It feels like there hasn’t been this much parity in the National Football League in years. Each week, we seem to get at least one stunner and that’s proven by the fact there are no 5-0 teams for the first time in a decade. So, expect the unexpected in NFL Week 6.
Related: NFL Week 6 Power Rankings, See Risers and Fallers after Week 5
Let’s dive into our NFL Week 6 predictions, projecting every matchup on the NFL schedule this week from Thursday Night Football to Monday Night Football.
Philadelphia Eagles 27, New York Giants 17
NFL Week 6 Predictions
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The Philadelphia Eagles need to go back to running the football on Thursday Night Football, centering the game plan around Saquon Barkley. Entering Week 6, opponents are averaging 140 rushing yards per game and 5.3 yards per carry versus the New York Giants defense. New York’s offense has also demonstrated that, without Malik Nabers, this unit has nothing going for it. Philadelphia should win this fairly comfortably as long as they stick to the ground game and the defense plays up to expectations.
Denver Broncos 27, New York Jets 14
NFL Week 6 Predictions
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The fourth-quarter performance against the Eagles should be a springboard for this Denver Broncos offense. Now, Bo Nix faces a New York Jets team that has allowed an average 114.3 QB rating with an 11-0 TD-INT ratio this season. Denver’s defense boasts both the No. 1 corner to take away Garrett Wilson and the run defense (88.4 ypg allowed) to snuff out what New York does best. Week 6 provides Denver with an opportunity to prove it can win in dominating fashion.
Indianapolis Colts 24, Arizona Cardinals 20
NFL Week 6 Predictions
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Two of the keys to beating the Indianapolis Colts are being able to take advantage of their run defense (4.5 yards per carry allowed) and having a No. 2 receiver who can exploit the secondary outside of Charvarius Ward. Unfortunately for the Arizona Cardinals, they have shortcomings in both areas. Indianapolis can protect Daniel Jones against this Cardinals’ pass rush, and we should see Michael Pittman Jr. and Josh Downs take advantage of an injury-depleted Arizona secondary. The Colts win a close one at home again.
Los Angeles Chargers 20, Miami Dolphins 13
NFL Week 6 Predictions
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The Los Angeles Chargers need Omarion Hampton (ankle) to play in Week 6 so they can take advantage of a defense that is allowing 174.2 rushing yards per game and 5.6 yards per carry this season. If Hampton can’t go, then it will be on Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter to dial up a scheme that rattles Tua Tagovailoa and forces this Miami Dolphins offense to play from behind early. Given that the Chargers are starting a pair of backup offensive tackles and are susceptible to allowing explosive plays, Miami could pull off the Week 6 upset.
New England Patriots 27, New Orleans Saints 17
NFL Week 6 Predictions
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The New England Patriots defense alone should help them avoid falling into the same trap that New York did against the New Orleans Saints. New England’s secondary is now healthy and should be able to limit Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed, even if this young Saints’ offensive line holds up fairly well in pass protection. While it will be a competitive game, the Patriots’ defense and the play-making ability of quarterback Drake Maye, with the help of a true go-to receiver in Stefon Diggs, should propel New England to the victory.
Pittsburgh Steelers 17, Cleveland Browns 14
NFL Week 6 Predictions
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It’s not going to be a pretty football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns. Put another way, it’s just another division game in the AFC North. Myles Garrett and the Browns’ pass rush will pressure Aaron Rodgers, taking him down for multiple sacks and potentially forcing an interception. However, it won’t be enough for Cleveland to win. The Browns’ offense with Dillon Gabriel is just too predictable, and as bad as this Steelers’ defense was early in the season, it can stop a passing game that primarily throws short.
Dallas Cowboys 34, Carolina Panthers 27
NFL Week 6 Predictions
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Dak Prescott is putting up MVP-caliber numbers this season and running back Javonte Williams (5.7 ypc) is having a career year. While the Carolina Panthers have really improved at slowing down opponents’ rushing attacks, the Dallas Cowboys‘ passing game will take complete advantage of a pass defense that has by far the lowest pressure rate (7.1 percent) in the NFL. Prescott wins this one for Dallas.
