NFL Week 5 predictions: Picks against the spread for every game

Readers of this column for the past four weeks, or 31 years, know we don’t take a one-size-fits-all approach to handicapping. There are always a myriad of angles to consider, from injuries (is one team decimated at a key position?) to weather to travel considerations (is it a short week or third consecutive road game for one of the teams) to current form.We look at them all, then try to choose the one or two that are most relevant to a prediction for any given game.Which brings us to Sunday’s New York Jets-Minnesota Vikings game in London, which will kick off at 9:30 a.m.

ET.You can get tangled up in all of the contradictory stats all you want.For instance the Vikings defense leads the NFL with 17 sacks but is also last in passing yards allowed per game.

Is that a function of the team being ahead, sometimes by large margins, in each game, or are there cracks there?The Jets defense ranks second in passing yards, third in total yards and fifth in points allowed.But we all remember the 401 yards and 31 points it gave up to the 49ers in the opener.

Is everything truly locked down? Both quarterbacks — Aaron Rodgers and Sam Darnold — have been dealing with knee soreness and will be tested by top pass rushes.This game, then, comes down to probably the least analytical of all of the handicapping strategies: the situation.The Jets are coming in off a loss with a 2-2 record and games against the Bills and Steelers (combined 6-2) the next two weeks.There’s heat on head coach Robert Saleh, offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett and, yes, even Rodgers, to cut out the penalties, make use of the weapons, put more points on board and come back across the pond with a W.The Vikings are 4-0, and there’s nothing to knock, with the past three victories coming against the 49ers and Texans at home and at the Packers.

The Vikings did have to hold on for a 31-29 victory at Lambeau after jumping out to a 28-0 lead.We’ve been reminded numerous times this season already th...