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Jake Klausner
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NFL Week Six Predictions
Updated: Oct 17, 2021
Week Six is upon us! Giants fans probably want to forget about what happened with their beloved team, so what better way to forget than with a healthy dose of football. That’s why I’m here. So, forget about that god-awful check swing call, and let’s talk football!
The week began with the GOAT, Tom Brady, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as they held on to beat Philadelphia Eagles: 28-22, despite a great showing from Jalen Hurts. While Brady didn’t have his best night, he helped pave the way for Leonard Fournette, who had 81 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Antonio Brown led the Bucs in receiving yards with 93, including a touchdown. With that win, the Bucs move to 5-1 on the year, while the Eagles move to 2-4.
As we move on from Thursday’s game, let’s dive into the matchups for week six.
Miami Dolphins (1-4) vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (0-5) (Sunday, 9:30 a.m. ET
TV: CBS Line: MIA: -3.0
This season’s second game in London features another titanic matchup as the winless Jaguars take on the Miami Dolphins.
Jaguars: All eyes will continue to be on Urban Meyer and whether or not he will be able to get his team to follow him. There’s no doubt in my mind that Trevor Lawrence has shown promise this season, but a lot of their losses have been on the coach.
Dolphins: Tua is back. The former 1st round draft pick returned to practice this week, and head coach Brian Flores hopes that he’s healthy enough to make his return this week after suffering a rib injury back in week two. In his absence, the Dolphins haven’t looked good. After winning their week one matchup, they have lost their last four games. With Tua coming back, the Dolphins look to get back on track with a win against this weekend.
Prediction: I don’t see this being an entertaining game, but I have a feeling it will be close. The Jags will undoubtedly make it exciting, and guys like Trevor Lawrence and James Robinson will be able to make plays against the Dolphins’ defense. However, I think that the Dolphins will get back on track and win the game. Dolphins: 20-13
Green Bay Packers (4-1) vs. Chicago Bears (3-2) (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)
TV: FOX Line: GB -6.0
Packers: It’s something we’ve grown accustomed to - Aaron Rodgers finding a way to get it to his best receiver. You cannot deny the connection these two have, and they are continuing to light up the league. After a slow start, Rodgers has silenced everyone and is putting together another solid season. As for Adams, he has the most receiving yards this season, so I guess you can say they are on point.
Bears: All of the Bears’ questions have revolved around their offense and the play-calling of head coach Matt Nagy. I think that if Matt Nagy isn’t calling plays, they have a shot, but that’s highly unlikely. All eyes will be on QB Justin Fields this weekend. Will he make enough plays to win the game?
Prediction: I think Justin Fields will show signs of promise but will ultimately be outdone by Aaron Rodgers, as they pull away late and win by two touchdowns.
Green Bay: 31-17
Cincinnati Bengals (3-2) vs. Detroit Lions (0-5) (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)
TV: FOX Line: CIN -3.5
Bengals: Joe Burrow and the Bengals are looking to bounce back after a heartbreaking loss to Green Bay last week. The young QB has indeed shown signs of promise, and with the emergence of rookie wideout Ja’Mar Chase and others like Tyler Boyd, Joe Mixon, and Tee Higgins, look for this Bengals team to shock a lot of teams down the stretch.
Lions: They just can’t seem to catch a break. If you don’t believe me, just ask head coach Dan Campbell, who cried during the press conference after their heartbreaking loss to the Vikings last week. The Lions are no strangers to painful losses, having lost four out of their five games by 10 points or less.
Prediction: I believe that something crazy will happen in this game. The Lions will give the Bengals everything they have, but I think that Joe Burrow will get enough on offense to win the game. Cincinnati: 23-16
Houston Texans (1-4) vs. Indianapolis Colts (1-4) (Sunday 1 p.m. ET)
TV: CBS Line: IND -10.0
Texans: This is about the start people expected out of the Texans. Davis Mills has been a bit of a bright spot for this team, and they did show a bit of promise last week. I don’t see them getting out of this game with a win, however.
