.Three NFL experts from the Prime Time Sports Talk staff came together to share their picks for Week 6.
These three writers will continue to make their picks for the entire season, earning two points for any correct win-loss outcome and an additional three points for correctly predicting the exact score. (Failure to accurately predict a tie will be treated as a loss.) A cumulative points total and record will be listed at the bottom of every article. An archive of all 17 regular-season and four playoff editions can be found here.
Mike Fanelli, Joe Heller, and Andersen Pickard contributed to this article.
Denver Broncos vs. New England Patriots
Mike Fanelli: Patriots 27, Broncos 20
After getting pushed back a week, we should see Drew Lock face off against Cam Newton on Sunday. The game will be competitive if both starting quarterbacks play. However, the Patriots have the better roster and win by a touchdown.
Joe Heller: Patriots 24, Broncos 17
Cam Newton will return under center for this postponed matchup from Week 5. Key injuries will continue to plague the Broncos offensively.
Andersen Pickard: Patriots 27, Broncos 17
The running backs will be busy on Sunday with Cam Newton likely not at 100 percent in his first game back after limited practice. Nevertheless, New England will prevail and shut down the Broncos, who are also welcoming back their quarterback after Drew Lock missed two weeks with a shoulder injury.
Houston Texans vs. Tennessee Titans
Mike: Texans 27, Titans 24
Last week, the Texans got their first win of the season after making a head coaching change. Deshaun Watson and the passing game looked great against the Jaguars and should keep it up against the Titans, pulling off the upset.
Joe: Titans 31, Texans 17
The Titans responded to a 16-day layoff with a 42-point outburst against the Buffalo Bills. The Texans, meanwhile, got their first victory of the season in Week 5. Derrick Henry will score another pair of touchdowns in this one.
Andersen: Titans 24, Texans 17
A.J. Brown and Derrick Henry will have big performances yet again on Wednesday as the Titans improve to 5-0. Meanwhile, the Texans pick up their first loss of the year as David Johnson is silenced and the passing game is merely mediocre.
Cleveland Browns vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Mike: Steelers 34, Browns 27
The Browns have pulled off four wins in a row against some good teams. However, the Steelers are still the better team and will be looking for revenge after last season’s Myles Garrett helmet swing incident. The Steelers win the game by a touchdown.
Joe: Steelers 34, Browns 30
This is the first matchup between the division rivals since Myles Garrett and his helmet-wielding attack. This time around, Ben Roethlisberger is back under center. Rookie receiver Chase Claypool is the play to watch in this game against a Browns defense that has been susceptible to the big play at times. Baker Mayfield and co. will keep the game close for Cleveland.
Andersen: Steelers 30, Browns 20
Cleveland will look like a solid team against Pittsburgh but never make it a legitimately close game. James Conner and JuJu Smith-Schuster will both have big games while Chase Claypool comes back down to earth.
Baltimore Ravens vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Mike: Ravens 31, Eagles 20
Despite their best efforts, the Eagles couldn’t pull out the victory against the Steelers last week. Until this team gets healthy, it’s all on Carson Wentz‘s back, and he simply doesn’t have enough to pull off the upset over the Ravens.
Joe: Ravens 31, Eagles 20
Lamar Jackson and the Ravens have been clicking since their loss to the Chiefs. The Eagles offensively don’t have enough firepower for Baltimore’s defense to be overly concerned with.
Andersen: Ravens 28, Eagles 21
A garbage time touchdown will make this one look closer than it actually plays out to be. Mark Andrews will score twice while Marquise Brown and Gus Edwards also find the end zone for Baltimore. On the other side, Carson Wentz will look lost but still manage to lead his team to three touchdowns against a Ravens defense that obliterated rookie Joe Burrow and co. last week.
Washington Football Team vs. New York Giants
Mike: Giants 26, Washington 17
Someone has to win, right? These are two of the worst teams in the league. However, the Giants’ offense looked good at times last week while Washington struggled no matter who played quarterback. Expect the Giants to get their first win of the season.
Joe: Giants 24, Washington 20
The Giants’ defense played well for three-and-a-half quarters last week in Dallas. They will do it for four this time around and earn Joe Judge his first win as head coach. Washington coach Ron Rivera will be dealing with a quarterback dilemma after this game.
