With Week 6’s kickoff less than 24 hours away, we take a look at the NFL odds and make our picks and predictions against the spread. Are there any best bets formulating or is this another week where we will need to make some tough choices? As the NFL standings begin to take shape, what could Week 6 have in store for us?
NFL picks and predictions Week 6 | NFL lines and odds
As injury situations start to become more clear, lines are beginning to fall into place. Let’s take a look at whether there is anything we can take advantage of with our early Week 6 picks and predictions.
[metabet_core_odds_board league=”nfl” site_id=”profootballnetwork” hide_consensus=”yes” hide_location=”yes”]Thursday Night Football picks and predictions | Week 6
Here are the Week 6 picks and predictions and NFL odds for Thursday’s game as of 5:30 PM ET on October 13.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-6.5) at Philadelphia Eagles
Time and channel: 8:20 PM ET, FOX, NFL Network, and Amazon Prime
For this week’s Thursday Night Football game, the Buccaneers travel to take on the Eagles in Philadelphia. Tom Brady and his squad are laying nearly a touchdown on the road. This line opened up even higher but has slowly shifted in the Eagles’ favor due to a possible thumb injury for Brady.
Last week, Tampa Bay posted an easy 45-17 home victory over Miami. Philadelphia, meanwhile, rallied to defeat Carolina 21-18 on the road.
While the Eagles were able to get the better of Sam Darnold, I don’t expect them to be able to do the same against Brady. The Bucs’ offense is firing on all cylinders right now, ranking third in the league in scoring with 33.4 points per game.
I am not a fan of laying this many points on the road, but it is hard to go against the defending Super Bowl champs in this one.
Buccaneers vs. Eagles Prediction: Buccaneers 34, Eagles 20
Sunday Week 6 NFL picks, predictions, and odds
Here are the Week 6 picks and predictions and NFL odds for Sunday’s games as of 5:30 PM ET on October 13.
Miami Dolphins (-3.5) at Jacksonville Jaguars
Time and channel: 9:30 AM ET, CBS
The expected return of Tua Tagovailoa could not come soon enough for the Dolphins, who have now lost four straight. London has not been a happy hunting ground for Miami, who are 1-3 on the other side of the Atlantic. However, this is a new regime for the Jaguars that will not be used to managing a traveling team.
Both teams have question marks surrounding the future of their head coach. The Dolphins should be the better team, but this could be another London game in the balance in the fourth quarter.
Dolphins vs. Jaguars Prediction: Dolphins 24, Jaguars 21
Kansas City Chiefs (-7) at Washington Football Team
Time and channel: 1 PM ET, CBS
Before this season kicked off, most Chiefs fans probably circled this game as a possible defeat due to Washington’s supposed elite defensive line. Unfortunately for Washington, the success they had last year has not translated into 2021. With the defense struggling, I think Kansas City is able to right the ship and get an easy win here. Taylor Heinicke has been impressive, especially against good teams. But Patrick Mahomes is in a tier of his own.
Chiefs vs. Washington Prediction: Chiefs 35, Washington 20
Los Angeles Chargers at Baltimore Ravens (-3)
Time and channel: 1 PM ET, CBS
After an impressive come from behind victory Monday night over the Colts, I think Baltimore is in for a let-down spot in Week 6 against the Chargers. Lamar Jackson’s performance in Week 5 was enough to earn him top honors in PFN’s Team of the Week, but Justin Herbert was close behind him.
The Chargers have been lights out on offense this year while Baltimore’s defense has struggled mightily. The Ravens allowed a beat-up Carson Wentz to put up 25 points this past week. Imagine what Herbert will be able to do.
Chargers vs. Ravens Prediction: Chargers 31, Ravens 22
Minnesota Vikings at Carolina Panthers (-1)
Time and channel: 1 PM ET, FOX
After winning their first three games, the Carolina Panthers are spiraling right now. After two losses against NFC East teams, they now return home to take on a Vikings team that is also struggling. Kirk Cousins and the Vikings’ offense have disappeared these past two weeks, and they might struggle against a very good Panthers defense. If Dalvin Cook is out for this game, I like Carolina even more for these Week 6 picks and predictions.
Vikings vs. Panthers Prediction: Panthers 24, Vikings 23
Green Bay Packers (-4.5) at Chicago Bears
Time and channel: 1 PM ET, FOX
The Green Bay Packers travel to Chicago to take on the Bears in this NFC North matchup. We do not know who will be Chicago’s starting quarterback this week, with Justin Fields still nursing an injury from last Sunday. The NFL odds favor the Packers by more than a field goal in this one, and I can understand why. Even though they are on the road, I trust Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams more than anyone on the Bears’ roster.
