NFL Picks Week 6: Rattled, Yet Hopeful

The New Orleans Saints face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at home this week in the first must-win scenario of the season. A loss this week would put the Saints at 2-4, barely above Carolina at the bottom of the NFC South, while a win keeps them within striking distance of Atlanta and Tampa in the division. Tampa had a clear path though the division blurred last Thursday Night in Atlanta, making them potentially more dangerous, or potentially more vulnerable.

An onslaught of injuries has hit the New Orleans Saints hard over the last three weeks, even taking out starting quarterback Derek Carr on Monday Night. Now rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler gets his first career start in this pivotal divisional game. Coming off three-game skid, bombarded by injuries, playing their second of three games in an 11-day stretch would be enough to have any team rattled, but the Saints have reason for hope, and that all starts here and now.

Now let’s take a look at this and all of the matchups in Week 6.

Last week I went 7-7

I told you so: Ravens over Bengals!

What do I know: Raiders over Broncos?

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Thursday, October 12th – Thursday Night Football

49ers(2-3) at Seahawks(3-2)
Surprisingly, the Niners have been terrible in division play this season, and after this game they will be 0-3 against the NFC West. Seattle will win the game on the ground, in a game that comes down to the wire. Seattle wins 30-29.

Pick: Seahawks

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Sunday, October 13th – Very Early Game

Jaguars(1-4) at* Bears(3-2) – Tottenham Hotspur Stadium – London, England

It took five weeks, but the Jags finally made it into the win column. It was fun while it lasted. Chicago wins 26-17.

Pick: Bears

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Sunday, October 13th – Early Games

Commanders(4-1) at Ravens(3-2)
The top-two rushing attacks in the NFL, led by the top-two mobile quarterbacks in the league in Lamar Jackson and Jayden Daniels, face-off in what should be a very good game. It will be close, but Justin Tucker seals the win for the home team in the end. Baltimore wins 20-17.

Pick: Ravens

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Cardinals(2-3) at Packers(3-2)
This game will play out a little more even than expected, but it will be Green Bay’s passing game that wins out in the end. Green Bay wins 24-17.

Pick: Packers

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Texans(4-1) at Patriots(1-4)
Houston’s hot start gets even hotter as they easily handle the Pats in New England. Houston wins 28-17.

Pick: Texans

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Browns(1-4) at Eagles(2-2)
Cleveland’s defense will crumble against Philly’s rushing attack in this one. Philadelphia wins 28-19.

Pick: Eagles

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Colts(2-3) at Titans(1-3)
Tennessee’s abysmal offense against Indy’s atrocious defense should turn away viewers, but the Colts’ offense will win the day over the Titans’ top-ranked defense in this rivalry matchup. Indianapolis wins 28-21.

Pick: Colts

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Buccaneers(3-2) at Saints(2-3)
Spencer Rattler will be the story of the game for the Saints, and justifiably so. Much has been debated about the young prospect, but the only agenda is that the Saints do whatever they need to compete and win on a week-to-week basis and that they give their current and future stars every opportunity to grow and succeed. This will be a tremendous opportunity for Rattler and his teammates, but it will certainly be a difficult one, against a very familiar foe.

Both teams, who pride themselves on defense, with defensive head coaches, looked terrible in Week 5 and find themselves in the bottom third of the league defensively. The defense that is able to step up the most and get back to form in this game will be the catalyst for victory for their team. Ultimately, the Bucs have the “easier” assignment, facing a rookie QB in his first start, protected by a makeshift offensive line, with ailing skill position players. Rattler will show he belongs, but the assignment has too high a degree of difficulty in his debut, unfortunately. Tampa Bay wins 20-19.

Pick: Buccaneers

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Sunday, October 13th – Late Games

Chargers(2-2) at Broncos(3-2)
The first Sean Payton/Jim Harbaugh matchup in a long time will uncharacteristically be a defensive affair, with Denver’s slightly better offense winning out. Denver wins 20-10.

Pick: Broncos

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Steelers(3-2) at Raiders(2-3)
Vegas’ lack of a running game will come back to bite them in this close contest in Sin City. Pittsburgh wins 23-20.

Pick: Steelers

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Falcons(3-2) at Panthers(1-4)
Atlanta will easily dispatch of their third-straight NFC South opponent, this time cruising in Carolina. For once, Atlanta won’t need to depend on Younghoe Koo to win the game for them. Atlanta wins 31-14.

Pick: Falcons

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Lions(3-1) at Cowboys(3-2) – Game of the Week
Dallas has proven to be quite vulnerable so far this season but continue to win more than they lose. They have had some very good luck in recent meetings with Dan Campbell’s Lions, and that luck continues in this one, thanks to a big game from Dak Prescott at home. Dallas wins 24-21.

Pick: Cowboys

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Sunday Night Football

Bengals(1-4) at Giants(2-3)
Joe Burrow and the Cincy passing attack wins this road game in primetime, saving their season from the brink. Cincinnati wins 23-20.

Pick: Bengals

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Monday, October 14th – Monday Night Football

Bills(3-2) at Jets(2-3)
Following a two-game slide against two of the AFC’s best, Buffalo gets back on track against a Jets team in transition. Buffalo wins 24-14.

Pick: Bills

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That’s how I see Week 6 shaping up. Leave us your picks, comments, and insight below!