NFL picks Week 6: Packers-Cowboys and every other game
Entering Week 6 of the NFL season, will the Green Bay Packers improve to 4-1?
To do so, they must slow down the NFL’s best rushing offense. Dom Capers’ defense is equipped with the league’s best run defense, making this one of the most intriguing matchups of the week.
Let’s make picks for all 15 NFL games this week, starting with the Cowboys’ trip to Lambeau Field.
Dallas Cowboys at Green Bay Packers
The league’s best rushing offense against the league’s best rushing defense. This one will be fun to watch. Green Bay (3-1) needs to find more consistency on offense, while Dom Capers’ defense will be given its toughest test on the ground to date. Mike Pennel‘s return will help, but containing Ezekiel Elliott remains key.
Eddie Lacy‘s status is uncertain at the time of writing, but I expect the Packers to do enough on both sides of the ball to remain perfect inside Lambeau Field.
Pick: Green Bay 27, Dallas 21
Denver Broncos at San Diego Chargers
Denver (4-1) finally lost a game, and look to bounce back in a tough road trip. San Diego (1-4) could be 4-1 had they not thrown away leads in the fourth quarter. The Chargers will be in this game, but they lose a close one.
Pick: Denver 22, San Diego 20
Philadelphia Eagles at Washington Redskins
After losing their first two games, Washington (3-2) rides into this one on the back of three victories. Carson Wentz and the Eagles (3-1) defense has impressed to date, and they bounce back from last week’s loss with a fourth victory of the season.
Pick: Philadelphia 24, Washington 17
Pittsburgh Steelers at Miami Dolphins
Le’Veon Bell‘s return has been great news for Pittsburgh (4-1), reestablishing the Steelers offense as one of the league’s elite. They are simply too talented for this Miami (1-4) team, home or away.
Pick: Pittsburgh 29, Miami 17
Jacksonville Jaguars at Chicago Bears
It’s the Brian Hoyer Show in Chicago (1-4). Despite their awful record, the Bears have been in most of their games until the end. Jacksonville (1-3) has a lot to prove but is fresh off the bye. In Chicago, Hoyer leads the Bears to victory past a struggling Jaguars defense.
Pick: Chicago 28, Jacksonville 20
Cleveland Browns at Tennessee Titans
Marcus Mariota could go off in this game. Cleveland (0-5) is getting through quarterbacks at a scary rate, and they can’t buy a win right now.
Pick: Tennessee 31, Cleveland 20
Cincinnati Bengals at New England Patriots
The Tom Brady Revenge Tour got off to a flying start, and it’s now onto Cincinnati. The Bengals (2-3) are in trouble.
Pick: New England 28, Cincinnati 14
San Francisco 49ers at Buffalo Bills
Will Colin Kaepernick save the day for San Francisco (1-4)?
No.
Pick: Buffalo 27, San Francisco 10
Baltimore Ravens at New York Giants
Both of these teams made fast starts but have dropped off in recent weeks. New York (2-3) needs this one to stay afloat in the NFC East battle. At home they pull it off.
Pick: New York 27, Baltimore 23
Los Angeles Rams at Detroit Lions
The Lions (2-3) might be the most inconsistent team in the NFL. They will win or lose on the back of their offense, but at home I expect them to take this one.
Pick: Detroit 24, Los Angeles 17
Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints
This has the makings of a bounce-back game for Cam Newton and the Panthers (1-4), although it won’t be that simple. New Orleans (1-3) have the offensive talent to score heavily on this Carolina secondary. Carolina enters the game on a short week having played Monday, while the Saints are fresh off their bye.
Pick: New Orleans 42, Carolina 37
Kansas City Chiefs at Oakland Raiders
Kansas City (2-2) have been inconsistent through four games, while Oakland (4-1) are making good on their preseason hype. It will be tough for the Chiefs to steal a win on the road, but this is a divisional contest and they win the turnover battle to pull themselves within one game of their rivals.
Pick: Kansas City 30, Oakland 27
Atlanta Falcons at Seattle Seahawks
Atlanta (4-1) has taken the NFL by storm, scoring victories over the Panthers and Broncos in consecutive weeks. They can beat defenses a number of ways, but they run into trouble at Seattle (3-1).
Pick: Seattle 27, Atlanta 24
Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans
Indianapolis (2-3) need a string of victories to jumpstart the season, while Houston (3-2) needs to bounce back from their humiliation in Minnesota. I’m picking the home team who are too talented for Andrew Luck and company.
Pick: Houston 33, Indianapolis 24
New York Jets at Arizona Cardinals
The Jets’ (1-4) schedule is brutal and they run into another tough game here. Arizona (1-4) has been a major disappointment to date, but they keep their season alive with victory at home.
Pick: Arizona 20, New York 17