NFL Week 6 picks: Predictions against the point spread

Philadelphia Eagles (+3.5) at Carolina Panthers

I think the Eagles and Panthers are fairly evenly matched teams, but the Eagles are heading into this game with little better health — the Panthers are pretty beat up with both teams only on three days rest.

I like the Eagles here with the points.

Pick: Eagles

Final score: Eagles 28, Panthers 23

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Cleveland Browns (+9.5) at Houston Texans

I think the Browns could be a solid, competitive team if they can take care of the football. right now they have a -7 turnover ratio, which is hurting them a lot. They are keeping opponents rushing average at 2.9 yards per carry. The Texans offense hasn’t proven to be consistently dynamic enough yet to entice me to lay the 9 points.

Pick: Browns

New England Patriots (-9.5) at New York Jets

I like big point spreads in divisional games. The Jets are also surprisingly better than I believed they would be.

Pick: Jets

Miami Dolphins (+11.5) at Atlanta Falcons

Dolphins are averaging a pitiful 10 points per game and also have yet to intercept a pass or get the rushing game started,and yet are still 2-2. They are a solid team and are getting a lot of points.

Pick: Dolphins

Detroit Lions (+5.5) at New Orleans Saints

I’m not even sure the Lions aren’t the better team here, though they are more consistent on defense. I”ll definitely take the points.

Pick: Lions

Green Bay Packers (-3) at Minnesota Vikings

I don’t think the Vikings strengths match up well with the Packers weaknesses.

Pick: Packers

Chicago Bears (+6.5) at Baltimore Ravens

I think this game is closer than 6.5 points. The Bears can run the ball pretty efficiently, they rush the passer pretty well and they are in pretty much every game. They have turned the ball over way too much this year already, but if they could limit that they might even start winning a few of these games.

Pick: Bears

San Francisco 49ers (+10) at Washington

49ers have lost by 20 to Carolina, but only three at Seattle, two to the Rams, three to Cardinals, three to Colts. They are not a great team, but they are close in games.

Pick: 49ers

L.A. Rams (+2.5) at Jacksonville Jaguars

Jaguars are top five in both offense and defense in points per game. Who thought the best game of the week could be Rams at Jacksonville Jaguars.

Pick: Jaguars

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-2) at Arizona Cardinals

Cardinals have been one of the most disappointing teams in the league. They can’t rush the ball at all without David Johnson and have turned to Adrian Peterson. The Cardinals have been tough at home over the past few years and are home underdogs here, but I like them to win outright.

Pick: Cardinals

Pittsburgh Steelers (+4.5) at Kansas City Chiefs

Pick: Steelers

L.A. Chargers (+3) at Oakland Raiders

Both the Raiders and Chargers have been brutal in stopping the run this year (161.2 yards per game allowed for the Chargers) and 124.6 for the Raiders.

Pick: Chargers

New York Giants (+12) at Denver Broncos

I don’t have any reason to believe the Giants should stay within 12 in this game. The Broncos should be able to apply pressure on Eli Manning at will. The Giants don’t have the offensive weapons especially at receiver to challenge the Broncos. The Giants don’t seem to play well on Sunday nights. The locker room is in complete dysfunction. Everything says Broncos big here, but sometimes when things seem like this and teams are desperate they come out and play above their expectations.

Pick: Giants stay within 12 (because it’s too depressing to think they can’t)

Indianapolis Colts at Tennessee Titans (no line posted)

No line posted here. I think the Titans are the better team.

Week 1: 10-5

Week 2: 7-9

Week 3: 10-5

Week 4: 10-6

Week 5: 7-6-1

Season overall: 39-27-2