Before we jump into it I’ll give a quick rundown of how the NFL weekly picks and preview will work. Each game will get a small blurb, and two picks: pick ‘em (choosing the winner) and against the spread (choosing the spread, obviously). It should also be noted that I’ve kept track of my pick ‘em for the first 5 weeks and racked up a 45-32 record, but haven’t kept up with the spread, those picks start this week.
PHI @ CAR
Two 4-1 teams clash in primetime as the Panthers host the Eagles on Thursday night. Carson Wentz has shrugged off any chance of a sophomore slump while Cam Newton has recently returned to MVP form. The real matchup to watch here is how the stifling Carolina defense handles Carson Wentz and if they can maintain pressure on him. I see Luke Kuechly and company doing just that, earning the home victory.
Pick ‘Em: Carolina Panthers
Spread: Carolina Panthers (-3)
GB @ MIN
Aaron Rodgers versus Case Keenum doesn’t scream exciting, but that’s where we are headed Sunday. The Vikings are coming off a short week after narrowly escaping with a win against Chicago on Monday night, while the Packers are riding the emotional high after a last-second touchdown win in Dallas. Both teams have battled the injury-bug, but the Packers simply have more weapons on both sides of the ball.
Pick ‘Em: Green Bay Packers
Spread: Green Bay Packers (-3)
MIA @ ATL
The Jay Cutler project has been abysmal in Miami, and I’m not sure what else the Dolphins expected. A road match-up against the Falcons, coming off their bye week, does not help things either. Matt Ryan’s squad took the week to rest and heal their stars like Julio Jones and Vic Beasley, and are primed to take care of business at home.
Pick ‘Em: Atlanta Falcons
Spread: Atlanta Falcons (-11.5)
DET @ NO
If you were looking for an over to bet on this week, here it is. New Orleans is coming off their bye week, where they traded Adrian Peterson, which opens up more opportunities for rookie running back Alvin Kamara. The Lions have lost two out of their last three games, but are still 2-0 on the road this season. Look for them to continue their road warrior mind-set.
Pick ‘Em: Detroit Lions
Spread: Detroit Lions (+4.5)
NE @ NYJ
Somehow this matchup on Sunday afternoon is for first place in the AFC East, with Buffalo on the bye. New England’s defense has clearly been a liability this season, but the Jet’s offense does not pose as much of a threat as the Patriot’s previous opponents. Meanwhile for New York, this could finally be the week we see the beginning of their tank (see Week 5 Review).
Pick ‘Em: New England Patriots
Spread: New England Patriots (-9)
SF @ WSH
Do not be fooled by the 49’ers 0-5 record. Their last four games, three of which have been on the road, have been lost by a combined 11 points. The previous two losses have been in overtime. This is not a good team, but they are not the worst in the NFL. Washington does not boast the strongest team in the NFL, but they’ve had a week to prepare for San Francisco. If Kirk Cousins wants to earn his long-term, big money contract, he has to beat winless teams at home.
Pick ‘Em: Washington Redskins
Spread: San Francisco 49’ers (+10)
CHI @ BAL
Mitchell Trubisky’s NFL debut was not as dazzling as many hoped it would be, and now he takes the Bears on the road to Baltimore. The Raven’s 9th ranked pass defense should challenge Trubisky, but the Bear’s 8th ranked pass defense could pose a problem for veteran Joe Flacco. The Ravens need a win at home if they hope to keep pace with the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC North, and I believe they will get it.
Pick ‘Em: Baltimore Ravens
Spread: Chicago Bears (+6.5)
CLE @ HOU
Despite having the 5th overall defense in the NFL, the Cleveland Browns are 0-5. Why? The Browns are absolutely disgusting on offense. Rookie DeShone Kizer has been benched for Kevin Hogan, while fellow rookie Deshaun Watson has kept the Texans close in every game he has started this season. Houston’s defense has lost two key starters for the season with injuries, Whitney Mercilus and JJ Watt. It seems likely they will respond against a poor Cleveland offense.
Pick ‘Em: Houston Texans
Spread: Houston Texans (-9.5)
TB @ ARI
The Arizona Cardinals destroyed the Tampa Bay Buccaneers when the two teams met in week two last season, with a final score of 40-7. Tampa Bay presents a stronger squad this time around on both sides of the ball. Arizona, on the other hand, has gotten weaker as a team. The Cardinals hope new addition Adrian Peterson can spark the struggling offense. Bruce Arian’s two wins this year were both in overtime, against weak teams (IND and SF). Do not expect that result to change this week.
Pick ‘Em: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Spread: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-1.5)
LAR @ JAX
Jacksonville’s 3rd ranked scoring defense will look to slow down the Rams’ 2nd ranked scoring offense. Blake Bortles continued struggles have been masked by rookie running back Leonard Fournette, who has 466 yards and five touchdowns through five games. Jared Goff has had a better-than-expected second year so far under new head coach Sean McVay, totaling seven touchdowns and only three interceptions thus far. Somehow the Rams are underdogs in this game, they will leave Jacksonville with a win this week.
Pick ‘Em: Los Angeles Rams
Spread: Los Angeles Rams (+2.5)
PIT @ KC
Pittsburgh’s poor run defense was exploited last week, and the challenge only increases with Kareem Hunt on the horizon for the Steelers this week. Hunt leads the NFL with 609 rushing yards this year along with 166 receiving yards. If Pittsburgh wants to find success this week, they will give the ball to their workhorse Le’Veon Bell, in hopes of taking the pressure off of Ben Roethlisberger who threw five interceptions last week. I don’t foresee Pittsburgh holding off Alex Smith and the red-hot Chief offense.
Pick ‘Em: Kansas City Chiefs
Spread: Kansas City Chiefs (-4)
LAC @ OAK
The Oakland Raiders are amidst a 0-3 skid, but their starting quarterback could be returning from injury this week. Derek Carr expects to suit up and play on Sunday, however that does not mean the Chargers should be overlooked. Three of Los Angeles’ losses had been by three points or fewer, until recording their first win last week. That being said, the Black Hole won’t let Oakland lose four straight.
Pick ‘Em: Oakland Raiders
Spread: Oakland Raiders (-1)
NYG @ DEN
Trevor Siemian has been stellar at home this season, throwing all seven of his touchdowns at Mile High and compiling a 3-0 record. Now, coming off a bye week, they face the dumpster fire that is the New York Giants. If the Giants offense was not bad enough, they lost wide-receivers Odell Beckham Jr. and Brandon Marshall for the season to lower-body injuries. Eli Manning is the only weapon (if you can call him that) on a depleted Giants roster. This is yet another chance for the Giants to stink in prime time.
Pick ‘Em: Denver Broncos
Spread: Denver Broncos (-11.5)
IND @ TEN
It is truly 50-50 whether Marcus Mariota is able to go for the Tennessee Titans this week. He sat last week due to an injured hamstring and the team sputtered. On the opposite side, the Indianapolis Colts have won two out of their last three and interim quarterback Jacoby Brissett has been satisfactory, but the team is still waiting on an Andrew Luck return. Be sure to bet the over on this game, as these two teams are dead last in the NFL in scoring defense.
Pick ‘Em: Tennessee Titans
Spread: Tennessee Titans (PK)
Season Pick ‘Em Record: 45-32
Spread Record: 0-0
View From The Bench 