All of those NFL preseason stuff felt like it was just yesterday, but now the season is five weeks in and we’re just days away from Week 6.
The coming week will feature battles that are bound to give high-scoring games, punishing defenses, and more. It raises a lot of questions too:
Will the Falcons be able to follow-up their big win over the Broncos?
Will Carson Wentz get the Wentz Wagon rolling again?
How will Tom Brady fare in his first game back in Foxborough?
Read on below and see what we look to expect from each game!
NFL News and Previews
- Washington Redskins vs. Kansas City Chiefs Preview - October 2, 2017
- Oakland Raiders vs. Denver Broncos Preview - October 1, 2017
- Carolina Panthers vs. New England Patriots Preview - October 1, 2017
- 2017 NFL Week 4 Picks and Predictions
2016 NFL Week 6 Complete Picks and Predictions
Thursday, October 13
Denver Broncos (-3.5) at San Diego Chargers (+3.5) – 8:25 PM ET
It’ll be a classic offense vs. defense matchup. On one side, you’ve got the defending Super Bowl champions Denver Broncos and their smashmouth D, and on the other, you’ve got the San Diego Chargers’ high-powered west coast offense.
Denver will look to take out a lot of frustration on Thursday. Both of their units were overwhelmed by the Falcons in Week 5, as they were bamboozled by the passing and running attack, and lost, 23-16. The loss was their first defeat this season, ending the impressive start that was highlighted by their defense.
The Chargers let one get away again Sunday, losing 34-31 to the Raiders after botching a FG attempt that would’ve tied the game with only two minutes left. It really makes you wonder how one team can keep losing over lousy miscues. The offense is doing what’s expected of them (373 total yards and 31 points per game); QB Philip Rivers is also putting usual numbers (294 yards per game, 11 TDs and only three INTs). Their defense has given up 300-plus passing yards in four of their five games this season, but their ground D hasn’t allowed a team to rush for more than 93 yards.
San Diego compete really well with any team. They simply have to stop collapsing in the fourth.
Writer’s prediction: Denver wins, 24-21.
Sunday, October 16
Philadelphia Eagles (-2.5) at Washington Redskins (+2.5) – 1:00 PM ET
The “Wentz Wagon” kinda slowed down this Sunday with that 24-23 loss to the Lions. However, it’s a loss that rookie QB Carson Wentz and the Eagles probably need, as it’ll take some spotlight off them and allow them to relax more.
Through four games, Wentz is netting 294 yards, while passing seven TDs and only throwing one pick. His two main targets will continue to be Jordan Matthews and Nelson Agholor, Philly’s two leading receivers, but they’ll again expect a lift from pass-catching RB Darren Sproles. The 12-year veteran is currently leading the team in yards from scrimmage, with 279.
After dropping their first two, the Redskins have now won three straight. A fourth consecutive win will need another great game from QB Kirk Cousins, who’s been neat in their past three games, completing 69 percent of his passes and throwing for six TDs. On D, the rushing defense needs the most improvement; they have allowed every opposing team to run for 100-plus yards (130 yards per game).
Writer’s prediction: Eagles win, 23-15.
Jacksonville Jaguars (+2.5) at Chicago Bears (-2.5) – 1:00 PM ET
The Jacksonville Jaguars are only 1-3 but they are coming off a bye week and a good upset win over division rival Indianapolis Colts, 30-27. They have a good chance to have another W on Sunday on Soldier Field.
Jags QB Blake Bortles isn’t impressing anyone with his 25th-ranked 79.4 passer rating, but he’s doing a well-enough job distributing the ball to his receivers – five players are averaging four or more receptions per game. The rest of the league should know, though, that the two Allens (Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns) are still Bortles’s favourite targets.
The “good” Brian Hoyer has now shown up for the Bears for three straight weeks. Since replacing injured starting QB Jay Cutler in Week 2, he has completed 71 percent of his passes and has thrown for six TDs and zero INTs. Rookie RB Jordan Howard, who’s also a second-stringer (replacing the injured Jeremy Langford), is providing quality runs. The former Hoosier is averaging 6 yards per carry and now has back-to-back games with 100-plus rushing yards.
The Bears’ pass rushers should like their chances against the weak Jags O-Line, as they have allowed 118 sacks since the start of the 2014 season.
Writer’s prediction: Bears win, 16-13.
