NFL Week 5
Oct 8, 2026 – Oct 12, 2026. 15 games with takes, all final; 184 takes.
Standings
Everyone’s takes on this week’s games, most correct first; graded takes count as games finish. Click a column to sort.
 Cousin Sal | 17 | 12 | 0 | .586 | 5.2 | +839 |
 Raheem Palmer | 15 | 6 | 0 | .714 | 4.6 | +666 |
 Joe House | 11 | 7 | 0 | .611 | 4.9 | +538 |
 Anthony Dabbundo | 11 | 15 | 0 | .423 | 5.3 | +543 |
 Sheil Kapadia | 5 | 4 | 1 | .556 | 4.9 | +226 |
 Bill Simmons | 4 | 9 | 0 | .308 | 5.4 | +202 |
 Zach Berman | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | 2.4 | +47 |
 Billy Gil | 2 | 1 | 0 | .667 | 5.2 | +102 |
 Tate Frazier | 2 | 3 | 0 | .400 | 6.6 | +154 |
 Rich Hofmann | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | 2.5 | +25 |
 Tom Pelissero | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | 2.8 | +28 |
Games
Thursday, Oct 8 · 1 game
NFLFinal
Tampa Bay Buccaneers24
Dallas Cowboys16Raheem Palmer 2–1 Sheil Kapadia 1–0 Tate Frazier 1–1 13 takes · all graded →
Sunday, Oct 11 · 13 games
NFLFinal
Philadelphia Eagles17
Jacksonville Jaguars19Raheem Palmer 2–0 Zach Berman 2–0 Joe House 1–0 38 takes · all graded →
NFLFinal
Indianapolis Colts22
Pittsburgh Steelers34Joe House 1–0 Bill Simmons 1–0 Raheem Palmer 1–0 8 takes · all graded →
NFLFinal
Chicago Bears7
Green Bay Packers31Cousin Sal 2–0 Joe House 2–0 Anthony Dabbundo 2–1 11 takes · all graded →
NFLFinal
Las Vegas Raiders17
New England Patriots45Joe House 2–0 Bill Simmons 1–0 Cousin Sal 1–1 12 takes · all graded →
NFLFinal
Minnesota Vikings23
New Orleans Saints13Raheem Palmer 2–0 Anthony Dabbundo 0–2 Joe House 0–2 10 takes · all graded →
NFLFinal
Cleveland Browns12
New York Jets17Cousin Sal 2–0 Joe House 0–1 Raheem Palmer 0–1 6 takes · all graded →
NFLFinal
New York Giants27
Washington Commanders27Cousin Sal 1–0 Raheem Palmer 1–0 Joe House 1–1 13 takes · 6 graded →
NFLFinal
Houston Texans26
Tennessee Titans3Sheil Kapadia 3–0 Raheem Palmer 2–0 Anthony Dabbundo 1–0 11 takes · all graded →
NFLFinal
Cincinnati Bengals31
Miami Dolphins24Cousin Sal 3–0 Joe House 1–0 Bill Simmons 1–1 8 takes · all graded →
NFLFinal
Denver Broncos23
Los Angeles Chargers17Billy Gil 1–0 Cousin Sal 0–1 Raheem Palmer 0–1 4 takes · all graded →
NFLFinal
San Francisco 49ers32
Seattle Seahawks29Cousin Sal 2–2 Joe House 0–1 Raheem Palmer 0–1 9 takes · all graded →
NFLFinal
Detroit Lions45
Arizona Cardinals21Anthony Dabbundo 3–2 Raheem Palmer 2–0 Cousin Sal 1–1 20 takes · all graded →
NFLFinal
Baltimore Ravens30
Atlanta Falcons23Cousin Sal 2–0 Anthony Dabbundo 2–0 Joe House 1–0 7 takes · all graded →
Monday, Oct 12 · 1 game
NFLFinal
Buffalo Bills37
Los Angeles Rams34Raheem Palmer 3–0 Cousin Sal 2–1 Anthony Dabbundo 2–2 22 takes · all graded →
Episodes 14
Where this week’s takes were made, newest first, with how many of each episode’s takes are about this week’s games.
16 takes in Week 5NFL Week 5 Recap! Plus, UGA Takes the Top Spot and a Bills-Rams Preview.
