NFL Week 6 Picks: Pittsburgh Steelers Try To Catch New York Jets for Best Record
My NFL Week 6 Picks against the spread were especially tough this week, with nine out of 13 games having a point spread of 3.5 or less.
This week’s key matchup invlolves the Pittsburgh Steelers (4-1) and Miami Dolphins (3-2), who can catch the New York Jets (5-1) for the NFL’s best record with a win.
I went 7-5 for the second week in a row last week, and it’s time to step my game up.
Here it goes...
Matt Rudnitsky is a student at the University of Michigan and a writing intern at Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter at https://twitter.com/Mattrud
Pittsburgh Steelers (-3) over Miami Dolphins
1 of 13
This line seems really low.
I'd call this the best bet of the week, as Ben Roethlisberger should build a lead early against a subpar Dolphins secondary that isn’t as good its No. 12 ranking might suggest.
Vontae Davis might be able to lock down on Hines Ward, but look for Mike Wallace to dominate his matchup against Jason Allen, getting loose for some deep gains.
After that, Rashard Mendenhall can wear down the Miami defense, and Chad Henne and Co. simply don’t have enough firepower to erase an early deficit.
Steelers win, 28-20.
Atlanta Falcons (-3.5) over Cincinnati Bengals
2 of 13
The Falcons are only favored by 3.5?
It looks like Vegas is a little off this week.
Carson Palmer has been abysmal so far, and if it weren’t for the fact that their next best option was his even more underwhelming little brother, he’d be holding a clipboard right now.
The Falcons have only lost to the Steelers and Eagles and shouldn’t have trouble taking out the overrated Bengals.
Atlanta rolls, 27-17.
Philadelphia Eagles (+3) over Tennesee Titans
3 of 13
This one could get really interesting.
Chris Johnson should have a field day against a weak Eagles rush defense (115.7 ypg allowed), but Kevin Kolb should do the same to a Titans secondary that is giving up a lofty 231 ypg through the air.
If Jason Avant can step up and ease the burden on Jeremy Maclin (Desean Jackson is out with a concussion), I think the Eagles offense will be way too much for the Titans to handle.
This one could go either way, but I like the Eagles and their offense to outscore Tennessee.
Eagles win, 34-30.
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Washington Redskins (+3) over Chicago Bears
4 of 13
The Redskins have beaten Dallas, Philadelphia and Green Bay, and lost to Houston and Indanapolis by only three points each.
They are perhaps the most underrated team in the league, and are solid all-around except for a very suspect 31st ranked secondary.
You would think that Jay Cutler would be able to take advantage of that, but after watching the Bears lose to the Seahawks and their 30th ranked secondary, I’m definitely not a believer.
Cutler should put up big yardage totals, but it will be the same-old story for him, as turnovers will be the difference.
Redskins win, 24-20.
Cleveland Browns (+13) over New Orleans Saints
5 of 13
The Browns have kept almost every game close this year but still sit at 1-5.
Colt McCoy was surprisingly OK against the dominant Steelers defense, and this team has some signs for hope.
But even with the Saints struggling early on, Drew Brees is too good to lose to the Browns.
Peyton Hillis should do enough damage to keep the final score respectable, but the Browns just aren’t good enough to win.
Saints win, 28-17.
Balitimore Ravens (-13) over Buffalo Bills
6 of 13
Buffalo gives up 182.4 rushing yards per game, good for dead last in the league.
The Ravens have Ray Rice, who is primed for a breakout game.
This one could get ugly.
Ravens dominate, 37-20.
St. Louis Rams (+3) over Tampa Bay Buccaneers
7 of 13
The Bucs are 3-2, but they’ve only beaten the Browns, Panthers and Bengals.
They also give up 157 yards per game on the ground.
Sam Bradford will finally have some pressure taken off of him in the one, as Steven Jackson should have his biggest game of the year.
The Rams are improving fast and should get over .500 with a win here.
St. Louis takes it, 28-24.
San Francisco 49ers (-3) over Carolina Panthers
8 of 13
The 1-5 49ers versus the 0-5 Panthers.
Yuck.
Unfortunately both teams can’t lose, so I’ll take the underachieving 49ers rather than the talentless Panthers who are right where they should be.
San Francisco picks up their act, winning 20-13.
Seattle Seahawks (-5.5) over Arizona Cardinals
9 of 13
This matchup features the worst co-division leaders in the league, who both sit at a surprising 3-2.
Both teams have been enigmas, with the Cardinals knocking off New Orleans last week after looking like a disaster, and the Seahawks beating the Bears and Chargers, but losing to St. Louis.
The Seahawks have the league’s second-best rush defense and should be able to force Max Hall to beat their suspect secondary, something I’m not convinced he can do.
Unless Max Hall proves me wrong, Seattle should cruise.
Seahwaks win, 17-3.
San Diego Chargers (-3) over New England Patriots
10 of 13
The Chargers have unbelievable yardage numbers (first passing offense, 13th rushing offense, first pass defense, sixth rush defense) but are 2-3 thanks mostly to abysmal special teams.
The Patriots have only lost to the Jets, and have the look of a really good team.
But they give up 273.4 yards per game in the air, and Philip Rivers should absolutely light them up.
New England can put up points, too, but they won’t be able to keep up with the Chargers offense.
Take the over in this one.
Chargers win, 41-31.
Oakland Raiders (+8.5) over Denver Broncos
11 of 13
The Raiders aren’t that good, but they are a tough matchup for the Broncos.
They can stop the pass (eighth-best pass defense) but can’t stop the run.
Fortunately, while the Broncos boast the league’s third best pass offense, they are dead-last in rushing.
Kyle Orton and this offense is good enough to put up points on the Raiders, but Oakland should run all over Denver with the tandem of Michael Bush and Darren McFadden.
The Raiders should dominate the time of possession battle and win this one outright.
Oakland wins, 24-21.
Minnesota Vikings (+2.5) over Green Bay Packers
12 of 13
The Vikings have been looking much better of late, nearly beating the Jets and then taking out the Cowboys.
The Packers have been struggling, losing to Miami and Washington, both in overtime.
Ride the hot hand here, as Favre will keep the interceptions in check enough to take out Green Bay.
Vikings win, 31-28.
New York Giants (+3) over Dallas Cowboys
13 of 13
The Cowboys might look good on paper, but until they show it on the field, I’ll stand by the assumption that they simply aren’t a good team.
New York, on the other hand, looks like they are the class of the NFC East.
They’ll show it here, blowing out the overrated Cowboys.
Giants cruise, 31-17.
2010 Picks
Last week: 7-5
Season: 14-10
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