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Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

NFL Week 6 Mock Contest: First bye week of the season sharpens the focus

By Matt Wiesenfeld | Last updated 10/12/22

We posted another winning week for those following here. It was not quite the 4-1 mark we posted the week before, with Minnesota coming up a .5 point short. Plus, who knows that would have happened if Teddy Bridgewater is not forced to leave the game so early against the Jets.

This is the first week of the season with some teams on a bye so we are losing some menu options. Instead of choosing five games from 16, we are stuck with choosing five from 14 this week. Most of the games are predicted to be reasonably close with spreads under a touchdown.

Before we get to to the picks here is a reminder of how we are doing so far. (5 games per week)

Week 1 Record: 2-3
Week 2 Record: 3-2
Week 3 Record: 2-3
Week 4 Record: 4-1
Week 5 Record: 3-2

Combined Record: 14-11

Week 5 In Review

Miami -3
There are no mulligans in sports betting but I never would have backed the Phish with their third string QB

Tennessee -2.5
The Titans are building as the season progresses, even though they killed me in Week 1 of the Survivor Pool.

Minnesota -7
Minnesota ran out of gas in the second half after the London trip. Lesson learned and something to watch.

San Francisco -6.5
An easy win got Panthers coach Matt Rhule fired.

Dallas +4.5
I thought they would keep it close against the Rams. Instead, they beat them outright so we never had to sweat.

Week 6 Picks (Finally)

Arizona Cardinals -2.5 (at Seattle Seahawks)

The Cards are kind of lurking in the weeds. They are just 2-3 SUATS but they are 2-0 SUATS on the road this season. This was supposed to be an easy win with Seattle being a league doormat this year. That hasn't been the case but I still like Arizona to be able to get a win and they don't have to dominate here to get the cover. I still don't trust Seahawks QB Geno Smith.

Minnesota Vikings -4 (at Miami Dolphins)

The status of Bridgewater was questionable the last time I looked but whether he plays or not the Vikings have more than enough offense to get the win at Miami. The number is less than ideal at -4 but I see the Vikings winning by 7. Sometimes you have to take a number that isn't perfect. With their ability to run the ball Minnesota can salt games away.

Baltimore Ravens -5.5 (at New York Giants)

This is another deadline at -5.5 and another spot where I like the road favorite. New York has to be overvalued off of their win against Green Bay last week and now they are playing without rest after playing in London last week. Prepping for Ravens QB Lamar Jackson is totally different than prepping for Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers. New York might be semi-legit but this spot is terrible for them even though they are at home.

San Francisco 49ers -5.5 (at Atlanta Falcons)

There is no doubt that the Falcons have been feisty this season, especially against the better teams. With due respect, the 49ers are the best team the Falcons will have played this season. Another dead number and another spot where an easy win from a team that knows how to grind out games on the ground. This is the best defense in the league that SF will be trying to come back against.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers -8.5 (at Pittsburgh Steelers)

This is a big number but the Steelers are the lowest-scoring team in the league and that is unlikely to change quickly with a rookie QB against a good defense. Also, this is no Steel Curtain defense this season, they are 27th in the NFL in points allowed. Put those things together and with Tom Brady on the other side and I see an easy win for the Steelers. This number should probably be over ten points.

Five road favorites, fancy that.

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