Here are my Week 5 NFL Game Predictions, both straight-up and against the spread and my results from last week and the season.
You’ll also find an array of fantastic notes down below for Week 5 and the 2025 season courtesy of NFL Communications press releases.
Vince’s Picks Results
Week 4: 10-6 straight-up & 8-8 spread
Season: 46-18 straight-up & 34-30 spread
There are 27 VFLs on 53-player rosters in the NFL. There are 3 more on practice squads and one on injured reserve bringing the league total to 31 with NFL teams. See how each did in Week 4 at the bottom of this post. Look for a VFL in the NFL, ex-Vol and local player update blog soon on this feed and website, 991TheSportsAnimal.com.
Winners are in bold. Pick against the spread selection is listed to the side.
Week 5
Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025
8:20pm
San Francisco at LA Rams (-8.5) – San Francisco +8.5
Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025
9:30am
Minnesota (-3.5) at Cleveland in London, England – Minnesota -3.5
1pm
Houston (-2) at Baltimore – Baltimore +2
Miami (-1.5) at Carolina – Carolina +1.5
Las Vegas at Indianapolis (-6.5) – Indianapolis -6.5
NY Giants at New Orleans (1.5) – NY Giants +1.5
Dallas (-2.5) at NY Jets – Dallas -2.5
Denver at Philadelphia (-3.5) – Denver +3.5
4:05/4:25pm
Tennessee at Arizona (-7.5) – Arizona -7.5
Tampa Bay at Seattle (-3.5) – Seattle -3.5
Detroit (-10.5) at Cincinnati – Detroit -10.5
Washington at LA Chargers (-3) – LA Chargers -3
8:20pm
New England at Buffalo (-8) – Buffalo -8
Monday, Oct. 6, 2025
8:15pm
Kansas City (-3.5) at Jacksonville – Kansas City -3.5
Off This Week: Atlanta, Chicago, Green Bay and Pittsburgh
NEW YORK — Sept. 30, 2025 — Through the first month of the 2025 season, phenomenal finishes and exceptional special teams have been a common theme. There have been 18 games to feature a game-winning score in the final three minutes of regulation or in overtime, the most in 42 years and tied with the 1983 season for the most-ever through Week 4. There have been 11 special teams touchdowns, the most at this point in 13 years and the 3,624 kickoff return yards amassed last week is the most in a single week in NFL history.
For Week 5 capsules, click here.
Here’s a look at a few interesting storylines entering Week 5:
- London calling: When the Minnesota Vikingsand Cleveland Browns meet at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London (9:30 a.m. ET, NFL Network) on Sunday, it begins three consecutive weeks with an international game in the United Kingdom. The Vikings, after appearing in the first regular-season game in Ireland against the Pittsburgh Steelers last week, are the first team to play consecutive international games in different cities. In Week 6, the Denver Broncos and New York Jets meet at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and in Week 7, the Los Angeles Rams take on the Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium.
- Two undefeated teams remain: The Philadelphia Eaglesare 4-0 for the third time in the past four seasons while the Buffalo Bills improved to 4-0 for the first time since 2020.
- Denver (2-2) at Philadelphia(4-0) (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS): The Eagles can become the first team to begin 5-0 three times in a four-year span since the Indianapolis Colts (2006-07, 2009) while head coach Nick Sirianni can become the second coach ever to begin 5-0 in three of his first five seasons, joining Pro Football Hall of Famer Paul Brown.
- Philadelphia, with a blocked field goal-return touchdown in Week 3 and a blocked punt-return touchdown in Week 4, became the fourth team since 2000 with a blocked field goal-return or punt-return touchdown in consecutive games, joining the 2014 Philadelphia Eagles(Sept. 28-Oct. 5), 2008 San Francisco 49ers (Oct. 12-19) and 2002 Baltimore Ravens (Nov. 24-Dec. 1).
- Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurtsis the first quarterback in NFL history with five touchdown passes, four rushing touchdowns and no interceptions in his team’s first four games of a season.
