This week features a number of big games, both in college and the NFL. Alabama-Tennessee and Penn State-Michigan are two that stand out in the college game. Cowboys-Eagles and Bills-Chiefs are huge NFL games on the schedule this weekend. And guess what? I’m staying away from all four of them! Penn State burned me twice this season and I simply don’t trust James Franklin in big game situations. Regarding Alabama, do we really know how healthy Bryce Young is? So, what about my Week 6 NFL Bets then? I don’t know how good the Eagles or Cowboys really are. Bills-Chiefs is a highlight reel ready to explode.
As for the games I did go with this week, check them out below. I have been a bit up and down this season, but more consistent over the last few weeks. After not being too comfortable with the lines, I do feel pretty good about this week’s picks, especially my Week 6 NFL Bets.
For the heck of it, I also added a list of games that barely missed the cut.
Here are our TOP FIVE Best Bets for the week (all against the spread), including our Week 6 NFL Bets and Week 7 College Football Best Bets. This includes picks from the SportsChump.
Our lists are ranked in order of confidence, from 50 “points” down to 10. Please note that the lines for my picks are all taken from DraftKings Sportsbook (I use them a ton – maybe some day they’ll notice).
DraftKings Sportsbook: Week 6 NFL Lines | Week 7 College Football Lines
The Wife Hates SportsChump: Week 6 NFL Bets and College Picks
KP’s Picks: The Wife Hates Sports
50: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-8) at Pittsburgh Steelers
Kenny Pickett is sure being thrown to the wolves when it comes to the talented defenses he’s had to face during the start of his NFL career. Eventually, he’ll come out of this in a much better place, and likely will see success later in the season considering the weapons he has at his disposal. For now, he gets an aggressive Tampa Bay defense that ranks 6th in total defense and 6th against the pass. Pittsburgh RB Najee Harris has been unable to provide balance to the offense. Defensively, Pittsburgh will be without Minkah Fitzpatrick and its top three corners. That Tom Brady guy sure is gonna feast. Bucs cover easily on the road.
40: Minnesota Vikings (-3.5) at Miami Dolphins
Welcome to the Skylar Thompson show in Miami. The rookie QB gets the start with Tua out. Tyreek Hill has a foot injury, but the Dolphins are optimistic that he will play. It’s not so much a lack of faith in Thompson, but the fact that Miami has been outscored 67-32 in its last two games (losses to the Bengals and Jets). Minnesota brings a balanced attack headlined by Dalvin Cook, Kirk Cousins, and Justin Jefferson. This group should have success against a Miami defense that ranks 25th in the NFL. Minnesota is +1 in turnover differential on the season, but that includes facing Aaron Rodgers and Jalen Hurts. Forcing the rookie to make mistakes will be key and I’m banking on that. Vikings cover on the road.
30: Clemson Tigers (-3.5) at Florida State Seminoles
The ‘Noles are finally heading in the right direction and no doubt, the home crowd will be ready with the Tigers coming into town. Still, Florida State has lost six straight in this series (2-4 ATS). After a 4-0 start, the Seminoles have lost back-to-back games against ranked teams (Wake Forest and N.C. State). Clemson QB DJ Uiagalelei (14 TD, 2 INT) has been effective all season and will have his hands full against FSU’s 13th ranked pass defense. In the end, it will be a test that he and the Tigers will pass. Tigers cover on the road.
20: LSU Tigers at Florida Gators (-2.5)
Because my picks were late to get in this week, I figured I’d make the SportsChump happy by picking his Gators. More so, Florida’s pass defense has only allowed 5 TD this season, while snagging six picks. Sure, the Tigers have won three of four at Florida, but this Brian Kelly led team is a bit of a mess right now. LSU left Auburn with a four point win and fell at home by 27 points to the Volunteers. Expect the ground game to be the focus, and I’ll give the edge to Florida, playing at home. Gators cover at home.
10: Nebraska Cornhuskers (+13.5) at Purdue Boilermakers
Let us head into the land of obscurity and make a pick against a middle of the pack Big Ten fight. Actually, in all honesty, the Big Ten West is so bad this year, both of these schools have a legit shot at the conference championship. That’s crazy to say considering where Nebraska was a few weeks back, prior to firing Scott Frost. Nebraska has back-to-back wins over Indiana and Rutgers. Playing Purdue, it comes down to shutting down its pass game that ranks 20th in College Football. The Huskers rank 105th in passing yards allowed, but have 6 INT and just 8 TD allowed through the air. With new life, I like Nebraska to keep this game close. Give me the Huskers and the points.
KP’s Other Considerations
- Penn State Nittany Lions (+7) at Michigan Wolverines – I don’t trust Franklin or Clifford in big games, but PSU has the talent to keep it close
- Miami Hurricanes (-7) at Virginia Tech Hokies – Both teams are underachieving, but the Hokies have been really bad in Brent Pry’s first season
- Vanderbilt Commodores at Georgia Bulldogs (-38.5) – The Bulldogs are not dominating teams
- Kansas Jayhawks (+9) at Oklahoma Sooners – OU is going through a brutal stretch, but Kansas QB Jalon Daniels is officially out for the season
- Arizona Cardinals (-2.5) at Seattle Seahawks – Geno Smith may be the NFL’s biggest surprise this year
- Carolina Panthers at Los Angeles Rams (-10) – How will the Panthers respond with Baker injured and Matt Rhule out as head coach?
SportsChump’s Picks
COMING SOON
Chime in with top picks for the week. Also, if you have interest in being a guest picker, please let us know via the comments below. Thank you for visiting The Wife Hates Sports!
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