Cincinnati Bengals (+9) at New England Patriots (-9) – 1:00 PM ET
The Cincinnati Bengals failed to follow-up their dominating performance against the Miami Dolphins in Week 4. This past Sunday, they let Cowboys run up on them and score the first 28 points of the game, en route to a 28-14 loss. Cincy now stands at 2-3.
It should be considered, though, that the Bengals had tough opponents in most of those weeks – Week 2 was against the Steelers in Heinz Field and Week 3 was against the Broncos’ scary-good defense.
For Week 6, they’ll be going head-to-head with the New England Patriots. Bengals QB Andy Dalton, who relatively has okay numbers (67-percent comp. rate and 301 yards per game, with five TDs), will have to play on a much higher level against the dangerous Pats defense. He should know that he won’t be able to throw to his All-Pro receiver AJ Green 10-plus times (Green is averaging 11 targets and seven receptions per game).
With QB Tom Brady back and Rob Gronkowski healthier than previous weeks, expect the Pats to be blood-thirsty moving forward. Brady threw for 406 yards (Gronk had 109 of those) and three TDs in his first game back and they did the Browns like they should with that 33-13 win. The Bengals will likely experience a similar fate if they don’t come 100 percent prepared.
Writer’s prediction: Pats win, 31-20.
Pittsburgh Steelers (-8) at Miami Dolphins (+8) – 1:00 PM ET
The humiliating 34-3 loss to the Eagles a few weeks back motivated the Steelers pretty good. They are now winners of back-to-back blowouts (43-14 versus the Chiefs and 31-13 versus the Jets).
Ben Roethlisberger will look to continue his wrath – over the past two games, the QB has completed 56 of his 74 passes (76-percent), and has nine TDs and zero interceptions. His confidence should be through the roof against the Miami Dolphins’ questionable pass defense, which can only muster one interception in five games this season.
The Fins have a lot of work to do on offense and defense. Their man under center, Ryan Tannehill, is doing a subpar job (six TDs, seven interceptions), and his O-Line isn’t helping him, as they allowed him to get sacked six times in Sunday’s 30-17 loss to the Titans. The defense, meanwhile, is allowing 401 total yards per game (151 on the ground).
Writer’s Prediction: Steelers win, 30-20.
Cleveland Browns (+7) at Tennessee Titans (-7) – 1:00 PM ET
At 0-5, the Cleveland Browns are in a position they are familiar with. This team just can’t catch a break. It seems like there is a rule that if you become significant help for the team, you’ll get injured, suspended, or lose your mind. That’s what’s been happening for decades. The names on the roster change but the team’s fate stays constant.
The Browns will continue eyeing for Isaiah Crowell and Terelle Pryor for tons of offensive help, the team’s leader in rushing (416 yards, 83 yards per game) and receiving (338 yards, 68 yards per game), respectively.
As for the Titans, expect them to give DeMarco Murray a lot of carries. The RB is having a good comeback season (461 rushing yards, five yards per carry) and they will be facing a team that’s giving up 114 yards on the ground per game. Their own defense, meanwhile, should be looking for another monster game, as they are coming off a six-sack game against the Dolphins.
Writer’s prediction: Titans win, 24-13.
San Francisco 49ers (+8) at Buffalo Bills (-8) – 1:00 PM ET
The Niners are in for a media-heavy week should they decide to start their controversial QB Colin Kaepernick. Football-wise, it makes a lot of sense to give Kaep a chance, since current starter Blaine Gabbert is bottoming in a lot of QB stats, which includes passer rating (69.6) and completion percentage (58 percent), and passing yards per game (178).
Whether it’s Kaepernick or Gabbert, the offense will likely rely on RB Carlos Hyde. The second-year back has been the focus of head coach Chip Kelly’s system, as he is leading the team in yards from scrimmage (443) and total touchdowns (six).
Entering the game, the Buffalo Bills will have a very energized team, as they are now sitting on a three-game winning streak, thanks in large part to their defense. QB Tyrod Taylor and RB LeSean McCoy have been great in their wins, but the stop unit should have the bigger praise, especially after that shocking performance over the Pats in Week 4, where they won in a shutout, 16-0.
Buffalo has only given up 37 points in the past three games.
Writer’s prediction: Bills win, 28-24.
