🏈 NFL 2020 Week 6 Preview 🏈

 

  

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Okay, so we are now approaching the midseason of the 2020-21 NFL season, as hard as that may be to believe. There are four undefeated teams remaining, two in each conference. On the flip side, there are three winless teams remaining, including two who play in the same stadium (MetLife Stadium in the Meadowlands). But I will predict that one of the New York/New Jersey area teams will actually win this weekend. Read on to find out which one:

There are some other big games, as well. A showdown in Carolina between the Bears and the Panthers. The Pack travel down to Tampa Bay to take on Brady and the Bucs in a Battle of the Bays. The red hot Rams face off against the Niners in San Francisco. And the Chiefs and Bills, both of whom lost their first games last weekend, square off in Buffalo. 

Here are my picks for Week 6:

Washington at NY Giants – Two of the likely worst teams in the league, with a combined record of 1-9 thus far this season, Washington has lost four straight games following their season opening game win, while the Giants are winless to this point. But the Giants have come close to winning games this season, including narrowly losing in Dallas last weekend. I expect them to overcome their prior limits and earn their first victory this week. My prediction: NY Giants          

Baltimore at Philadelphia - In terms of records, this may appear to be a mismatch. Perhaps it even is. But the Eagles are better, and possibly even far better, than their poor record of 1-3-1 to this point would suggest. They can at least give the Ravens a hard time, and they might even pull this one off. Either way, it should be a good game, with a lot of intrigue. This one might go down to the wire. All of that said, I still believe that the Ravens are the better overall team, which is why my prediction is for them to come out on top at the end of this one. My pick: Baltimore

Cleveland at Pittsburgh – Wow! Now, this is a big game. When was the last time that we were watching the Browns play in a big game against an elite team, while they themselves looked like they might be bordering on elite? They have won four straight to improve to 4-1 on the season, but the Steelers are one of only two undefeated AFC teams left at 4-0, and this game is in Pittsburgh, which is always a tough place for road teams to play. But that said, the Browns at least have familiarity with the Steelers, and Heinz Field. Also, they know only too well their own history against the Steelers, having produced only one win in the past ten games (there was one tie, as well). So while they may be excited about their current strong record, I suspect that they know only too well that nobody will take them too seriously in the division until they show that they can beat their two traditionally more accomplished and consist division rivals in the Ravens and especially Pittsburgh. And here is my upset special for this week (and I am a bit nervous to appear crazy for making this particular pick): the Browns will pull off a surprise against the Steelers this week. My pick: Cleveland  

Atlanta at Minnesota - A few seasons ago, this would have been a match-up between two serious contenders. Now, both teams look miserable, with a combined 1-9 mark between them. But the Vikings are the better team, and plus, they have home field advantage. The Falcons appear to be in disarray, as their season keeps spiraling out of control. This will likely be a loss for them, and another step in the direction of major changes in Atlanta. My pick: Minnesota

Cincinnati at Indianapolis - The Bengals my have been blown out in Baltimore last week, but they are an improving team. Still, they are just in the process of rebuilding, while the Colts have a real chance at the playoffs, and even a possible chance at the division title, provided they no longer continue to give ground to the Titans. Indy simply cannot afford to lose another game while Tennessee stays hot, and they should not lose this one, either. A win here is likely a bit too much to ask of the Bengals. My pick: Indianapolis

Chicago at Carolina - A showdown between two possible playoff contenders. The Bears have one of the best records in the NFC, and indeed the NFL, at 4-1. But the Panthers are red hot, having won three straight after dropping their first two games of the season. They need to win in order not to fall behind in their division, as they are tied with both the Saints and the Bucs. Meanwhile, the Bears cannot afford to give up any more ground to the still unbeaten Packers. Something has got to give. I believe it will be the Panthers, who will suffer a tough, demoralizing loss here. My pick: Chicago

Detroit at Jacksonville - Two teams with bad records (they each have only one win this season) square off in Jacksonville. The Jaguars surprised many people with a win on opening weekend, but they have not won since. The Lions, meanwhile, have disappointed many people, which is a pretty familiar story with this franchise, frankly. Still, they are the better team, and surely must feel a sense of urgency before this season goes completely out of control for them. Look for the Lions to win a tough one, taming the Jaguars. My pick: Detroit

Denver at New England - The Broncos are no longer a winless team, but they have to go up to Foxboro to take on a Patriots team that is feeling the pressure of a tough season with some narrow defeats thus far. Yet, for the first time in quite a while, the Pats also have a chance to close in on the Bills, who were threatening to race off with a bi lead in the division, but might now lose their second in a row against KC. The Patriots will have Cam Newton back, and that, combined with them being traditionally very tough to beat at home, should push them over the edge to a victory here. My pick: New England

Houston at Tennessee - The Texans finally at least got their first victory of the season last week. But now, once again, they head off on the road against a very tough team. Of course, there is always a chance of a major upset on any given Sunday, and all of that. However, that is exactly what it would be: a major upset. To this point in the season, there really is no reason to believe that the Texans can pull off that kind of a victory against the Titans, who are flying high. Then again, maybe the Titans are flying too high, and like Icarus, they will soon fly too close to the sun, and see the wings to their blessed season melt. Most likely it will not be this weekend, and I see the Titans more or less cruising in this one. My pick: Tennessee

NY Jets at Miami – The other winless team from the New York metropolitan area will, like their crosstown rivals, be facing off against the third place team in their division. But they will be facing a much better team, because the Dolphins actually are improved, and should be flying high with confidence after pulling off a huge West Coast road victory over the 49ers. Gang Green is a mess right now, and while they are bound to win a game sooner or later, it seems like there are just too many obstacles to see them finding a way to win this game. My pick: Miami

Green Bay at Tampa Bay - The battle of the bays used to take place twice every season, when these two teams were both a part of the NFC Central in the old days. No more. Now, these teams meet much less frequently, and they are likely not altogether too familiar with one another. The Packers remain undefeated, and their offense still looks incredible, like a well-oiled machine. They also are well-rested, while the Bucs are coming off a tough loss on the road in Chicago. The Packers are likely the better team, and despite being on the road, they should manage a win here. My pick: Green Bay

Sunday Night Football: LA Rams at San Francisco - The Rams are really rolling right now, while the 49ers are struggling, likely simultaneously feeling the pressure as the defending NFC champions, while also being plagued with injuries. They have lost two straight, and the Rams have a chance to pull away from them (and possibly Arizona, depending on whether they win or not) while trying to keep on the heels of the still undefeated Seahawks. Look for the Rams to win out in this one. My pick: LA Rams

Monday Night Football (early game) Kansas City at Buffalo - Two of the division leaders in the AFC square off, and both received punches in the mouth with their first losses last week. The Chiefs fought hard but lost at home against the Raiders, while the Bills got smashed down in Tennessee. Obviously, neither wants nor can afford to drop two straight. Buffalo is a tough city for road teams to play, but at least this is still in mid-October, which means it should still be relatively mild, and weather should not be a deciding factor. And the Chiefs are the better overall team, which is why I have to predict them coming out on top. My pick: Kansas City

Monday Night Football (late game) Arizona at Dallas - Unfortunately for the Cowboys, I do not think that they have sufficiently recovered from the loss of their star quarterback. Not sure how Andy Dalton will do in replacing Dak Prescott, or how much this might compromise their once promising season. The Cardinals are tough, but inconsistent. Then again, the same rings true of the Cowboys. That makes this game difficult to predict. But I will go with the Cardinals edging out the Cowboys. My pick: Arizona