NFL Week Five best bets: Ertz and Brady to enjoy strong outings

Free American football tips, best bets and analysis for Week Five of the 2021 NFL season.

Best bets

Carolina Panthers -3.56pm
1pt 20-21 Betfred

Zach Ertz over 27.5 receiving yards6pm
2p 20-23 bet365

Tom Brady over 308.5 passing yards6pm
1pt 10-11 bet365

Damien Williams to score a touchdown9.05pm
1pt 8-5 Betfair, Paddy Power

Under 47.5 total points in Cleveland Browns at Los Angeles Chargers9.05pm
1pt Evs Boyles

Philadelphia Eagles at Carolina Panthers

6pm Sunday

Carolina were well beaten by Dallas in Week Four but have enough credit in the bank to justify the belief they can ease past the Philadelphia Eagles. The 3-1 Panthers clearly feel that they are building something special, completing a second trade in as many weeks by bringing in Stephon Gilmore from New England.

They could also have Christian McCaffrey back for this game, while DJ Moore has been playing out of his skin this year and is quarterback Sam Darnold’s favourite target.

The Eagles have problems on both lines and can’t stop anyone right now, giving up over 40 points in defeats to Dallas and Kansas City which extended their losing streak to three games.

The only positive for Philly of late has been the continued improvement of Jalen Hurts.

The second-year quarterback has played well in defeat, thanks in part to the efforts of his two tight ends, Dallas Goedert and Zach Ertz.

Reports in the offseason suggested Hurts and Ertz had a strong understanding and that has played out recently with Ertz registering 15 targets in the last two weeks.

He’s turned those targets into 53 and 60-yard performances and could expose a Carolina defence which allowed Dallas tight end Dalton Schultz to record 58 receiving yards last week.

Miami Dolphins at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Sunday 6pm

Tom Brady made a winning return to New England last week but didn’t produce the dominant performance he would have liked as he threw for 269 yards and zero touchdowns.

Brady had previously been averaging 362 passing yards per game before his rain-swept return to the Patriots and could bounce back to form against the Miami Dolphins.

Miami couldn’t stop the Indianapolis Colts and a crocked Carson Wentz as they fell to 1-3 and this is a much tougher test.

The Fins could be missing one of their top cornerbacks, Byron Jones, for this game and that will make Brady’s job of carving up the Dolphins all that bit easier.

Chicago Bears at Las Vegas Raiders

9.05pm Sunday

The Bears’ win over Detroit in Week Four came at a cost as they lost star running back David Montgomery to a knee injury, but fortunately his replacement isn’t half bad.

Damien Williams played a key role in Kansas City's Super Bowl success in 2019 before moving to Chicago and can step into Montgomery’s shoes seamlessly.

Williams has scored nine touchdowns in his last nine games and can reach the endzone again against a Raiders side who have struggled to defend against running backs.

Vegas are giving up 132 rushing yards per game to opposition running backs and have allowed six touchdowns to the position.

Cleveland Browns at Los Angeles Chargers

Sunday 9.05pm

The Browns and Chargers enter the week at 3-1 and with their sights firmly set on the playoffs.

A strong defence is a major reason both teams have begun the season so well, with both defences rank in the top 10 for total DVOA.

The Chargers have allowed more than 17 points just once in four games this season, while the Browns have shut down the Bears and Vikings in the last two weeks, conceding a combined 13 points.

Cleveland quarterback Baker Mayfield comes into this game with an injury to his non-throwing shoulder which seems to be affecting him which will make life harder against a Chargers team who have enjoyed seven turnovers.

Bolts QB Justin Herbert also faces a tough night with the Browns' defence ranking in the top five for sacks and quarterback knockdowns, and that could limit the scoring.

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