NFL Week 6 Picks: Early Predictions for Every Game

Even with one more game remaining in Week 5, NFL fans are already beginning to look ahead to the next round of games.

At this point in the 2016 campaign, it’s a bit too early for disappointing teams to start hitting the panic button. Even the 0-5 Cleveland Browns are only three games out of a wild-card spot in the AFC.

With that said, there’s enough evidence to begin making early judgments about most of the league, and the halfway mark of the regular season is only a few weeks away.

Looking ahead to Week 6, three games in particular will help answer some lingering questions about teams already vying for the postseason.

           

NFL Week 6

               

Week 6 Storylines Can the Falcons Clear Another Major Hurdle?

If there were any doubts, the Atlanta Falcons proved they’re for real after they beat the Denver Broncos on the road in Week 5. That followed a Week 4 victory over the Carolina Panthers.

In Week 6, the Falcons hit the road to face off with another playoff team from 2015: the Seattle Seahawks.

Atlanta is rightfully receiving plaudits for its offense. Matt Ryan is making an early case for MVP, and offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan has found a way to utilize both of his running backs, Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman, to devastating effect.

ESPN’s Mark Schlereth argued Shanahan is proving himself worthy of a bigger job down the line:

The game plan that Kyle Shanahan put together to attack the Broncos D Will be the catalytic event that lands him a head-coaching position.

— mark schlereth (@markschlereth) October 10, 2016

On the other side, the Seahawks boast one of the top defenses in the league once again. They’re allowing an NFL-best 264 yards per game, and Football Outsiders ranked the unit first in defensive DVOA (defense-adjusted value over average) through Week 4.

Of course, Seattle hasn’t faced an offense as good as Atlanta’s. So far, the Seahawks have wins over the Miami Dolphins, Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers and New York Jets, who rank 29th, 32nd, 31st and 17th, respectively, in total offense.

Seattle will benefit from having an extra week to prepare for this game. While the Falcons have already shown they can win away from home, the game being at CenturyLink Field is another boost to the Seahawks.

According to Odds Shark, Seattle opened as a seven-point favorite, which is a bit high, given the Falcons’ impressive play so far. But the Seahawks’ stout defense will propel them to a close win.

Prediction: Seahawks 21, Falcons 17

             

Can Osweiler Rebound After Dreadful Week 5?

For the second year in a …

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