- Denver quarterback Bo Nixtotaled three touchdowns (two passing, one rushing) in the team’s Week 4 win over Cincinnati. Since the beginning of the 2024 season, Nix is one of three quarterbacks, along with Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson, with at least 35 touchdown passes (36) and five rushing touchdowns (five).
- The Broncos lead the NFL with 15 sacks this season and are tied with Jacksonville for the fewest sacks allowed (three) in 2025.
- New England (2-2) at Buffalo(4-0) (Sunday night, 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC): The Bills have started a season with five straight wins in three previous seasons: 1964, 1980 and 1991.
- Buffalo, from Week 11 of the 2023 season through Week 4 of the 2025 season, are the fourth team ever to win 14 consecutive home regular-season games and score at least 24 points in each game, joining the 1997-98 Denver Broncos(15 consecutive home wins), 2017-19 New England Patriots (15) and 2022-23 Dallas Cowboys (14).
- Bills quarterback Josh Allenhas 45 career regular-season games with both a touchdown pass and a rushing touchdown, tied with Cam Newton for the most such games in NFL history.
- Buffalo running back James Cookranks second in rushing yards (401), tied for second in scrimmage touchdowns (five) and fifth in scrimmage yards (490) this season. He is the sixth player in the Super Bowl era with at least 100 scrimmage yards and a rushing touchdown in each of his team’s first four games of a season, joining Pro Football Hall of Famers J. Simpson (1975 with Buffalo) and Emmitt Smith (1995 with Dallas) as well as Christian McCaffrey (2023 with San Francisco), DeMarco Murray (2014 with Dallas) and Billy Sims (1981 with Detroit).
- New England quarterback Drake Maye, from Weeks 2-4, became the first player ever under the age of 24 with at least two touchdown passes and a completion percentage of 75-or-higher in three consecutive games, minimum 15 pass attempts in each game.
- Matchups of 3-1 teams: Four of the nine teams with three wins this season are set to meet in Week 4.
- San Francisco (3-1) at the Los Angeles Rams(3-1) (Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET, Prime Video): The Los Angeles Rams defeated San Francisco in both matchups during the 2024 season, recording fourth-quarter comeback victories in both games.
- 49ers running back Christian McCaffreyranks third in the NFL with 31 receptions and 530 scrimmage yards (305 receiving, 225 rushing), becoming the third player since 1990 with at least 300 receiving yards and 200 rushing yards in his team’s first four games of season, joining Matt Forte (2011) and Alvin Kamara (2018 and 2020).
- Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacuahad 13 receptions for a career-high 170 yards and one touchdown in the team’s Week 4 win over Indianapolis. Nacua leads the NFL with 42 receptions this season, tied with Cooper Kupp (2022 with the Los Angeles Rams) and Michael Thomas (2018 with New Orleans) for the most receptions by a player in his team’s first four games of a season in NFL history.
- Tampa Bay (3-1) at Seattle(3-1) (Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET, CBS): Both the Buccaneers and Seahawks are celebrating their 50th anniversary seasons after joining the NFL in 1976 and each club will be wearing throwback uniforms for this Sunday’s matchup.
- Since joining Tampa Bay in 2023, quarterback Baker Mayfieldleads the NFL with 77 touchdown passes and ranks second with 9,448 passing yards.
- Buccaneers wide receiver Emeka Egbukaleads all rookies with 282 receiving yards and four touchdown receptions this season and has recorded a touchdown catch in three of his first four games. In the past 20 seasons (2005-24), only four players have had a touchdown catch in four of their first five career games: Martavis Bryant (2014), Ja’Marr Chase (2021), Terry McLaurin (2019) and Hakeem Nicks (2009).
- Seattleleads the NFC in scoring defense (16.8 points per game allowed) and have recorded seven interceptions this season, tied for the second-most in the NFL.
- Turnovers key on Monday night: The Jacksonville Jaguars(3-1) are set to host the Kansas City Chiefs (2-2) on Monday Night Football (8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN/ABC) in Week 5. Jacksonville leads the NFL with 13 takeaways (league-high nine interceptions, four fumble recoveries) while Kansas City is one of three teams, along with Buffalo and Philadelphia, with only one giveaway this season.