Ringer Wise Guys · Oct 12, 2026
1 take in Week 5The Unflappable 49ers, Bad Coaching Galore, Drake Maye’s Rally, Tua’s Rough Cameo, and Guess the Lines
The Bill Simmons Podcast · Oct 12, 2026
- 65 takes in Week 5
Bucs Beat the Cowboys and an NFL Week 5 Mega-Preview
Ringer Wise Guys · Oct 9, 2026
15 takes in Week 5Sean Payton Is Calling the Shots (and Plays) and More Main Characters for Week 5
The Ringer NFL Show · Oct 9, 2026
18 takes in Week 5Cam Jurgens Trade, Lane Johnson Retirement, Eagles-Jags, And Mailbag
The Ringer's Philly Special · Oct 8, 2026
- 13 takes in Week 5
NBA One Guy (the West!), an Eagles Mess, MLB and WNBA Playoffs, a Mini-Mailbag and Ringer 107 Picks |
The Bill Simmons Podcast · Oct 8, 2026
- 11 takes in Week 5
Yankees Lose, Dodgers and Brewers Advance, and a Bucs-Cowboys Preview
Ringer Wise Guys · Oct 8, 2026
- 7 takes in Week 5
How Lane Johnson’s Retirement Will Affect the Eagles and More Questions for Week 5
The Ringer NFL Show · Oct 7, 2026
- 13 takes in Week 5
Falcons-Saints Recap, Early Week 5 Leans, and 2-0 Series Leads
Ringer Wise Guys · Oct 6, 2026
- 14 takes in Week 5
Texas Toast, Fantasy Murderers, Drake Maybe Back, Guess the Lines and MLB Playoffs
The Bill Simmons Podcast · Oct 5, 2026
- 2 takes in Week 5
Week 4 Recap and a Falcons-Saints Preview
Ringer Wise Guys · Oct 5, 2026
- 6 takes in Week 5
Injuries or Season From Hell? Rams-Eagles Takeaways
The Ringer's Philly Special · Oct 4, 2026
- 2 takes in Week 5
Dallas Makes a Splash, Desperate Times for the Texans, and More Main Characters for Week 4
The Ringer NFL Show · Oct 2, 2026
- 1 take in Week 5
Hello Cleveland: Week 4 NFL Picks, NBA Award Leans, Raiders Realities, and Boston Despair
The Bill Simmons Podcast · Oct 1, 2026
Every take on this week’s games
- The Bills probably lose to the Rams on Monday night.
“Bills assuming they'll probably lose to the Rams”
Won by 3
- Keon Coleman scores a touchdown against the Rams.
Anytime touchdown at +240.
“I'm going to take Keon Coleman touchdown anytime touchdown at plus two 40.”
Keon Coleman: 1 receiving touchdowns
- Khalil Shakir has over 45.5 receiving yards against the Rams.
Prop at −113.
“Shakir playing out of the slot over 45 and a half receiving yards at minus one 13.”
Khalil Shakir: 80 receiving yards
- The Rams cover −3.5 against the Bills.
“I'm taking the Rams as well.”
Lost by 3
- The Rams beat the Bills by about a touchdown.
“I think they went by a touchdown”
Bills won 37-34 in overtime on Oct 12, 2026 (Bass 45-yd FG with 1:55 left in OT), so the Rams lost rather than winning by about a touchdown.
- Source: ESPN ↗ Bills 37-34 Rams (Oct 12, 2026) Game Recap · Oct 13, 2026
- Josh Allen scores a touchdown against the Rams.
Prop at −120.
“Allen to score, minus 120.”
Josh Allen: 1 rushing touchdowns
- The Rams score 30 or more points against the Bills.
His Bills-Rams pick: the Rams team total over.
“I think the Rams get to 30 tonight.”
LAR scored 34
- The Rams cover −3 against the Bills.
He bet this earlier in the week, before the line moved to 3.5.
“I laid three early in the week.”
Lost by 3
- The Rams cover −2.5 in the first half against the Bills, leading about 14–10.
His best bet: Rams first half −2.5, predicting a 14–10 halftime score.
“I'm going to say 14, 10, first half LA lay the two and a half.”
Bills led 13-7 at halftime on Oct 12, 2026, so the Rams lost the first half by 6. The Bills won the game 37-34 in overtime.
- Source: NBC Sports ↗ Monday Night Football: Bills lead Rams 13-7 at halftime · Oct 12, 2026
- The Bills cover +9.5 (teased) against the Rams.
Restating the Bills teaser leg from his Ringer 107 card (other leg not named).
“I have the bills on a teaser getting nine and a half”
Won by 3
- The Rams probably go over their team total against the Bills.
On chat talk of the Rams team total over; he won't play it.
“I'm kind of looking like I lean towards the over.”
The Rams lost 37-34 in overtime to the Bills on Oct 12, 2026, scoring 34 points, which clears the ~28.5 team total listed on Kalshi.
- Source: ESPN ↗ Bills 37-34 Rams (Oct 12, 2026) Final Score - ESPN · Oct 12, 2026
- The Bills are the lean at +3.5 against the Rams, but only barely.
Gun-to-head side on Bills at Rams; he says he'll personally stay away.
“So gun to my head, I'm taking the bills plus three and a half.”
