NFL Week 6 Survivor Pool Picks
Week 6 is upon us and if you’re like the Villain, you’re still in your Survivor Pool. I dodged a bullet with the Baltimore Ravens coming back against the Indianapolis Colts. The Browns and the Eagles may have through a monkey wrench into your plans, but if you survived then it’s time to get to work. I’ll give you my tips and my pick for the week to move on to the next round.
Running totals (based on top picks only)
Last week vs Best Picks: 3-0
Season vs Best Picks: 11-1
Trap games: 5-2
Best Picks
Buffalo Bills at Tennessee Titans (+5.5)
Photo Credit: USAToday.com
I debated putting this game in the Lean Pick category because the Bills are coming off a big road win in Kansas City. There is a letdown coming off their 4-game win streak and the Titans can be physical enough to punch Buffalo in the mouth. But the Josh Allen lead Bills offense should be able to score on this poorest Titans defense. The Titans run game will control the clock and keep that Bills offense on the bench, but the Bills will score enough points. I would save the Bills if you were worried about the trap game factor, matchups against the Jets (twice), Dolphins, Jaguars and Falcons might keep them in my back pocket.
Los Angeles Rams (-10.5) at New York Giants
Photo Credit: USAToday.com
This will be a popular pick for this week and one of the games to lean into the Rams. The Giants are a beat-up team with almost 70% of their offense on the injury list. Saquon Barkley and Kenny Golladay are out, and Daniel Jones is in the concussion protocol. If Mike Glennon is the starter at quarterback for the Giants, then this is too easy to pass up. The Rams are coming off a mini bye having last played on Thursday night. Now the Giants played them tough last year and have no business being in that game, in LA no less. But this is a new year, I expect the Rams defense to punish the Giants.
Kansas City Chiefs (-6.5) at Washington Football Team
Photo Credit: USAToday.com
It’s hard to pick which of these teams are the bigger disappointment so far this season. No one would have guessed that the Chiefs would be 2-3 and playing in a must win game. The Football team is also 2-3 and need to get back in the win column to keep pace with the Cowboys. Both the Football Team and the Chiefs have awful defenses. The Washington’s defense has been pushed around all year when the idea was the defensive line was one of the best. Expect a lot of point to be score, but seeing Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs be desperate might be the edge they need. The Chiefs have the better QB, it’s a good time to take them before it gets any worse for them.
Lean Picks
Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts (-9.5)
The Colts almost ripped my heart out by narrowly losing to the Ravens in overtime. The Colts looked good for most of the game with Jonathan Taylor breaking through and Carson Wentz making throws. But the offense struggled to keep their foot on the Ravens’ throat. This is a lean pick for me because the Texan gave the Patriots all they could handle last week. I don’t think lighting will strike in the same spot twice, but buyer beware.
Cincinnati Bengals (-3.5) at Detroit Lions
News flash if you haven’t noticed, the Bengals are actually a good team. Wins against the Steelers and Vikings weren’t fools gold, they have a terrific offense lead by Joe Burrow, Tee Higgins, and Ja’Marr Chase. But both the Bengals and Lions are coming off heartbreaking losses, the Lions have had a season full of them already. The Lions have been very competitive in 3 of the 5 games and could be 3-2 right now. I think the Bengals bounce back after a tough game against the Packers, but the Lions are due. Be very careful picking this game.
Trap Game
Los Angeles Chargers (+3) at Baltimore Ravens
These are two teams riding thrilling comeback wins last week. The Ravens rallied to beat the Colts in overtime as Lamar Jackson had one of his best passing games as a pro. Justin Herbert is quickly becoming on of the best passers in the league and has been hot this year. The Chargers also coming off a nice comeback against the Browns but were exposed a bit on defense. The Chargers can’t stop the run, and the Ravens love to run. My gut is leaning to the Chargers because I’m not I love with the Ravens defense. But this can go either way.
Minnesota Vikings (-1) at Carolina Panthers
The Vikings have their last 2 games after starting 0-3. Carolina has lost their last 2 after starting the season 3-0. The Vikings offense against the Carolina defense is where this game will be won, but both teams are a bit shaky for me right now. The Vikings should have lost last week and Carolina hasn’t looked good without RB Christian McCaffery. I like the Vikings, but you couldn’t pay me to take this game.