- Jacksonville is the fifth team since 2002 with at least three takeaways in each of its first four games of a season, joining the 2024 Green Bay Packers, 2013 Chicago Bears, 2004 Seattle Seahawks and 2002 Philadelphia Eagles. Since 1990, only two teams have recorded two-or-more interceptions in each of their first five games of a season – the 1996 Green Bay Packers (first eight games) and 2021 Dallas Cowboys (first five).
- Last week, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomeshad four touchdown passes and reached 250 touchdown passes in his 116th career game, surpassing Aaron Rodgers (121 games) for the fastest player in NFL history to reach 250 career touchdown passes. Mahomes has 43 career games with at least three touchdowns and surpassed Pro Football Hall of Famer Peyton Manning (42 games) for the second-most by a player in his first nine seasons in NFL history, trailing only Pro Football Hall of Famer Dan Marino (46 games).
- San Francisco (3-1) at the Los Angeles Rams(3-1) (Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET, Prime Video): The Los Angeles Rams defeated San Francisco in both matchups during the 2024 season, recording fourth-quarter comeback victories in both games.
- Denver (2-2) at Philadelphia(4-0) (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS): The Eagles can become the first team to begin 5-0 three times in a four-year span since the Indianapolis Colts (2006-07, 2009) while head coach Nick Sirianni can become the second coach ever to begin 5-0 in three of his first five seasons, joining Pro Football Hall of Famer Paul Brown.
PATRICK MAHOMES
Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes recorded four touchdown passes last week and became the fastest player in NFL history (116 regular-season games) to reach 250 career touchdown passes.
Including the postseason, Mahomes has 298 touchdown passes in 137 career games and with two touchdown passes on Monday Night Football at Jacksonville (8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN/ABC), can surpass Aaron Rodgers (147 games) as the fastest player to 300 career touchdown passes, including the postseason, in NFL history.
SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL – JAMES COOK & DRAKE MAYE
The New England Patriots (2-2) visit the Buffalo Bills (4-0) on Sunday Night Football (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC) in Week 5.
Buffalo, from Week 11 of the 2023 season through Week 4 of this season, is the fourth team ever to win 14 consecutive home regular-season games and score at least 24 points in each game, joining the 1997-98 Denver Broncos (15 consecutive home wins), 2017-19 New England Patriots (15) and 2022-23 Dallas Cowboys (14).
Bills running back James Cook is one of four players this season with at least 100 scrimmage yards in each of the first four weeks.
On Sunday night, Cook can become the third player ever with at least 100 scrimmage yards and a rushing touchdown in each of his team’s first five games of a season, joining Pro Football Hall of Famers Jim Brown (first six games with Cleveland in 1958) and O.J. Simpson (first six games with Buffalo in 1975).
New England quarterback Drake Maye, from Weeks 2-4, became the first player ever under the age of 24 with at least two touchdown passes and a completion percentage of 75-or-higher in three consecutive games, minimum 15 pass attempts in each game.
Maye can become the second quarterback in NFL history with a completion percentage of 75-or-higher (minimum 15 attempts in each game) in four consecutive games within a single season, joining Tom Brady (2007 with New England).
Additionally, Maye can become the third quarterback in NFL history with a completion percentage of 75-or-higher (minimum 15 attempts in each game) in six games within his first two career seasons, joining Justin Herbert (six games) and Dak Prescott (six).
DAK PRESCOTT & JAKE FERGUSON
Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott leads the NFL with 121 completions this season, including at least 30 completions in each of his past three games.
With at least 30 completions at the New York Jets on Sunday (1 p.m. ET, FOX), Prescott can become the fourth quarterback ever with at least 30 completions in four consecutive games, joining Tom Brady (five consecutive games in 2022), Kirk Cousins (four in 2018) and Patrick Mahomes (four in 2020).
