NFL Week 6: Picks and Questions

I should dock Scott and Lauren a win for not picking their Titans against my Bills; at least I believed in my team.

In Week 5, Scott pulled off another 4-1 record to continue his hot streak and pull within one win of the lead. All three of us hit on the Rams and Cardinals last week (not that those picks were particularly difficult against the Football Team and Jets).

As always, we are using the Vegas Consensus lines.

Last week

• Lauren: 3-2
• Scott: 4-1
• Nolan: 3-2

Season

• Lauren: 13-12
• Scott: 14-11
• Nolan: 15-8-2

Lauren’s Picks

Pittsburgh -3 vs. Cleveland

The fact that Baker Mayfield, OBJ and Jarvis Landry were all questionable coming into this game helped me lean towards the Steelers. I remind you that I picked the Browns in the first week and they broke my heart, but I feel Cleveland is FINALLY at the point where they can compete against anybody. However, that trio banged up against the Steelers’ D could be tough.

Baltimore -10 at Philadelphia

Lamar Jackson will be Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore defense will be the Baltimore defense versus the Eagles. Philadelphia’s top two starting wide receivers are Greg Ward and Travis Fulgham. Yes, seriously. It’s slim pickings for the Eagles as the talented Ravens soar.

Miami -8.5 vs. N.Y. Jets

The Miami Dolphins’ blowout win over the San Francisco 49ers last week surprised many, but I don’t think anyone in that organization. These guys are playing hard for head coach Brian Flores and will welcome Adam Case back to Hard Rock Stadium with something he is used to taking: a loss. 

 L.A. Rams -3 at San Francisco

The 49ers were absolutely embarrassed last week against the Dolphins and it doesn’t get any easier against a Rams’ D that has 20 sacks this season. Jimmy Garoppolo was horrendous in the game following his ankle injury as he was benched in the process. Is San Fran losing hope in the QB? Even though injuries have plagued the 49ers, this game will be a real test for Garoppolo and where he stands with this organization.

Kansas City -5 at Buffalo

Both Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen are coming off losses. What are the odds? Both were winless last week and now one of the two will have back-to-back losses. This will be a shoot-out, but give me Mahomes over Allen (I know Nolan will agree) all day long. I would not want to play PM15 after a loss … good luck Buffalo.

Scott’s Picks

Cleveland +3.5 at Pittsburgh

This totally hinges on the status of Baker Mayfield, but I truly think the Browns can hang with the Steelers. I’m ready to say that this is not the Browns of old. There is some bad blood between these teams, which should make it a fun game to watch regardless. With that, something unpredictable could very well happen that shapes the outcome of this game, an ejection or two perhaps. I didn’t feel right picking all favorites this week, either, and this feels like the right underdog to me. 

Minnesota -4 vs. Atlanta 

So I made the mistake of picking the Falcons to snap out of their funk last week, and I’m not making that mistake again. There is a stink hanging over that franchise, which might not ever get over the 28-3 debacle until everyone associated with it is gone. Meanwhile, the Vikings are a misleading 1-4 with two one-point losses to undefeated teams. It feels gross to beat on Kirk Cousins, but it feels grosser to not beat against the Falcons at this moment in their franchise. 

Carolina -1 vs. Chicago 

Carolina is sneaky good and Teddy Bridgewater remains a fun story. He’s a guy that is genuinely fun to root for, especially considering everything he had to do to work his way back from that devastating injury. The Panthers have looked like a different team after starting 0-2. Also, this might come back to bite me, but I’m just not a believer in the Bears. 

Miami -8.5 vs. N.Y. Jets 

As long as Adam Gase is coaching the Jets, I will pick against them. Period. The Jets are an utter embarrassment and clearly aren’t trying to win anytime soon. Until the spread gets into the 20-point range, this will be a weekly occurrence. 

Green Bay -1 at Tampa Bay 

The Bucs have had a mostly uneven start to their much-anticipated 2020 season. The Packers have not, and have mostly been unchallenged this season. Yes, Aaron Rodgers and company have not exactly played a murderers row of opponents, but they continue to look destined for the NFC championship. This line doesn’t seem high enough to me so I’ll roll with the Packers to stay unbeaten. 

Nolan’s Picks

Pittsburgh -3 vs. Cleveland

THE MYLES GARRETT REVENGE GAME. It’s a shame blessing that Mason Rudolph won’t be playing though. On a serious note, the Browns are banged up all over the place. Star guard Wyatt Teller is out; Baker Mayfield, Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry missed practice time all week, but should play. The Steelers front seven is the best unit in football full stop. That alone should be enough to rattle Mayfield and get the win.

