What a finish we had on Monday night as the Buffalo Bills were stunned by the Tennessee Titans. That game had all the drama, including a late 4th quarter effort by Josh Allen that just came up short to take the lead (wonder what the "they should have kicked it" crowd thinks?). The Arizona Cardinals cruised to another victory and still remain the lone undefeated team in the NFL -- now the talk becomes when they might lose their first game? Let's take a look at this week's slate of games and dive right in.
**All betting lines from bet365.com (updated Sunday)**
Denver Broncos (3-3) @ Cleveland Browns (3-3)
This game might be as sloppy as it gets as the Browns have 14 players currently in jeopardy of sitting out -- that's correct, I said 14. Most notably, they will be without some prominent big guns on offense -- Nick Chubb, Baker Mayfield, Kareem Hunt and Odell Beckham Jr. -- and on top of this, the weather also looks dreadful and they won't have their typical run game to lean on. We know the Broncos have a tough defense and although Case Keenum has a lot of experience as an NFL starter, it's hard to know what we're going to get here tonight? Pick: Broncos, 19-17.
Line: Browns -1.5
Spread: Broncos
ML: Broncos
Atlanta Falcons (2-3) @ Miami Dolphins (1-5)
The Dolphins let their lead slip away to the Jags overseas last week and now come home to face a Falcons team fresh off a bye week. This is a bit of a unfair advantage, no? I would certainly think so as the Dolphins have to acclimate back to the Eastern time zone after a long flight back on Sunday. Tua Tagovailoa looked pretty comfortable in the pocket and seems to be brewing some good chemistry with Jaylen Waddle at the moment. The Falcons will get Pro Bowl wideout Calvin Ridley back for this game, which will be a huge boost for this offense. Pick: Falcons, 24-20.
Line: Falcons -2
Spread: Falcons
ML: Falcons
Carolina Panthers (3-3) @ N.Y. Giants (1-5)
The Panthers continue to navigate waters without Christian McCaffrey in the backfield and Matt Rhule emphasized they want to continue establishing the run offensively. I would expect Chuba Hubbard to keep getting plenty of touches until C-Mac returns to the field. The one thing the team will hope is that Sam Darnold's miserable 41.7 CMP% last week in a loss to the Vikings is not the start of a pattern. For the Giants, they continue to be bit by the injury bug and this team will need big plays defensively or on special teams to be in the conversation to steal football games. Pick: Panthers, 23-17.
Line: Panthers -3
Spread: Panthers
ML: Panthers
Cincinnati Bengals (4-2) @ Baltimore Ravens (5-1)
Since losing on opening night, the Ravens have riled off five straight wins, including victories over the Chiefs and the Chargers. Surprisingly, they have a big Week 7 matchup with the Bengals coming to town (they might be the story of the season so far) as this is a very intriguing matchup between these AFC North division rivals. Can the Bengals' front seven actually slow down Lamar Jackson? Probably not. I would expect some fireworks in this one as both offenses have shootout potential. Pick: Ravens, 27-24.
Line: Ravens -6
Spread: Bengals
ML: Ravens
Kansas City Chiefs (3-3) @ Tennessee Titans (4-2)
The Chiefs just don't look like the same team that went to the Super Bowl the last two years and with his eight interception last week, Patrick Mahomes is losing his grip on being 'Super Man'. Now, things are a little murky with Tyreek Hill's hamstring ailment as he's missed some practice time this week. The Titans on the other hand dealt a big loss to the Bills on Monday night on the shoulders of Derrick Henry. Typically, this Titans team has given the Chiefs fits and I expect another back-and-forth affair. If you're looking to gamble on this game, bet the over on total points. Pick: Chiefs, 34-33.
Line: Chiefs -4
Spread: Titans
ML: Chiefs
N.Y. Jets (1-4) @ New England Patriots (2-4)
Bill Belichick had his defense force Zach Wilson into four turnovers in their first meeting this year. Now, the rookie will be looking for revenge, but it comes in a bad spot as Mac Jones will be at home for the second straight week and keeps building confidence with each game. I think the Pats can put the hammer down again on Wilson and control this game. Pick: Patriots, 27-21.
