NFL Picks Against the Spread 2017: Week 6 Games

Before the sixth Sunday of the 2017 NFL regular season kicks off, let’s have some fun by taking a look at the spreads for today’s games. (Click here for NFL Week 6 picks without regard to the spread.)

Here are suggestions when trying to beat the odds. You can find all of today’s NFL betting lines and more via SB Nation. My regular season record after the fifth week is 35-35-1. Let’s get to the picks.

NFL Week 6 Games

New England Patriots (-10) at New York Jets: It’s very tempting to take the points here. It’s a division game. The Patriots haven’t looked like the Patriots this season. New York is getting 10 points at home. But is it really smart to rely on Josh McCown and company over Tom Brady? No. So I’ll do it anyway. PICK: Jets +10

Miami Dolphins at Atlanta Falcons (-13.5): The Falcons should be well-rested after having a bye in Week 5. They should do work on this Miami team. Jay Cutler averaged 3.5 yards per attempt against the Titans at home. I don’t think he’s going to be able to put up points to match with Atlanta. Take the Dirty Birds. PICK: Falcons -13.5

Green Bay Packers (-3.5) at Minnesota Vikings: Case Keenum versus Aaron Rodgers. Does this need more explanation than that? The Packers should be able to handle business here. PICK: Packers -3.5

San Francisco 49ers at Washington Redskins (-11): The 49ers are 3-2 against the spread this season. San Fran might be winless, but they’ve played some opponents tight. They lost to the Seahawks by three, the Rams by two, the Cardinals by three, and the Colts by three. Now it’s not like most of those teams are very great or anything, but it shows there’s been good effort there. One has to consider the Kyle Shanahan factor in this matchup after his exit from Washington. Call me crazy and give me the points. PICK: 49ers +11

Chicago Bears at Baltimore Ravens (-7): Mitchell Trubisky looked like a deer in headlights on Monday Night Football. He just did not look ready for the moment at all. Now the Bears have to travel to Baltimore on a short week. The Ravens feel like a safe pick despite some rocky moments so far this season. PICK: Ravens -7

Detroit Lions at New Orleans Saints (-4.5): The Lions marched into New Orleans last year and beat the Saints by 15 points. I don’t see a repeat of that this season. Matthew Stafford is banged up for this game and the Saints are getting left tackle Terron Armstead back. The Saints also won’t be wasting plays on Adrian Peterson now that they’ve traded him. Addition by subtraction. PICK: Saints -4.5

Cleveland Browns at Houston Texans (-10): The Texans’ defense has taken some big hits after losing J.J. Watt and others. But at least they still have Deshaun Watson. The Browns could’ve had Watson but they decided to pass on a first round quarterback again this season. At least they have Kevin Hogan! Sike. Houston winning this. PICK: Texans -10

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-2) at Arizona Cardinals: The Cardinals are the only winless team in the NFL against the spread this season (0-5). I don’t think that changes today. Arizona’s home field advantage is worth considering, but so is the fact that they’re bad. Then again, I’m not sure the Bucs are much better. They are coming off extra rest after playing on Thursday Night Football, so maybe that helps. But Jameis Winston is going to have to look a lot better than he has. I don’t know. I’d stay away from this one. PICK: Buccaneers -2

Los Angeles Rams at Jacksonville Jaguars (-2): Tough matchup for the Rams here. Their run defense ranks sixth to last and the Jaguars lead the NFL in rushing yards per game. L.A. is doing the West Coast to East Coast trip, so that doesn’t help them either. I like the Jags here despite the fact their team is effectively operating without a quarterback. PICK: Jaguars -2

Pittsburgh Steelers at Kansas City Chiefs (-4.5): It’s hard to imagine Ben Roethlisberger won’t bounce back after throwing five interceptions last week. But Big Ben’s road numbers aren’t so great compared to his home numbers. The Chiefs have been a roll and there’s no reason to think they’re slowing. Andy Reid is always due for an annoying loss that shouldn’t happen, so that’s always something to consider, but I think they’re just better than the Steelers and they’re at home. PICK: Chiefs -4.5

Los Angeles Chargers at Oakland Raiders (-3.5): I don’t really trust this Raiders team. They’re getting Derek Carr back, sure, but back injuries are always concerning. I also think the Chargers are pretty bad, though, so I have a hard time taking them. I’m cautiously picking Oakland. PICK: Raiders -3.5

New York Giants at Denver Broncos (-12.5): Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahaahahahahh PICK: Broncos -12.5