NFL Week 6 Picks: Predictions and Latest Over/Under Odds for All Games
October 15, 2020
While there is still plenty of football left to be played, many NFL teams are now facing a make-or-break point in the season. 2019 playoff teams such as the Houston Texans, Minnesota Vikings and San Francisco 49ers have struggled to open the season and are in very real danger of falling out of contention early.
Other teams, like the Buffalo Bills and, surprisingly, the Cleveland Browns have built up a bit of a cushion in the wild-card race, though they face pivotal matchups in Week 6.
While not every Week 6 contest looks to be a thriller on paper, a lot of important games are looming. How will they unfold? We're going to take a stab at predicting exactly that.
Here, you'll find score projections for every game, along with the latest spreads and over/unders from DraftKings Sportsbook, and an in-depth look at some of the top over/under plays of the week.
NFL Week 6
Sunday, October 18
Baltimore Ravens (-7.5, 47.5) at Philadelphia Eagles: 35-23 Baltimore
Denver Broncos (+9.5, 46) at New England Patriots: 30-20 New England
Chicago Bears (+2.5, 45) at Carolina Panthers: 23-20 Carolina
Houston Texans (+3, 53.5) at Tennessee Titans: 38-28 Tennessee
Cincinnati Bengals (+8, 47) at Indianapolis Colts: 30-21 Indianapolis
Atlanta Falcons (+3.5, 54.5) at Minnesota Vikings: 28-27 Minnesota
Cleveland Browns (+3.5, 51) at Pittsburgh Steelers: 30-27 Pittsburgh
Washington Football Team (+2.5, 43) at New York Giants: 20-17 New York
Detroit Lions (-3.5, 54.5) at Jacksonville Jaguars: 26-21 Detroit
New York Jets (+9.5, 48) at Miami Dolphins: 33-20 Miami
Green Bay Packers (-2, 54) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 30-27 Green Bay
Los Angeles Rams (-3.5, 51) at San Francisco 49ers: 28-23 Los Angeles
Monday, October 19
Kansas City Chiefs (-3.5, 57.5) at Buffalo Bills: 33-30 Kansas City
Arizona Cardinals (-2.5, 54.5) at Dallas Cowboys: 27-26 Dallas
Houston Texans and Tennessee Titans OVER 53.5 Total Points
As the Tennessee Titans proved on Tuesday night, they are capable of racking up points on an average defense in a hurry. The Buffalo Bills rank 17th in total defense, but they barely slowed Ryan Tannehill and Co., as Tennessee piled up 42 points.
The Houston Texans have the epitome of an average defense. It's decent against the pass (14th in yards per attempt) awful against the run (31st in yards allowed) and ranked just 20th in points allowed. Tennessee's run-oriented offense should shred the Texans, and it wouldn't be a shock to see the Titans exceed last week's point total.
However, this is only part of the equation here. The Titans have an opportunistic defense but not an elite one. While it ranks ninth in points allowed, it ranks 29th in yardage. Deshaun Watson and the Texans should be able to move the ball. Whether they cap drives with touchdowns instead of field goals is another story.
Still, Houston should score enough to hold up its end of the over/under bargain. Expect this game to play out similarly to the 31-30 barn-burner Tennessee had with the Minnesota Vikings back in Week 3.
Cleveland Brown and Pittsburgh Steelers OVER 51 Total Points
At first blush, this game seems like one that should hit the under side of 51. The Browns utilize a run-first, run often attack that tends to chew up game clock. The Pittsburgh Steelers rank second in run defense and sixth in points allowed. On top of that, Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield is dealing with a rib injury.
However, the injury doesn't appear to be overly serious.
"[I] Feel good. Just one day at a time right now. Feel a little sore, but we have the rest of the week until gameday," Mayfield said, per Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com.
Cleveland proved against the Indianapolis Colts and their then-No. 1-ranked defense that they can amass points on anyone. At the same time, the Steelers have yet to play an offense with any sort of potency.
Pittsburgh's opponents thus far are a combined 3-18-1. While the Steelers defense passes the eye test, but it might not be the shutdown unit numbers suggest it is.
The Browns have the league's 30th-ranked pass defense, and this game could turn into a bit of a shootout. Take the over.
Chicago Bears and Carolina Panthers UNDER 45 Points
The Carolina Panthers have an impressive and improving offense led by coordinator Joe Brady and quarterback Teddy Bridgewater. It won't be a surprise if that offense is able to make things happen against the Chicago Bears and their fourth-ranked scoring defense.
Don't expect Carolina to kick off a shootout here, though. Chicago has not allowed more than 26 points in any game this season, and it has helpeed opponents to 20 points or fewer in four of five games.
At the same time, Carolina has an underrated defense full of youngsters who are quickly coming together. The Panthers rank 13th in points allowed and haven't allowed more than 23 since Week 2.
Plus, it's not like the Nick Foles-led Bears offense is a powerhouse. While the former Super Bowl MVP might be more reliable than Mitchell Trubisky, he isn't transforming Chicago into the Greatest Show on Turf.
Expect this to be a run-based defensive battle that slips just under 45 points.