NFL Week 6 Betting Picks

Favorites finally had their day in NFL online betting in Week 5, posting a 10-4-1 record ATS with just two underdogs claiming outright wins. Road teams get the nod from oddsmakers heading into NFL Week 6, with no fewer than seven home teams pegged as underdogs. Here’s a look at a few of those matchups.

Indianapolis Colts @ Houston Texans

Game Line: Indianapolis -2.5 | OU 46

The Colts are riding high on a three-game winning streak after starting the season with a pair of SU losses, and travel to Houston tied with the Texans atop the AFC South. Quarterback Andrew Luck has been the straw that stirs the Indy drink, leading the NFL with 1,617 passing yards and 14 TD tosses.

With Ryan Fitzpatrick at the helm, it has been all about the ground game for Houston. Fitzpatrick has been average for the Texans, throwing for 1,056 yards and five TDs against six interceptions, while the Texans’ pass defense has been mediocre, allowing 253 yards per game. Luck has shown signs of inconsistency, including two interceptions thrown last week against Baltimore, but will be hard for the Texans to stop. Combined with RB Trent Richardson and Ahmad Bradshaw’s solid ground game, the only obstacles likely to stop the Colts are their own mistakes.

Free Pick: Take Indianapolis and give the points. Indianapolis 24-16

New England Patriots @ Buffalo Bills

Game Line: New England -3 | OU 45

New England followed up on an embarrassing 41-14 Monday night loss to Kansas City in Week 4 with a 43-17 statement victory over the Cincinnati Bengals last Sunday night. Prior to last weekend’s game, Pats QB Tom Brady looked to be showing signs of age while his offensive line provided him with little support. But Brady responded like a hall-of-famer with 292 passing yards and two TDs against Cincy.

That is bad news for a Bills squad that has allowed 250+ passing yards on three occasions so far this season. With just 44 points combined in their last three outings and veteran Kyle Orton taking over the helm in place of struggling second-year QB EJ Manuel, the key to success for Buffalo will be shutting down Brady; something the Bills have been unable to do, losing SU in seven of their last eight meetings with New England, with Brady lighting up the Bills, averaging 275.5 passing yards and throwing 21 TD passes during that stretch.

Free Pick: Take New England and give the points. New England 28-15

San Diego Chargers @ Oakland Raiders

Game Line: San Diego -7 | OU 43

The red-hot Chargers travel to Oakland to take on the winless Raiders in a classic matchup of two teams headed in opposite directions. The 4-1 Chargers utterly dominated a wayward looking New York squad last weekend, thumping the Jets 31-0 while holding them to just 151 total yards. This was the same Jets team that amassed over 400 yards of offense in a 19-14 win over the Raiders in Week 2.

Oakland has enjoyed some success on defense, holding opponents to just 207 yards per game in the air. But with Chargers QB Phillip Rivers looking like a serious MVP candidate, with 1,443 passing yards and 12 TDs against just two interceptions, the Raiders will need to score some points just to keep things close. With a league-worst 12.75 points per game, a feeble ground game, and just two SU home wins in their last 10 against San Diego, it is likely to be another long afternoon for the Raiders.

Free Pick: Take San Diego and give the points. San Diego 33-10

Baltimore Ravens @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Game Line: Baltimore -3.5 | OU 43

The 3-2 Ravens’ solid start was ground to a halt in Week 5 against the Indianapolis Colts, who played both outstanding defense and an effective possession game to claim a 20-13 win. It was a hard pill to swallow for the Ravens, who have used the clock to their advantage, particularly in their 26-6 win over Pittsburgh, but were unable to take advantage of four Indy turnovers, penetrating the Colts’ red zone just once in the first three quarters.

The Buccaneers were expected to be a much stronger defensive force this season. Instead they have allowed the second-most points against this season, over 31 per game. With a combined 58 points in the last two weeks, the Buccaneers have shown some signs of life offensively, but are winless in their last three at home, SU and ATS, The opportunity is ripe for the Ravens to bounce back, but don’t expect a rout.

Free Pick: Take Tampa Bay and the points. Baltimore 21-19

Denver Broncos @ New York Jets

Game Line: Denver -8 | OU 47

The 1-4 New York Jets are coming off one of their worst performances in recent memory, an embarrassing 31-0 loss to San Diego in which their time of possession was just over 21 minutes while their total yardage was a meagre 151 yards. The Jets are winless ATS this season, 0-4-1, with their only SU win coming at home against the hapless Oakland Raiders in Week 1.

The 3-1 Broncos are coming off their first truly decisive win of the season, a 41-20 beating of Arizona, their first ATS win in their last five games. The Broncos are 4-2 SU and ATS in their last six meetings with the Jets, and take on a New York squad facing a tough quarterback decision ahead of Sunday’s game. After completing just four passes for 27 yards against the Chargers, it remains to be seen whether Geno Smith will get the call against Denver, or if the Jets will look to veteran Michael Vick for salvation, although neither will likely keep pace with Broncos QB Peyton Manning

Free Pick: Take Denver and give the points. Denver 27-16

Green Bay Packers @ Miami Dolphins

Game Line: Green Bay -3 | OU 49

The 2-2 Miami Dolphins return to action following a bye in Week 5, and continue a tough early-season schedule against Green Bay. Sunday’s game against the Packers will be Miami’s third of the season against an opponent that qualified for last season’s NFL playoffs. The Dolphins shocked New England with a 33-20 comeback win in Week 1 but were badly beaten, 34-15, by Kansas City in Week 3. Miami has been effective at limiting opponents’ yardage on the ground, but have still given up over 24 points per game.

The 3-2 Packers have come to life in their last two games, outscoring opponents 80-27 in wins over division rivals Minnesota and Chicago. While Green Bay has just one SU win in their last five visits to South Florida, they are 4-1 ATS and will prove to be a formidable test for Miami’s defense in what could be a shootout that could go either way.

Free Pick: Take Miami and the points. Miami 30-28