NFL Picks Week 6: Long Live The King

The New Orleans Saints come off their bye week with a chance to have a winning record for the first time since the end of the 2013 season. First up after the bye are the Detroit Lions who currently have a three-game winning streak against the Saints, with the last two wins coming in New Orleans.

The Saints have lost much of their home field advantage in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome over the last three seasons, but hopefully they can give some joy to the home fans dying to see the team win at home again. Its time for these Saints to overthrow these Lions from their throne. Now we take a look at that and the rest of the games in Week 6.

Last week I went 9-5

I told you so: Chargers over Giants!

What do I know: Steelers over Jaguars?

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WEEK 6

Thursday, October 12th - Thursday Night Football

Eagles(4-1) at Panthers(4-1)

Philadelphia’s balanced offense matched against Carolina’s stout defense will be the matchup that grabs all the headlines in this marquee game, but it will be the matchup of Cam Newton and the Panthers offense against the Eagles defense that will ultimately be the difference in this one. The advantage here goes to the Panthers. Carolina wins 30-24.

Pick: Panthers

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Sunday, October 15th - Early Games

Bears(1-4) at Ravens(3-2)

This will be an old-school, grind it out type game. Baltimore will make the plays on offense necessary to win, while their defense will force a big turnover against rookie Mitchell Trubisky. Baltimore wins 19-13.

Pick: Ravens

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Browns(0-5) at Texans(2-3)

Cleveland will have to rely on their surprising defense to give them a chance, but Houston’s defense will shut down the Browns on offense. Houston wins 23-9.

Pick: Texans

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Packers(4-1) at Vikings(3-2)

Aaron Rodgers will continue to just do what he does, leading Green Bay to victory in Minnesota. Green Bay wins 26-21.

Pick: Packers

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Dolphins(2-2) at Falcons(3-1)

Miami will have to put all of their hopes on their defense to pull out this game, but Atlanta will be too much for them to handle. Atlanta wins 20-10.

Pick: Falcons

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Patriots(3-2) at Jets(3-2)

Except for last December’s blowout, the Jets have played the Patriots close over the years, regardless of records. This one will resemble that last blowout more than any of the close games they’ve had. New England puts it all together in this one despite their disjointed season so far. New England wins 31-10.

Pick: Patriots

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49ers(0-5) at Redskins(2-2)

Washington will air it out at home against this vulnerable San Francisco defense. Washington wins 21-10.

Pick: Redskins

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Lions(3-2) at Saints(2-2)

The Lions have had the Saints’ number over the past three seasons, with each loss getting progressively worse for the Saints. There was the nail-biting one-point loss at Detroit in 2014, the 8-point Monday Night loss in 2015, and the awful 15-point travesty at the Superdome in 2016. Now the Saints have a chance for redemption as well as a shot at a sadly elusive winning record.

For all the potential storylines and keys to victory for the Saints, like the suddenly competent defense, the now two-headed monster at running back, or starters returning from injury, this game will ultimately come down to the play of Drew Brees. If Brees is on, the Saints will put up points and they will get the win against Matthew Stafford, who always seems to play at a higher level against the Saints. Brees will roll in this one and so will the Saints offense. Saints win 31-28.

Pick: Saints

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Sunday, October 15th - Late Games

Buccaneers(2-2) at Cardinals(2-3)

This one will be an aerial show, with both quarterbacks putting up a lot of yards, but ultimately Tampa will pull away from Arizona in this one. Tampa wins 30-20.

Pick: Buccaneers

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Rams(3-2) at Jaguars(3-2)

Jacksonville’s up-and-down season will hit another dip as they drop a close one at home to the rebounding Rams. Los Angeles wins 26-20.

Pick: Rams

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Steelers(3-2) at Chiefs(5-0) - Game of the Week

On the surface, this one almost seems like an easy win for the Chiefs. Pittsburgh is in disarray at the moment while Kansas City remains the NFL’s lone undefeated team. Kansas City plays this one at home against an embattled Steelers team that seems to be at odds with itself. Something unexpected will happen in this one though.

Pittsburgh will come out strong, despite their recent adversity, behind a stellar performance from their underrated defense. Ben Roethlisberger will bounce back from his career-worst game last week and the Steelers will upset arguably the NFL’s most complete team in the hostile environment of Arrowhead Stadium. Pittsburgh wins 24-17.

Pick: Steelers

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Chargers(1-4) at Raiders(2-3)

Phillip Rivers and the Chargers passing attack will take advantage of the floundering Raiders in Oakland. Los Angeles wins 27-24.

Pick: Chargers

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Sunday Night Football

Giants(0-5) at Broncos(3-1)

This game could get ugly in a hurry. The top-ranked Denver defense will face no challenge from the weaponless Giants offense. Denver will run the ball all over the Giants in this unfortunate primetime matchup. Denver wins 31-17.

Pick: Broncos

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Monday, October 16th - Monday Night Football

Colts(2-3) at Titans(2-3)

Tennessee will need to get Marcus Mariota back real soon in order to “right the ship” but they just won’t be able to get it together in this one. Indianapolis will pull out the surprise win on the road. Indianapolis wins 29-21.

Pick: Colts

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That's how I see Week 6 coming together, let us know what you think will happen. Leave your comments, picks, and insight below.