Philadelphia +10 vs. Baltimore

Do I think the Eagles are good? No. Do I think the Ravens based on how they’ve played of late should be 10-point road favorites against the Eagles? No. Surely Carson Wentz won’t come back to hurt me. Famous last words right there.

Washington +1.5 at N.Y. Giants

Washington isn’t particularly good, but they are better than the Joe Judge and Jason Garrett led Giants.  Kyle Allen just needs to not be stupid — admittedly not a guarantee — and the Football Team should get the win here.

Miami -8.5 vs. N.Y. Jets

Ryan Fitzpatrick is playing like an elite quarterback and Adam Gase still coaches the Jets. I’m blindly picking against the Jets until proven otherwise. Scott and I clearly are on the same page here.

Dallas +1 vs Arizona

I love Dak Prescott, but Andy Dalton is a legit starting caliber quarterback. The last time he played with receivers this good, he played at a borderline MVP-caliber level (2015). The Cardinals just lost their only pass rusher, Chandler Jones, for the season so Dallas’ offensive line should have a better day as well.  

Answering Week 5’s Questions

How does the time off affect the Titans?

Apparently not much. As a bitter Bills fan, I’d say the Titans performance only proved that Tennessee was clearly practicing despite restrictions. As an unbiased writer, I’d say it was just one game and the game was closer than the 42-16 score would indicate.

Which 3-1 team is for real?

The Browns are legit! As Bleacher Report’s Gridiron Heights noted, “the Browns were somehow not frauds”. Cleveland’s Week 6 contest in Pittsburgh will be an even bigger test. Meanwhile, Phillip Rivers continues to play exactly how Phillip Rivers has always played.

Does Carson Wentz survive facing the Steelers pass rush?

Wentz took five sacks, but overall seemed to play pretty well. Despite two interceptions, he was one of PFF‘s highest graded passers. His life won’t be much easier against the Ravens this week.

Can Backdoor Burrow’s conquer his next challenge?

Backdoor Burrow was starting to mount the cover-winning touchdown drive with the Bengals trailing 20-0. But then Good Michael Thomas fumbled and Patrick Queen took it to the house for the Ravens. Sigh.

Which Kirk Cousins do we see on Sunday Night?

Primetime Kirk Cousins didn’t show up last Sunday Night, but neither did 1p.m. against the Giants Kirk Cousins. I’ll be honest, I didn’t see hardly anything from this game. I was too busy watching LeBron James win his fourth championship.

Five Questions for Week 6

Can Teddy Two Gloves keep it rolling?

I don’t think too many people expected this game to have playoff implications before the season, but the 4-1 Bears versus the 3-2 Panthers is suddenly a highly intriguing game. Bridgewater has been playing exceptional football of late, but Khalil Mack and the Bears represent a new challenge for the Panthers offense. With Robby Anderson and DJ Moore — I think that’s the official pecking order now — I think Bridgewater can continue his play. Conversely, Nick Foles should have an easier matchup with the young Panthers defense after facing the Colts and Bucs.

Brady versus Rodgers… that is all.

Once a week, I write a question that isn’t really a question, so I decided to just be open about it. Brady vs. Rodgers a little reminiscent of Kobe vs. LeBron in that it was probably the number one dream Super Bowl matchup for like a decade that ultimately never came to fruition. Davante Adams and Chris Godwin will be in action, which only adds to the hype. Please let this be a shootout.

Is this San Francisco’s final stand?

The 49ers fell to 2-3 at the hands of Ryan Fitzpatrick last week. Their upcoming schedule is brutal: at New England; at Seattle; vs. Green Bay; at New Orleans; at L.A. Rams; vs. Buffalo. They cannot enter that stretch at 2-4 if they have want any chance at the playoffs. Jimmy Garoppolo looked terrible last week, but he’s going to have to put his big boy pants on for this one. His future in San Francisco might be on the line. (Hello, Dak?)

Can Andy Dalton lead Dallas to the playoffs?

I’m fascinated by the implications of Dalton’s sudden leap to the top of the depth chart. Is he the best quarterback in the NFC East already? (Was he the whole time?) Despite the loss of Dak Prescott, I really think Dallas should still be the division favorites. Dalton will have to overcome his Cousins-like jitters on primetime, though.

How does Jaheim Allen rebound?

Just because there was no Scripted 15 doesn’t mean I’m not going to get my Jaheim Allen jokes in. When shit hit the fan against Tennessee, Allen regressed back into how he played his first two years. That can’t happen and it won’t get any easier with Patrick Mahomes making his first appearance in Western New York. Mahomes — who was taken with the pick Buffalo traded to Kansas City on draft night — is also coming off a loss. Josh Allen needs to show up on Monday Night.