Andersen: Giants 24, Washington 16
This will be a sloppy game. What matters most is which team will be the sloppiest. The Giants at least looked solid last week, although they were given some aid with Dallas’ weak secondary and Andy Dalton‘s emergency summoning off the bench. Their luck should continue into Week 6 against a bad Washington team.
Atlanta Falcons vs. Minnesota Vikings
Mike: Falcons 31, Vikings 24
These have been two of the more underperforming teams in the league this season. The Falcons fired both their head coach and general manager earlier this week. On top of that, they made several coaching changes. Meanwhile, Dalvin Cook is out with a groin injury. With a new fire lit under the players, look for the Falcons to get their first win of the season.
Joe: Vikings 34, Falcons 17
The Vikings’ offense is clicking, even without Dalvin Cook. They will put up points against the Falcons’ defense while Matt Ryan will struggle.
Andersen: Vikings 31, Falcons 27
These two teams will exchange blows back-and-forth but it will be clear for all 60 minutes that the Vikings are the better team. Look for Alexander Mattison and Irv Smith Jr. to have big games for Minnesota while Atlanta’s duo of Calvin Ridley and Julio Jones looks to get back on track against a porous Vikings secondary.
Detroit Lions vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Mike: Lions 27, Jaguars 17
The Jaguars are back in the running for the top pick in the 2021 NFL Draft after losing four straight games. Meanwhile, the Lions are coming off their bye week and have had two weeks to prepare for this game. With the extra time, the Lions pull off the double-digit victory.
Joe: Lions 27, Jaguars 17
The Lions come in off of their bye week while the Jaguars enter after a loss to the Houston Texans. Matthew Stafford and the Lions will come away with the road victory against Gardner Minshew and the Jaguars.
Andersen: Jaguars 23, Lions 21
The Jaguars and Lions square off on Sunday in a battle of two very similar teams. Expect the Jaguars to focus on the ground game early, especially if D.J. Chark is out. Detroit will put up a legitimate fight but ultimately fall short.
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Indianapolis Colts
Mike: Bengals 24, Colts 20
Last week, the Colts failed to prove that they are playoff contenders. Their offense looks flat at times, and the defense wasn’t the same without Darius Leonard. Don’t be surprised if the Bengals bounce back this week and pull off the upset.
Joe: Colts 24, Bengals 20
Philip Rivers and the Indianapolis Colts rebound after a Week 5 loss to the Browns. Joe Burrow will struggle against the Colts defense.
Andersen: Colts 21, Bengals 17
Even with Darius Leonard out, the Colts’ defense will fluster rookie Joe Burrow, much like the Ravens’ defense did last week. The Bengals’ offense will struggle to get going and fall behind early. Meanwhile, Philip Rivers can give the Colts an early lead as long as he avoids turnovers.
Chicago Bears vs. Carolina Panthers
Mike: Bears 27, Panthers 20
These are two of the more surprising teams this season. With a 7-3 record combined, this game should be competitive. However, the Bears’ win over the Buccaneers last week shows they can beat good teams, while the Panthers have beaten up on a bunch of one- or zero-win teams. The Bears win by a touchdown.
Joe: Bears 20, Panthers 13
The Bears defensively will slow down Teddy Bridgewater and a Panthers offense that has finally been clicking in recent weeks. Nick Foles will give his team the lead for good late in the game.
Andersen: Bears 24, Panthers 14
Mike Davis will have another big game for the Panthers but the passing game will struggle. Meanwhile, the Bears will orchestrate several impressive drives down the field to take time off the clock and add points to the board. Chicago should win.
New York Jets vs. Miami Dolphins
Mike: Dolphins 31, Jets 14
The Jets are awful. Meanwhile, the Dolphins almost beat the Seahawks two weeks ago and then destroyed the 49ers in San Francisco on Sunday. The Jets have no shot at winning this game.
Joe: Dolphins 38, Jets 10
Ryan Fitzpatrick, a week after decimating the San Francisco 49ers, brings his talents back home to South Beach. The Jets, meanwhile, are struggling to put solid drives together. This one will get ugly early. Adam Gase’s job security lessens while Ryan Fitzpatrick keeps himself as the Dolphins’ starter for at least one more week.
