2014 Week 6 NFL Picks

14 wins and only one loss.

Yes, folks that was my prediction record last week. I did a fantastic job any way you want to look at it, and the incredible weekly record brings my season mark to a healthy 49-27 (64.47%).

As teams continue to play more consistently, the games will become easier to predict, and I expect my success to continue.

If you want to win an easy $10 Amazon gift card in an easy trivia contest this Thursday click on the following link or at the link at the bottom of this post: https://jacobssportstalk.wordpress.com/2014/09/01/annoucing-jacobs-sports-talk-nfl-twitter-trivia-contest

But if you want some provenly accurate NFL prediction advice, then get ready.

Here they are:

Indianapolis Colts (3-2) vs. Houston Texans (3-2) (Thursday at 8:25 PM ET)-

The Texans finally lost last week, and while this team is better than their 2-14 debacle last year, Ryan Fitzpatrick’s crew is not much above the mediocre mark.

Playing Andrew Luck and a rapidly improving Colts offense that is clearly playoff-bound, I don’t think Houston has enough…even at home.

Winner: Colts

The following games are on Sunday at 1:00 PM ET:

Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2) vs. Cleveland Browns (2-2)-

The Steelers are definitely one of the most inconsistent teams in the NFL. They are extremely hard to predict, but I do know this much: they barely beat the Jaguars last week, they lost to the Buccaneers a couple of weeks ago, and they hung on to only a three-point victory at home against these Browns in week 1.

With Brian Hoyer and Cleveland actually playing good football and this game being in Ohio, I’ll take the Browns to move above .500. Not much confidence because you never know with the Steelers.

Winner: Browns

New England Patriots (3-2) vs. Buffalo Bills (3-2)-

Last week, Tom Brady did what an elite quarterback does – he proved the doubters wrong. After a couple of tough losses that had even me shaking my head, Brady went out and led his team to a win over the then undefeated Bengals in prime time. It was a big statement, and while I still believe that the Patriots are on the decline, I have more faith in their playoff hopes.

While Kyle Orton and the Bills did get an upset win over the Lions last week, they still are a relatively weak team that lacks proven playmakers. I still expect them to finish right around the 6-10 or 7-9 mark at the end of the season.

On the road, the Patriots show some consistency. Brady’s crew gets their second straight win.

UPDATE: After further consideration, the Patriots’ inconsistency is concerning me further. Buffalo has looked impressive in some games this year, and at home, I’ll change my pick and say they get the “W”.

Winner: Bills 

Carolina Panthers (3-2) vs. Cincinnati Bengals (3-1)- 

Cam Newton and the Panthers looked pretty decent in a win over the Bears last week, while the Bengals got blown out by the Patriots in prime time.

Nevertheless, the Panthers remain a banged up team and the Bengals play much better at home than they do on the road.

I’m taking the healthier and more talented team to bounce back in front of their home crowd.

Winner: Bengals 

Jacksonville Jaguars (0-5) vs. Tennessee Titans (1-4)-

This is a tough pick between two bad teams.

Blake Bortles might be the future of the Jaguars, but this season, he makes them nothing more than a weak team.

The Titans have also looked terrible early in the season. Jake Locker may have future potential, but like the Jaguars, Tennessee lacks proven playmakers. It doesn’t help that Locker got injured again on Sunday and his status for this game is uncertain.

The Titans are probably the slightly better team. Playing at home, I’ll take them to get the win. However, this is nothing more than a toss-up.

Winner: Titans

Green Bay Packers (3-2) vs. Miami Dolphins (2-2)-

With big wins over the Bears and Vikings, Aaron Rodgers and the Packers have gotten right back on track. Rodgers’ elite play, the emergence of young running back Eddie Lacy, and the continued presence of wide receivers Randall Cobb and Jordy Nelson make this offense among the best in the NFL.

The Dolphins have looked decent so far this year, but against a great team like the Packers, I think Ryan Tannehill’s squad will be over-matched.

Winner: Packers

Detroit Lions (3-2) vs. Minnesota Vikings (2-3)-

Matthew Stafford and the Lions are demonstrating their typical inconsistency. They have to get it together if they want to truly contend for the postseason.

The Vikings got crushed last week, but that was without quarterback Teddy Bridgewater. With Teddy back for this game and the Vikings playing at home, I will take Minnesota to squeak out a tight divisional win.

