injuries could move the matchup.
Bengals at Dolphins	WATCH	Chase’s concussion status matters to a spread near a full touchdown.
Raiders at Patriots	PASS	New England’s Buffalo win and poor turnover margin point in opposite directions.
Vikings at Saints	WATCH	Minnesota’s protection and Jefferson availability remain unsettled.
Texans at Titans	PASS	Two winless division teams and a large road price invite volatility.
Colts at Steelers	PASS	Indianapolis’ minus-six turnover margin clashes with its recent form.
Broncos at Chargers	WATCH	The Chargers’ offensive line and Denver’s cornerback injuries are central.
Lions at Cardinals	WATCH	Arizona’s offensive line status matters against Detroit’s 15 sacks.
Ravens at Falcons	WATCH	Jackson’s ankle determines the side, total, and likely game script.

What to verify Friday and Sunday

Friday game designations for every reported injury above.
Jackson, Daniels, Mariota, Barkley, Chase, Jefferson, and the Chargers’ offensive tackles.
Saturday travel and roster moves for the London game.
Wind and precipitation at Lambeau Field, MetLife Stadium, Gillette Stadium, Nissan Stadium, Northwest Stadium, Acrisure Stadium, and Lumen Field.
Sunday inactive lists and any line that crosses the key numbers of three or seven.

Sources

Image credits

Featured Image: American football game by Wendy Wei, Pexels.
Football helmet: Lucas Andrade, Pexels.
Team huddle: Darku, Pexels.
Pexels License, checked October 7, 2026.

Editorial disclosure: This is an AI-assisted research draft prepared from the linked sources. It has not been hands-on tested, and no wager has been placed. The owner must verify all odds, injuries, weather, schedule details, and inactive lists immediately before publication.