Colts: Unlike the Texans, this is not the start the Colts were expecting. After a bit of a sluggish start, Carson Wentz and his team are looking to rebound this week against a weak Texans team.
Prediction: This is another one of those games that I don’t see being very entertaining. I think the Colts will pounce out of the gates, and they will get a much-needed win on Sunday against Houston. Indianapolis: 27-6
LA Rams (4-1) vs. New York Giants (1-4) (Sunday 1 p.m. ET)
TV: FOX Line: LA -9.5
Rams: The Rams are on a bit of a roll right now, having won their last two games. That’s in large part due to the success of Matthew Stafford and their high-powered offense. While they still have Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsay on defense, they still have regressed in productivity due to the departure of defensive coordinator Brendan Staley in the offseason.
Giants: Injuries are hurting the Giants right now. They lost their three best playmakers last week against Dallas: running back Saquon Barkley (ankle), quarterback Daniel Jones (concussion), and receiver Kenny Golladay (knee).
Prediction: Receiver Kadarius Toney has a big bright spot in this offense and will certainly offer a lot of big plays this week, but ultimately the Rams will be too much for backup quarterback Mike Glennon to handle. LA Rams: 34-10
Kansas City Chiefs (2-3) vs. WFT (2-3) (Sunday 1 p.m. ET)
TV: CBS Line: KC -6.5
Chiefs: Who expected the Chiefs to be in last place in AFC West? I know I didn’t. Patrick Mahomes has shown signs of his usual self, but he has made quite a few mistakes this season. Not to mention, their defense has given up a lot of yards this season.
WFT: Like the Chiefs, I expected Washington to be a little bit better than they are right now. Specifically, their defense. They can’t stop anyone! I expected Chase Young to have a monster season, but he has been a ghost out there.
Prediction: I expect Washington’s offense, led by Taylor Heinicke and Terry McLaurin, to keep up with the high-power Chiefs offense, but I think that the Chiefs pull away late. This game is going to come down to who can make the most stops late in the game.
Kansas City: 41-28
Minnesota Vikings (2-3) vs. Carolina Panthers (3-2) (Sunday 1 p.m. ET)
TV: FOX Line: MIN -2.5
Vikings: Don’t let the record fool you. This Vikings offense is very talented, and they will be getting a healthy Dalvin Cook back. The Panthers have been exceptional against the run. Still, I expect the Vikings to run a balanced attack with the running game of Cook and the passing attack of Kirk Cousins and receivers Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen.
Panthers: The Panthers have been a big surprise this year with Sam Darnold playing well, but after a bad performance last week against Philly, will they bounce back against a hungry Vikings team?
Prediction: I see this being a close game, and I believe this could go either way. However, I’ve got to go with my gut and say that the Panthers pull it out in a very physical game.
Carolina: 24-21
LA Chargers (4-1) vs. Baltimore Ravens (4-1) (Sunday 1 p.m. ET)
TV: CBS Line: BAL -2.5
Chargers: Justin Herbert and his glorious lox. Is he exciting to watch or what? After having a slow start to the season, Herbert has combined for 12 total touchdowns in his last three games. The Chargers have emerged as one of the top teams in the AFC this season. Brendan Staley is an early candidate for coach of the year.
Ravens: The Ravens also have a very exciting playmaker on offense. You might’ve heard of him, Lamar Jackson. Jackson has constantly reminded us that he is, in fact, outstanding at football. While the defense has shown signs of regression, they more than make up for it on the offensive side.
Prediction: This is going to be an offensive explosion. Expect both Herbert and Jackson to shine on Sunday. There won’t be much defense in this game, but I think the Chargers force a late turnover and hold on to win this game.
