NFL Picks: 2014 Week Number Six

It was a good week last week for the picks. We went 2-1, bringing our season record to 8-7. Only the Washington Redskins kept us from a 3-0 week, that would have put us two games over .500. So on we go to week six. We have one early game and two late games in the picks package this week. Let’s get right to the choices.

Oct 5, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback

(8) tries to throw a pass as he is pressured by New Orleans Saints outside linebacker

(98) in the third quarter of their game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

Game one. We head down to Tampa Bay, where the Bucs play host to the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens have been installed as 3.5 point favorites. The Ravens enter the game 3-2, off a touchdown loss at the hands of the Colts. The Bucs are 1-4 after a loss by 6 to the New Orleans Saints.

Despite the desperate look to the Bucs record, they are improving. If you remove the game against the Falcons, where the Bucs got smoked by the way, you get a whole different story. The difference in the Bucs other four games is 4.25 points. Smith has gotten the Bucs ready to play. Last week, they busted the spread by staying close with the Saints, in New Orleans.

I believe the Bucs will keep this one close as well. Take the Bucs and the points.

Oct 5, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers quarterback

(17) pass over New York Jets defensive end

(91) in the third quarter of the game at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Game two. It’s a battle of California teams when San Diego takes on the Raiders at the Oakland Coliseum. We are not going to spend too long on this one. Philip Rivers is having the season of his life, and the Raiders stink. The Chargers are favored by 7.5, and they should be your pick. Take the Chargers and the points.

Oct 5, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback

(9) throws in the pocket in overtime against the Houston Texans at AT&T Stadium. The Cowboys beat the Texans 20-17. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

The final game of the picks package is a good one. The 4-1 Cowboys head to the Northwest to face the Super Bowl champion Seahawks. The Seahawks have been installed as 9 point favorites. The Cowboys are riding on a four game winning streak, most recently beating the Texans by three, 20-17. The Seahawks have won two in a row, beating the Redskins last week 27-17.

The Cowboys are actually 2-0 on the road. The Seahawks have been good at home so far, also 2-0, but they are not blowing people away. They beat the Packers by 20 and the Broncos by six.

The key to this one will be the Cowboys run offense against the Seahawks run defense. The Seahawks actually have the top run offense in the sport, followed closely by the Cowboys. The Seahawks run defense is number one too. DeMarco Murray is having an outstanding season, not rushing for less than 100 yards in a game so far. Can the Cowboys continue to run well against the stout Seahawks defense?

I believe the Cowboys will continue to play well on the road. They may not rush for 100, but I think they will keep it close. Take the Cowboys and the points.

There you have it, the NFL picks for week number six. Once more:

Bucs +3.5 Chargers -7.5 Cowboys +9

Enjoy.