NFL 2023 Week 6 Picks

 Hello readers! Another week of National Football League action is coming upon us yet again! With five weeks in the books we are seeing some of the contenders rise up while there are some who are trying to string a few wins early in the season while there are others who are likely trying to get through this season and get to the draft. Game's that I will keep an eye on this week is the Broncos-Chiefs, 49ers-Browns, Commanders-Falcons, and the Cowboys-Chargers matches. In this post I will do a rant of the week, a week 6 preview and picks and the Early & Late game TV broadcast pairings. Let's get to work!

NFL Rant of the Week

So I have been holding off talking about this for a while but can the NFL chill out with the Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce shindig. In this day and age with social media, the whole world seems to just focus all of their attention on the two. It's a nice story but can we just try to calm down on it. Can you take it easy just a little bit Swifties? 

Week 6 Preview

The sixth week of the National Football League's regular season will start in Kansas City, Missouri and ends in Inglewood, California. The week has a 15-game slate where 30 teams will play. Only the Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers have a bye this week. The week features a Thursday night game, a Sunday morning game, seven early games, four late games, a Sunday night game and a Monday night game. FOX will have the doubleheader while CBS will have the single, regional game. Let's get to the picks!

Week 6 Picks

Note: All gametimes are in US Eastern. TW is me and CV is Cardinal Viking, my former roommate.

Denver (1-4) @ Kansas City (4-1) (Amazon; 8:15 pm): TW: Chiefs; CV: Chiefs

The Broncos lost to the Jets and the Chiefs beat the Vikings last week. Week 6 gets started with an AFC West matchup that might beg you to watch the MLB playoffs (local team Twins won last night). At least when it comes to the Broncos. Their offense seems to be either really good or very pedestrian. They're a mess. At least we have Kansas City on this matchup. They've had some concerns with health but otherwise their offense is not much of a concern. Their defense has been shaky. Suffice to say I know that the Chiefs are the better team and I will take them. 

Baltimore (3-2) @ Tennessee (2-3) (NFL Network; 9:30 am): TW: Ravens; CV: Titans

The Ravens lost to the Steelers and the Titans lost to the Colts last week. Another UK series game in the early Sunday morning window. It poses two teams that seem similar in their offense. Baltimore seems to have their shakes against the Steelers but do better against other teams. They really should've handled Pittsburgh a lot better. Tennessee has been the same team as they have been pretty much all season and well into last season with Ryan Tannehill playing the sidekick role to Derrick Henry. The Titans need to have Tannehill lead this team to a win. I don't trust Tennessee a whole lot. I'll take the Ravens. 

Carolina (0-5) @ Miami (4-1) (CBS; 1:00 pm): TW: Dolphins; CV: Dolphins

The Panthers lost to the Lions and the Dolphins beat the Giants last week. Carolina has been somewhat competitive in their games. They nearly won a game against Minnesota but they've yet gotten dub #1. They'll have a tall task to get it with the #1 offense in the NFL. Miami has been really good on offense, that is a fact. Their defense is just as good I feel. I feel this could be a trap game but Miami has yet to have one so far this season. They did have a huge loss against Buffalo but that was on the road. Miami has done good at home. I'll take Miami.

Indianapolis (3-2) @ Jacksonville (3-2) (CBS; 1:00 pm): TW: Colts; CV: Jaguars

The Colts beat the Titans and the Jaguars beat the Bills last week. The Colts won't have Anthony Richardson on the active list as the rookie quarterback has a shoulder injury. Gardner Minshew will have his 2nd start this season. The Colts offense has gotten better so far this year and they have been somewhat of a surprise this season. Jacksonville has continued on with their sustained success starting from last year. They've had their shares of disappointments this season. I'm willing to venture a guess that they could fall a bit short in this game. Just a hunch. 

Minnesota (1-4) @ Chicago (1-4) (FOX; 1:00 pm): TW: Bears; CV: Vikings

The Vikings lost to the Chiefs and the Bears beat the Commanders last week. Ooh boy these two teams are so good. Definitely brings the best out of people. Minnesota has had terrible luck this season, they fall short in one-score games and they give up the ball early to the point where they are down by more than one possession. They keep it close but not quite enough. The Bears have been kind of a different story. Two weeks ago they lost a game on a 28-7 lead. They came out and smoked Washington on Thursday night. If they can continue their offensive explosion they have a good shot to win it. At some point the Vikings need to win again. I just think not quite in this game, not without Justin Jefferson. 

