Steve Maltepes, known as “The Philly Godfather,” is one of the nation’s hottest sports betting experts who appears weekly on national radio, including Jakib Media. Each week, he will impart his gambling wisdom on the Eagles and where the smart money is going.
NFL Week 5
Philadelphia Eagles (4-0) at Arizona Cardinals (2-2), 4:25 p.m. Sunday
The Line: Eagles minus-5.5/Total: 48.5
What is the line telling you: This line originally opened with the Eagles as 6-point favorites on the road against the Cardinals. Again, the sharp money bet against the Eagles, taking Arizona at plus-6 at home, dropping the line to 5.5. When it comes to this matchup, the Eagles, having outperformed the market the first four weeks of the season, going 3-1 against the spread, have a level of competition that has not been the best. With win totals set by Vegas at the beginning of the season, the Eagles’ opponents were at less than nine total wins. Arizona’s competition, based on Vegas’ preseason win totals, has been better, with two of the four opponents, the Chiefs, and Rams, with win totals 10 or better.
The average bettor likes to bet on undefeated teams, but this is a market and the point spread is the great equalizer.
The Eagles come into this game slightly banged up and the Cardinals’ offense has the fifth-best rushing offense.
Bottom line: This is a letdown spot for the Eagles, being a road favorite with the Dallas Cowboys coming in for Week 6. The smart money likes the Cardinals. The Eagles will win the game, but oddsmakers have been wrong about the Eagles all year.
Dallas Cowboys (3-1) at Los Angeles Rams (2-2), 4:25 p.m. Sunday
The Line: Rams minus-5.5/Total: 43
What is the line telling you: The current spread is 5.5 points, but there definitely seems to be something wrong with this Rams’ offense and defense. When you look at their stats, they’re 29th in the NFL in points scored on offense, 28th in total yards, 30th in rushing yards, and on the defensive side of the ball, they’re 28th in sack rate and 32nd in interceptions. The offensive line has also struggled. The Rams added wide receiver Allen Robinson, to complement Cooper Kupp, but that hasn’t worked. The Rams are a one-man team—Cooper Kupp. Dallas is one of the best against the pass.
Bottom line: The smart money likes the Cowboys plus the points and they have a great shot at winning the game outright on the money line. Take the Cowboys plus-5.5.
Tennessee Titans (2-2) vs. Washington Commanders (1-3), 1:00 p.m. Sunday
The Line: Titans minus-1.5/Total: 43
What is the line telling you: No one is looking to bet on Washington right now. The Commanders have lost three-straight games and they’ve looked horrible. Their offensive line has looked bad. Tennessee seems to have fixed its issues after the Titans two losses to Buffalo and the Giants. Washington’s passing attack has been pretty bad with Carson Wentz. In his last two games, against teams ranked among the top two in the league against the pass, Wentz isn’t the only one who has struggled against the Eagles and Cowboys. Wentz may have a big day. Tennessee has had problems against the pass.
Bottom line: The smart money likes Washington here and thinks the Commanders can beat Tennessee outright. This is a perfect matchup for the Commanders.
The Philly Godfather can be followed on Twitter @Phillygodfather & his website is www.thephillygodfather.com.
