NFL Picks Week 6: Riding High Into the Bye

The New Orleans Saints go into the bye week with a 4-1 record and find themselves in the driver’s seat in the NFC South. Coming off a dominant and record-breaking performance on Monday night, the team and the fans can't wait to get back to action, but it will be good to get some rest for the players, namely Marshon Lattimore, as the treacherous part of the schedule draws nearer.

With the Saints off the schedule this week, we will focus on the the rest of the Week 6 action and see if it has the potential to be a memorable week in the NFL. There are plenty of storylines to follow this week, and plenty of teams to root against.

Last week I went 7-8

I told you so: Chiefs over Jaguars!

What do I know: Falcons over Steelers?

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WEEK 6

Thursday, October 11th - Thursday Night Football

Eagles(2-3) at Giants(1-4)

The defending Super Bowl Champions have underperformed so far this season yet still stand in a great position in the NFC (L)East. This is their first division game of the season and a win here could keep them on top even at .500. While the Giants are coming off an encouraging performance a week ago, they’ll fall short once again against their rivals from Philly. Philadelphia wins 31-27.

Pick: Eagles

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Sunday, October 14th - Early Games

Seahawks(2-3) at Raiders(1-4) - Wembley Stadium - London, England

Both Seattle and Oakland have a very, very long way to travel for this game and it may take them both a while to get into any rhythm at all. Russell Wilson finally gets a matchup where he doesn't have to face a very good defense. He and Seattle’s special teams will be the difference in this one across the pond. Seattle wins 23-21.

Pick: Seahawks

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Buccaneers(2-2) at Falcons(1-4)

After their white-hot start, Tampa has cooled considerably. Atlanta has fared even worse, by plummeting to the bottom of the NFC South and suffering catastrophic injuries in the process. Both teams are coming off of brutal losses in their most recent games, but Tampa having the bye and an extra week of rest will make a difference in this game. Jameis Winston may have his best game of the season against this atrocious Atlanta defense. Tampa wins 23-14.

Pick: Buccaneers

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Panthers(3-1) at Redskins(2-2)

Carolina will pick the bones of whatever the Saints left of Washington on Monday night. Carolina wins this one going away. Carolina wins 31-14.

Pick: Panthers

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Colts(1-4) at Jets(2-3)

The Jets come into this one rolling, coming off a big home win last week. The roll will continue this week against Indianapolis. Jets win 23-16.

Pick: Jets

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Cardinals(1-4) at Vikings(2-2-1)

Kirk Cousins and the Minnesota passing attack will abuse Arizona all day long. Minnesota wins 40-14.

Pick: Vikings

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Steelers(2-2-1) at Bengals(4-1)

Cincinnati has been rolling while Pittsburgh has been reeling, but divisional play can be strange, and the Steelers will take advantage of the momentum from their dominating win over Atlanta a week ago. Pittsburgh’s passing game will be the difference in this one. Pittsburgh wins 28-14.

Pick: Steelers

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Chargers(3-2) at Browns(2-2-1)

Cleveland’s defense will attack and pressure Phillip Rivers all day, keeping Los Angeles from getting into any offensive rhythm at all. The Browns keep the party going in Cleveland for another week. Cleveland wins 19-16.

Pick: Browns

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Bills(2-3) at Texans(2-3)

After a terrible start, Houston is starting to come around, and they’ll get themselves another win here against Buffalo. Houston wins 23-19.

Pick: Texans

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

Chicago’s dominant defense will absolutely grind Miami to paste. The Bears will roll on the road in this one. Chicago wins 27-13.

Pick: Bears

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Sunday, October 14th - Late Games

Rams(5-0) at Broncos(2-3) - Game of the Week

Upset alert! Los Angeles fields arguably the top team in the NFL and has the undefeated record to back up that boast. On the other side, Denver, while talented, sports a sub .500 record and is coming off a bad road loss a week ago. The Broncos have the pieces on defense to make things difficult for a Rams team that has faced few difficulties this season. Los Angeles holds the key advantages, but Denver has a few of their own.

Denver’s greatest advantage could be Mother Nature, as Sunday afternoon’s forecast calls for snow showers and temperatures around 16º at gametime. This is crucial against a team as talented and dominant as the Rams, but also a team that calls sunny Southern California home. Los Angeles is simply better, but Denver, backed by the bitter cold and driving snow, will get the better of the Rams this Sunday. Denver wins 30-27.

Pick: Broncos

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Ravens(3-2) at Titans(3-2)

Baltimore’s defense may just be one of the best units in the NFL, and they’ll continue their dominant ways on the road in Nashville. The Ravens’ underrated passing game will play pretty well against a pretty good Tennessee defense in their own right. Baltimore wins 19-13.

Pick: Ravens

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Jaguars(3-2) at Cowboys(2-3)

After suffering a crushing loss in Kansas City last week, Jacksonville and their dominant defense will rebound nicely against the offensively stunted Cowboys in Dallas. Jacksonville wins 21-19.

Pick: Jaguars

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Sunday Night Football

Chiefs(5-0) at Patriots(3-2)

This is an easy contender for the Game of the Week, but Kansas City lacks the fear of going into Foxboro that cripples many other appointments. New England sits on the right side of .500, but they’re still finding their way in a sense. Kansas City has been absolutely rolling and that roll will continue with this critical win at Foxboro. Kansas City wins 21-14.

Pick: Chiefs

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Monday, October 15th - Monday Night Football

49ers(1-4) at Packers(2-2-1)

San Francisco’s ineffective passing game will suffer greatly against the NFC’s most underrated defense in Green Bay. Green Bay wins 37-13.

Pick: Packers

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That’s how I see Week 6 coming together, let us know what you think will happen. The Saints may not be playing this week, but there’s plenty to root for and against. Leave your comments, picks, and insight below!