NFL Week 5 Odds: 5 best bets against the spread
By Brad Rowland
Jacksonville Jaguars (+6.5) over Pittsburgh Steelers
It seems impossible that the Jaguars could be receiving less than a touchdown after what we’ve seen, so naturally, I’m taking them at home against Pittsburgh. At the time of this post, over 80% of the action has come down on the side of the Steelers, making them an incredibly “public” side, and that is easy to justify, as Jacksonville sits at an ugly 4-0.
Still, the Jaguars closely resembled an NFL team on the offensive side of the ball last week, and with rookie QB Blake Bortles under center, that should continue in the more friendly confines of their home building. In addition, Pittsburgh has been the definition of an up-and-down team this season, and the Steelers certainly do not possess the elite-level defense that many have come to expect.
To be clear, this is an obvious instance of “holding your nose” and taking the team that no one wants. This line is suspiciously low, and when things are fishy, there is usually a reason.