Week 6 Picks for Every NFL Game

It wasn’t exactly a week of rocket science with many heavy favorites winning, but finally we are making some progress in our picks with a solid 12 - 3 outing from Week 5! When your team barely beats the Buccaneers in overtime, you learn the value of the phrase, "I'll take it!"  Let's hope for another solid slew of picks in Week 6!

Top Shelf Games: Talent-rich, highly competitive and aged in oak barrels... spiritually speaking

New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles (-2.5) - Slow week? Maybe. But with the Cowboys destined to fall to the Seahawks this weekend, this Lady Blitz Game of the Week will give the other viable contenders in the NFC East a real shot at an early division lead. Don’t count the Eagles out by any stretch if LeSean McCoy finally wakes up, but the state of that Philadelphia offensive line spells trouble against a Giants team that seems to have put all the pieces together.

Chicago Bears at Atlanta Falcons (-3) - I reckon there might be some points scored in this one, which bodes well for Team Bakery Special this weekend.  Anyway, I'm thinking we have a shootout riding on Devin Hester's revenge in the Georgia Dome.  That happens to be the place that the Falcons are playing pretty darn good football these days, so unless the Bears play a flawless (i.e., turnover-less) game to match Matty Ice, I give Atlanta the edge. 

Carolina Panthers at Cincinnati Bengals (-7) - Give the Panthers some credit, they’ve exceeded expectations with Cam Newton doing everything he can in the air and some very opportunistic defensive and special teams play. But going to Cincinnati may be their toughest test yet, especially if Vontaze Burfict returns. The Bengals’ pass rush is nothing to snuff at, and Carolina has limited options with third- and fourth-string RBs trying to divert attention from No. 1.

Dallas Cowboys at Seattle Seahawks (-8) - In all likelihood, this thing should not be sitting on the top shelf, but we’ll have a much better sense after this week of how good Dallas’s offensive line really is. For the sake of sparing us tired debates about “elite” and “clutch” quarterbacks, I sure hope Romo doesn’t ruin this game. But he may be forced to take it on his shoulders if the Seahawks can shut down DeMarco Murray early and often, and that will be tough for even the new and improved Cowboys to overcome.

Well Drink Games: They may surprise you from time to time without all the high expectations

Indianapolis Colts (-3) at Houston Texans - How much better might this game be if Jadeveon Clowney was six healthy weeks into his rookie season? The Colts have quite obviously won the battle under center here already, but the Texans aren’t out of it if Arian Foster keeps making up for lost time on the ground.  And if J.J. Watt has another 80+ yard TD return in him.  It'd make this game awesome, but unlikely with Luck playing lights out.

Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns (-2) - I'm guessing the Steelers might be a little more on the alert in the fourth quarter this time around.  The Browns gave them an almost-comeback to remember in Week 1 and Brian Hoyer is challenging all that slander about being simply a game manager.  There's no doubt in my mind Cleveland can win this game, but is God really going to allow them get above 0.500?  I think no.

Green Bay Packers (-3.5) at Miami Dolphins - Raiders shellacking aside, the Dolphins are in real trouble this season after that wild Week 1 upset against the Patriots. That Green Bay QB is red hot right now, and if Miami’s desperation play this week doesn’t save them from another loss, Joe Philbin’s seat will be red hot too.

Detroit Lions (-1.5) at Minnesota Vikings - So the Lions may just bench a gimpy Megatron whilst Teddy Bridgewater gets his second full start at home? This one has the makings of an upset or at least a down-to-the-wire divisional battle.  With the prospect of Calvin Johnson and Reggie Bush sitting this one out or playing less than 100%, I'm willing to take a chance on Teddy.

New England Patriots (-3) at Buffalo Bills - Rejoice, Bills fans! I have picked against you this week and that means victory is certain. All of that hinges on how much the Patriots have actually turned the corner after a much-needed blowout victory against the Bengals last week. When Tom Brady is confident and Rob Gronkowski has been given more than a cameo, New England’s chances look better than my flawless jinxing ability for Buffalo though.

Washington Redskinks at Arizona Cardinals (-3.5) - With Calais Campbell out and long shot rookie Logan Thomas possibly in for the Cardinals, this game just got a whole lot more interesting.  But there's a chance that Carson Palmer plays and a given that the Redskinks aren't so good.  So I feel 51% confident about Arizona.

San Francisco 49ers (-3.5) at St. Louis Rams - The Rams have come up just short lately, but kudos to QB Austin Davis for giving them a chance to win virtually every week. The kid is fearless and aggressive, which could make for more of a wild card performance than the Niners would like.  Still, San Francisco has gotten back to basics in recent weeks which should help them control the tempo of the game and wear out a tough Rams front seven.

House Punch Games: Most likely to be lop-sided, sloppy and/or otherwise painful to digest

Denver Broncos (-9.5) at New York Jets - The Jets will wish they were all at the movies when Peyton’s crew comes to town on Sunday. Even with Montee Ball down for the count, New York’s secondary is just too giving to go toe-to-toe with Manning for four quarters.  Say, how do you feel, representative Jets fan?

Jacksonville Jaguars at Tennessee Titans (-5.5) - How long before the Titans start selling “At Least We’re Not the Jaguars” bumper stickers this season?

Baltimore Ravens (-3) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers - I gotta feeling this game is going to be Jackson Pollock ugly.  The Ravens still look like the better team but they'll need to play mistake-free football to prevent the Bucs from keeping a foot in the door late.  That Mike Glennon is playing like he wants a starting job.

San Diego Chargers (-7) at Oakland Raiders - Who's ready for some Tony Sparano magic in Oakland?  I bet the Chargers are.


So How's My Pickin'?
Last Week's Record: 12 - 3
Season Record: 44 - 32