After going 5-0 last week, Nick Ballistreri (19-8) looks to have a repeat performance in Week 6.
Week 5 Record: 5-0
Week 6 Record (so far): 1-0
NFL Season Record: 19-8
I told you I’d turn things around. I went 5-0 last week and am already 1-0 this week thanks to the Patriots late cover on TNF. Expect results like this every week from now on.
Atlanta Falcons @ Arizona Cardinals Preview
After an offseason filled with high hopes, expectations, and Super Bowl dreams, the Falcons are sitting at 1-4 heading into Week 6. It’s hard to pinpoint one specific thing that is plaguing this team, but to this point, they just aren’t very good. They’re coming off a loss in Houston where they gave up 53 points, and allowed opposing QB Deshaun Watson to compile a perfect passer rating along with 5 touchdowns.
The Cardinals are who we thought they were: A rebuilding team with some exciting young players. Kyler Murray has been erratic as expected, but he has shown some flashes that show he’ll be their QB of the future. The Cardinals are sitting at 1-3-1, and while they haven’t looked like a playoff team, it’s reasonable to think they’ve looked better than expected.
The Falcons are 2.5 point road favorites in this one. They should have no issue scoring points against the Cardinals defense, and with Cardinals star RB David Johnson currently questionable with a back injury, it’ll be hard for Arizona to go score for score. Give me the Falcons winning by at least a touchdown.
Atlanta Falcons @ Arizona Cardinals Pick
Seattle Seahawks at Cleveland Browns
Newsflash: The Seahawks are good. They are coming off an impressive TNF win over the Los Angeles Rams, and have looked like a Super Bowl contender. Russell Wilson may be the leader for MVP, and the defense continues to show flashes of being worthy of a deep run.
The Browns on the other hand, we just don’t know much about. They have shown flashes of greatness, and flashes of complete incompetence. They are coming off an embarrassing 31-3 loss on MNF where they were out-coached, out-played, and out-classed on national TV. Sitting at 2-3, the Browns are starting at a tough stretch coming up and must respond before it’s too late.
The Seahawks are 2 point road favorites in this one. This line is interesting to me for a couple reasons. First, the Seahawks just look like the much better team. They are also coming off a long week, whereas the Browns are coming off a short week. Another quick tidbit to note: The Seahawks are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 road games. Give me the Seahawks comfortably.
Washington Redskins at Miami Dolphins
A potential Super Bowl preview in South Florida! Just kidding, that couldn’t be further from the truth. These two teams are a combined 0-9, and the good news is that one will finally get their first win of the season (unless a tie?).
The Dolphins have been transparent in their efforts to tank for the future. The Redskins have not, as they just fired coach Jay Gruden and had their Owner come out and say that tanking will not be in their plans this season. That’s a head-scratching move in my opinion, but when Dan Snyder is the owner, nothing surprises me anymore.
The Redskins are 3.5 point road favorites in this one. As bad as the Redskins are, I just think they’re the better team. They have more talent on defense, and some pieces on offense that can make big plays. I don’t feel great about this pick, mainly because both teams are horrible, but I’m going to take the Redskins, but I’m going to buy them to -2.5 to cover my back on a 3 point win.
Houston Texans at Kansas City Chiefs
This game could have fireworks. With two of the most explosive offenses in the league, the Over/Under for this game is set at an astronomical 55.5. Safe to say, I will not be touching that total. The Texans are coming off an explosion where they scored 53 points, and their QB had a perfect passer rating.
The Chiefs are coming off a stinker. They scored only 13 points on SNF, and Pat Mahomes looked ordinary for a change. It was the first time they were held under 26 points with Mahomes at QB, which is a truly shocking statistic.
I believe this has the potential to be the game of the week. Both of these teams have playoff-aspirations, and they have offenses to back them up. The problem for them is their defenses, and in this game, there won’t be much defense being played. I expect A LOT of points, and I don’t see how Andy Reid gets his offense shut down two weeks in a row.
The Chiefs are 4.5 point favorites in this one, and I expect them to win by at least a touchdown in this one. Queue up the Pat Mahomes for MVP talk once again.
Cowboys at Jets
Just two weeks ago, the Cowboys were 3-0 with a two-game lead in the NFC East. Now, they’re 3-2, and tied with the Eagles for first. In the NFL, things can change quickly. The Jets are 0-4, but they received some good news when QB Sam Darnold was cleared for this game. Sigh of relief for Jets fans everywhere.
The Cowboys have struggled their last two games, but their offense showed signs of life last week. They’ve shot themselves in the foot the past couple weeks, and if it wasn’t for a few miscues, they could easily be 5-0 right now. Playing a Jets team may be the perfect antidote to a struggling team.
Although the Jets get Sam Darnold back, they still are not a good team. They have injuries all over the ball, and things may get worse before they get better. The Cowboys are only 7-point favorites in this one, and I think that line can be attributed to recency bias towards the last two Cowboys game. I don’t think this game is close, and I think the Cowboys remind everyone just who they are this week. Cowboys big.