Jacksonville Jaguars 20, Seattle Seahawks 17
NFL Week 6 Predictions
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Running the football is the one thing this Jacksonville Jaguars’ offense really has going for it right now. In Week 6, Travis Etienne faces a Seattle Seahawks team that allows just 83 rushing yards per game and 3.3 yards per carry. On the other side, we have a Jaguars’ defense that is better than anyone at generating takeaways versus a quarterback who has a history of giving away the football when pressured. Sunday’s Seahawks vs Jaguars game should be one of the best matchups of the week, but the cross-country trip for Seattle feels like it could be a decisive factor in this matchup.
Los Angeles Rams 35, Baltimore Ravens 14
NFL Week 6 Predictions
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This will probably be rock bottom for the Baltimore Ravens. In Week 6, the league’s worst passing defense faces Matthew Stafford, Puka Nacua, and Davante Adams. The end result feels predictable, especially with Lamar Jackson still expected to miss Week 6. There’s a golden opportunity here for Matthew Stafford to put up 300-plus yards and for the Rams’ offense to put its rough Thursday Night Football performance in the rearview.
Las Vegas Raiders 21, Tennessee Titans 20
NFL Week 6 Predictions
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A matchup between two of the worst teams in football, someone (probably) has to win. The Las Vegas Raiders should give Ashton Jeanty as many carries as he can handle against a Tennessee Titans defense that allows nearly 150 rushing yards per game. If the football is put in the hands of quarterback Geno Smith too often, Jeffery Simmons will tear through this Raiders’ offensive line and Smith will throw multiple interceptions. There will be a lot better games to watch in Week 6.
Green Bay Packers 31, Cincinnati Bengals 20
NFL Week 6 Predictions
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Ja’Marr Chase will make some big plays against this Green Bay Packers defense, exploiting a vulnerable secondary. That’s all the Cincinnati Bengals have going for them in this matchup. Coming off the bye, this is a get-right game for the Packers’ pass rush, and Jordan Love should have a multi-touchdown performance on Sunday afternoon with relative ease.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 26, San Francisco 49ers 21
NFL Week 6 Predictions
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The San Francisco 49ers could get Ricky Pearsall and Jauan Jennings back in Week 6, but the Tampa Bay Buccaneers simply look like the superior team right now. Tampa Bay can stifle Christian McCaffrey on the ground, especially against this 49ers’ offensive line, and it has the receivers to make plays against San Francisco’s secondary. The 49ers will make it a battle until the fourth quarter, but Baker Mayfield delivers again in the clutch for a victory.
Detroit Lions 28, Kansas City Chiefs 20
NFL Week 6 Predictions
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The Detroit Lions are the best team in the league entering Week 6. While we’ve seen Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs often rise to the occasion on Sunday Night Football, they don’t have the advantages in this matchup. Aidan Hutchinson can win consistently against right tackle Jawaan Taylor, and Kansas City doesn’t have anything close to an effective run game to slow down the Lions’ pass rush. As for the other side, David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs should be the focal points against a team that allows 4.9 yards per carry.
Atlanta Falcons 20, Buffalo Bills 17
NFL Week 6 Predictions
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Our NFL Week 6 predictions have largely been ‘chalk’ up to this point, but that changes for the first of two Monday Night Football matchups this week. The Atlanta Falcons had two weeks to prepare for the Buffalo Bills, and there are two things they have going for them in this matchup. First, Bijan Robinson against a defensive front that allows 145.6 rushing yards per game and 5.6 yards per carry. Second, Atlanta’s pass defense has limited opponents to 135 passing yards per game this season with a 78.3 QB rating, and Buffalo doesn’t have a No. 1 receiver that really scares a defense. Robinson gets one of his biggest workloads of the year on MNF, leading Atlanta to a clock-controlling stunner win over Buffalo.
Washington Commanders 28, Chicago Bears 24
NFL Week 6 Predictions
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The name of the game for the Washington Commanders on Monday Night Football needs to be feeding Bill Croskey-Merritt against the league’s second-worst run defense. Washington’s rookie running back showed what he’s capable of on Sunday, especially with a healthy Jayden Daniels under center. As long as the Commanders commit to the run, this pass rush (third-most sacks in NFL) should be able to disrupt the rhythm of this Chicago Bears‘ passing game enough to snag a primetime win.
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Matt Johnson is Senior Editor of NFL and College Football for Sportsnaut. His work, including weekly NFL and college ... More about Matt Johnson