NFL Predictions Week 6: Last-Minute Picks and Advice for Sunday's Schedule

Upsets have been the norm during this NFL season, and football's sixth week should provide similar excitement from teams that aren't expected to notch a "W."

It's never been easy to predict a full slate of games in any given week, but NFL teams have made it particularly difficult this season. The parity in the league this season is great for the competitiveness of the sport, but it certainly makes it a daunting task to pick the outcome of each game on the schedule.

Yet we all still try.

Sunday's games are nearly here, so take a peak at this quick advice before locking in your picks.

Time (ET)	Matchup	Line	Pick
1 p.m.	Patriots vs. Bills	-3	NE
1 p.m.	Ravens vs. Buccaneers	+3.5	BAL
1 p.m.	Steelers vs. Browns	-2
1 p.m.	Panthers vs. Bengals	-7	CIN
1 p.m.	Broncos vs. Jets	+6	DEN
1 p.m.	Lions vs. Vikings	+3
1 p.m.	Packers vs. Dolphins	+3	GB
1 p.m.	Jaguars vs. Titans	-6	TEN
4:05 p.m.	Chargers vs. Raiders	+7
4:25 p.m.	Bears vs. Falcons	-3	CHI
4:25 p.m.	Cowboys vs. Seahawks	-8.5	SEA
4:25 p.m.	Redskins vs. Cardinals	-4	ARZ
8:30 p.m.	Giants vs. Eagles	-3	NYG
Monday, 8:30 p.m.	49ers vs. Rams	+4	SF

Note: Betting lines are courtesy of Odds Shark.

Lock: San Diego Chargers

The San Diego Chargers will not lose this week.

Their opponent, the Oakland Raiders, is probably the worst team in the NFL. They are 0-4 and have yet to score more than 14 points in a game. Derek Carr has struggled in his rookie campaign, completing 63.2 percent of his passes for 734 yards, four touchdowns and four picks.

Much of his struggles have come as a result of a poor supporting cast. He has little to work with in the passing game, and the running game as pretty much been stagnant. Oakland's backs average just 3.4 yards per carry.

Meanwhile, Philip Rivers and the Chargers are rolling. The 11th-year signal-caller is completing a league-high 70.3 percent of his passes. His 116.3 quarterback rating is tops in the NFL, per Pro-Football-Reference.com. He should carve up this defense.

San Diego has been looking forward to this matchup all week, and Donald Butler is one of the most excited, via Ricky Henne of Chargers.com:

"

We hate the Raiders, and the Raiders hate us. Like coach says it's a professional hatred. We're really excited for our first divisional game. It's our first chance to be on top of the division. Our plan every year is to win our division first. … (We’re pumped) up the whole week. It's Raiders week! You always get up more against not only a division opponent but a division rival.

"

The Chargers shut out the New York Jets last week. Against a similarly inept offense, they'll roll into Week 7.

Prediction: Chargers, 31-9

Surprise Pick: Cleveland Browns

The Pittsburgh Steelers took care of business against the Cleveland Browns in Week 1, 30-27. This Browns team is a bit different now, though. Brian Hoyer and Co. have shown great resilience late in games, and their 2-2 record is a testament to how far this team has come—especially when you consider that their losses were by a combined five points.

Cleveland doesn't run a bunch of stars out there, nor do they play the cleanest football in the NFL. Even still, they make plays when plays need to be made. That's all a head coach can ask for.

Hoyer has been clutch in the red zone, as CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora wrote: "Hoyer in the red zone this season is fifth in the NFL in passer rating (119.6), with six touchdowns and no interceptions. The Steelers have the third-best red-zone defense."

When you supplement Hoyer with a decent running game, you've got a recipe for some success. Ben Tate, Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell have run the ball hard through four games, checking it at No. 4 in the NFL with 143.5 yards per game on the ground.

Given how close the first meeting was between these teams, you cannot discount the Browns in Week 6.

Prediction: Browns, 24-19

Upset Pick: Minnesota Vikings

Tom Lynn/Associated Press

The Detroit Lions might sit Calvin Johnson, meaning Week 6 is the perfect opportunity for the Minnesota Vikings to make some noise in the NFC North.

Without the game's top offensive weapon, the Lions could struggle to move the ball down the field. Golden Tate has been great, but he can't do it by himself. We saw it last week. Johnson wasn't at full strength, and the Lions lost to the Buffalo Bills, 17-14.

It has been all or nothing for the Vikings this season. Just take a look at their results from this season, and note the margin of victory in each matchup.

Date	Opponent	Result	Margin
Sept. 7	Giants	W, 35-14	+21
Sept. 14	Patriots	L, 30-7	-23
Sept. 21	Saints	L, 20-9	-11
Sept. 28	Falcons	W, 41-28	+13
Oct. 2	Packers	L, 42-10	-32

So, should the trend continue, this game will either by really good or really bad for the Vikings. Don't be afraid to go with the former.

Teddy Bridgewater said he'll be ready to go on Sunday, meaning the Vikings will have their top signal-caller under center. He has shown promise as a rookie, and the offense is clearly more explosive when he is calling the shots.

Detroit hasn't played particularly well since their Week 1 rout of the New York Giants. The Vikings have played inconsistently but have shown flashes of explosiveness.

They could earn a big upset this week.

Prediction: Vikings, 17-13

Follow Kenny DeJohn on Twitter: @KennyDeJohn_BR