The players with at least 30 completions in the most consecutive games in NFL history:
| PLAYER | TEAM | SEASON | GAMES |
| Tom Brady | Tampa Bay | 2022 | 5 |
| Kirk Cousins | Minnesota | 2018 | 4 |
| Patrick Mahomes | Kansas City | 2020 | 4 |
| Dak Prescott | Dallas | 2025 | 3* |
| *active streak | |||
Dallas tight end Jake Ferguson leads all tight ends with 34 receptions this season and with six receptions on Sunday, can become the fourth tight end all-time with at least 40 receptions in his team’s first five games of a season, joining Zach Ertz (41 receptions with Philadelphia in 2018), Eric Johnson (41 with San Francisco in 2004) and Pro Football Hall of Famer Antonio Gates (40 with the San Diego Chargers in 2007).
JAXSON DART
New York Giants rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart recorded two touchdowns (one passing, one rushing) in his first career start and win last week.
In Week 5 at New Orleans (1 p.m. ET, CBS), Dart can become the sixth quarterback since 1950 to record both a touchdown pass and rushing touchdown in each of his first two career starts, joining Jake Delhomme (1999), Eric Hipple (1981), Sam Howell (2022-23), Cam Newton (2011) and Tim Tebow (2010).
DERRICK HENRY
Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry enters Week 5 with 109 career rushing touchdowns. With a rushing touchdown on Sunday against Houston (1 p.m. ET, CBS), Henry can tie Pro Football Hall of Famer Walter Payton (110 career rushing touchdowns) for the fifth-most rushing touchdowns in NFL history. Only Pro Football Hall of Famers Emmitt Smith (164 career rushing touchdowns), LaDainian Tomlinson (145) and Marcus Allen (123) as well as Adrian Peterson (120) have more.
The players with the most rushing touchdowns in NFL history:
| PLAYER | TEAM(S) | SEASONS | RUSHING TOUCHDOWNS | |
| Emmitt Smith HOF | Dallas, Arizona | 1990-2004 | 164 | |
| LaDainian Tomlinson HOF | S.D. Chargers, N.Y. Jets | 2001-11 | 145 | |
| Marcus Allen HOF | L.A. Raiders, Kansas City | 1982-97 | 123 | |
| Adrian Peterson | Minnesota, New Orleans, Arizona, Washington, Tennessee, Seattle | 2007-21 | 120 | |
| Walter Payton HOF | Chicago | 1975-87 | 110 | |
| Derrick Henry | Tennessee, Baltimore | 2016-active | 109* | |
| *entering Week 5 | ||||
PUKA NACUA & DAVANTE ADAMS
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua leads the NFL with 42 receptions this season, tied for the most by a player in his team’s first four games of a season in NFL history.
With eight receptions on Thursday Night Football against San Francisco (8:15 p.m. ET, Prime Video), Nacua can surpass Cooper Kupp (49 receptions in 2022) for the most receptions by a player in his team’s first five games of a season in NFL history.
The players with the most receptions in their team’s first five games of a season in NFL history:
| PLAYER | TEAM | SEASON | RECEPTIONS |
| Cooper Kupp | L.A. Rams | 2022 | 49 |
| T.J. Houshmandzadeh | Cincinnati | 2007 | 47 |
| Adam Thielen | Minnesota | 2018 | 47 |
| Puka Nacua | L.A. Rams | 2025 | 42* |
| *in team’s first four games | |||
Since Week 14 of the 2024 season, Nacua has at least seven receptions in eight straight games and on Thursday, can become the fourth player ever with at least seven receptions in nine consecutive games, joining Antonio Brown (14 consecutive games with Pittsburgh from 2014-15), Cooper Kupp (11 with L.A. Rams in 2021) and Stefon Diggs (nine with Buffalo from 2020-21).
Los Angeles wide receiver Davante Adams has a touchdown reception in three consecutive games this season and in 48 career primetime games (7 p.m. ET start time or later), has 33 touchdown receptions.