Won by 3
- The Rams beat the Bills.
“we all, I think, are expecting the Rams to win tonight.”
Lost by 3
- 6-point teaser: Colts +8.5 at the Steelers and Bills +9.5 at the Rams.
Ringer 107, Week 5, 6-point teaser (Colts from +2.5, Bills from +3.5 on Monday night).
“We are going to Pittsburgh and we're taking the Colts plus eight and a half against the Steelers.”
- 1IND +8.5IND22@PIT34· Final❌
- 2BUF +9.5BUF37@LAR34· Final/OT✅
Leg 1 of 2 missed: Lost by 12
- 1IND +8.5
- The Texans blow out the Titans in Tennessee.
“I think we're seeing a blowout in Tennessee.”
Won by 23
- The Texans' defense forces turnovers against the Titans.
Explaining his Ringer 107 pick of the Texans −7.5 at the Titans.
“I think they're going to force some turnovers.”
In the Oct 11, 2026 game Houston won 26-3 and forced two turnovers, including an interception, per the Houston Chronicle and ESPN. Sources differ on which Texans player intercepted the ball.
- Source: Houston Chronicle ↗ Texans' defense finds its form in win over Titans behind Will Anderson Jr. · Oct 11, 2026
- The Texans cover −7.5 at the Titans.
Ringer 107, Week 5 pick.
“The Houston Texans, minus seven and a half at the Titans.”
Won by 23
- The Raiders cover +3.5 at the Patriots.
Ringer 107, Week 5 pick.
“We're taking the Raiders plus three and a half at New England.”
Lost by 28
- Lions–Cardinals goes over on points and yards.
“I would take whatever the overs are on everything, on yards, on points, on everything”
Lions won 45-21 on Oct 11, 2026 (66 combined points) against a 54.5 total. Combined yardage was about 739 (412 DET, 327 ARI), but no yards line was found to grade against.
- Source: ESPN ↗ Lions 45-21 Cardinals (Oct 11, 2026) Final Score · Oct 11, 2026
- The Cardinals put up big numbers against the Lions' defense.
“this seems like a game where the Cardinals are going to kind of put up some big numbers against the defense.”
Lions beat Cardinals 45-21 on Oct 11, 2026. Arizona finished with 21 points and 327 total yards, short of both the 30-point and 400-yard proxies.
- Source: Fox Sports ↗ Lions vs. Cardinals - Final Score - October 11, 2026 · Oct 11, 2026
- The Broncos get right against the Chargers in Sean Payton's first game back calling plays.
“So this Chargers game seems like a get right game for them and they'll kind of figure things out”
Won by 6
- 6-point teaser: Bengals −0.5 against the Dolphins and Bills +9.5 against the Rams.
Ringer 107, Week 5, his 6-point teaser.
“Bengals minus a half bills plus nine and a half”
- 1CIN −0.5CIN31@MIA24· Final✅
- 2BUF +9.5BUF37@LAR34· Final/OT✅
All 2 legs came true
- 1CIN −0.5
- 6-point teaser: Jaguars −1.5 against the Eagles and Texans −1.5 against the Titans.
Ringer 107, Week 5, his 6-point teaser.
“So let's go with the Jaguars minus one and a half in London.”
- 1JAX −1.5PHI17@JAX19· Final✅
- 2HOU −1.5HOU26@TEN3· Final✅
All 2 legs came true
- 1JAX −1.5
- The Jaguars beat the Eagles.
Explaining his Jaguars −1.5 / Texans −1.5 teaser.
“I think both of these teams get a win and then they play each other next week.”
Won by 2
- 6-point teaser: Packers +7.5 against the Bears and Saints +7.5 against the Vikings.
Ringer 107, Week 5, his 6-point teaser.
“plus seven and a half and the saints plus seven and a half”
- 1GB +7.5CHI7@GB31· Final✅
- 2NO +7.5MIN23@NO13· Final❌
Leg 2 of 2 missed: Lost by 10
- 1GB +7.5
- Mike Gesicki scores a touchdown against the Dolphins.
Family Meal touchdown scorer (Mike Gesicki) at +240.
“I think he scores in Miami”
Gesicki caught a 4-yard touchdown from Joe Burrow on Cincinnati's opening drive in the 31-24 win at Miami on Oct 11, 2026. The prediction was a touchdown in Miami, so it hit.
- Source: ESPN ↗ Burrow throws 4 TDs, Battle has pair of interceptions as Bengals beat Dolphins 31-24 · Oct 11, 2026
- Brock Bowers scores a touchdown against the Patriots.
Family Meal touchdown scorer at +130.
“Speaking of tight ends, I'll go Brock Bowers plus one 30.”
