I’m coming off a 9-4 Week 5 performance, which puts me at 63% for the season. What’s in store for Week 6? Here’s how I see it.
NOTE: All games on Sunday afternoon unless otherwise noted.
Buffalo 29, Tennessee 17 (Tuesday night): Finally, the Bills get revenge for that long-ago “Music City Miracle.” I know it’s a road game for Buffalo, but the Bills aren’t just doing it with defense anymore, plus, the Titans’ recent troubles with COVID-19 will likely be disruptive. No Miracle tonight for the Titans.
Baltimore 31, Philadelphia 13: Philadelphia is one of five road venues where the Ravens have never won a regular-season game (others are Indianapolis, New England, Minnesota, and Chicago). In five lifetime meetings in this match-up, the home team has never lost. But records were made to be broken. The Eagles are too banged up–not to mention not good enough–to get another home win against the Ravens.
Pittsburgh 27, Cleveland 10: These two are the most acrimonious, long-standing archrivals in the AFC North. In recent years, Pittsburgh has played the ‘big brother’ role, swatting away the obnoxious younger sibling’s attempts to gain respect. This time, Pittsburgh is at home with a defense that should be able to stop Mayfield and the Browns.
Indianapolis 20, Cincinnati 13: For most of this early season, the Colts have clamped down on opposing offenses. That shouldn’t change against Joe Burrow and the Bengals. Colts’ quarterback Philip Rivers hasn’t been great, but he hasn’t had to overwhelm anyone so far. That applies this week, too. Bottom line? Indianapolis, armed with an underrated defense, takes control of the AFC South.
New York Giants 13, Washington 9: The NFC East is the NFL’s worst division, and this game is one reason why. One team will win, but that doesn’t tell the story. The Not-So-Big Blue is at home with young quarterback Daniel Jones, who is slightly better than anybody Washington has (that’s not saying much). I’ll take the Giants.
Tennessee 26, Houston 20: Here’s the skinny. The team that used to call Houston home is playing a home game against the team traveling to its own town’s new home while calling the old team’s home its own home. Got all that? If you didn’t, I don’t blame you. Perhaps all you need to know is that Houston’s grasp of the division is over. It’s the Titans’ turn (perhaps even the Colts) to rule the roost.
Minnesota 27, Atlanta 17: The Vikings need a win. They really need a win! After a horrible start to the season, the good news is that Minnesota’s ball-control offense has gotten a lot better. Now the Vikes are home against Atlanta, which is in an awful way. Minnesota will win.
Carolina 30, Chicago 16: Somehow, the offensively-challenged Bears are 4-1 despite having used two different quarterbacks and rushing for 35 yards or less in their last two games. So, while it looks like things have been breaking right for the Bears, they’ll need to score more to keep up with the Panthers–a team playing at home and getting good play from QB Teddy Bridgewater.
Detroit 22, Jacksonville 9: It’s this Sunday’s “Game of the Weak.” Detroit travels south for this one and should find warmer climes hospitable. I like Matthew Stafford over Gardner Minshew as the Jags’ woes continue.
New England 27, Denver 16: Talk about multiple chess moves! Thanks to COVID, this game got moved from early Sunday afternoon to late Sunday to Monday night and (finally) to Week Six. Denver was supposed to play Miami in this spot, but that’s being rescheduled for later. Besides, the Patriots were supposed to be on a bye this week, but that will take place later. Now for the game…. Denver is moving up in class from playing the Jets. Pats win.
Miami 23, New York Jets 10: Here are two more teams with COVID-adjusted schedules. That won’t be a difference-maker for the Jets. They are as challenged as ever, while the Dolphins are coming off a highly satisfying win at San Francisco.
Green Bay 41, Tampa Bay 23: Long ago, NBC-employed magazine pundit Pete Axthelm called this match-up, “The Bay of Pigs,” because both teams weren’t very good at the time. Today, both franchises are much better, especially Green Bay, which can score with anyone. This game in Tampa and–think about this–for the Packers it may be the first of two trips to South Florida this year (site of Super Bowl 55).
Los Angeles Rams 27, San Francisco 26 (Sunday night): It was shocking to see the 49ers capitulate last week against Miami, especially when playing at home. Now they take on the resurgent Rams, who’ve rediscovered how to win games. San Francisco’s woes continue.
Buffalo 24, Kansas City 23 (Monday night, early): Now for my ‘Hunch Play of the Week.’ First, the Bills are tough at home. Second, Buffalo’s defense is playoff-caliber. Third, the Bills’ offense is rounding into shape. For once, we’ll have a great Thursday-night match-up! While it will be a shocker to see KC lose consecutive games, I think that outcome is in the cards against the Bills.
Dallas 31, Arizona 30 (Monday night, late): The cavalry is coming! (For the Cowboys, I mean.) Over the next few weeks, Dallas will be getting key defensive pieces back into their lineup–Anthony Brown (who did play last week and ran back a fumble for a touchdown), Leighton Vander Esch, and Randy Gregory. It’s just the tonic this team needs. But this week won’t be an easy task. The ‘Boys are going against Kyler Murray, Larry Fitzgerald, and DeAndre Hopkins. The difference-maker for Dallas is whether Andy Dalton, who was clutch in relief of the injured Dak Prescott last week, can pull off the same performance for a full four quarters.