New Orleans (3-2) @ Houston (2-3) (FOX; 1:00 pm): TW: Texans; CV: Texans

The Saints beat the Patriots and the Texans lost to the Falcons last week. New Orleans got a bit of a confident boost in whooping the Patriots at Gillette Stadium. I would like to tell people to calm down a bit. New England is not a great team. Suffice to say that the Saints have some good pieces on offense and they just have some issues at quarterback and turning the ball over. Houston however, has yet to have their quarterback cause a turnover. CJ Stroud has thrown seven touchdown passes but has yet to throw a single interception. It helps that the Houston offense can be efficient but I think they will have a decent test to face with the Saints and their decent pass rushing defense. I'll take the Texans a bit. 

Seattle (3-1) @ Cincinnati (2-3) (CBS; 1:00 pm): TW: Bengals; CV: Seahawks

The Seahawks had a bye and the Bengals beat the Cardinals last week. Seattle will be rested for this game. Geno Smith has continued his success form 2022 into 2023. Their offensive line and running game has been continuing to do well as well. Cincinnati has been a bit disappointing this season but their offense got off to a great start last week with three touchdown passes from Joe Burrow to Ja'Marr Chase. It feels to a point that maybe that the Bengals finally can start winning games and get back into the AFC North race. I'll take a risk and take the Bengals. 

San Francisco (5-0) @ Cleveland (2-2) (FOX; 1:00 pm): TW: 49ers; CV: 49ers

The 49ers beat the Cowboys and the Browns had a bye last week. The game definitely feels like a mismatch of epic proportions. The Niners have looked nearly unstoppable on offense or on defense. Cleveland has been an alright team. The last time we saw the Browns was a beatdown against Baltimore with Dorian Thompson-Robinson at quarterback. Their success this season has happened with DeShaun Watson at quarterback and he needs to be back as soon as possible. Cleveland's defense is good as they can put pressure on the quarterback and Niners quarterback Brock Purdy has executed quite comfortably. If they can't pressure Purdy then it'll be a long game for the Dawg Pound. 

Washington (2-3) @ Atlanta (3-2) (CBS; 1:00 pm): TW: Falcons; CV: Falcons

The Commanders lost to the Bears and the Falcons beat the Texans last week. Washington had seemed to get off to a good start earlier in the season, getting to a 2-0 record. Since then, they have had a 2-3 record. They need to get back to playing better on defense and keep Sam Howell from throwing interceptions. Atlanta is way too good for them to get freebies like a fumble or a turnover. Desmond Ridder has had an interesting start to the season. Mostly good than bad but it would be nice if he could pass a bit more. Atlanta is a running team and they have one of the better rookie offensive players in Bijan Robinson. It could be an interesting matchup but I would take the Falcons in this game. 

New England (1-4) @ Las Vegas (2-3) (CBS; 4:05 pm): TW: Raiders; CV: Raiders

The Patriots lost to the Saints and the Raiders beat the Packers last week. Things look quite ugly in New England. Their offense can't sustain drives, they can't run or pass block, they can't run the ball effectively. The defense has only one blemish in that they can't create turnovers. Las Vegas has had some good moments this season as they beat both the Broncos and the Packers so far in 2023. Their defense is good and their offense can put together some good drives. I do believe that the Raiders will win this game but I question how much they will win by. This might be New England's last chance for a win for a while. 

Arizona (1-4) @ LA Rams (2-3) (FOX; 4:25 pm): TW: Rams; CV: Rams

The Cardinals lost to the Bengals and the Rams lost to the Eagles last week. Arizona has had some success in 2023. Their record doesn't show that but they have had some fun times in Cardinal land. Josh Dobbs has been a good addition in the absence of Kyler Murray. Los Angeles seems to be the better team in almost every way, except maybe at the quarterback spot. Matthew Stafford has had some ups and downs this season with health and a plethora of wide receivers. It was a task for the Cardinals to cover Puka Nacua but to also cover the now healthy Cooper Kupp. Maybe in a few scenarios where the Cardinals can win this game but the Rams are on paper, the better team. So I'll go with the Rams. 