Bowers caught a 13-yard TD from Kirk Cousins in the first quarter of the Raiders' 45-17 loss to New England on Oct. 11, 2026. The box score shows 8 catches, 110 yards, 1 TD.
- Source: Fox Sports ↗ Raiders vs. Patriots Box Score and Stats - October 11, 2026 · Oct 11, 2026
- Trey McBride scores a touchdown against the Lions.
Family Meal touchdown scorer at +115.
“So let me have McBride getting in there.”
McBride caught a 9-yard touchdown pass from Jacoby Brissett late in the fourth quarter of the Cardinals' 45-21 loss to Detroit on Oct. 11, 2026, per the box score. He finished with 9 catches for 66 yards.
- Source: CBS Sports ↗ Detroit Lions vs. Arizona Cardinals Live Score and Stats - October 11, 2026 Gametracker · Oct 11, 2026
- Puka Nacua has over 6.5 receptions against the Bills.
“Yeah, I'm going Puka Nakua over six and a half receptions.”
Puka Nacua: 17 receptions
- Ravens-Falcons probably goes over 43.5 points, though it's not a strong play.
He calls it a buy-low, not particularly strong play; he projects 24-21.
“I'm going to play the over on this.”
53 total points
- The Ravens cover +3.5 against the Falcons.
Ringer 107, Week 5 pick (also his man's best bet).
“Yeah, 107, a man's best bet for me.”
Won by 7
- The Ravens beat the Falcons.
He predicts a 19-16 Ravens win.
“I love it so much so that I'm playing the Ravens outright to win this football game.”
Won by 7
- Derrick Henry has a big rushing game against the Falcons.
“I think this is going to be a Derek Henry masterpiece.”
Derrick Henry: 102 rushing yards
- The Ravens cover +3.5 against the Falcons.
Ringer 107, Week 5 pick (also his wise wager).
“I'm going Ravens plus three and a half as my wisest wager.”
Won by 7
- If Chase and Higgins are out, the Dolphins beat the Bengals.
Conditional on Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins not playing.
“If they don't play, I'm on Miami Moneyline.”
Lost by 7
- The Bengals beat the Dolphins.
“I'll use it as a teaser leg and or eliminator pick against the hapless and Devon H -less Dolphins”
Won by 7
- The Dolphins cover +7.5 against the Bengals.
He buys the half point from +6.5 to +7.5.
“which is why I'm going to go ahead and pay the little extra to get to seven and a half.”
Lost by 7
- The Texans beat the Titans for their first win.
“So I think this, they finally get off the snot here.”
Won by 23
- Texans–Titans goes under 38.5 points.
“So give me under 38 and a half, under 37 and a half, whatever.”
29 total points
- The Cardinals cover +5.5 against the Lions.
“And I'm going to go ahead and grab the five and a half.”
Lost by 24
- The Cardinals cover +5.5 against the Lions.
He predicts 27-26.
“They will not cover.”
Lost by 24
- The Lions score 30 or more points against the Cardinals.
“Detroit will get their 30 plus.”
DET scored 45
- The Lions cover −5.5 against the Cardinals.
“So it is a clear, small wager for me on Detroit at five and a half.”
Won by 24
- Lions–Cardinals goes over 54.5 points.
He gave it out earlier in the week at 53.5.
“So give me the over 54.5.”
66 total points
- The Eagles cover +7.5 against the Jaguars.
He nearly made the Eagles his upset special; predicts 23-19.
“But I'll just grab the seven and a half, just the same.”
Lost by 2
- The Eagles cover +7.5 against the Jaguars.
“so I'm going to grab the Eagles plus a seven and a half.”
Lost by 2
- Cam Skattebo's longest rush against the Commanders is under 14.5 yards.
“longest rush under 14 and a half would also be a good bet”
In the Oct. 11, 2026 27-27 overtime tie, Skattebo's longest run was 19 yards on a third-and-2 pitch in regulation. The prior season-best was 13 yards.
- Source: New York Giants (giants.com) ↗ Instant Analysis: Giants tie Commanders, 27-27 (OT) · Oct 12, 2026
- Cam Skattebo has under 73.5 rushing plus receiving yards against the Commanders.
“Scadaboo under 73 and a half rushing and receiving yards.”
Skattebo rushed 13 times for 59 yards and caught 2 passes for 12 yards in the 27-27 OT tie on Oct 11, 2026, totaling 71 yards against the 73.5 line.
- Source: Bleacher Report ↗ Jayden Daniels Returns, Final Box Score Stats & Highlights from Commanders' Tie vs. Giants · Oct 11, 2026
- Giants–Commanders goes over 42.5 points.
He predicts 27-22.
“I'm going to go over 42 and a half.”
54 total points
- The Commanders beat the Giants by 10 or more.
“I'm laying the line on Washington plus 200 to, uh, to win by double digits.”
Tied by 0
