The NFL season has some showcase matchups in Week 6, none more attractive than the showdown between the unbeaten Kansas City Chiefs and the defending AFC champions. Can the New England Patriots earn a win at home and spoil the Chiefs perfect record? That’s where we’ll start our NFL Week 6 parlay of the week:
The Favorite
Kansas City Chiefs at New England Patriots
Odds: Patriots -3.5
The Chiefs defense has been absolutely putrid this season, as they are dead last in the NFL in yards allowed. They concede 25.8 points per game as well. While many teams have had a tough time exploiting this defense early on, one would have to think that the Patriots — with 10 days to prepare — will figure it out. Add in home-field advantage and that they’re looking for revenge for last year’s opening-night embarrassment to the Chiefs and we should see a Patriots win.
Related: NFL Betting Guide
Pick: Patriots
The Underdog
Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals
Odds: Bengals -2.5
There are a lot of anomalies with the Bengals that will probably bring them back down to Earth at some point. They’re fourth in points score, but are just 15th in offense overall. The Steelers average nearly 40 more yards per game than the Bengals do, 405-367.
On defense, both of these teams allow between 26 and 27 points per game but it’s the Steelers unit that’s much more maligned. They have allowed almost the same amount of total yards, with the Bengals just 32 yards better than the Steelers. The Bengals are 26th in total defense, 21st in passing yards per game allowed and 19th in opposing quarterback completion percentage. These are not the stats of a 4-1 team. The Steelers — as long as they play disciplined — should win this game.
Pick: Steelers
The Total
Jacksonville Jaguars at Dallas Cowboys
Odds: 41.5
The Jaguars average only 20.4 points per game and Dallas averages just 16.6. Dallas couldn’t score more than 16 points in an overtime game against Houston on Sunday night. The Jaguars were contained by the Kansas City Chiefs this past week and have been very bad on numerous occasions this season. Maybe some defensive touchdowns will change the numbers here, but as long as that doesn’t happen (or kick returns, or blocked punts), this game should be somewhere in the area of 17-13 or 16-10. The Jags will cut off the Cowboys ground game and Dak Prescott won’t be capable of picking apart this defense through the air. He averages just under 200 passing yards per game. As for the Jags, they’re expected to be without star running back Leonard Fournette again in this one. Take the under.
Pick: Under 41.5
The Point Spread
Los Angeles Chargers at Cleveland Browns
Odds: Chargers -1.5
The Chargers are a decent team, but they tend to shoot themselves in the foot too much with boneheaded sacks, turnovers and penalties. That’s too much for me to trust them on the road against a Browns team that is much better than they are getting credit for. The Browns were a missed field goal away from beating Pittsburgh and New Orleans in the opening weeks. Then they were robbed of a win in Oakland. When you start doing the math, this team — while hard to believe — could easily be 5-0. They’re fired up with Baker Mayfield under center and they’re playing well on both sides of the ball. I like them as a home dog in this spot.
Pick: Browns
