With the MLB Championship series starting tonight, why not bang out the week six NFL picks today? This week’s slate of games could not possibly be worse than week fives terrible matchups and that will go a long towards getting the sour taste of that 6-3 Cleveland-Buffalo game out of our collective mouths. In fact, the Giants at New Orleans is the last possible meeting of undefeated teams left and that should be a great one.
As always, the lines are from Vegas and the home teams are in CAPS.
Kansas City +6.5 over WASHINGTON
The Redskins have shown a blatant inability to cover this season while the Chiefs have kept it close and can play feisty when they need to. Neither of these teams is even decent, so the points will gladly be taken.
Houston +4.5 over CINCINNATI
The Bengals are on a great run, but they’ve only been winning close games on late drives and even their loss was on a last minute fluke. The thinking here is that it will either be status quo, where the points help, or Houston can figure out their defence.
PITTSBURGH -14 over Cleveland
The Browns are among the worst of the league and the Steelers always come out to play at home. If the Bills can hold Derek Anderson to two completions, think about what a competent defence can do.
Baltimore +3 over MINNESOTA
Neither of these teams in purple have clearly impressed against a quality opponent so this will be a nice test. The Ravens are getting it done with their offence, but their defence still has their stars representing. Jared Allen won’t be able to get at Joe Flacco like he was able to rock Aaron Rodgers a few times.
JACKSONVILLE -10 over St. Louis
The Jaguars play a lot better at home and the Rams are downright terrible. That shellacking Jacksonville took in Seattle will be forgotten after this game. Even with the team’s star, Maurice Jones-Drew publicly ripping his own team this week, this is still St. Louis we’re talking about.
NEW ORLEANS -3 over New York Giants
Beating the Raiders with a bum foot is one thing Eli, beating the steamrolling Saints is a whole ’nother monster. Playing on the fast track at home will really help a Saints passing attack that might have more weapons than even the Giants can deal with.
Carolina -3 over TAMPA BAY
Well, somebody has to win. The Panthers are coming off a bye week and their running game should be able to cut through the Bucs faltering defence. If not, there’s always Steve Smith 1.0.
GREEN BAY -13.5 over Detroit
The Packers really have to show what they can do and while the Lions aren’t as bad as last year, they can still be pushovers on the road. The math says that the Packers beat the Bears, who crushed the Lions by 24.
Philadelphia -14 over OAKLAND
You couldn’t make this line high enough. It won’t matter that the Raiders are playing at home because the Eagles will shame them in every way possible.
Arizona +3 over SEATTLE
With the Niners off this week, the two other contenders for the NFC West title battle it out. Seattle has, without a doubt, the best home field advantage in the NFL, but it didn’t affect the Cards last season.
NY JETS -9.5 over Buffalo
The Bills should just shut it down for the season after last week’s loss. Fire Dick Jauron, trade T.O. and gun for a new QB in the draft. Those are the only things that the Bills’ fans should be cheering for.
NEW ENGLAND -9 over Tennessee
After a string of five undefeated teams in a row to start the season, the Pats now face the winless Titans. You have to think that a team that was as great last season would turn it around soon, but that won’t be the case this week. You beat Tom Brady by getting pressure on him and the Titans can’t do that this season.
ATLANTA -3 over Chicago
The Falcons can look great one week and bad the next. You never know what you’re getting when betting on them, but they are capable of scoring and the Bears defence hasn’t been great at stopping teams with their banged up defensive core.
Denver +3 over SAN DIEGO
Not much respect here for the undefeated Broncos who are coming off of a big win over New England. The Chargers haven’t really shown that they’re the true contenders that we perennially think they are. This Monday Nighter will show us what their ceiling is.
Last week: 8-5
This season: 38-35