NFL Week 6 Odds and Predictions: Best Picks Against the Spread
Here’s a quick look at all Week NFL 6 games, played Sunday unless noted.
Washington Commanders at Chicago Bears, Thursday
Not exactly the best Thursday night matchup of the season between two really struggling offences – although it may be a rare time that a visiting head coach gets cheers on the road as Commanders coach Ron Rivera is a beloved former Bears linebacker. He might be fired if Washington is routed here.
Pick ATS: Washington
San Francisco 49ers at Atlanta Falcons
The 49ers won Sunday at Carolina but lost safety Jimmie Ward to a broken hand and cornerback Emmanuel Moseley to a season-ending torn ACL. Atlanta was on the wrong end of a terrible roughing the passer penalty in Tampa on Sunday or might have upset Tom Brady and the Bucs. Excellent young tight end Kyle Pitts was out injured for the Falcons.
Pick ATS: San Francisco
New England Patriots at Cleveland Browns
Rookie quarterback Bailey Zappe made his first NFL start Sunday and helped lead a 29-0 win over Detroit with only four incompletions. He’s expected to start again this week. Top running back Damien Harris left injured. Cleveland was a 30-28 home loser to the Chargers despite yet another 100-yard game from Nick Chubb, the NFL’s leading rusher.
Pick ATS: Cleveland (alternate line of -2.5)
New York Jets at Green Bay Packers
The Jets won only four games last year but reached three in 2022 with Sunday’s 40-17 upset of Miami to snap a 12-game losing streak in the AFC East. New York is 3-2 for the first time since 2017. Green Bay was the biggest upset loser of the season on Sunday in London, 27-22 to the Giants. The Pack were up 10 at the half.
Pick ATS: Green Bay (alternate line of -6.5)
Jacksonville Jaguars at Indianapolis Colts
Jacksonville took a huge step backward on Sunday in a 13-6 home loss to Houston. The Jaguars managed 422 yards but had a turnover and two field goals in three trips inside the 20-yard line. Trevor Lawrence was picked off twice. The Colts picked off a crucial late Russell Wilson pass in Denver last Thursday and upset the Broncos 12-9 in OT playing without star running back Jonathan Taylor. Good shot he’s back this week.
Pick ATS: Indianapolis
Minnesota Vikings at Miami Dolphins
The Vikings blew a big home lead against Chicago on Sunday but got a late 1-yard TD run from QB Kirk Cousins to win 29-22. Minnesota is now alone in first in the NFC North. Miami played without starting QB Tua Tagovailoa (likely out a few more games) on Sunday and was clobbered 40-17 at the Jets. Tua’s backup, Teddy Bridgewater, had to leave injured but should play this week. If not, it should be rookie Skylar Thompson.
Pick ATS: Miami (alternate line of +3.5)
Cincinnati Bengals at New Orleans Saints
Cincinnati lost 19-17 in Baltimore on Sunday on a field goal as time expired. All three of the Bengals’ defeats this season have been on field goals on the final play. New Orleans played without starting QB Jameis Winston and former Pro Bowl receiver Michael Thomas on Sunday but still beat Seattle 39-32. Tight end/hybrid quarterback Taysom Hill ran for three scores and rushed for one.
Pick ATS: New Orleans
Baltimore Ravens at New York Giants
How good is Ravens kicker Justin Tucker? He hit the winning 43-yard field goal Sunday to beat Cincinnati and has made 61 straight field goals in the fourth quarter and overtime. He is 17-for-17 in his career on attempts in the final minute of regulation. The Giants already matched their 2021 win total with Sunday’s upset of Green Bay in London. The 4-1 start is New York’s best since 5-0 in 2009.
Pick ATS: Baltimore
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Pittsburgh Steelers
Tampa Bay was a bit lucky to escape at home vs. Atlanta on Sunday, 21-15. Tom Brady threw for 351 yards and a TD, and Leonard Fournette rushed for a score and caught a TD pass. Pittsburgh might be the NFL’s worst team after looking completely flat in a 38-3 loss in Buffalo on Sunday. In his first NFL start, Kenny Pickett threw for 327 yards but no TDs and a pick. The loss was the biggest margin of defeat for the Steelers since a 51-0 rout against the Cleveland Browns on Sept. 10, 1989.
Pick ATS: Pittsburgh
Carolina Panthers at Los Angeles Rams
Carolina fired head coach Matt Rhule on Monday – he’ll have no problem getting a top job in college football – and also will be without starting QB Baker Mayfield likely for a few weeks after he left Sunday’s loss to the Rams. Former XFL star PJ Walker will start under centre. He is 2-0 as a starter in the NFL. The Rams’ offence continues to suffer from a Super Bowl hangover as they lost 22-10 at home to Dallas on Sunday. LA is below .500 for only the second time in coach Sean McVay’s six seasons.
Pick ATS: Carolina
Arizona Cardinals at Seattle Seahawks
Arizona had some serious clock management issues in the final minute of Sunday’s home loss to the Eagles. Matt Ammendola missed a 43-yard field goal with about 20 seconds left. Seattle lost 39-32 in New Orleans and lost top running back Rashaad Penny to a season-ending injury. Rookie Ken Walker should be the primary guy going forward.
Pick ATS: Arizona (alternate line of -2.5)
Buffalo Bills at Kansas City Chiefs
Short week for Kansas City after hosting Las Vegas on Monday to conclude Week 4. Buffalo obliterated Pittsburgh 38-3 on Sunday. Josh Allen’s 348 yards passing in the first half were tied for the second most over the opening two quarters in an NFL game since 1991. Kansas City beat visiting Buffalo in a spectacular Divisional Round playoff game last season.
Pick ATS: Buffalo
Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles
Sunday night game with the Eagles atop the NFC East at 5-0 (the only unbeaten team left in the league) and the Cowboys tied for second at 4-1. Will QB Dak Prescott make it back from injury this week for Dallas? Seems unlikely. Philadelphia continues to run the ball as well as anyone, and QB Jalen Hurts is up to six rushing scores.
Pick ATS: Dallas
Denver Broncos at Los Angeles Chargers, Monday
Now that Carolina has fired Coach Matt Rhule, most believe the next coach to go will be Denver’s first-year Nathaniel Hackett unless the Broncos get their offence fixed quick. Russell Wilson looks lost, and he had a crushing late interception in last Thursday’s loss to the Colts. The Chargers were 30-28 winners in Cleveland on Sunday. Justin Herbert threw 228 yards, ending his streak of consecutive road games with at least 300 yards at seven.
Pick ATS: Los Angeles