With a touchdown reception on Thursday, Adams can tie Pro Football Hall of Famer Terrell Owens (34 touchdown receptions) for the third-most touchdown receptions ever in primetime games (7 p.m. ET start time or later), trailing only Pro Football Hall of Famers Jerry Rice (46) and Randy Moss (44).
The players with the most career touchdown receptions in primetime in NFL history:
| PLAYER | REC. TDs |
| Jerry Rice HOF | 46 |
| Randy Moss HOF | 44 |
| Terrell Owens HOF | 34 |
| Davante Adams | 33 |
JUSTIN JEFFERSON
Since entering the NFL in 2020, Minnesota wide receiver Justin Jefferson has 7,758 receiving yards and 35 career games with at least 100 receiving yards.
With 109 receiving yards on Sunday against Cleveland in London (9:30 a.m. ET, NFL Network), Jefferson can surpass Pro Football Hall of Famers Jerry Rice (7,866 receiving yards) and Calvin Johnson (7,836) for the third-most receiving yards by a player in his first six seasons in NFL history.
The players with the most receiving yards in their first six seasons in NFL history:
| PLAYER | TEAM | REC. YARDS |
| Randy Moss HOF | Minnesota | 8,375 |
| Torry Holt | St. Louis Rams | 8,156 |
| Jerry Rice HOF | San Francisco | 7,866 |
| Calvin Johnson HOF | Detroit | 7,836 |
| Justin Jefferson | Minnesota | 7,758* |
| *in sixth season | ||
On Sunday, Jefferson can also surpass Julio Jones (35 games) for the second-most games with at least 100 receiving yards by a player in his first six seasons in NFL history, trailing only Pro Football Hall of Famer Randy Moss (38 games).
MYLES GARRETT
Cleveland defensive end Myles Garrett leads the NFL with eight tackles for loss and since Week 12 of last season, has at least one tackle for loss in 11 consecutive games.
With a tackle for loss on Sunday against Minnesota in London (9:30 a.m. ET, NFL Network), Garrett can become the fifth player since 2000 with a tackle for loss in 12 consecutive games, joining Robert Quinn (16 consecutive games from 2013-14), J.J. Watt (15 from 2014-15), Pro Football Hall of Famer DeMarcus Ware (13 from 2010-11) and Terrell Suggs (12 in 2010).
The players with the most consecutive games with a tackle for loss since 2000:
| PLAYER | TEAM | SEASON(S) | GAMES |
| Robert Quinn | St. Louis Rams | 2013-14 | 16 |
| J.J. Watt | Houston | 2014-15 | 15 |
| DeMarcus Ware HOF | Dallas | 2010-11 | 13 |
| Terrell Suggs | Baltimore | 2010 | 12 |
| Myles Garrett | Cleveland | 2024-25 | 11* |
| *active streak | |||
Garrett – who has 106.5 career sacks and turns 30 years old on Dec. 29 – can surpass Pro Football Hall of Famer Reggie White (108 sacks) for the most sacks by a player under the age of 30 since 1982, when the individual sack became an official statistic.
KERBY JOSEPH
Detroit safety Kerby Joseph recorded his second interception of the season last week and leads all players with 19 interceptions since entering the NFL in 2022.
With an interception at Cincinnati on Sunday (4:25 p.m. ET, FOX), Joseph can become the sixth player since 2000 with at least 20 interceptions in his first four seasons, joining J.C. Jackson (25 interceptions), Richard Sherman (24), Marcus Peters (22), Pro Football Hall of Famer Ed Reed (22) and Rashean Mathis (20).
The players with the most interceptions in their first four seasons since 2000:
| PLAYER | TEAM(S) | INTERCEPTIONS |
| J.C. Jackson | New England | 25 |
| Richard Sherman | Seattle | 24 |
| Marcus Peters | Kansas City, L.A. Rams | 22 |
| Ed Reed HOF | Baltimore | 22 |
| Rashean Mathis | Jacksonville | 20 |
| Kerby Joseph | Detroit | 19* |
| *in fourth season | ||
###
Vols in the NFL – Week 4
Via UT Athletics Release
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Former Tennessee standouts continued to make their mark across the National Football League in Week 4.
