Well, I finally got an opportunity to go through all of my picks for the past few weeks and figure out how I've been doing thus far, and I'm doing significantly better than I thought I was. After destroying it in Week 5 by going 9-3 straight-up and 8-4 against the number, I now have a winning record in both cases. So, if you've been using these picks for something other than entertainment purposes. . .even though I told you not to do that. . .then you've come out ahead thus far.
Just barely ahead, but hey, it's better than nothing.
So, with that, let's move on to the Week 6 NFL picks, shall we? Follow me past the jump and we'll see what's up.
Game of the Week: San Francisco 49ers at Detroit Lions (-4.5)
Okay, who had these two teams coming into this one with a 9-1 record? Whatever, put your hands down, because you're lying to me. Both of these teams have been nice stories thus far this season, but Detroit is just playing scary football right now. It's hard to go against them.
Straight-Up: Lions, ATS: Lions
Lock of the Week: St. Louis Rams at Green Bay Packers (-15)
Believe me, I hate the Green Bay Packers as much as anybody. . .but man, I think Vegas could add another 10 points to this line, and I still wouldn't bet on the Rams.
Straight-Up: Packers, ATS: Packers
Upset of the Week: Philadelphia Eagles (-3) at Washington Redskins
Seriously, can anyone give me a good reason why the Eagles are favored here? Unless they fixed their offensive line and have started employing NFL-caliber players at linebacker, I'm not sure they should be favored over anybody.
Straight-Up: Redskins, ATS: Redskins
The Rest of the Week
Jacksonville Jaguars at Pittsburgh Steelers (-13)
The Steelers are the better team, to be certain. . .but I don't like them enough at this point to cover a double-digit spread in this one.
Straight-Up: Steelers, ATS: Jaguars
Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons (-4)
The Falcons don't lose very often at home with Matt Ryan at quarterback, and while Cam Newton has been awesome this season (to say the least), I have to give the Atlanta the respect at home.
Straight-Up: Falcons, ATS: Falcons
Indianapolis Colts at Cincinnati Bengals (-7)
The Bengals have been one of the league's bigger surprises this year, and are actually keeping pace in the AFC North thus far. A home game against what might be the NFL's worst team will be a good way to ensure they continue to hang out with the Steelers and the Ravens in the division.
Straight-Up: Bengals, ATS: Bengals
Buffalo Bills at New York Giants (-3)
The Bills have been another feel-good story so far this season, and the Giants are coming off of an awful home loss to the Seattle Seahawks. The Giants lead the NFL in sacks so far this season, and should harass Ryan Fitzpatrick just enough to get New York a bounce-back victory.
Straight-Up: Giants, ATS: Giants
Houston Texans at Baltimore Ravens (-7)
The Texans have started off the season strong, but they simply aren't the same team without Andre Johnson lining up at wide receiver. Without him, they're not beating Baltimore, especially not on the road.
Straight-Up: Ravens, ATS: Ravens
Cleveland Browns at Oakland Raiders (-7)
After a hugely emotional win last week in Houston, the Raiders appear to really have something going this season. The Browns are still rebuilding, and will have a rough time at the Black Hole against the Silver and Black.
Straight-Up: Raiders, ATS: Raiders
Dallas Cowboys at New England Patriots (-7)
Both of these teams can put up the points, that's for sure. But, as it pertains to the guys calling the signals, I have more faith in Tom Brady to not put his team in a hole with stupid mistakes than I do in Tony Romo doing the same.
Straight-Up: Patriots, ATS: Patriots
New Orleans Saints (-6) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay got absolutely obliterated last weekend in San Francisco, and haven't turned the corner quite the way many people would have expected. New Orleans coming to town is a very, very bad thing for this team.
Straight-Up: Saints, ATS: Saints
Miami Dolphins at New York Jets (-7)
The Dolphins have lost their starting quarterback and are firmly in the pole position in the Andrew Luck Sweepstakes. The Jets have underachieved mightily this season, but they're going to take out some pent-up aggression on the Fish this Monday night.
Straight-Up: Jets, ATS: Jets
Straight Up for the Season: 47-23
ATS for the Season: 35-32-3
Lock of the Week for the Season: 3-1
Upset of the Week for the Season: 2-2