NFL Week 6 Picks: Early Predictions for Every Game

Even with one more game remaining in Week 5, NFL fans are already beginning to look ahead to the next round of games.

At this point in the 2016 campaign, it's a bit too early for disappointing teams to start hitting the panic button. Even the 0-5 Cleveland Browns are only three games out of a wild-card spot in the AFC.

With that said, there's enough evidence to begin making early judgments about most of the league, and the halfway mark of the regular season is only a few weeks away.

Looking ahead to Week 6, three games in particular will help answer some lingering questions about teams already vying for the postseason.

NFL Week 6

Date	Time (ET)	Away	Home	TV Info	Prediction
Oct. 13	8:25 p.m.	Denver Broncos	San Diego Chargers	CBS	DEN, 27-10
Oct. 16	1 p.m.	San Francisco 49ers	Buffalo Bills	Fox	BUF, 23-14
Oct. 16	1 p.m.	Philadelphia Eagles	Washington Redskins	Fox	PHI, 30-20
Oct. 16	1 p.m.	Cleveland Browns	Tennessee Titans	CBS	CLE, 20-17
Oct. 16	1 p.m.	Baltimore Ravens	New York Giants	CBS	NYG, 24-21
Oct. 16	1 p.m.	Carolina Panthers	New Orleans Saints	Fox	NO, 34-20
Oct. 16	1 p.m.	Jacksonville Jaguars	Chicago Bears	CBS	JAX, 20-14
Oct. 16	1 p.m.	Los Angeles Rams	Detroit Lions	Fox	DET, 21-20
Oct. 16	1 p.m.	Pittsburgh Steelers	Miami Dolphins	CBS	PIT, 31-17
Oct. 16	1 p.m.	Cincinnati Bengals	New England Patriots	CBS	NE, 27-14
Oct. 16	4:05 p.m.	Kansas City Chiefs	Oakland Raiders	CBS	OAK, 17-14
Oct. 16	4:25 p.m.	Atlanta Falcons	Seattle Seahawks	Fox	SEA, 21-17
Oct. 16	4:25 p.m.	Dallas Cowboys	Green Bay Packers	Fox	DAL, 24-20
Oct. 16	8:30 p.m.	Indianapolis Colts	Houston Texans	NBC	HOU, 28-20
Oct. 17	8:30 p.m.	New York Jets	Arizona Cardinals	ESPN	ARI, 21-10

Week 6 Storylines

Can the Falcons Clear Another Major Hurdle?

Justin Edmonds/Getty Images

If there were any doubts, the Atlanta Falcons proved they're for real after they beat the Denver Broncos on the road in Week 5. That followed a Week 4 victory over the Carolina Panthers.

In Week 6, the Falcons hit the road to face off with another playoff team from 2015: the Seattle Seahawks.

Atlanta is rightfully receiving plaudits for its offense. Matt Ryan is making an early case for MVP, and offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan has found a way to utilize both of his running backs, Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman, to devastating effect.

ESPN's Mark Schlereth argued Shanahan is proving himself worthy of a bigger job down the line:

On the other side, the Seahawks boast one of the top defenses in the league once again. They're allowing an NFL-best 264 yards per game, and Football Outsiders ranked the unit first in defensive DVOA (defense-adjusted value over average) through Week 4.

Of course, Seattle hasn't faced an offense as good as Atlanta's. So far, the Seahawks have wins over the Miami Dolphins, Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers and New York Jets, who rank 29th, 32nd, 31st and 17th, respectively, in total offense.

Seattle will benefit from having an extra week to prepare for this game. While the Falcons have already shown they can win away from home, the game being at CenturyLink Field is another boost to the Seahawks.

According to Odds Shark, Seattle opened as a seven-point favorite, which is a bit high, given the Falcons' impressive play so far. But the Seahawks' stout defense will propel them to a close win.

Prediction: Seahawks 21, Falcons 17

Can Osweiler Rebound After Dreadful Week 5?

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For the second year in a row, the AFC South is looking like it will be the weakest division in the NFL. Through five weeks, the Houston Texans sit atop the division at 3-2, while the Tennessee Titans and Indianapolis Colts are tied for second at 2-3.