Line: Patriots -7
Spread: Jets
ML: Patriots
Washington Football Team (2-4) @ Green Bay Packers (5-1)
The Packers are on a roll right now and Aaron Rodgers continued his dominance of the Bears last week, so much so, that Tom Brady made a comment on a podcast congratulating him in a new ownership of his division rival (now, that's funny). Washington's defense is not nearly as good as it was last year and I would expect Rodgers to hook up with his favorite target, Davante Adams, with relative ease in this game. Pick: Packers, 31-20.
Line: Packers -8.5
Spread: Packers
ML: Packers
Detroit Lions (0-6) @ L.A. Rams (5-1)
This game will have all the lead up with the Jared Goff and Matthew Stafford saga from the summer, but these two teams are at completely different points in their seasons. The Rams are very much supplanted in the Super Bowl conversation and look strong on both sides of the ball. The Lions have fought tough at times this year, but Dan Campbell just called out Goff last week asking for more from the QB. I think the Rams get the better of their former signal caller and expect a long day for Goff in the pocket. Pick: Rams, 34-17.
Line: Rams -16
Spread: Rams
ML: Rams
Philadelphia Eagles (2-4) @ Las Vegas Raiders (4-2)
The Raiders really surprised me last week after Jon Gruden stepped down as head coach, coming out with a big divisional win over the Broncos. Now, Jalen Hurts and company come to town, which could pose some problems for this Raiders defense. I thought Hurts put forth a gutty second half performance last week, falling just short against the Bucs. This very much has the feel of a let down spot for the home team here. Pick: Eagles, 23-21.
Line: Raiders -2.5
Spread: Eagles
ML: Eagles
Chicago Bears (3-3) @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-1)
Tom Brady continues to look ageless and the Bucs keep picking up right where they left off from last year's Super Bowl win. Antonio Brown might miss this game, but it's not going to matter as the offense still has plenty of firepower. I don't think Justin Fields is ready for this spot at this point of his early career and will get caught up in the big game moment against the greatest QB to ever play. Pick: Buccaneers, 34-20.
Line: Buccaneers -11.5
Spread: Buccaneers
ML: Buccaneers
Houston Texans (1-5) @ Arizona Cardinals (6-0)
Who would have guessed the Cardinals would be the lone soldier in the field of undefeated teams at this point of the season? It has to be the story of the season so far and Kyler Murray has elevated this offense to new heights. DeAndre Hopkins revenge spot? Yes, please. I think the Cards absolutely go off here and improve to 7-0. Pick: Cardinals, 38-17.
Line: Cardinals -18
Spread: Cardinals
ML: Cardinals
Indianapolis Colts (2-4) @ San Francisco 49ers (2-3)
Jimmy Garoppolo should be good to go for this game as Trey Lance has officially been ruled out for Sunday night. Honestly, I think Garoppolo actually gives this offense a boost (maybe I'm alone in that?) and this game will come down to the turnover battle. We know Carson Wentz can be full of them (he's shown some progress in recent weeks) and this could be a spot where the Niners defense comes up big in primetime. Pick: 49ers, 23-20.
Line: 49ers -4
Spread: Colts
ML: 49ers
New Orleans Saints (3-2) @ Seattle Seahawks (2-4)
The Seahawks hung around last week with Geno Smith under center, ultimately falling short in overtime to the Steelers. It was a valiant effort by Pete Carroll's squad, but I think a well rested Saints squad under Sean Payton's tutelage comes in and takes care of business here. Look for the Saints to lean heavily on Alvin Kamara in the run game. Pick: Saints, 24-17.
Line: Saints -4
Spread: Saints
ML: Saints
2021 Results
Week 6
ATS: 7-7
ML: 8-6
Overall
ATS: 55-38-1
ML: 59-35
Comments