Detroit (4-1) @ Tampa Bay (3-1) (FOX; 4:25 pm): TW: Buccaneers; CV: Lions

The Lions beat the Panthers and the Buccaneers had a bye last week. Detroit hasn't looked like your grandfather's Lions, nor your father's Lions, nor the Lions of yesteryear. They are legit offensive juggernaut. It all starts with Jared Goff who has thrown nine touchdown passes while throwing three interceptions. David Montgomery currently has six touchdowns to his name. Certainly a 4-1 record means a lot to the Motor City faithful. Tampa has been quite a surprise as well. Their offense seems to run through Baker Mayfield who is having a renaissance season with seven touchdown passes and two picks. Tampa has a top-10 rush defense and if they can shut down the Lions run game, they'll have a good time for sure. I'll take Tampa. 

Philadelphia (5-0) @ NY Jets (2-3) (FOX; 4:25 pm): TW: Eagles; CV: Eagles

The Eagles beat the Rams and the Jets beat the Broncos last week. Philly's record speaks for itself. Other than a shaky game against Washington, they haven't missed a beat. If there was a weakness to Philly's team it would be their pass defense which they give up an average 267.6 yards/game through the air. Fortunately for them, they get to play against one of the worst passing offenses in the Jets who get 182.2 yards/game from their quarterbacks. If Philly's defense can make life uncomfortable for Zach Wilson then they'll have a rough time. I'll take the Eagles.

NY Giants (1-4) @ Buffalo (3-2) (NBC; 8:20 pm): TW: Bills; CV: Bills

The Giants lost to the Dolphins and the Bills lost to the Jaguars last week. Daniel Jones might not get the start in this game as he left last week's game against Miami with a neck injury. New York is hopeful. Should they go up to Western New York with Tyrod Taylor, it could be an interesting game. Taylor was a former Bills player. Maybe they could use a jumpstart with a new face at quarterback for this one. Buffalo has had its ups and downs this season but their offense having a slow start last week was a bit shocking. They'll need to get back to putting six anytime they make it onto the field. I'll take the Bills.

Dallas (3-2) @ LA Chargers (2-2) (ABC/ESPN; 8:15 pm): TW: Chargers; CV: Chargers

The Cowboys lost to the 49ers and the Chargers had a bye last week. Week 6 wraps up with an entertaining game full of offense. Dallas comes into this game with a rough performance against the Niners. They can get back to playing better football against the Chargers. Los Angeles comes off a relatively good bye week for a chance to have some players rest up. A 2-2 record isn't bad but it isn't great in the scope of Brandon Staley's job security. They will be without Mike Williams who suffered a ACL injury against Minnesota. The Chargers have been known to let me down when it comes to picking them but I'll give them a shot. 

Early & Late Game TV Broadcast Pairings

Note: Games in bold are being shown in my area, check local listings.

CBS Single

Seattle @ Cincinnati
Ian Eagle, Charles Davis

Carolina @ Miami

Kevin Harlan, Trent Green

Washington @ Atlanta

Andrew Catalon, Tiki Barber, Matt Ryan

Indianapolis @ Jacksonville

Spero Dedes, Adam Archuleta

New England @ Las Vegas (Late)
Jim Nantz, Tony Romo

FOX Early

San Francisco @ Cleveland

Kevin Burkhardt, Greg Olson

Minnesota @ Chicago

Brandon Gaudin, Robert Smith

New Orleans @ Houston

Chris Myers, Mark Sclereth

FOX Late

Philadelphia @ NY Jets

Kevin Kugler, Mark Sanchez

Detroit @ Tampa Bay

Adam Amin, Daryl Johnston

Arizona @ LA Rams

Kenny Albert, Jonathan Vilma

For more information on which game is being shown in your area check out: NFL 2023: Week 6 Maps

Records

Cardinal Viking:

2023: 
Week 1: 10-6

Week 2: 10-6

Week 3: 8-8

Week 4: 13-3
Week 5: 6-8

Total: 47-31

2017: 167-89
2018: 156-98-2
2019: 151-104-1
2020: 163-92-1
2021: 167-104-1
2022: 157-112-2

My record: 

2023:
Week 1: 9-7

Week 2: 11-5
Week 3: 11-5

Week 4: 14-2

Week 5: 7-7

Total: 52-26

2012: 164-90-2

2013: 162-92-1

2014: 172-83-1

2017: 164-92

2018: 156-98-2
2019: 161-94-1

2020: 167-88-1 

2021: 173-98-1
2022: 166-103-2

See you after the Monday night game for the Week 6 recap post!

-Tom