The 2024 NFL season is cruising alongside, as every crew has performed as least 4 video games and most have performed 5. Divisional races are starting to take form and significant storylines and tendencies have gotten extra obvious.
Week 6 options various attention-grabbing video games, together with one that includes two of the leagues hottest quarterbacks, the Washington Commanders’ Jayden Daniels and Baltimore Ravens’ Lamar Jackson. The Detroit Lions head to AT&T Stadium to face the Dallas Cowboys within the late afternoon recreation and within the “Sunday Night time Soccer” matchup Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and the Cincinnati Bengals look to bounce again in opposition to the New York Giants.
The ultimate recreation of the week options Josh Allen and the Buffalo Payments in opposition to Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets on “Monday Night time Soccer.” (8:15 p.m. ET on ESPN).
Our betting analysts take an early take a look at Week 6 strains to seek out some worth earlier than issues transfer nearer to recreation time.
Odds present as of publish time, courtesy of ESPN BET
Joe Fortenbaugh’s first guess: Cincinnati Bengals -3.5 over New York Giants
(Final week: Vikings -2.5 in opposition to NYJ. Line closed at -2.5. Vikings gained, 23-17.)
The look-ahead line right here was Cincinnati (-5.5), so we’re getting the Bengals at a value that is two factors cheaper than final week. Ruminate on that for a second as a result of I simply upgraded my energy quantity for Cincinnati after Joe Burrow and the Bengals offense posted 520 yards and 38 factors on Baltimore’s protection. Cincinnati could also be 1-4, but it surely has 4 one-score losses … and people losses have come by a mixed 15 factors. It is a good buy-low spot on the Bengals, who face a Giants crew that’s 1-14 straight-up in prime time with quarterback Daniel Jones underneath middle.
Anita Marks’ first guess: Los Angeles Chargers-Denver Broncos underneath 37
(Final week: Commanders -3 vs. Browns. Line closed at 3. Commanders gained, 34-13.)
The Chargers and Broncos face off in Week 6 in a recreation with two offenses not sporting probably the most threatening playmakers. Each groups lack explosive play skill, one sports activities a rookie quarterback working in a really simplistic offense and neither QB has been spectacular this season. The Chargers are dedicated to the run, which eats up time of possession. Defensively, each groups rank within the high 5, permitting greater than 20 factors simply as soon as this season. The Chargers are coming off a bye week and get Derwin James Jr. again from suspension. I really like the underneath right here.
Ben Solak’s first guess: Detroit Lions-Dallas Cowboys underneath 52.5 (-110)
Fifty-two-and-a-half factors within the present NFL is a mighty steep ask. The Lions offense appeared legitimately good in opposition to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 4, however that was their first and solely dominant offensive efficiency of the season. The Cowboys, whereas good in principle, have struggled to execute previous the 50-yard line and settled for many area objectives. That is an excessive amount of religion in two good however not spectacular offenses.
Seth Walder’s first guess: San Francisco 49ers to win NFC West (-105)
(Final week: Commanders to win NFC East at +300. Present line is +200.)
I am not going to overreact to the 49ers’ loss to the Cardinals right here, particularly not in every week when the first-place crew within the division — the Seahawks — misplaced to the New York Giants. The 49ers nonetheless have each the perfect passing offense within the division, by way of EPA per play (sixth in NFL) and passing protection (eighth). Brock Purdy ranks seventh in QBR, the 49ers have the perfect playcaller within the recreation as their head coach they usually’re just one recreation again. Much more goes to need to go unsuitable for San Francisco to not win the division.
Andre Snellings’ first guess: Washington Commanders-Baltimore Ravens over 51.5 whole factors (-105).
(Final week: Vikings to win NFC North at +105. Present line is -105.)
The Commanders and Ravens are two of the perfect offensive groups within the NFL this season. The Ravens have the perfect offense within the league in line with FPI (+4.8), whereas the Commanders are tied for fourth (+3.7). The Ravens’ protection is nice (1.3 Defensive FPI, sixth finest in league), however the relative energy of each offenses far outstrips the defenses. The Commanders’ protection is legitimately dangerous, rating thirty first in Defensive FPI (-2.2). The Ravens averaged 34.7 PPG of their previous three outings, have given up a minimum of 23 factors in three of their previous 4, and are prone to lengthy passing performs. The Commanders have averaged 38.0 PPG of their previous three outings and rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels has a penchant for throwing the deep ball. Each these groups have performed the Bengals over their previous three video games, and people video games totaled 71 and 79 factors and featured glorious quarterback play on each side. I anticipate the same shootout between these two groups Sunday.
Pam Maldonado’s first guess: Colorado Buffaloes (+5.5) vs. Kansas State Wildcats
(Final week: Navy vs. Air Power OVER 36 factors. Line closed at 37.5. Navy gained, 34-7.)
The Buffaloes could have home-field benefit on this recreation and are 2-0 at residence this season. Colorado’s offense has been spectacular, averaging 382 whole yards per recreation, with the Seventeenth-best passing assault in school soccer. Nevertheless, it is the Buffaloes protection that has my consideration. It was a weak spot final season that has now turn out to be a energy. Colorado ranks eighth within the nation in takeaways and compelled 4 turnovers in opposition to UCF, together with a 95-yard fumble return for a landing. If Colorado can create comparable turnover alternatives in opposition to Kansas State, it may swing the sport within the Buffs’ favor.
