The “Pick Five” NFL Football Contest – NFLbets’ official shots in the dark

Among NFL betting contests, the “pick five” format is certainly among the most challenging. Such contests simply require the bettor to choose five teams with point spread per week. Hundreds to thousands may be entered in a single prize pool, with prizes in the $250,000 range and higher up for grabs.

This may sound simple – and a lot less like gambling than contests forcing you to pick SU winners in every game scheduled – but. Well, you can probably guess (if you’re not already playing one): The truth is that some weeks there aren’t five appealing pointspread bets to make. And just as in betting, your 4-point favorite winning SU by 3 is just as much a loss as though they’d lost by three touchdowns.

Enough grousing, though. Pick five contests may be mega-challenging, but they’re a lot of fun. Here’s what NFLbets’ entry looks like in week 3.

New England Patriots +3 vs Baltimore Ravens
NFLbets just can’t quit Belichick’s Patriots, it seems. We’ll go into more detail about this game elsewhere on NFLbets – it’s our Upset Special for week 3 – but in short too many Ravens injuries making for a weakened pass rush plus a top-notch Patriots defense equals the surprise win.

Kansas City Chiefs -5½ at Indianapolis Colts
Judging by most other lines this week, oddsmakers have adjusted to the unique conditions of a new season of NFL football – except for this game. Seriously, have they seen the Chiefs in their first two games? What about the Colts? NFLbets would advise taking the Chiefs minus any number of points in this one.

San Francisco 49ers -1½ at Denver Broncos
Same goes here. The Broncos have managed half as many touchdowns (2) as delay-of-game penalties thus far into 2022 and have yet to face a proper defense. What’s keeping this point spread so low? Homefield advantage?

Jacksonville Jaguars +7 at Los Angeles Chargers
This one, on the other hand, is the counterintuitive pick of the week. Seven points is a lot to give in the average NFL game involving two competent teams, and the Jaguars seem competent enough.

Los Angeles Rams -3½ at Arizona Cardinals
In all games pitting Sean McVay vs. Kliff Kingsbury as head coaches, the Rams’ record is 6-1 SU/5-1-1 ATS. NFLbets doesn’t need much more than that, really…

– written by Os Davis