Los Angeles Rams (+3.5) at Detroit Lions (-3.5) – 1:00 PM ET
The 3-2 Los Angeles Rams will look to get back on the winning track after the Buffalo Bills halted their quiet three-game winning streak Sunday, 30-19.
Starting RB Todd Gurley is having a terrible season (54 yards per game on 2.7 yards per carry), but don’t expect the Rams to stop giving him the ball – he’s the offense’s most talented player. Also, they don’t have much in the passing game; their receivers have great speed (mainly Kenny Britt, Brian Quick, and Tavon Austin), but they don’t exactly have great hands, and their QB, Case Keenum, isn’t the most accurate guy out there (58-percent completion rate). For the Rams to keep winning again, they’ll need A TON of effort from their defense.
A win is a win, but the Detroit Lions shouldn’t be happy with their 24-23 win against Philly this past Sunday, as they only scored three points in the second half. Against the Rams’ explosive front seven, the Lions might look to run less, especially with their primary back, Theo Riddick, proving to be effective as a pass catcher (he is averaging five receptions and 38 yards per game, along with having three receiving TDs).
Lions QB Matt Stafford is getting a lot out of Marvin Jones (104 yards per game and 19 yards per catch), but the Rams should also be careful of the QB’s talent-filled receiving corps, which has the likes of Anquan Boldin, Golden Tate, and Eric Ebron.
Writer’s prediction: Lions win, 21-10.
Baltimore Ravens (+3) at New York Giants (-3) – 1:00 PM ET
The 2-3 New York Giants, who have now lost three straight, are heading back to MetLife Stadium after a disastrous two-game road trip. They will be facing the Baltimore Ravens, who are also reeling, losing back-to-back home games.
Eli Manning was projected to have big passing TD season, but after five weeks of football, he only has five. His primary receiver, Odell Beckham Jr., was also primed to have great numbers, but he too is underperforming, and only has one receiving TD this season. Moving forward, the Giants should be more aggressive on offense. Manning has a good arm and he has the receivers that can complement it.
For the Ravens, they should also be more confident on offense, both on passing and running the ball. This Giants team wasn’t able to record a pick until last Sunday, and they just allowed the Packers’ dead-last ground game to run for 147 yards.
Writers’ prediction: Giants win, 24-16.
Carolina Panthers (-3) at New Orleans Saints (+3) – 1:00 PM ET
Things aren’t looking good for the Carolina Panthers, who are dwindling right before all our eyes. They are now losers of three straight and have dropped to a 1-4 record, dead-last on the NFC South. Oh, and Cam Newton is still questionable for next week due to that concussion he had in Week 4.
Should Cam sit for another week, Derek Anderson is the projected starter. The veteran started on MNF versus the Bucs and went 18-for-28 for 278 yards and two INTs. Expect him to go for tight end Greg Olsen as a safety blanket, Olsen produced a career-high 181 receiving yards in nine receptions Monday night.
The Saints are coming off a bye week and a comeback road win over the Chargers. When they’re at home this season, the team is averaging 33 points per game and QB Drew Brees is netting 400 yards. Look for Brees to help receivers Brandin Cooks, Willie Snead, and Mark Ingram have another big game. The three have interchanged in leading the team in total yards this season.
Kansas City Chiefs (PK) at Oakland Raiders (PK) – 4:05 PM ET
Coming off a bye week, the Kansas City Chiefs had a lot of time to reflect after the mess that happened in Pittsburgh, wherein they were blasted for 36 straight points and lost 43-14. Let’s hope they reflected well and will do the necessary adjustments.
Week 6 will be against division rival Oakland Raiders. The offense will look for QB Alex Smith (65-percent completion rate and 265 yards per game) to get back to his natural form and continue feeding the ball to his receivers, led by Jeremy Maclin (61 yards per game and 12 yards per catch) and Travis Kelce (55 yards per game and 10 yards per catch).
The Raiders are doing well offensively; QB Derek Carr now has 11 passing TDs and only two INTs. His key receivers, Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree, are interchanging monster games. The duo is combining for 164 yards per game on 15 yards per catch, while having a total of six receiving TDs.
Carr’s quick-trigger offense should still be cautious, though, the Chiefs have a league-leading eight interceptions.
Writer’s prediction: Chiefs win, 31-28.
