Zone Blitz: NFL Picks Week Six

Music to listen to: Live from the Grove-11 by 3:33

Here are my NFL picks (home team in CAPS)

Last week: 6-7-1

Total : 18-27-1

KANSAS CITY (-9) Oakland: As I stated in my power rankings earlier this week, if you can run the ball, play defense and not have turnovers, you’ll win the majority of your games. That’s what Kansas City is doing. I like what Terrelle Pryor has brought to the Raiders but not enough to win a road contest.

TAMPA (+1.5) Philadelphia: The Bucs are coming off a bye week and the Josh Freeman distraction is gone. If Tampa can’t win this home contest against the Eagles, a two-win season will be on the horizon for it.

Green Bay (-3) BALTIMORE: I can see cases made for both teams but I’m going to take the quarterback advantage the Packers have in this contest.

Detroit (-2.5) CLEVELAND: I can’t trust Brandon Weeden for the Browns.

MINNESOTA (-2.5) Carolina: I’ve been clamoring the Vikings to start Matt Cassel since the preseason and the move has been properly made. Christian Ponder is a below-average quarterback, always has been and always will be. Carolina has a top-five defense and Cam Newton. How do the Panthers only have one win? Adrian Peterson is going to struggle getting yards if he plays the contest but the Vikings will be able to throw the ball to Patterson and Greg Jennings for a close victory.

St. Louis (+7.5) HOUSTON: Matt Schaub won’t throw another pick-six in this contest but the Texans will struggle to get a win because the offense hasn’t established the run all season which has put more pressure on the passing to become more aggressive, hence the increased turnovers.

Pittsburgh (+2.5) NY JETS: I was impressed like everyone else over the Jets performance in Atlanta last Monday. Geno Smith had the best game of his young pro career and the defense played well. However, I think that was more of an inditement of Atlanta’s ineptitude than New York’s execution. The Steelers have been bad all season but a road game off of a bye may be the best thing that could happen to them at this point of the season. Jets still win but by a point.

BUFFALO (+7) Cincinnati: That’s too many points for the Bengals to be favored by on the road.

SEATTLE (-13.5) Tennessee: Best home team in the NFL gets a two-touchdown win over the Titans

Jacksonville (+27) Denver: The Jaguars can score a few points against an average Broncos’ offense. Denver still wins but not by four touchdowns.

Arizona (+10.5) SAN FRANCISCO: This game will be a struggle for the 49ers.

New Orleans (+2.5) NEW ENGLAND: Going with the Saints to outscore the Patriots in an offensive contest.

DALLAS (-5.5) Washington: Cowboys have enough offense to get past Washington.

Indianapolis (-1.5) SAN DIEGO: Colts have already won at San Francisco and beat Seattle. San Diego shouldn’t be a problem.