NFL Week 6 Picks

Green Bay @ Baltimore

Its time for Aaron Rodgers to break out for a big game. He should be able to shred the Baltimore secondary in a similar way that Peyton Manning did in Week 1.

Pick: Green Bay 34, Baltimore 24

Cincinnati @ Buffalo

With E.J. Manuel out of action, Buffalo will be forced to turn to Jeff Tuel. The Bengals have beaten two of the game’s elite quarterbacks in the last three weeks, they should be able to handle the short-handed Bills.

Pick: Cincinnati 24, Buffalo 9

Detroit @ Cleveland

Calvin Johnson should be able to play this week, which will open things up for the Detroit offense again. The Cleveland Browns have won three in a row, but they’ll be forced to turn back to Brandon Weeden with Brian Hoyer done for the season. The Lions defense has been a little better than people expected it to be so far, and they’re coming off a week in which they were able to limit what Aaron Rodgers could do. I think the Cleveland winning streak has been a little flukey, and I believe it comes to an end this weekend.

Pick: Detroit 23, Cleveland 14

St. Louis @ Houston

It’s a must-win situation for the Texans. They desperately need a win to get their season straightened out, and Matt Schaub needs a clean performance to get his head right. The Rams are not a good football team. They don’t have explosive offensive pieces, and their defense has been disappointing. I like Houston to turn things around this week.

Pick: Houston 24, St. Louis 17

Oakland @ Kansas City

Andy Reid’s defense will continue to win him games. The Chiefs defense has been outstanding so far, forcing multiple turnovers in every game this year. Terrelle Pryor and the Raiders have quietly been playing good football to this point in the year, but I don’t think they’ve got enough to overcome Kansas City on the road.

Pick: Kansas City 24, Oakland 17

Carolina @ Minnesota

The only time that the Panthers have looked good this year is when they’ve played the Giants. Minnesota has some new life with Matt Cassel and quarterback and Josh Freeman waiting in the wings. Moving on from Christian Ponder is the right decision for this team, and I think the energy of a new quarterback helps carry the Vikings to their second straight win.

Pick: Minnesota 20, Carolina 13

Pittsburgh @ New York Jets

Sooner or later, the Steelers have to play better than what they’ve shown. I have to believe that after the bye week, they’ll come out refreshed and ready to go. On the other side of this coin, you have the New York Jets. The Jets have surpassed everyone’s expectations by going 3-2 and playing some very competitive football. Geno Smith appears to have a firm grasp on the quarterback job, and Rex Ryan’s hot seat is getting cooler by the week. That being said, I don’t believe in the Jets. I think their run has been kind of hollow, and I think they’re primed for a letdown against a hungry Steeler team this week.

Pick: Pittsburgh 23, New York 14

Philadelphia @ Tampa Bay

Nick Foles gets the start for the Eagles, and he may have a tough time against the Tampa Bay defense. The good news for the Eagles is that Mike Glennon and the Tampa Bay offense probably aren’t capable of putting up more than 17 points, even against a defense as bad as the Eagles.

Pick: Philadelphia 24, Tampa Bay 17

Jacksonville @ Denver

The Jaguars become Peyton Manning’s next victim.

Pick: Denver 42, Jacksonville 17

Tennessee @ Seattle

The Seahawks will be ready to bounce back at home following a frustrating loss to the Colts. The Titans remain with Ryan Fitzpatrick filling in for Jake Locker, and the Seattle defense should be able to force him into multiple mistakes.

Pick: Seattle 28, Tennessee 13

New Orleans @ New England

It was only a matter of time until New England’s offensive inefficiencies caught up with them. I don’t think the Patriots defense can contend with Drew Brees, and Tom Brady may struggle just as much as he did last week against Cincinnati. I like the Saints to stay undefeated.

Pick: New Orleans 31, New England 20

Arizona @ San Francisco

It’s time for Colin Kaepernick to go off and have a big game. Carson Palmer has been brutal out in Arizona so far, and he won’t be turning himself around against one of the league’s better defenses.

Pick: San Francisco 31, Arizona 17

Washington @ Dallas

The Redskins are fresh off the bye week, and will continue to get stronger as Robert Griffin feels more and more comfortable. Dallas gave Denver their best shot last week, and I think its going to be tough for them to repeat such an effort. But that being said, I still think the Cowboys are the best team in this division, and I believe they’ll snap their two-game losing streak at home.

Pick: Dallas 27, Washington 23

Indianapolis @ San Diego

The Colts have been extremely impressive over the last couple of weeks, knocking out the 49ers and Seahawks and establishing themselves more and more as the team to beat in the AFC South. They’re the hot team right now, and until someone beats them I believe their high level of play will continue.

Pick: Indianapolis 34, San Diego 24