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NFL Week 6 Predictions: Projections for the Early Lines, Spreads and Odds
- Updated: October 10, 2016
Five weeks into the 2016 NFL season, the line between the haves and the have-nots feels closer than ever.
The sport’s only unbeaten team, the Minnesota Vikings, has dominated despite playing without its franchise quarterback and future Hall of Fame running back. The sport’s lone team without a win, the Cleveland Browns, has had five different players line up at quarterback in as many weeks. It’s possible the Browns will be on their fourth starter come Week 6.
Everywhere else, a hierarchy of good-but-flawed teams appears to be established. The New England Patriots, nearly back at full strength after Tom Brady’s return from his suspension, face competition from only the Buffalo Bills in the AFC East. The Pittsburgh Steelers, Denver Broncos and Oakland Raiders each sit at 4-1 and appear in a strong position for a playoff appearance.
The South is…a division in the American Football Conference. The less that’s said about that foursome of teams, each boasting a negative point differential, the better. But for bettors, how much fun is it going to be throwing all your weight behind that division winner losing in the AFC Wild Card Round?
The Buffalo Bills, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals and Kansas City Chiefs remain in that next tier down and are wild-card threats as the season progresses.
A similar story is playing out in the NFC, with a handful of teams off to a great start and a swath of others scrambling to stay relevant.
The surprising Vikings are the class of the league and suddenly look like geniuses for dumping off draft picks for Sam Bradford. The Green Bay Packers are 3-1 despite the inconsistencies of their offense; the Atlanta Falcons are 4-1 despite the inconsistencies of their defense. The NFC East is spearheaded by two one-loss teams, the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles, who are being led by rookie quarterbacks.
The Seattle Seahawks, well, remain super awesome at football. It’s almost scary for a team known for peaking late in the season to be sitting at 3-1. Washington, the Los Angeles Rams, Arizona Cardinals, Carolina Panthers, Detroit Lions and New York Giants comprise the remaining tier of potential playoff outfits.
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