The Colts have an opportunity to make up some ground in Week 6 as they travel to NRG Stadium in Houston.

"That's the beauty of the NFL," Colts defensive end Kendall Langford said, according to ESPN.com's Mike Wells. "We're a work in progress, but we still feel like we control our own destiny. We're about to face a good Houston team next weekend."

Something has to give in this game. Indianapolis is allowing 301 passing yards per game, while Texans quarterback Brock Osweiler has struggled mightily since signing a $72 million deal in the offseason.

Pro Football Focus grades Osweiler (44.3) as 32nd among 35 qualified QBs. He was 30th out of 33 QBs on Football Outsiders in DYAR (defense-adjusted yards above replacement) before going 19-of-42 for 184 yards, one touchdown and an interception in a defeat to the Minnesota Vikings.

PFF's Sam Monson wrote that trouble dealing with pressure is a major reason why Osweiler has performed so badly:

"

While under pressure as the Broncos quarterback, his passer rating dropped to 66.9. This season, it has plummeted to 23.1. He completed 52.2 percent of his passes under pressure a year ago, but this year it is only 40 percent, while his yards per attempt is more than three full yards lower at 3.7, compared to 6.9 last season.

This isn't a product of a poor Houston offensive line, but rather a notable difference in Osweiler’s play. He has actually been pressured on a smaller percentage of his dropbacks than he was last season for Denver — even including this week’s destruction at the hands of the Vikings defense — but his play just hasn't been able to handle the pressure that has come. He has already thrown as many interceptions (four) under pressure as he did in the seven games he started last season for the Broncos, and the problem looks to be getting worse rather than better.

"

Luckily for Osweiler, pass-rushing hasn't been a strength for the Colts so far. They have seven sacks as a team, which is tied for 27th. Indianapolis is also allowing 8.2 yards per passing attempt, which will help a quarterback who ranks 29th in yards per attempt (6.03).

Osweiler has had his bright moments, throwing for 200-plus yards and two touchdowns against both the Titans and Chicago Bears. Given the issues with Indianapolis' defense, the fifth-year signal-caller will do enough to help the Texans maintain their grip on first place in the AFC South.

Prediction: Texans 28, Colts 20

Does Prescott Pass His Biggest Test to Date?

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With each passing week, Dak Prescott makes it harder and harder for the Dallas Cowboys to select a starting quarterback when Tony Romo is healthy again. Should Prescott go into Lambeau Field and pick up a win over the Green Bay Packers, bumping him from the first team becomes all the more difficult.

Following Dallas' win over the Cincinnati Bengals, team owner Jerry Jones affirmed his faith in Romo, according to Chuck Schilken of the Los Angeles Times:

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Tony is our No. 1 quarterback. We're going to have the luxury of being able to, I think, see them both. I don't want to presume that Dak is going to be necessarily healthy, I don't want to presume anything like that. But I welcome the opportunity of having Dak playing at this level and Tony back in excellent health. It's going to be really special for the Cowboys.

"

The Dallas Morning News' Matt Mosley reported, however, that Prescott is becoming more popular and respected in the Cowboys locker room:

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Prescott has taken full control of the quarterback room. He and Mark Sanchez have a great relationship. Romo has been helpful, but his main focus, understandably, has been his rehab. I have not found anyone in this organization who is rooting for Romo's return. He still has plenty of respect, but there's a belief that you can't go back to him now.

"

Ezekiel Elliott has more than met expectations in his rookie year, rushing for 546 yards and five touchdowns so far. As well as Prescott has performed, Elliott deserves equal credit for giving Dallas such a potent offense.

Against the Packers, though, the Cowboys may have to lean more on their quarterback. Green Bay is allowing 42.8 yards per game on the ground and limiting ball-carriers to 2.0 yards per attempt.

So far, Prescott has silenced his doubters. It once seemed crazy that he could create a QB controversy in Dallas, but Romo's job security lessens with each week.

Prescott doesn't need to post gaudy numbers, nor will he need to outperform his opposite number, Aaron Rodgers, on Sunday. As long as he continues to be an efficient passer and avoid turnovers, the Cowboys will earn their fifth win.

Prediction: Cowboys 24, Packers 20

Stats are courtesy of ESPN.com unless otherwise noted.