NFL Week 6 Picks! Brought to you by Adam “Cheech” Rachichi. Enjoy!
Rejoice NFL fans and degenerate gamblers alike, here are my week 6 NFL picks. Sadly, doing this is probably the highlight of my week before all the inevitable swift kick to the groin that results from all my “locks” losing to rookie QB’s and 1 win teams. Regardless, here they are! (All lines are from bovada.com, where I personally choose to lose my money.)
Sunday Games
Raiders (+8) over Chiefs
Raiders are coming into a tough environment in Arrowhead and the Chiefs are playing well. I think eight points is a lot and I have confidence in Pryor, don’t ask why. The Chief’s ball control offense will keep this game from getting out of hand.
Prediction: Chiefs 23-16
Eagles (-2) over the Buccaneers.
Obviously, a lot depends on the status of Mike Vick and who’s starting for the Eagles. Foles looked alright coming in against the Giants. This is more about the ineffectiveness of Mike Glennon. I think an awful Eagles D is able to keep the rookie in check and Foles is able to do just enough to move the ball against a formidable Buc’s D.
Prediction: Eagles 20-10
Texans (-9) over the Rams
Pretty high line for a struggling Texans team against a decent Rams squad. This is a make or break week for Schaub. If he plays poorly again at home, and the entire fan base fully turns against him, a change will need to be made. The Texans will get back to their bread and butter, using the run to set up the play action pass, and come out with a much-needed win. I don’t feel great about this game, but the Ram’s never usually fail to disappoint and I have no faith in Sam Bradford.
Prediction: Texans 34-16
Bengals (-7) over the Bills
This could be a much closer game than people think. The Bills usually play well up in Buffalo and their D comes to play. No Manuel makes this a tall task for the Bills, especially with Thad Lewis at the helm. The Bengals, much like the Cowboys, are a team that plays to the level of their competition. Buffalo will play them close until the 4th and then Cinci will pull away.
Prediction: Bengals 24-13
Packers (-3) over the Ravens
Yes, Clay Mathews is out. Yes, Aaron Rodgers is playing in front of a makeshift line. Yes, the GB running game is inconsistent. Yet, the Packers are playing against Joe Flacco (I don’t care what anyone says, he is the most overrated QB in the league) and after years the Raven’s still haven’t realized that giving the ball to Ray Rice 25+ times a game is a very good thing. Rodgers is finally getting on the same page with ALL his receivers (big game for James Jones last week) and I think they burn that once vaunted Baltimore D.
Prediction: GB 31-20
Jets (-3) over the Steelers
Geno! Geno! Geno! That’s all that I’ve been hearing out of NY since Rex and his team snuck out a win against the reeling (yet still very talented) Falcons. As a Pats fan, I didn’t give the Jets or Geno much respect coming into the year, but I’m slowly realizing the error of my ways. Geno has shown great poise for a rookie (of course he will make mistakes) and the Rex Ryan led defense ALWAYS comes to play. They have an “us against the world mentality”, which is scary for all their opponents. Of course, Geno could prove me wrong at throw 3 picks against a win less Steelers team. That’s what makes the Jets exciting, must-watch television though.
Prediction: Jets 23-10
Jaguars (+27) over Broncos
Despite how great the Broncos have looked, and how terrible the Jags are, there’s no way I can put money on Denver in this game. It’s the highest line ever and this game just screams backdoor cover (Henne to Blackmon, book it). Denver will win this game comfortably, but four touchdowns is huge line to cover. Jacksonville can only get better (for their sakes I hope) and Denver can’t sustain their record-breaking pace for a while season. O/U on “We Want Tebow” signs in the stands: 10.5
Prediction: Broncos 33-10.
Seahawks (-14) over Titans
If this game weren’t in Seattle I would be taking the Titans. I think the Seahawks got exposed a little last week, where they came into Indy talking trash and then took one on the chin from Luck and the Boys. But, like New Orleans, the Seahawks are almost unbeatable at home with that crowd behind them. I have little faith in Fitzpatrick either after seeing his failures as the starter in Buffalo. So, unless Chris Johnson goes off (Chris, throw me a bone in fantasy man), Seattle wins this comfortably at home. This game could get ugly prettyyyyy quickly.
Prediction: Seattle 38-9
Cardinals (+11) over Niners
This is my upset special of the week. The Niners have been very hot and cold this season. Kaepernick and Boldin have come back to Earth from their hot start. Vernon Davis is still dealing with nagging injuries. Aldon Smith also apparently has an affinity for high-powered firearms. The Cardinals aren’t getting a lot of love, but that defense led by Patrick Peterson is the real deal. The offense is just good enough to make some noise against the SF defense. Fitz has a decent QB throwing, compared to the corpses Arizona was trotting out their last season.
Prediction: Cardinals 23-17
Redskins (+6) over Cowboys
Dallas is the ultimate Dr. Jeckyll and Hyde team. They play up to their competition in the most infuriating way. They SHOULD win this game comfortably against their division rival. After a rough start, RGIII and company are finally getting into the groove of things and have had two weeks to prepare for Jerry and the Cowboys. RGIII has been hearing all the haters talk about him for two weeks and the Cowboys suffer a letdown after the Denver loss from last week.
Prediction: Redskins 24-23
Browns (+3) over Lions
I think this is a statement game for the Browns. They are 3-2, top of the division, but people still doubt them with Weeden back at QB. Like most dome teams, the Lions play much better at home, and Megatron is questionable for the game. McGahee and running game got going last week against a tough Buffalo front line and I think the Browns are able to do this again in Cleveland to arguably the best front four in the league. Josh Gordon, Jordan, Cameron, and Greg Little are matchup nightmares. If Weeden plays decent, I think the Browns come away with a big W.
Prediction: Browns 24-21
Panthers (+2.5) over Vikings
With no AP, this will prove to be a tough task for the Viking offense, even at home. The Carolina D is amongst the best in the game, especially the front seven, and I think they have a field day with whoever the Vikings start at QB. Carolina should get its act together this week after an embarrassing loss against the Cardinals.
Prediction: Panthers 33-16
Patriots (-1.5) over Saints
Spygate vs. Bountygate. Everyone is jumping on the Saints bandwagon and giving up on the Patriots after a bad loss in Cinci. Much like Seahawks, the Saints are a team that can really struggle on the road, like the TB game earlier this season. Obviously, whether Gronk plays or not will be a huge factor, but I think the Pats and BB have some tricks up their sleeve against an aggressive NO team. Close game, Pats win late on a field goal.
Prediction: Patriots 31-28
MONDAY NIGHT GAME
Colts (-2.5) over Chargers
I was really impressed with what Indianapolis did against Seattle last week. Not just because they beat Seattle, but how they went about it. They were aggressive right out the gate and weren’t intimidated by a loud-talking Seattle secondary. The Chargers have some fight in them and I respect what Rivers is doing this season, but Colts are just too good.
Prediction: Colts 27-10
I do not even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was good. I don’t know who you are but certainly you are going to a famous blogger if you aren’t already Cheers!