Winner: Vikings

Denver Broncos (3-1) vs. New York Jets (1-4)-

This is Peyton Manning and one of the greatest offenses in NFL history going up against that Geno Smith/Michael Vick mess in New York. Excellent vs. terrible. A no-brainer pick here.

Winner: Broncos

Baltimore Ravens (3-2) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-4)-

After beating the Steelers and keeping things close with the Saints, it can probably be assumed that the Buccaneers are a better team under quarterback Mike Glennon than under quarterback Josh McCown. They still won’t be anywhere near the playoff race, but it is something to consider when looking at their talent.

The Ravens can sometimes look really bad, but lately, that has not been the case. Led by Super Bowl champion quarterback Joe Flacco, Baltimore has gathered up some impressive showings, and while they did lose a tight one to the Colts last week, I’m starting to strongly consider them as true threats for an AFC North crown.

I thought about an upset because the Bucs have played better and the Ravens are often inconsistent, but it’s still a bad team vs. a pretty good team. I’ll take favorite to get the W.

Winner: Ravens

San Diego Chargers (4-1) vs. Oakland Raiders (0-4) (Sunday at 4:05 PM ET)-

Philip Rivers and the Chargers are a solid team playing playoff-worthy football, while Derek Carr and the Raiders lack quality players and have played terribly to start the season.

This is an easy pick.

Winner: Chargers

The following games are on Sunday at 4:25 PM ET:

Chicago Bears (2-3) vs. Atlanta Falcons (2-3)-

This is a battle of two talented teams that just cannot seem to put it together.

With solid quarterback Jay Cutler, two stud wide receivers in Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery, and a great running back in Matt Forte, the Bears have the ingredients for a Super Bowl contending team. However, for whatever reason, they just cannot seem to put it together when it matters most, and that was proven against Carolina last week.

The Falcons also have some great weapons: quarterback Matt Ryan is a fantastic player, and you cannot go wrong with the wide receiver duo of Julio Jones and Roddy White. However, over the past couple of seasons, Atlanta has struggled to make that offense click and I ultimately think it will cost them a playoff spot in the end.

As far as this pick goes, it is a virtual toss-up. However, Atlanta tends to play better at home than they do on the road (a win over the Saints and a demolishment of the Buccaneers proves that point), so with low confidence, I will take the Falcons to edge out the Bears in this one.

Winner: Falcons

Dallas Cowboys (4-1) vs. Seattle Seahawks (4-1)-

Lately, Tony Romo and the Cowboys have been playing much better football. They haven’t had the hardest of schedules, but they have done what they needed to do to put themselves in a decent position for a playoff berth. The talent on the offense is undeniable, and while I do have my concerns over their inconsistency, I need to give some credit where credit is due.

However, this week, they’re playing the Seahawks…in Seattle.

I don’t think Dallas stands much of a chance.

Winner: Seahawks

Washington Redskins (1-4) vs. Arizona Cardinals (3-1)-

Though the offense does have some young, talented weapons, the Redskins are barely reaching the mediocre mark. Their play is resembling their 2013 debacle, and whether it’s RGIII or Kirk Cousins, they just cannot seem to get it done.

The Cardinals are also having some quarterback injury troubles, but unlike the Redskins, they’ve been able to deal with them in a proper manner. Even if Logan Thomas gets the start under center, Arizona is at home, and quite frankly, with some solid tools on both sides of the ball, they just find ways to win games.

I’ll take the more proven team, even if the QB situation doesn’t look great.

Winner: Cardinals

New York Giants (3-2) vs. Philadelphia Eagles (4-1) (Sunday at 8:30 PM ET)-

Nick Foles and the Eagles have plenty of talented offensive weapons, but in my eyes, they’re not quite an elite team. They’ve just barely squeaked out home victories over teams like the Rams and the Redskins, and I think they might be due for a tough loss.

Eli Manning and the Giants have been playing much better football as of late. They’ve won three in a row, and while I still don’t think they’ll do too much in the playoffs race, I will take them to get win #4 – an upset over the Eagles in Philadelphia.

Winner: Giants

San Francisco 49ers (3-2) vs. St. Louis Rams (1-3) (Monday at 7:30 PM ET)-

The Rams may have some talent and Austin Davis may actually be the quarterback of the future.

However, right now, the 49ers are a much more developed and consistent team. Even on the road, I will take them to get a Monday night win.

Winner: 49ers

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