NFL 2009 Week 6: Picks & Selections
Benjamin Lee Eckstein
Eagles (-14) over Raiders-x
Gotta be the Birds by at least 20.
The numbers on each side of this equation are so dramatically opposite that anything less than a three TD bulge would be
shocking. Start with the quarterbacks.
Now you look at the weapons, and the Eagles are LOADED.
Chiefs (+6.5) over Redskins-x
Could the schedule makers have been kinder to Washington?
After opening against the Giants, the Redskins have played four winless teams. They barely beat St. Louis 9-7, lost to
Just 2-2 against teams that were a combined 0-9. Yuch. Now the'Skins get another winless team, amazing, and if they win, which is in doubt, it ain't gonna be by more than a FG.
Kansas City wants to avoid the first 0-6 start in franchise history, and will bring all the guns to the table.
How about this little gem: Washington comes into this game with an ugly 1-7 spread mark at home the last eight, and is a working on a big fat 0-9 streak against the AFC. Another BEST BET.
Texans (+5) over Bengals-x
Like the fact that Houston never gave up against Arizona after dropping into a 21-0 hole in the first half.
The Texans have done some fabulous spread work, covering nine of the last 11 on the road, coming off a road game. And since Cincy has covered only 3 of the last 13 as a favorite, we're all systems go with Houston.
Jaguars-x (-9.5) over Rams
Expected more from Jacksonville last week.
The Jaguars were coming off a 37-17 blowout against the Titans, then never showed up at Seattle, getting bageled, 41-0. This week, the Jags get healthy again because St. Louis is in town.
Leaving the Rush Limbaugh circus alone, all you have to know about the Rams is, they have scored a grand total of SEVEN points in three road games. If Jax can't whip a team that averages 2.3 ppg, it's time to close up shop.
Saints-x (-3) over Giants
Nice. You have 4-0 (N.O.) at home, against 5-0 (N.Y.) on the road. Both teams are also perfect against the spread.
So where's the edge?
Take a look at who the New Yorkers played to get to 5-0, and you see an Oakland, a Kaycee, a Tampa, a Dallas and a Washington. Combined record: 6-19.
At least New Orleans has played two solid teams (Eagles & Jets). And LOVE the Saints 8-1 spread record at home the last year and change.
Steelers-x (-14) over Browns
Cleveland covering only three of the last 14 overall, and with an ASTOUNDING 3.75 ppg average on the road the last four times out, ya gotta think that Pittsburgh bolts into the winner's circle by at least three TD's.
Falcons-x (-3) over Bears
Atlanta is a sweet 9-1 at home under
Vikings-x (-3) over Ravens
Baltimore hasn't shown well against teams with winning records, so we'll stay on the Purple side.
Panthers (-3) over Bucs-x
Run as fast as you can to any other game on the
Lions (+14) over Packers-x
Green Bay is on an 0-4 spread run as a favorite of eight points or more.
Cards (+3) over Seahawks-x
Arizona has covered six of the last eight on the road, and 75% is good enough for me.
Jets-x (-9.5) over Bills
Buffalo averaging 6.6 points per game the last three times out just ain't gonna get it done at the Meadowlands.
Patriots-x (-9) over Titans
Among other things,
Chargers-x (-3) over Broncos (Mon)
San Diego is on a 6-0 spread roll against Denver, and after a HUGE win over New England, the Broncs gotta throw in a clunker.
x-home team
Last week: 8-6
Season record: 39-37
2009 NFL WEEK 6 LATEST LINE
| Favorite | Points | Underdog |
|---|---|---|
| Bye Week: Dallas, Indianapolis, Miami and San Francisco Source: J. McCarthy |
||
| WASHINGTON | 6 (37) | Kansas City |
| CINCINNATI | 5 1/2 (45) | Houston |
| PITTSBURGH | 14 (38) | Cleveland |
| MINNESOTA | 3 (44) | Baltimore |
| JACKSONVILLE | 9 1/2 (43) | St. Louis |
| NEW ORLEANS | 3 (47) | NY Giants |
| Carolina | 3 (39) | TAMPA BAY |
| GREEN BAY | 14 (48) | Detroit |
| Philadelphia | 14 (40) | OAKLAND |
| SEATTLE | 3 (46) | Arizona |
| NY JETS | 9 1/2 (37) | Buffalo |
| NEW ENGLAND | 9 1/2 (41) | Tennessee |
| ATLANTA | 3 (46) | Chicago |
| SAN DIEGO | 3 1/2 (44) | Denver |
Giants (5-0) Visit Saints (4-0) in Battle of Unbeatens
NFL 2009 Week 6 Preview
"This is certainly the game of the week," says NFL Network analyst STEVE MARIUCCI of this Sunday's showdown between the 5-0 New York Giants and 4-0 New Orleans Saints. "It's a battle of undefeated teams and it could be a preview of what's to come in the playoffs. These two clubs will probably meet at some point in the postseason."
5 Undefeated Teams: Most Ever through 5 Weeks & Big Games Abound in Week 6
NFL 2009 Week 6 Preview
Five teams – Denver, Indianapolis, Minnesota, New Orleans and the New York Giants – enter Week 6 without a loss, the most undefeated clubs through the first five weeks of a season in NFL history. "This is the first time in my career to be 5-0," says Vikings quarterback BRETT FAVRE. "I'm very proud of this team. It's important to start fast. But it's not how you start, it's how you finish. It only gets tougher from here on out." And "here on out" starts in Week 6 for four of the five unbeatens.
Year Two - The Second Time Around for NFL Players
NFL 2009 Week 6 Preview
"The growth of most players from year one to year two is phenomenal," says former Dallas Cowboys vice president of player personnel (1960-1989) and NFL.com senior analyst GIL BRANDT
NFL 2009 Week 6 Schedule
(All times local)
Houston at Cincinnati, 1:00 PM
N.Y. Giants at New Orleans, 12:00 PM
Detroit at Green Bay, 12:00 PM
Baltimore at Minnesota, 12:00 PM
Cleveland at Pittsburgh, 1:00 PM
Carolina at Tampa Bay, 1:00 PM
Kansas City at Washington, 1:00 PM
St. Louis at Jacksonville, 1:00 PM
Tennessee at New England, 4:15 PM
Arizona at Seattle, 1:05 PM
Philadelphia at Oakland, 1:05 PM
Buffalo at N.Y. Jets, 4:15 PM
Chicago at Atlanta, 8:20 PM (NBC)
Denver at San Diego, 5:30 PM (ESPN) - MNF
Bye Week: Dallas, Indianapolis, Miami, and San Francisco
NFL 2009 Week 5 Results
(Home Team in CAPS)
Cincinnati 17, BALTIMORE 14
Atlanta 45, SAN FRANCISCO 10
Cleveland 6, BUFFALO 3
ARIZONA 28, Houston 21
CAROLINA 20, Washington 17
DENVER 20, New England 17 (OT)
Pittsburgh 28, DETROIT 20
SEATTLE 41, Jacksonville 0
Dallas 26, KANSAS CITY 20 (OT)
Indianapolis 31, TENNESSEE 9
N.Y. GIANTS 44, Oakland 7
PHILADELPHIA 33, Tampa Bay 14
Minnesota 38, ST. LOUIS 10
MIAMI 31, N.Y. Jets 27
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(c) 2009 Tribune Media Services, Inc.