Packers vs. Bears Prediction: Packers 24, Bears 14
Cincinnati Bengals (-3) at Detroit Lions
Time and channel: 1 PM ET, FOX
The Bengals are coming off a heartbreaking overtime loss to the aforementioned Packers. Given a number of chances to win the game, kicking was the team’s biggest issue. The Lions also lost because of kicking, and their head coach made it very clear afterward that he is tired of losing.
Even though they are underdogs at home, I think that Detroit is going to play hard for their coach and get their first win of the season. Keep an eye on Joe Burrow’s injury as well — if he is out, this will be one of my best bets for these Week 6 picks and predictions.
Bengals vs. Lions Prediction: Lions 21, Bengals 17
Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts (-10)
Time and channel: 1 PM ET, CBS
The Houston Texans are still a bad football team, but they played surprisingly well against a decent New England Patriots roster in Week 5. Davis Mills bounced back from a horrendous performance in Week 4 and looked like a very capable rookie. He even did enough to jump a few other rookies in PFN’s Rookie Rankings.
Do I think Mills will do enough to win this one? No. But I do think the Texans can keep it close enough to cover this incredibly large spread. These NFL odds are giving Carson Wentz way too much credit after the Colts’ near-win against the Ravens.
Texans vs. Colts Prediction: Colts 24, Texans 17
Los Angeles Rams (-10.5) at New York Giants
Time and channel: 1 PM ET, FOX
The Los Angeles Rams are laying DOUBLE DIGITS (!) on the road against the New York Giants. With the Giants’ injury issues, I think this spread might actually not be high enough. This game might be played without Saquon Barkley and Daniel Jones, while Kenny Golladay has already been ruled out.
Don’t be too fancy with this one — take Matthew Stafford and the Rams.
Rams vs. Giants Prediction: Rams 34, Giants 20
Arizona Cardinals at Cleveland Browns (-3)
Time and channel: 4:05 PM ET, FOX
This is a clash of two of the best teams in the NFL as the Cardinals look to stay unbeaten. Cleveland’s defense was exposed by the Chargers, but Arizona’s defense is also vulnerable. This should be a high-scoring NFL game, and those are always tough to make picks and predictions for. The Browns need this one more at home, and that could make all the difference.
Cardinals vs. Browns Prediction: Browns 34, Cardinals 30
Las Vegas Raiders at Denver Broncos (-3)
Time and channel: 4:25 PM ET, CBS
After all of the controversy surrounding the Las Vegas Raiders this week, it’s hard to pick them to win against their AFC West rivals in the Denver Broncos. With Jon Gruden now out as head coach, the Raiders might be searching for a new identity. The Broncos have played well this year and are better than their record indicates. Lay the points with Denver as one of my stronger Week 6 picks and predictions.
Raiders vs. Broncos Prediction: Broncos 24, Raiders 14
Dallas Cowboys (-4) at New England Patriots
Time and channel: 4:25 PM ET, CBS
The Patriots were lucky to get a win over the Texans and will now be facing a potential Super Bowl-caliber team in the Dallas Cowboys. My best bet of these Week 6 picks and predictions is on the Cowboys. Their offense is clicking on all levels and their one-two punch with Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard is almost unstoppable. The Cowboys can put up 40 points on anyone in the NFL right now, and I expect them to do so against the Patriots.
Cowboys vs. Patriots Prediction: Cowboys 40, Patriots 20
Seattle Seahawks at Pittsburgh Steelers (-5)
Time and channel: 8:20 PM ET, NBC
This game suddenly looks a lot less star-studded than it did at the start of the season. Geno Smith will go on the road looking to salvage Seattle’s season, which sits precariously at 2-3. The Steelers’ situation is no better, but if they cannot overcome the wounded Seahawks at home, questions will start to mount.
Seahawks vs. Steelers Prediction: Steelers 24, Seahawks 20
Monday Night Football: Week 6 NFL picks and predictions
Here are the Week 6 picks and predictions and NFL odds for Monday’s game as of 5:30 PM ET on October 13.
Buffalo Bills (-4.5) at Tennessee Titans
Time and channel: 8:15 PM ET, ESPN
The Buffalo Bills are arguably the best team in the NFL right now. They just dominated the Kansas City Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes in prime time. Even on the road, the Bills deserve to lay more than a field goal against the Titans. The NFL odds for this one are a little off — continue to bet on Josh Allen to rack up wins.
Bills vs. Titans Prediction: Bills 31, Titans 24