2022 NFL picks, score predictions for Week 6

New England Patriots (2-3) at Cleveland Browns (2-3)

Sunday, October 16, 1:00 PM ET

Well, how about that? The New England Patriots should have been unanimously predicted to win this weekend — regardless of opponent — when it was announced that they were going to be wearing their absolutely beautiful alternate uniforms against the Detroit Lions. They absolutely embarrassed one of the best offenses in the NFL — the Detroit Lions — by shutting them out in New England.

The Patriots’ 29-0 win is an incredible display of coaching by the GOAT, Bill Belichick, who was not only welcoming one of the NFL’s top-scoring offenses to town but also having to use a rookie at the quarterback position. That rookie, Bailey Zappe, did his job running the offense and completing 17-of-21 passes while Rhamondre Stevenson ran all over Detroit’s defense to the tune of 161 yards.

The Cleveland Browns know a thing or two about running all over defenses, but they have struggled late in a couple of close games despite having one of the best offensive weapons in the game, Nick Chubb.

Chubb is out there just having his way with teams these days, proving that by averaging almost eight yards per carry against the Chargers on Sunday. The Browns have not been good at home this year (1-2 record there) and are really struggling in close games. All three of their losses so far this season have been by a combined six points. You don’t exactly want a matchup against a Belichick-coached defense to try and “get right”.

This game is such a toss-up on the surface for your weekly NFL picks but I give a slight edge to New England with the way they play defense.

Prediction: Patriots win 20-19