Andersen: Dolphins 34, Jets 13
This could get ugly. The Dolphins, fresh off a win over the 49ers and a narrow loss to the Seahawks, will dominate offensively and defensively, shutting down the Jets early. The New York brass will continue to refuse to fire Adam Gase.
Green Bay Packers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Mike: Packers 31, Buccaneers 28
This game should be the best of the week as two future Hall of Fame quarterbacks battle it out. Both teams have a strong defense and are dealing with injuries at the wide receiver position. Don’t be surprised to see the team with the ball last win the game.
Joe: Packers 31, Buccaneers 27
Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady highlight this matchup. Rodgers and the Packers have been putting up points with ease. Brady, on the other hand, has struggled to do the same. Rodgers wins this one, but it could be a shootout.
Andersen: Packers 31, Buccaneers 20
The Buccaneers are fresh off a loss to the Bears while Green Bay is coming off its bye week. If the Packers’ defense can rattle Tom Brady early, it could be a long game for the Buccaneers. Meanwhile, Aaron Jones is poised for a big game against a Bucs defensive line that just lost Vita Vea while Davante Adams also eyes an exciting return.
Los Angeles Rams vs. San Francisco 49ers
Mike: Rams 31, 49ers 24
The Sunday night game could go a long way in determining who gets the top Wild Card spot in the NFC. After getting destroyed by the Dolphins last week, the 49ers should be heavy underdogs despite playing at home. The Rams show they are the second-best team in the NFC West and win by a touchdown.
Joe: Rams 24, 49ers 14
The Rams are getting their division rivals at the right time. The 49ers are reeling after back-to-back losses, including last week’s blowout at the hands of the Dolphins. Jared Goff and the Rams will extend that losing streak to three.
Andersen: Rams 27, 49ers 24
We’re in for a good game on Sunday night as the 49ers oppose the Rams. A big game is in store for George Kittle, but the monstrous tight end and his team won’t do enough to win. Instead, Aaron Donald will rattle semi-injured signal-caller Jimmy Garoppolo early and often, setting the tone for the Rams en route to a late game-winning field goal.
Kansas City Chiefs vs. Buffalo Bills
Mike: Chiefs 38, Bills 31
What a great Thursday night game this would have been. However, because of shuffling games, we will get a double-header on Monday night. Both of these teams are coming off a disappointing performance, so expect both offenses to come out firing.
Joe: Chiefs 34, Bills 31
This game was slated as the game of the week just over a week ago. Now, both teams come in on the heels of their first losses of the season. Andy Reid‘s team will rebound and get the win.
Andersen: Chiefs 38, Bills 24
Both teams are fresh off their first losses of the year, but only one can reverse their woes. Kansas City has the edge in this one thanks to a Buffalo defense that has looked quite shaky in recent weeks. The Bills’ successes will be limited to the passing game while the Chiefs can win in multiple categories. Kansas City should emerge victorious after a baffling Week 5 loss to Las Vegas.
Los Angeles Chargers vs. New Orleans Saints
Mike: Cardinals 34, Cowboys 30
Unfortunately, we won’t get to see Dak Prescott and Kyler Murray light it up. Instead, we’ll see what Andy Dalton can do with this high-powered Cowboys offense. While this game should remain close throughout the contest, Murray makes one or two more plays than Dalton, giving the Cardinals the victory.
Joe: Cowboys 27, Cardinals 24
The Red Rifle will get the better of the Red Birds. Andy Dalton, who gets his first start for Dallas replacing an injured Dak Prescott, will edge out Kyler Murray. Rookie CeeDee Lamb will outshine DeAndre Hopkins in this game.
Andersen: Cowboys 28, Cardinals 21
This game is hard to predict. On paper, Dallas is the easy favorite, but it could come down to the wire. In the end, Dallas has such a high-powered offense that they’ll overcome the competitiveness of the Cardinals, who are also have a standout offense.
Point Totals
Mike: 106
Joe: 98
Andersen: 94
Records
Mike: 53-24
Joe: 49-28
Andersen: 47-30
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