2015 NFL Predictions For Week 6: The Bengals finally stumble

The Cincinnati Bengals are one of the NFL’s remaining unbeaten teams. It’s true and it’s unbelievable. That streak should come to an end this week in one of the more notable of our 2015 NFL Predictions for Week 6.

It’s do or die time for a handful of teams, including the Chiefs, Texans, Dolphins and, perhaps the most desperate, the Lions. There’s still plenty of season left to go but that doesn’t mean any of these teams will be safe if they don’t find a way to win this week. The schedule looks very compelling for the weekend so with that, let’s get to the picks. As always, lines come courtesy of Bovada LV and the home teams are in ALL CAPS.

ALSO ON SPIN ZONE: NFL Power Rankings: Andy Dalton a Top 3 QB?

Broncos (-5) over BROWNS: The Denver defense will be too good for Cleveland and the surprisingly effective Josh McCown, even without DeMarcus Ware. The Browns really showed something in coming back to beat Baltimore on the road last week but this matchup is the last thing they needed as a follow-up.

Oct 11, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals running back Giovani Bernard (25) runs the ball against the Seattle Seahawks in overtime at Paul Brown Stadium. Cincinnati defeated Seattle 27-24. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

BILLS (+3.5) over Bengals: A 17-point comeback to beat the Seahawks and remain undefeated? Maybe these aren’t the same old Cincinnati Bungles after all. Still, such a stirring win sets the Bengals up for a big-time letdown. The Bills are trying really hard to give away the inherent advantages they have in this matchup (Sammy Watkins mouthing off, as per Mike Rodak of ESPN.com, an injured starting QB) but playing at home, they still pull it out.

Chiefs (+4) over VIKINGS: It isn’t like the KC offense was even decent before Jamaal Charles got hurt so his loss, painful as it is both for him and Chiefs fans, doesn’t really change the fact that this is a lousy, poorly coached team. But even though the Vikings should win this game, it won’t be a surprise to see the Chiefs man up and keep it close in honor of their fallen teammate.

Texans (+1) over JAGUARS: The GGOTW (that stands for Grossest Game of the Week) features these two AFC South rejects, both of whom need a win in a major way but can’t seem to figure out how to get one. Although they’re playing at home, the young Jags still won’t get it done thanks to a hungry Brian Hoyer rightfully returning to the starting QB spot.

More from NFL

Bears (+3) over LIONS: Man, the Lions are in it bad. They played like quitters at home against the Cardinals last week and now have to bounce back in a division game against a streaking Bears team that is coming together under John Fox. Even Jay Cutler looks like he cares! Three wins in a row on tap for Chicago while Detroit fans can start worrying about another 0-16 campaign.

JETS (-7) over Washington: Yes, the New York Jets are worthy of giving a touchdown to an opponent in Week 6 of 2015. Washington is notably better than in years past but then, so are the Jets. And while they are unlikely to keep up the pace all year (a showdown with the Patriots is next on the docket), there’s more than enough on their defense to give Kirk Cousins and the Washington O plenty of trouble.

Oct 11, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) drops back to pass during the second quarter against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

Cardinals (-4) over STEELERS: Pittsburgh needed a virtual Hail Mary from Mike Vick to Markus Wheaton and a horrid play call on the last snap of the game to go its way just to squeak past the Chargers last week so don’t be fooled into thinking Arizona will be stopped from invading Heinz Field and blow doors. Right now, the Steelers are treading water as they not so patiently wait for Ben Roethlisberger to get back and the Cards are rolling. This feels like an easy bet.

TITANS (-1) over Dolphins: A week off and a new coach for the Dolphins and you know what? It won’t matter. It’s cool that interim coach Dan Campbell had his team do Oklahoma drills. Talk about tough: Conor Orr of NFL.com relays the story of the Miami sideline leader and his burst appendix. Still, does that mean Miami will stop being an embarrassment? As for the Titans, it’s really tough to pick them – last year they won in Week 1 then lost 14 out of 15 which doesn’t exactly inspire much confidence given the way this season has unfolded so far. But they should beat the Dolphins at home.

Panthers (+7) over SEAHAWKS: Man, the Seahawks can’t get out of their own way, can they? They should have lost to Detroit and they blew a 17-point fourth quarter lead to the Bengals six days later. What’s going on? Now they host a 4-0 Panthers team that always plays them tough? Seattle should win this but it certainly won’t be easy.

Chargers (+10.5) over PACKERS: Poor San Diego. The Chargers had their guts ripped out on Monday night and their quarterback Philip Rivers told Michael Gehlken of The San Diego Union-Tribune that he had to use a silent count at times in his own stadium. Things will not get easier against Aaron Rodgers and the Packers at Lambeau this week, even though both he and they proved somewhat mortal last week against the Rams. What does this mean? It means that the Chargers will not get blown out. Lucky them.

Ravens (-2) over 49ERS: This one is a contestant for GGOTW but both teams were good recently so they’re absolved for now. But seriously, what’s wrong with the Ravens? The team’s Twitter account seems to want to point to injuries, but could the change at offensive coordinator really have had that dramatic of an effect? Gary Kubiak was there a year, that’s it. And Marc Trestman is a proven success as OC. Maybe John Harbaugh is looking around like his brother. Whatever the reason, John will win this one for brother Jim in the younger Harbaugh’s old stomping grounds.

Patriots (-10) over COLTS: You heard it here first: The Patriots will not beat the Colts by a million points. There’s just too much reverse lock potential here for this game to be as much of a bloodbath as everyone is expecting. Does that mean the Colts will win? Nope. It means they’ll lose 38-21 as opposed to, say, 100-0.

EAGLES (-4.5) over Giants: This line may well change depending on whether or not Odell Beckham Jr. plays. If he doesn’t, the Giants will be hard pressed to win with Eli Manning forced to throw checkdowns to Shane Vereen for an entire game as opposed to just one or two drives like in last week’s win over the 49ers. Meanwhile, Philly finally started to look like it was putting everything together last week against the Saints. Playing at home against a team with as many questions as the Giants have right now means they’ll keep it rolling.

Last Week: 9-4

Season to date: 43-29

Next: The NFL Needs to Review its Values

More from NFL Spin Zone

Home/NFL