Los Angeles Rams pass rusher Byron Young delivered another strong performance, posting his fifth sack of the season in a 27-20 victory over Indianapolis. The third-year linebacker also tallied three tackles, a tackle-for-loss and two quarterback hits. Young is tied for No. 1 in the NFL in sacks.
In New Orleans, Alvin Kamara paced the Saints’ offense, rushing 15 times for 70 yards while adding four receptions against Buffalo. Teammate and fellow VFL Velus Jones Jr. made an impact on special teams, returning five kickoffs for 134 yards and recording two tackles in the matchup.
Rookie defensive lineman Elijah Simmons made his presence felt in Tampa Bay, recording his first career tackle-for-loss in the Buccaneers’ contest with Philadelphia.
A full recap of Vols around the league can be found below.
Derek Barnett – DE – Houston Texans
Registered one tackle in a 26-0 win over the Titans
Matthew Butler – DT – Miami Dolphins
Started and made one tackle with a QB hit in a 27-21 win over the New York Jets
Jerome Carvin – OL – Jacksonville Jaguars
On practice squad
Morgan Cox – LS – Tennessee Titans
Snapped seven times against Houston
Joshua Dobbs – QB – Patriots
Played six offensive snaps against Carolina in a 42-13 win
Princeton Fant – TE – Dallas Cowboys
On practice squad
Kamal Hadden – DB – Green Bay Packers
Did not see any action against the Cowboys
Hendon Hooker – QB – Carolina Panthers
On practice squad
Jalin Hyatt – WR – New York Giants
Played 29 offensive snaps versus the Los Angeles Chargers
Theo Jackson – DB – Minnesota Vikings
Recorded one tackle against Pittsburgh
Jauan Jennings – WR – San Francisco 49ers
Caught two passes for 24 yards versus Jacksonville
Jakob Johnson – FB – Houston Texans
On Reserve/Injured list
Velus Jones Jr. – RB – New Orleans Saints
Returned five kicks for 134 yards and recorded two tackles against Buffalo
Alvin Kamara – RB – New Orleans Saints
Rushed 15 times for 70 yards with four receptions for two yards on Sunday at Buffalo
Cade Mays – C – Carolina Panthers
Made his second consecutive start at center, playing all 69 offensive snaps
Jaylen McCollough – DB – Los Angeles Rams
Posted four tackles in a 27-20 win over the Colts
Joe Milton III – QB – Dallas Cowboys
Did not see any action against Green Bay
Omarr Norman-Lott – DT – Kansas City Chiefs
Played 16 defensive snaps against Baltimore
Josh Palmer – WR – Buffalo Bills
Caught two passes for 25 yards in a victory over New Orleans
James Pearce Jr. – OLB – Atlanta Falcons
Played 23 defensive snaps versus Washington
Dylan Sampson – RB – Cleveland Browns
Saw action on nine offensive snaps at Detroit
Elijah Simmons – DT – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Recorded his first career tackle – a tackle-for-loss – against Philadelphia
Trey Smith – OL – Kansas City Chiefs
Logged 78 total snaps in a 37-20 win over Baltimore
Alontae Taylor – CB – New Orleans Saints
Registered four tackles on the road at Buffalo
Darrell Taylor – OLB – Houston Texans
Did not see any action on Sunday
Dont’e Thornton Jr. – WR – Las Vegas Raiders
Made his third consecutive start, playing 31 offensive snaps against the Bears
Cedric Tillman – WR – Cleveland Browns
Played 15 offensive snaps on Sunday, catching one pass for six yards
Shy Tuttle – DT – Tennessee Titans
Made two tackles against the Texans
Darnell Wright – OT – Chicago Bears
Did not see any action on Sunday
Jaylen Wright – RB – Miami Dolphins
Did not see any action in Week 4
Byron Young – OLB – Los Angeles Rams
Recorded one sack – his fifth of the season – to go along with three tackles, one TFL and two QB hits in a 27-20 win over Indianapolis