LA Chargers: 38-34
Arizona Cardinals (5-0) vs. Cleveland Browns (3-2) (Sunday 4:05 p.m. ET)
TV: FOX Line: CLE -3.5
Cardinals: The Cardinals are the only undefeated team left, yet they find themselves as the underdogs this week. Nonetheless, this team has a tone of firepower. Led by MVP frontrunner Kyler Murray, this team knows how to put up points. However, the Browns’ defense could pose a threat, but they may have a chance if Murray can exploit the weak Browns secondary.
Browns: While Justin Herbert seemed to have no trouble against the Browns defense last week, I expect that to be a different story this week. This Browns defense is terrifying, and a big part of that has been Myles Garrett. Garrett already has seven sacks this season, which is the most by a long shot.
Prediction: I think that the pressure of Myles Garrett will be too much for Kyler Murray to handle. Baker Mayfield will do enough offensively to put the Browns on top, and I see Cleveland winning a low-scoring defensive showdown.
Cleveland: 17-10
Las Vegas Raiders (3-2) vs. Denver Broncos (3-2) (Sunday 4:25 p.m. ET)
TV: CBS Line: DEN -4.0
Raiders: Obviously, the biggest story surrounding the Raiders is the resignation of Jon Gruden. How will the Raiders perform under their interim head coach, Rich Bisaccia?
Broncos: After a disappointing couple of weeks, the Broncos, led by linebacker Von Miller, look to get back on track with a win against their divisional rival.
Prediction: This is a must-win game for both teams. Both are in danger of losing three straight. They are also looking for their first win in October. I think the Raiders will rally around Bisaccia and will put up a fight. However, I think Denver and their defense get it done at home.
Denver: 27-13
Dallas Cowboys (4-1) vs. New England Patriots (Sunday 4:25 p.m. ET)
TV: CBS Line: DAL -3.0
Cowboys: Is Dallas legit? The last four weeks have certainly helped their case. Dak and Zeke are doing their thing on offense while Trayvon Diggs is having a breakout season. Diggs has an interception in all five games this season and leads the NFL with six. Overall, this Dallas team has a chance to make some noise late, but will they keep it up?
Patriots: Mac Jones is coming into his own this season. While he’s made his fair of rookie mistakes, he has shown a lot of promise. While they barely got over Houston, this team has shown that it can hang with the best of the best.
Prediction: Mac Jones will continue to improve, and he will have a solid game, but I just don’t think he can keep up with Dak and the Cowboys. I think the defense with Diggs and Micah Parsons will make enough plays late, and they will prevail.
Dallas: 27-17
Seattle Seahawks (2-3) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (2-3) (Sunday 8:20 p.m. ET)
TV: NBC Line: PIT -5.0
Seahawks: This is the Geno Smith game. After Russell Wilson went down last week, Geno came in, and to my surprise, he looked pretty good for not having thrown a football in three years. The Seahawks have so many playmakers on offense, but I can’t say the same for that defense.
Steelers: This is a massive game for the Steelers. It almost feels like a must-win. While they have the defense to win a Super Bowl, their offense hasn’t amounted to much this year, and it doesn’t help that receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster suffered a season-ending shoulder injury last week.
Prediction: While the Steelers are banged up, the Seahawks are more banged up, which is why I think the Steelers will get the win. Pittsburgh: 21-10
Buffalo Bills (4-1) vs. Tennessee Titans (3-2) (Monday 8:15 p.m. ET)
TV: ESPN Line: BUF -5.5
Bills: Josh Allen is good at football. The Bills are quickly turning into the team to beat in the AFC, and I don’t see that stopping here. They are a complete team and will pose a massive problem to a Titans defense that has had trouble getting stops this season.
Titans: While they are currently on top of their division, it hasn’t been a good season. They have struggled offensively and defensively. The one good thing they have going is that Derrek Henry is a tank, and no one has an answer for him.
Prediction: Derek Henry keeps the Titans within striking distance, but Josh Allen is too good. The Bills will win this game.
Buffalo: 24-13
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Jake Klausner is one of our new contributors here at thepyrrhic.com. Jake will be covering the NFL this season and maybe even some more American-based sports. Keep your eyes peeled for more from this author.