NFL Week 6 Picks
As the weather starts to get colder and the leaves start to fall off the trees, the NFL’s legitimate contenders will make themselves known. As of now, there are still plenty of teams in the mix, and while we have an idea of who could or should make the playoffs, it’s never set in stone. Week 6 is when teams start to make the push, pull away from division rivals, lay the groundwork to be in a good position come December. It’s a big week, just like all of them from here on out. Here are your picks:
Carolina (-3) over NEW ORLEANS, 1:00 ET, 10/16.
Cam Newton is back for the Panthers, and while he doesn’t fix all of their problems, it’s always nice to not have to play Derek Anderson. The Panthers are in a funk right now, but who better to get some momentum against than the lowly New Orleans Saints? If Cam and Co. can’t get it going against this defense, they never will.
Carolina 28, New Orleans 24
Pittsburgh (-7) over MIAMI, 1:00 ET, 10/16.
Pittsburgh is downright frightening on offense. Ben Roethlisberger has so many weapons at his disposal, and they make a living off of big plays. When this team shows up, they can beat anyone in the league. When they don’t, we get a game like Week 3 against Philadelphia: lack of focus, lack of toughness. However, I don’t think that will be the case against the Dolphins.
Pittsburgh 31, Miami 21
Jacksonville over CHICAGO (-1.5), 1:00 ET, 10/16.
It’s hard to trust the Jaguars. Blake Bortles is capable of throwing the game away with both hands. However, the same can be said for Chicago and its defense. I think the Jaguars have the playmakers to hit the Bears with big plays and ultimately pull this one out.
Jacksonville 24, Chicago 21
NEW ENGLAND (-7.5) over Cincinnati, 1:00 ET, 10/16.
With Tom Brady back and the Broncos faltering, the Patriots look to be the cream of the crop in the AFC. Brady is coming off a 406-yard, three-touchdown performance against the Browns last week, and although Cincy’s defense is much better than Cleveland’s, Brady’s revenge tour should bring another good performance this week. The Bengals have a lot of problems, having just been run over by Ezekiel Elliott and the Cowboys, and they can’t keep the defense off of Andy Dalton. Look for New England to double A.J. Green in an effort to limit his impact.
New England 27, Cincinnati 23
BUFFALO (-8.5) over San Francisco, 1:00 ET, 10/16.
The 49ers don’t have what it takes to stop Buffalo’s rushing attack. LeSean McCoy has been playing as well as he did for the Eagles a couple years ago, and Tyrod Taylor is always dangerous. Plus, San Francisco might be a circus with the change to the turbulent Colin Kaepernick at quarterback. I think Kaepernick is better than Blaine Gabbert, just not enough to pull out a road win.
Buffalo 23, San Francisco 17
Philadelphia (-3) over WASHINGTON, 1:00 ET, 10/16.
Carson Wentz is the real deal. He’s playing well and even has the stones to call out Odell Beckham Jr. The Eagles took a weird loss to Detroit last week, which means they should be hungry up against a division rival. I’ve always felt like Kirk Cousins is better when the defense isn’t really motivated to put him on the ground. Too bad for Kirk. The Eagles are coming.
Philadelphia 24, Washington 20
Cleveland over TENNESSEE (-7.5), 1:00 ET, 10/16.
What can I say? Cleveland has to win at some point. They aren’t so bad that they’ll go without a win for the entire season. Tennessee is coming off an impressive performance in Miami, so now seems like a perfect time for a backslide. As Mike Lombardi says, young teams don’t handle success very well.
Cleveland 20, Tennessee 17
Baltimore over NY GIANTS (-3.5), 1:00 ET, 10/16.
Baltimore can expect to get the same bump that Buffalo got when they fired their offensive coordinator. The ball was not moving under Marc Trestman’s leadership, but Ravens players seem more comfortable under Marty Morninwhig. Meanwhile, the Giants have fallen off the face of the Earth since starting 2–0.
Baltimore 24, New York 23
DETROIT (-3) over Los Angeles, 1:00 ET, 10/16.
Detroit can move the ball, and it seems like Los Angeles is only a good defense against the Seahawks. The Lions may not be able to run all over Los Angeles like Buffalo did, but Matt Stafford should be able to do enough to outscore Case Keenum.
Detroit 21, Los Angeles 14
OAKLAND over Kansas City (-2), 4:05 ET, 10/16.
For the life of me, I can’t understand how the Chiefs, sitting at 2–2 and coming off a horrid Sunday night loss to Pittsburgh before last week’s bye, are favored by two on the road against the 4–1 Raiders. Yeah, Oakland is lucky to only have one loss, but that offense is killer, and the Chiefs can’t make the big plays necessary to take advantage of Oakland’s defense.
Oakland 24, Kansas City 21
SEATTLE (-6.5) over Atlanta, 4:25 ET, 10/16.
Atlanta’s offense is no fluke, but Seattle’s defense has lived up to its billing. Yes, Atlanta went into Denver and won against the best defense in the league, but the offense struggled and the defense was lucky that Paxton Lynch pissed the bed in his first start. Russell Wilson won’t let them off so easily, especially since Atlanta’s front seven can’t destroy Seattle’s crappy offensive line.
Seattle 28, Atlanta 23
GREEN BAY (-4.5) over Dallas, 4:25 ET, 10/16.
Dallas has been very impressive with its powerful running game. Ezekiel Elliot has been unstoppable behind that offensive line. But Green Bay has the league’s best run defense and knows how to take advantage of rookie quarterbacks like Dak Prescott. At home, with Aaron Rodgers rearing to have a huge game, I like the Pack.
Green Bay 28, Dallas 21
HOUSTON (-3) over Indianapolis, 8:30 ET, 10/16.
What a horrible prime time game. Truly awful. Nobody wants to watch these teams. Still, I have to make a pick. Houston wins by default because nobody on the Colts’ roster has much talent besides Andrew Luck. What happened to Indianapolis? Weren’t they in the AFC Championship Game two years ago? Man, that feels like a long time ago.
Houston 21, Indianapolis 17
MONDAY NIGHT
ARIZONA (-7.5) over NY Jets, 8:30 ET, 10/17.
Arizona still hasn’t beaten anyone good. They killed the 2–3 Buccaneers and pulled away from the 49ers last Thursday. Lucky for Arizona, the Jets aren’t good. In fact, they have been exceedingly not good. With a longer week to prepare and lick their wounds, I like Arizona.
Arizona 27, New York 20
Last Week: 7–6
Season: 43–28
