NFL Week 6 Preview/Predictions

Graphic Creds to Bradly W. Stewart

By: Joe Smeltzer

Hello all. It's week six of the NFL season, which means the family is back at it for some picks. Joseph Arthur Smeltzer has had a tough year so far. He is just four games over .500. But don't worry. He will rise again.

Ryan Carlton Stewart is off this week, due to a new rule that everybody has one "bye week" if they should choose to do so. I will not write about the Steeler game in this preview; I have a seperate article planned for that since it is a later game. Well, enough explaning. Let's get into it. 

1:00

Will the Patriots lose?

Patriots (3-2) at Jets (3-2) 

Line: NE -9.0

Photo creds to CBS Sports

Yes, New England has started slow. Yes, it should have lost to Tampa last week. But in the midsts of all of their problems, who leads the NFL in passing yards? Tom Brady. As long as the king is on his throne, I feel safe picking the Patriots. Especially against the Jets.

Patriots 31, Jets 21

This could get ugly

Dolphins (2-2) at Falcons (3-1) 

Line: ATL -12.0

Photo creds to National Geographic Kids

Miami stinks. I think losing to the Jets and Saints by a combined score of 40-6 proves that. While the Dolphins defense has played pretty well, it hasn't faced a quarterback like Matt Ryan yet. If the Falcons attack is in sync, knowing how awful Miami's offense is, this could get lopsided. 

Falcons 31, Dolphins 7

The Haves vs. The have-nots

Packers (4-1) at Vikings (3-2) 

Line: Green Bay -3.0

The rest of the NFC North wishes they were the Packers. Minnesota will feel that envy again Sunday afternoon. 

The big matchup to watch in this game is Green Bay's star wideout, Jordy Nelson, vs. Minnesota's star corner, Xavier Rhodes. If the Packers can send Nelson to the slot, where he has done quite well, to help him avoid Rhodes, expect Jordy to have a big day. If Aaron Rodgers is clicking, and Nelson can get loose, I don't expect Case Kennum to answer that.

Packers 31, Vikings 14

Shootout 

Lions (3-2) at Saints (2-3) 

Line: NO -4.5

Drew Brees has been a beast since 2000 (Photo creds to ProFootballTalk)

In studying the matchups for this game, Detroit measures up pretty well. The Lions have the personnel to match up with the Saints top weapons. If this game were at Ford Field, I would like Detroit's chances. But unless the Saints are playing a top team, which they are not, it's hard to bet against Drew Brees in the Superdome. Although Detroit got the best of New Orleans last season, my gut tells me that things will be different this time around. 

Saints 31, Lions 27

Bears (1-4) at Ravens (3-2) 

Line: Bal -6.5 

Photo creds to this-blue-moon

Baltimore looked like a different team last week. After two horrendous showings against Jacksonville and Pittsburgh, the Ravens finally looked competent in their 30-17 win at Oakland. Knowing that the Ravens could be getting hot, and knowing that Chicago has been outscored 64-21 on the road this season, I'm comfortable picking the dirty birds. Take Baltimore and the points, baby.

Ravens 34, Bears 17

Who the hell cares?

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

Line: Cleveland is the underdog. 

Talking about the Browns is no longer fun. So I won't. 

Texans 77, Browns 10

4:05

These teams broke the Eagles heart way back when 

Bucs (2-2) at Cardinals (2-3)

Line: TB -1.5

Aside from the field goal kicking against New England and a clunker at Minnesota, Tampa Bay has looked pretty good this year. The Cardinals, on the other hand, beat two of the leagues worst teams by a combined total of six points. 

Tampa Bay is an up-and-coming franchise that should make the playoffs in the NFC. Arizona, on the other hand, is on a downward spiral. Without David Johnson, this offense has nothing going for it. While I don't expect the Cardinals to lose by 27 like they did last week in Philly, I think Jameis Winston, Mike Evans and DeSean Jackson will burn the Cardinals secondary and put some points on the board.

Bucs 35, Cardinals 17

A surprisingly interesting contest 

Rams (3-2) at Jags (3-2) 

Line: JAX -2.5

Coming into the season, I would have never thought that this would be a matchup worth thinking about. But both Jacksonville and LA have played well through the first five games. Although I don't expect the Rams to embarrass themselves the way my Steelers did last week against Jacksonville, I think that they will experience similar problems with Jalen Ramsey and the Jags talented secondary

Last Sunday, a big reason for Jacksonville's success against the Steelers attack was that by only using one safety, the Jaguares baited Pittsburgh into calling a lot of pass plays. It worked almost to perfection. The Steelers threw the ball 55 times, ran it just 20 times, and scored nine points.

Although the Rams offense isn't as celebrated as Pittsburgh's, they do share some similar characteristics. The Steelers have one of the NFL's best running backs in Le'Veon Bell, while the Rams have another quality back in Todd Gurley. If the Rams are smart, they will make Gurley the main focus of their offense. If they fall for the bait the way the Steelers did, then they'll be in trouble. Jacksonville's secondary is among the best in the league, and I think Jared Goff will learn that Sunday afternoon.

Jags 24, Rams 14

Will DC return?

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

Line: OAK -3.5

The big question coming into this game is whether Derek Carr will make his return to the Raiders offense. Regardless of what Carr's status is, I like Oakland's chances at home against a bad football team.

E.J. Manuel held his own last week against the Ravens, so while the Raiders back-up is not on Carr's level, and probably wouldn't make them a top team in the AFC, I think Manuel's services would be enough to beat an aging Phillip Rivers. The Raiders obviously hope to have Carr back, but if they don't, I still think Oakland is in good hands, at least for this weak.

Raiders 27, Chargers 17

Awful Primetime Game Part I

Giants (0-5) at Broncos (3-1) 

Line: Den -11.5

Let's see. An 0-5 team that just lost it's top three wide receivers to injury is going to Denver, where the Broncos are 3-0 on the year. Is the point a little generous. 

Denver 31, New York 7

Awful Primetime Game Part II

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

Well, somebody has to win the AFC South. Think about that for a second.

Titans 23, Colts 17