NFL Predictions: 5 Teams That Will Cover the Spread in Week 6

If there's one thing we've learned about the NFL after five weeks, it's that we have absolutely no idea who is going to cover the spread in any game.

College football has been pretty easy so far, with the heavy favorites covering a majority of the games as a result of the spreads simply not being high enough involving the top teams in the country.

The NFL on the other hand, has been a complete crapshoot.

At this point, the safest bet appears to be taking either the elite quarterbacks (Rodgers, Brady, Brees) or the two surprise teams (Lions and Bills) to cover.

Not only are the above five teams averaging over 30 points per game, they just so happen to be a combined 18-6-1 against the spread—essentially covering 75% of the time through the first five weeks.

Now let's take a look at what's in store for Week 6...

Green Bay (-15) vs. St. Louis

This could read Green Bay minus whatever, and I would still take the Packers to cover.

What if this was Green Bay -34, would you take it?  I'm pretty sure I would.

How do the Packers not score at least 40 points in this game?  

How do the Rams score more than 10 points after watching Green Bay shut down the Falcons in the Georgia Dome last weekend?

If you have the answer to either of these questions, I'm dying to know.

Final Score: Green Bay 41, St. Louis 10

New England (-7) vs. Dallas

Again, same theory—elite quarterback (and by elite, I mean the best of all time), playing at home.

We can all agree that the Cowboys aren't really any good, right?

They are 2-2 with a three-point win over the 49ers (the Tony Romo miracle game) and a two-point win over the Redskins (the nine field goals game/one touchdown game).

Their defense is fairly average and certainly not good enough to slow down the Brady-to-Welker show.

Meanwhile, their offense is OK at best and should put some points up against a below average (but improving) Pats defense.  However, it won't be nearly enough to keep pace against New England's well-oiled machine.

Final Score: Patriots 34, Cowboys 20

Baltimore (-7.5) vs. Houston

The Ravens weren't one of the five teams I mentioned in the opening slide that average 30 points per game, yet they do score 29.8 points per game (is that close enough for you) and boast by far and away the best defense in the National Football League.

Doesn't it seem like your classic "this team is so much tougher than that team" blowout kind of game?

It sure does to me.

-Andre Johnson is out

-Mario Williams is out

-Game is at Baltimore

-Texans lost a tough game at home and had trouble scoring against the Raiders

-Ravens were resting up and getting healthy last week during their bye

If Houston can only score 20 points at home against Oakland, how many can they score at Baltimore against a well-rested Ravens defense?  

I'll take "not that many for $500, Alex."

Final Score: Baltimore 31, Houston 13

Oakland (-6.5) vs. Cleveland

I don't know, maybe the Raiders are a team of destiny after the passing of Al Davis?

It sure seemed that way last week.

Here is what I do know: the Browns are 2-2 with wins over...wait for it...wait for it...the Colts and the Dolphins!

An eight-point win in the Kerry Collins 62.5 QB Rating Game and a one-point win at home vs Miami.

Ladies and Gentlemen, your 2011 Cleveland Browns!

The Raiders should be fine at home as long as Jason Campbell takes care of the ball by handing it to Run DMC and letting him do his thing.

Oakland is 1-1 at home this year with a 10-point win over the Jets (the Jets are better than Cleveland, aren't they?) and a loss to the (we should be going for 16-0 again but we blew a 21-point lead against the Bills) New England Patriots.  

Final Score: Oakland 27, Cleveland 13

Philadelphia (-1.5) at Washington

Why.  Why am I doing this?

I'm the guy who said NO WAY the Eagles will go 1-2!

And the same guy who said NO WAY the Eagles will go 1-3!

And I'm pretty sure (and by pretty sure, I mean absolutely positive) I'm the same guy who said NO WAY the Eagles will go 1-4!

So what is my logic behind this pick?  NO WAY the Eagles will go 1-5!

And if that isn't a good enough reason, every below-average gambler in America is taking the Eagles this week as the spread has gone from an opening of Eagles +0.5 to the current Eagles -1.5.

Do you know how many idiots it takes to make a spread move by two full points?

Neither do I.  But I bet it's a lot.

Final Score: Philadelphia 27, Washington 24