NFL Week 6 Predictions: Projections for the Early Lines, Spreads and Odds

The Cincinnati Bengals passed a huge test in Week 5, and it wasn't just because they beat the Seattle Seahawks at home to remain undefeated.

It was the way they did it that was the most impressive. The Bengals were down by 17 points in the fourth quarter at home, and the fans were not happy. They had seen their team fall apart against big-time opponents too many times, and comeback wins have not been a big part of their repertoire.

But this year's Bengals team may be ready to break the mold from previous editions. There was no panic when they were down by 17 points. They just rolled up their sleeves and went to work.

Andy Dalton had a sharp game as he completed 30-of-44 passes for 331 yards, but he was not the only Bengal responsible for the comeback. On the defensive side, Carlos Dunlap imposed his will with six tackles and 1.5 sacks.

Even though the Bengals were 4-0 going into the game, there were still plenty of questions about their ability to play big games. Character victories have never been a big part of their makeup, but maybe now they are.

The Bengals should go into Buffalo fully confident of their ability to play well under any circumstance. The Bills are a winning team, but they have not put good games back to back. They have followed a W-L-W-L-W pattern, and they are only 1-2 at home.

This game has been rated as even by Odds Shark, but the Bengals are the more complete team. Until the Bills show more consistency on offense and prove they can string wins together, they have not shown they rate with the better teams in the AFC. This one goes to the Bengals.

Game	Line	Selection
Atlanta at New Orleans	Atl. -3	Atlanta
Cincinnati at Buffalo	Even	Cincinnati
Denver at Cleveland	Den. -5	Cleveland
Chicago at Detroit	Det. -2.5	Chicago
Houston at Jacksonville	Even	Houston
Kansas City at Minnesota	Minn. -3.5	Minnesota
Washington at N.Y. Jets	NYJ -5.5	Washington
Arizona at Pittsburgh	NL	Pittsburgh
Miami at Tennessee	Tenn. -3	Tennessee
Carolina at Seattle	Sea. -7	Carolina
San Diego at Green Bay	NL	Green Bay
Baltimore at San Francisco	NL	Baltimore
New England at Indianapolis	NE -7.5	Indianapolis
N.Y. Giants at Philadelphia	NL	Philadelphia

Fox's Bears starting to make progress

It was difficult to find a more dysfunctional team the past two years than the Chicago Bears. The defense fell apart, and former coach Marc Trestman offered them no tangible leadership.

They gave up 50-plus points in back-to-back weeks against the New England Patriots and Green Bay Packers last year, and the team seemed to be going through the motions.

The Bears didn't start the season well, losing their first three games. But they have responded by beating the Oakland Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs the last two weeks. While the Bears may not have the talent to compare with good or even average teams, they are playing hard for head coach John Fox.

Two wins in a row does a lot for a team's psyche, especially when quarterback Jay Cutler and running back Matt Forte are playing well. The defense has made major improvements, and it ranks seventh overall in that category.

The Bears have a chance to make it three wins in a row against the reeling Detroit Lions. A playoff team a year ago, the Lions have dropped their first five games, and it would take a near-miracle to save their season.

They were blown out 42-17 at home in Week 5 by the Arizona Cardinals, and quarterback Matthew Stafford was pulled from the game and replaced by Dan Orlovsky. Head coach Jim Caldwell says Stafford will start against the Bears, but public pressure will be brought down on the Lions this week.

There's little pressure on the Bears, and they should be able to relax and play their best game against the Lions. They are slight underdogs, but they should find a way to win this game.

Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Rested Panthers will keep Seahawks reeling

The Seattle Seahawks are struggling through the early part of the season. After blowing their big fourth-quarter lead against the Bengals, they have fallen to 2-3. That record could be 1-4 if they had not gotten a break from the officials in their Week 4 Monday night win over the Lions.

The Seahawks return home, and they are desperate. Oddsmakers have installed them as a seven-point favorite over the undefeated and well-rested Carolina Panthers.

That's a shocking line, because it's completely disrespectful to the Panthers. Carolina should be prepared to pay back the Seahawks in a big way. Seattle handed the Panthers two defeats in 2014, including a 31-17 defeat in the divisional playoffs.

The Panthers rank 10th in overall defense, and they are the fourth-best team in the league when it comes to running the football. 

Additionally, Cam Newton is off to a sharp start. He has thrown seven TD passes and just two interceptions, and he also has run for two touchdowns.

The Panthers should have the opportunity to trade punches and hold their own with a Seahawks team that is not as productive as it was in either of the last two years. 

The Panthers may win the game and should have little trouble covering the seven-point impost.