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

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH - OCTOBER 17: Rashard Mendenhall #34 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks for running room while playing the Cleveland Browns on October 17, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Pittsburgh won the game 28-10. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/G

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

Al Bello/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 17: Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons passes against the Philadelphia Eagles during their game at Lincoln Financial Field on October 17, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

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

Al Bello/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 17: Kevin Kolb #4 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates with Mike McGlynn #77 after passing a touchdown to Jeremy Maclin #18 in the third quarteragainst the Atlanta Falcons during their game at Lincoln Financial Field on October 17

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.

Washington Redskins (+3) over Chicago Bears

Win McNamee/Getty Images

LANDOVER, MD - OCTOBER 10: Donovan McNabb #5 of the Washington Redskins drops back to pass against the Green Bay Packers at FedExField on October 10, 2010 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

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

Matt Sullivan/Getty Images

CLEVELAND - OCTOBER 10: Running back Peyton Hillis #40 of the Cleveland Browns scores a touchdown in front of outside tackle Kroy Biermann #71 of the Atlanta Falcons at Cleveland Browns Stadium on October 10, 2010 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Matt Sull

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

Rick Stewart/Getty Images

ORCHARD PARK, NY - OCTOBER 10: Fred Jackson #22 of the Buffalo Bills is tackled by Tyson Alualu #93 of the Jacksonville Jaguars at Ralph Wilson Stadium on October 10, 2010 in Orchard Park, New York. Jacksonville won 36-26. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Ima

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

Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

ST. LOUIS - OCTOBER 17: Sam Bradford #8 of the St. Louis Rams passes against the San Diego Chargers at the Edward Jones Dome on October 17, 2010 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Rams beat the Chargers 20-17. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

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

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

SAN FRANCISCO - OCTOBER 17: Frank Gore #21 of the San Francisco 49ers is tackled by Michael Huff #24 of the Oakland Raiders at Candlestick Park on October 17, 2010 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

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

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 10: Quarterback Max Hall #6 of the Arizona Cardinals on the sidelines during the NFL game against the New Orleans Saints at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 10, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Sain

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

Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

ST. LOUIS - OCTOBER 17: Philip Rivers #17 of the San Diego Chargers passes against the St. Louis Rams at the Edward Jones Dome on October 17, 2010 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Rams beat the Chargers 20-17. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

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

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

OAKLAND, CA - OCTOBER 10: Michael Bush #29 of the Oakland Raiders runs with the ball against the San Diego Chargers at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on October 10, 2010 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

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

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

MINNEAPOLIS - OCTOBER 17: Quarterback Brett Favre #4 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates a pass interference call against Mike Jenkins (not pictured) of the Dallas Cowboys during the fourth quarter at Mall of America Field on October 17, 2010 in Minneapo

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

Nick Laham/Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 17: Ahmad Bradshaw #44 of the New York Giants against the Detroit Lions at New Meadowlands Stadium on October 17, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

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