Week 6 Betting Preview: Predictions for every matchup
Each week during the NFL season, theScore's Dane Belbeck will handicap every matchup and offer up a three-pack of picks.
Week 5 record: 9-5
Overall: 45-32
Pittsburgh Steelers (+4.5) at Kansas City Chiefs
Ben Roethlisberger is coming off arguably the worst game of his storied career, throwing five interceptions in a 30-9 beatdown by the Jaguars, and will look to bounce back against the NFL's best. The Chiefs continue to be a juggernaut at 5-0, but are due for a letdown. This will be the week that the Steelers' offense finally gets things rolling and spreads the ball around to the various skill players on the roster. Kansas City will keep up for most of the game but Pittsburgh will pull away late for a big road win. Steelers 28, Chiefs 24
Detroit Lions at New Orleans Saints (-5.5)
Matthew Stafford appears to be ready to go but will certainly be banged up after a painful loss to the Panthers last weekend. After Cam Newton threw for 355 yards and three scores on the Lions' defense, Drew Brees has to be extra fired up for this one. The well-rested Saints will get their first true home win of the season by piling the points up on Detroit. Saints 30, Lions 17
New England Patriots (-9) at New York Jets
The Jets are actually ahead of the Patriots in the AFC East thanks to their divisional win over the Dolphins. That's not a typo, but it also won't last long as Bill Belichick and the Patriots are going to make a statement Sunday. The Jets' three consecutive wins have come against Miami, Jacksonville, and Cleveland, and they are in for a rude awakening this weekend. Look for Tom Brady to pile up the fantasy points as New England blasts the Jets on the road. Patriots 33, Jets 13
Remaining matchups
Miami Dolphins at Atlanta Falcons (-11.5)
With Julio Jones back in action, the Falcons' offense should be ready to roll up and down the field Sunday. Jay Cutler and the Dolphins have provided no reason to believe they can keep up. Falcons 31, Dolphins 13
Green Bay Packers (-3) at Minnesota Vikings
If you watched the end of the Packers-Cowboys game last week you would know that now is not the time to bet against Aaron Rodgers. Packers 27, Vikings 20
San Francisco 49ers (+10) at Washington Redskins
While the 49ers are winless on the season, each of their last four losses have come by three points or fewer. That shows that this team won't quit on new coach Kyle Shanahan. Redskins 27, 49ers 23
Chicago Bears at Baltimore Ravens (-6.5)
Mitchell Trubisky making his first career road start against the Ravens' ninth-ranked passing defense doesn't seem like a recipe for success. Ravens 21, Bears 10
Cleveland Browns (+9.5) at Houston Texans
Kevin Hogan gets the start over DeShone Kizer at quarterback for the Browns, and that may actually be an improvement for the winless club. The Texans' defense is reeling with the losses of J.J. Watt and Whitney Mercilus, so don't be shocked to see a shootout here. Take the points. Texans 30, Browns 24
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-2.5) at Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals' 2-3 record is the most deceiving mark in the league. The wins have come by a combined six points over the winless 49ers and 2-3 Colts, while each loss has been by double digits. Tampa Bay's defense is fully healthy for the road trip and should keep Arizona's anemic offense under wraps. Buccaneers 24, Cardinals 14
Los Angeles Rams at Jacksonville Jaguars (-2.5)
The Seahawks demonstrated what can happen to the Rams' offense when facing a strong defense, and the Jaguars possess one of the best in the league. It's doubtful Leonard Fournette can rush for 180 yards again this week, but he likely won't have to. Jaguars 24, Rams 17
Los Angeles Chargers at Oakland Raiders (No Line)
Derek Carr is expected to play against the Chargers on Sunday, an idea that sounds terrible for someone with a transverse process fracture in his back. It's an even worse idea when you're facing Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram. Chargers 27, Raiders 20
New York Giants at Denver Broncos (-12)
It's tough enough throwing on the vaunted Broncos secondary with a full complement of receivers, but the Giants will be without Odell Beckham Jr., Brandon Marshall, Sterling Shepard, and Dwayne Harris for the contest. Denver won't have an easy time scoring, but New York might not cross half. Broncos 20, Giants 0
Indianapolis Colts at Tennessee Titans (No Line)
Marcus Mariota hopes to return for Monday's game against the Colts, and that would easily make the Titans a must-pick. Even if he doesn't return, Indianapolis shouldn't be expected to get a road win over anybody at this point. Titans 28, Colts 17
Byes: Buffalo Bills, Cincinnati Bengals, Dallas Cowboys, Seattle Seahawks
Picks summary |
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Steelers +4.5 (Gold) |
Saints -5.5 (Silver) |
Patriots -9 (Bronze) |
Falcons -11.5 |
Packers -3 |
49ers +10 |
Ravens -6.5 |
Browns +9.5 |
Buccaneers -2.5 |
Jaguars -2.5 |
Chargers (No Line) |
Broncos -12 |
Titans (No Line) |