NFL Picks Week 6: San Francisco 49ers and 4 Away Teams with the Advantage

With the first quarter of the season completed, the NFL has several surprise teams heading into Week 6. It's one of the reasons why the NFL is so popular. Who wants a league dominated solely by big markets?

It's great to see a team like the Bills, who've been bad for so long, have success. 

There are few headline matchups in Week 6, but none more surprising than the San Francisco 49ers facing off against the Detroit Lions. The 49ers, like the other three teams I'll mention, have significant advantages over their opposition despite being on the road. 

New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Bucs were thrashed 48-3 on the road against the 49ers last week. Tampa should play better this week, but expect a similar result when it faces Drew Brees and that high-powered Saint offense. 

The Bucs' secondary has played awful the last two weeks, and that should continue this week against Brees. 

Saints win 41-21. 

Buffalo Bills at New York Giants

The Giants should be ashamed of themselves after losing to the Seattle Seahawks at home last week. This week they face an upstart Bills team just coming off a huge victory against the Giants NFC counterparts in the Eagles. 

The Bills are very explosive on offense and should give that Giants secondary fits. Expect Ryan Fitzpatrick and Stevie Johnson to hook up for a few scores.

Bills win 28-14.

San Francisco 49ers at Detroit Lions

This will be the game of the week as the 4-1 49ers face off against the 5-0 Detroit Lions. The 49ers will may have a tough time with that Detroit crowd at first, but it shouldn't be too much of a problem as long as the 49ers execute. 

The Lions have an excellent defensive line headlined by Ndamukong Suh, but expect the 49ers to counter that with quick, rhythm throws. Detroit will likely double Michael Crabtree, which should free up tight ends Vernon Davis and Delanie Walker to have big games. 

Frank Gore may struggle on the ground, but I expect the Niners to utilize the screen game to counter that aggressive defensive line. The Lions haven't started games well and if the 49ers pounce on them early, Detroit will not make a comeback. Still, this should be a close one. 

49ers win 20-17.

Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons

This may be a surprise selection, but I fully expect Cam Newton have a huge day against this average Falcons defense. The Panthers finally got DeAngelo Williams going last week in their loss to the New Orleans Saints, and expect Williams to have another big day against the Falcons line. 

Newton and Steve Smith will have huge games in their upset of the Atlanta Falcons. 

Panthers win 27-21.