Week 6 Picks

            Last week was the first bye week, and with only 13 games I somehow had the best record of the season so far. With my 10-3 week, I’ve already fallen in love with not having to pick teams like San Diego or find out what the line is with Tim Tebow at quarterback for Denver. Here are the picks; home team in CAPS and the spread (from ESPN’s Pigskin Pick’em) in parenthesis.

            Panthers (+4.5) over FALCONS – I honestly think that the Falcons suck. They had high expectations coming into the season, but if Michael Vick didn’t slam his head into his offensive lineman in Week 2 they’d be 1-4 going into this week. Cam Newton will once again find a way to pull off a backdoor cover (I’m convinced that he can do this against any team in any stadium in any weather) and the Panthers could even pull out a huge win in ATL.

            GIANTS (-3.5) over Bills – I think the “feel good” part about the Bills is coming to an end. Also, this is the one week that I’ll be cheering for Eli Manning as he’s my fantasy quarterback due to Phillip Rivers bye week… but I would much rather have Peyton in a neck brace under center than put my trust in his little brother.

            LIONS (-4.5) over 49ers – Yeah, the San Fran defense is really good. They don’t have anybody that can cover Megatron (that’s not a knock on them though, nobody has the personnel to match up with him). In the end, I think that the Stafford-to-Johnson connection and the Detroit defensive front will be too much for the 49ers.

            PACKERS (-14.5) over St. Louis – The line is so huge that it’s tempting me to pick the Rams. But hold on just one second, the Rams are ABSOLUTELY the worst team in the NFL and can’t do anything on either side of the ball. I would even consider picking Green Bay if the line was -30 points. Oh, and Aaron Rodgers is the freaking MAN!

            REDSKINS (-0.5) over Eagles – With the 0.5-point line, this is pretty much a pick’em game. I think the ‘Skins are going to win this game, and without a line for them to cover I feel comfortable picking them here. The Eagles shouldn’t have run up the score last season on Monday Night Football because now Washington can deal out the final blow to Philly’s playoff hopes.

            STEELERS (-12.5) over Jaguars – Blaine Gabbert is so bad.

            RAIDERS (-5.5) over Browns – I’d take Oakland if they had this line in Cleveland too. I’m surprised it’s not higher since they’re at home. Is there really anything that the Browns can do that would make anybody think they can stay within a touchdown of any halfway decent team on the road?

            RAVENS (-7.5) over Texans – I’m going to cosign this idea from Grantland’s Bill Simmons, “Matt Schaub is basically Tony Romo with a less exciting name, a less famous team and a better PR agent.” Schaub’s game-ending interception last week against Oakland was definitely something that Romo would do and has done in his career. Against the Ravens, the Texans won’t be able to run the ball much, so Schaub is going to have to win this game by himself without WR Andre Johnson. Ravens by 10+.

            Cowboys (+7.5) over PATRIOTS – There needs to be some point where New England gets burned by their horrible secondary.

            Saints (-4.5) over BUCCANEERS – Ever since the Bucs looked very unimpressive against a horrible Colts team, I’m going to pick against them almost every week until they go on a run covering the spread… and that probably won’t happen.

            Vikings (-3.5) over BEARS – I’m really on the fence about this game. I think the Vikings are more talented than the Bears, but they can’t hold a lead to save their lives unless they’re playing someone from the NFC West. If Minnesota gives Adrian Peterson the ball 35 or more times, they’ll win this game – just put it in his hands, and it’s not like he can’t handle the carries. The one thing I’m definitely not looking forward to: Jared Allen getting a sack on Jay Cutler.

            JETS (-7.5) over Dolphins – This is a total trap game. The ‘Fins are definitely getting ready for their game next week against Tim Tebow. Oh, and Matt Moore is their quarterback… that’d also be a reason to pick against them on the road, or at home.