Week 6 NFL Picks

 Week 5 ended in a draw but it was still a better week than the one Robert Salah had.

Last Week: 7-7
Season: 32-44-2

Niners at Seahawks (+3.5)

Two of Week 5’s biggest letdowns square off in a Thursday mid-off. This is going to seem like an overreaction to last week’s walk-off loss to Arizona, but I don’t think San Francisco is good and on the road on four days rest without their best corner against Seattle’s three-headed monster at wideout sounds like a recipe for another L. The jury is still out on the Seahawks, but there’s enough talent there to at least cover.

Pick: Seahawks

Jaguars at Bears (+1)

Jacksonville being favored (even if it’s by one) is hilarious considering they’re a bottom-five NFL team and this is technically an “away” game for them. Maybe oddsmakers believe the Jags’ familiarity playing in London gives them an edge but Caleb Williams and the Bears are cooking lately. I wouldn’t be surprised if England gets another coach fired after this.

Pick: Bears

Cardinals at Packers (-5.5)

His tendency to throw mind-boggling picks aside, Jordan Love hasn’t missed a step since returning from an MCL injury. The Cardinals don’t have the defense to slow down this Packers offense and Jaire Alexander’s return might keep Green Bay from allowing Arizona get the back-door cover.

Pick: Packers

Browns at Eagles (-8.5)

Kevin Stefanski is either a glutton for punishment or is desperately trying to get the Browns to fire him. That’s the only explanation I can think of for why he’s sticking with what’s left of Deshaun Watson at this point. Cleveland’s battered offensive line can’t protect Watson, which works out for an Eagles pass rush that’s second to last in sacks. 8.5 points is a lot but the Browns might be the worst team in football.

Pick: Eagles 

Texans at Patriots (+6.5)

Drake Maye will make his first NFL start, and he should be able to move the ball better than Jacoby Brissett did, but even a Nico Collins-less Texans team should have little trouble with the worst teams in football.

Pick: Texans

Colts at Titans (-3)

Both Anthony Richardson and Will Levis have been ridiculously mid this season but duty requires me to pick a winner. Tennessee has the better defense and they’re at home. So, they get my vote to suck a little less.

Pick: Titans

Bucs at Saints (+3.5)

With Derek Carr out and the Saints slowly working themselves into position to get a top QB in next year’s draft, Spencer Rattler has an opportunity to prove he’s New Orleans’ guy. Even if Rattler performs better than his predecessor, it’s hard to imagine him winning a shootout with Baker Mayfield and the Bucs.

Pick: Bucs

Commanders at Ravens (-7)

The Commanders are the NFL’s flavor of the week, led by exciting rookie Jayden Daniels. Daniels vs Lamar Jackson should lead to plenty of highlights and, while Baltimore is a significantly better team, I think there’s enough JD magic to keep it close.

Pick: Commanders

Chargers at Broncos (+3)

The Broncos have quietly won three straight thanks to a stout defense and a continually improving Bo Nix. Nix hasn’t faced a defense quite like the Chargers’ and that step up in difficulty should bring this Denver streak to a halt.

Pick: Chargers 

Steelers at Raiders (+3)

Unless Tom Brady trades in his minority stake in the Raiders for a helmet and shoulder pads, the season is pretty much over for Las Vegas. The Steelers may be frauds but there’s enough there to beat a Raiders’ team ready to raise the white flag.

Pick: Steelers

Falcons at Panthers (+6)

That one week where it looked like the Panthers might turn things around with Andy Dalton sure was fun, right? Conversely, Kirk Cousins continues to earn his money for the Falcons and there’s no reason to think that’ll change this week.

Pick: Falcons 

Lions at Cowboys (+3.5)

Don’t let last week’s upset over the Steelers distract you from the fact Dallas has no pass rush, no running game and a bad offensive line. All of those factors pretty much nuke their chances of beating Detroit.

Pick: Lions 

Bengals at Giants (+3.5)

At some point, we’re going to have to take the Giants seriously.

That won’t be this week though. The Bengals desperately need a win, especially after squandering Joe Burrow’s 392-yard, five-touchdown performed against the Ravens last week.

Pick: Bengals

Bills at Jets (+2)

We can debate whether Robert Salah deserved to be fired this early into the season (if at all) and how much Aaron Rodgers had to do with it, but there’s no questioning the Jets’ Super Bowl chances takes a huge hit with inexperienced Jeff Ulbrich running the show.  Unless the changes on the sideline unlock New York’s immense potential, a showdown with the Bills will only add to their problems.

Pick: Bills