Atlanta Falcons (+6.5) at Seattle Seahawks (-6.5) – 4:05 PM ET
Normally, teams aren’t thrilled to face a team like the Seattle Seahawks, but if you just outplayed the Denver Broncos defense on their home field, like the Falcons did this past Sunday, things are different.
Matt Ryan and the offense will be tested once again by a team with an in-your-face defense. The QB, though, will be bringing averages that are MVP-worthy, as he is leading the NFL in yards (1740), yards per game (348), yards per pass (10.4), yards per completion (15), passer rating (121.6), and QB rating (93.6). Expected to help, as always, is Julio Jones, a speedy wide receiver with good hands and a linebacker-like frame. Jones too is having great numbers (103 yards per game on 21.5 yards per catch).
The Seahawks offense has dipped post-Marshawn Lynch. From the constant top 10 rank during Lynch’s years, it has now slipped into the top 20. QB Russell Wilson is having decent stats (266 yards per game, 65-percent comp. rate, five TDs, and one pick), but it isn’t making any noise. It’s the team’s defense that’s making the difference, as they are only allowing 184 passing yards (league best) and 80 rushing yards per game (third in the league).
Writer’s prediction: Falcons win, 24-20.
Dallas Cowboys (+4.5) at Green Bay Packers (-4.5) – 4:25 PM ET
Remember when Cowboys GM Jerry Jones said during the 2016 NFL Draft that he was frustrated they weren’t able to trade for Paxton Lynch? He might still be fan, but he sure loves Dak Prescott more now.
In his four starts this year, Prescott, who’s also a rookie QB, has 1239 passing yards (248 per game), four passing TDs (zero picks), and two rushing TDs. He also broke an NFL rookie record this past Sunday as he was able to throw his 135th consecutive pass without being intercepted. Along with a great group of receivers, Prescott is also being helped a fellow rookie in Ezekiel Elliot (109 yards per game on five yards per carry, with six rushing TDs).
Packers QB Aaron Rodgers is only averaging 219 yards per game, while only completing 56-percent of his passes this season (both are his lowest since becoming a starter in 2008), but don’t think that it’ll stagger him. The Green Bay offense is centered around A-Rod’s skills and he’ll continue throwing it to Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, and the rest of the guys.
Writer’s prediction: Packers win, 31-24.
Indianapolis Colts (+3) at Houston Texans (-3) – 8:30 PM ET
Colts QB Andrew Luck is playing fairly good and he’s having Andrew Luck-like numbers (293 yards per game with 10 passing TDs). His primary receiver, TY Hilton, is even fourth in the league in receiving yards (507), but the Indianapolis Colts are only at 2-3. They just can’t keep it going and they were even upset by the Jaguars in Week 4.
It is most likely because of inconsistent defense. They are at the bottom of the league’s rankings of yards per play (6.5, 31st in the league), first downs given up (117, 30th in the league), passing yards (1505, 29th in the league), penalties (47, league-worst), and penalty yards (429, league-worst).
The Texans, meanwhile, will be looking for a comeback performance from QB Brock Osweiler and RB Lamar Miller, their 100-plus million dollar off-season acquisitions. In their 31-13 loss to the Vikings Sunday, the QB was a miserable 19-of-42 (45 percent) for 184 yards, while the RB only had 24 total yards.
Writer’s prediction: Colts win a high-scoring game, 38-34.
Monday, October 17
New York Jets (+7.5) at Arizona Cardinals (-7.5) – 8:30 PM ET
The New York Jets continued their downward spiral Sunday, losing 31-13 to the Steelers. It was their third straight defeat and they are probably looking at another one when they visit the Cards for Week 6.
Jets QB Ryan Fitzpatrick is having a horrible season (57-percent completion rate, 65 passer rating, and a league-worst 10 INTs), but with talented receivers like Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker, who can always turn simple plays into big ones, Fitz has to keep throwing it. He just needs to be smarter.
The Cards lost consecutive games to inferior teams (Buffalo Bills and L.A. Rams), but all of that is behind them now, especially since they convincingly beat the 49ers without starting QB Carson Palmer. The QB is expected to miss another week and he will once again be be replaced by Drew Stanton. Excluding the shaky 11-of-28 passing, Stanton did a serviceable job, as he passed for two key TDs.
Arizona will also rely on Larry Fitzgerald and David Johnson to ignite the offense – the two are the team’s leaders in receiving and rushing, respectively.
Writer’s prediction: Cardinals win, 28-18.
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