NFL Week 6 Against the Spread Picks

When the New Orleans Saints walloped the Washington Redskins by a 43-19 score last night on Monday Night Football, that was the first time in the storied history of the NFL that a game had ended with that score. Elsewhere in Week 5, we saw that cracks may be forming in Dallas under the feet of head coach Jason Garrett as owner and general manager Jerry Jones pointedly questioned Garrett’s decision to punt in overtime down in Houston, before the Texans mounted a drive that ended in a game-winning field goal. Detroit continued their feast-or-famine approach to this season, following a loss in Dallas with a win at home over Green Bay. Now, let’s take a some NFL Week 6 odds to look ahead at our top picks against the spread in Week 6. As always, home teams are in all caps.

NFL Week 6 Against the Spread Picks

NFL Week 6 Power Rankings: 1. @RamsNFL 2. @Chiefs 3. @Saints 4. @Patriots 5-32. https://t.co/P5kcdOYcGv (via @HarrisonNFL) pic.twitter.com/ZwgaaqjK8F

— NFL (@NFL) October 9, 2018

Sunday, October 14, 1:00pm ET

Carolina (+1) over WASHINGTON (FOX)

The Redskins’ lack of a passing defense was exposed once again on Monday Night Football as Drew Brees not only broke the career passing yardage record that Peyton Manning had held but also threw his 499th career touchdown pass, just one away from one of the most exclusive clubs in all of professional sport. Washington also struggled to move the ball against a New Orleans defense that, to be charitable, has been somewhat flexible in the early going of the 2018 campaign. Alex Smith looked rushed all night long and made an uncharacteristically high number of poor decisions as the game wore on. Now the Redskins prepare to welcome a much more physical defense when Carolina comes to town on Sunday. The Panthers gave up 326 yards through the air to a rejuvenated Eli Manning, but it was about time for the Giants’ offensive line to show up for a game, and he finally had the time he needed to find receivers down the field. Washington’s offensive line was off sync for much of the night against New Orleans, a trend that Carolina will exploit time and again. I see the Panthers imposing their will in a physical game. NFL Week 6 Prediction: Carolina 27, Washington 23

N.Y. JETS (-2.5) over Indianapolis (CBS)

The Indianapolis Colts had a long week off after losing to New England back on Thursday. The problem for the Colts comes on defense, as they simply can’t keep opponents out of the end zone. In three of their four losses, they have given up 34 points or more, which is a hole too deep for just about any quarterback to dig a team out of, even a quarterback as talented as Andrew Luck. The Colts have only failed to score 21 points or more in just one of their games this season, but they have just a 1-4 record to show for it. They visit a Jets team that ended a three-game losing streak in emphatic fashion last week, as they opened a three-game homestand with a 34-16 win over Denver. Quarterback Sam Darnold appears to be growing into the game, as he sliced and diced the Broncos’ offense a week ago. The key will be consistency, as the Jets also put up 48 points in Week One only to put up fewer points in the next three games combined. With that porous Colts defense, though, Darnold should have plenty of chances to gain yards down the field. NFL Week 6 Prediction: New York 34, Indianapolis 27

Sunday, October 14, 4:05pm ET

L.A. Rams (-7) over DENVER (FOX)

The Rams moved to 5-0 this past weekend after surviving a trip to Seattle with a 33-31 win against a suddenly energized Seahawks team. The Rams’ defense gave up an uncharacteristically high number of points to Seattle but should not have as many problems with a Denver offense that consists of Case Keenum and an inconsistent ground game. Keenum did throw for 377 yards against the Jets, but Denver could only muster 16 points against one of the lesser teams in the AFC East as the Broncos could not run when they needed to. Jared Goff, Cooper Kupp and Todd Gurley continue to grow into one of the more exciting offensive trios in the league right now — a major factor in that 5-0 start. The Rams are a threat to score every time they get the ball on offense, which mounts a significant challenge to opposing offensive coordinators, who do not want to have to play from behind against that type of attack. Denver doesn’t have the balance on offense to keep up with the Rams. NFL Week 6 Prediction: Los Angeles 30, Denver 17