There were plenty of things that happened last week in the NFL that caught the attention of those who cover the league. First off, the Steelers were able to find a way to beat the Ravens to head into their week six bye on top of the AFC North division. Other things happened like the Cowboys returning to their form of not being able to win playoff-like games.
Plenty of football still has to be played and there could be lots of changes around the NFL as soon as this week. Pittsburgh will stay at home this week as they sit back and try and correct their many flaws during their extra time. Even though they have a winning record and sit on top of their division currently, they have a lot of improvements that need to be made to have a shot at the playoffs.
2023 season prediction record after week 5: 40-22
Not a great week last week in terms of correctness with predictions. We escaped week five with a winning effort, but the difference got slim. The overall prediction record for this season was not hindered too much as it sits comfortably in the correct margin. With some tough picks this week, hopefully, our correct percentages only skyrocket in the right direction.
Denver Broncos (1-4) vs Kansas City Chiefs (4-1), Thursday at 8:15 P.M. EST
Prediction: Chiefs 35, Broncos 20
Another great game in prime-time NFL, nice job! In fact, most of the prime-time games this week are poor. The Broncos head on the road to take on the Kansas City Chiefs. Both teams are on the opposite side of the spectrum in terms of where they sit in the standings. One seemingly has their season over already, while the other will push for Super Bowl aspirations.
Even if the Chiefs have a few players out with injuries in this one, they should not have too many issues getting past Denver. Rumors are swirling within the Broncos organization that they will have a massive sale on players before the trade deadline comes around in a couple of weeks. That will demoralize a team already in a bad spot coming into this contest.
Baltimore Ravens (3-2) vs Tennessee Titans (2-3), Sunay at 9:30 A.M. EST
Prediction: Ravens 23, Titans 20
It was a tough loss last week against the Steelers for the Ravens. It caused them to sink in the divisional standings, but they have a good opportunity to rebound on the road this week. Both of these teams have a history together with a couple of tough playoff battles. Lamar Jackson is playing well right now and that should follow with his teammate's rebound performances this week.
Washington Commanders (2-3) vs Atlanta Falcons (3-2), Sunday at 1 P.M. EST
Prediction: Falcons 21, Commanders 16
This one will come down to who can stop the run more consistently throughout the game. Atlanta has more dynamic runners and that should give them the edge here. The Falcons also have a better defense overall and should be able to step up in a winning effort. Washington should pose a good fight for Atlanta, but it probably won't be enough.
Minnesota Vikings (1-4) vs Chicago Bears (1-4), Sunday at 1 P.M. EST
Prediction: Vikings 26, Bears 24
Another tough call here from a prediction standpoint as the Bears are coming off a win while the Vikings are sinking fast. Kirk Cousins is the better quarterback here, but Minnesota will be without Justin Jefferson. The Vikings will have a better defensive effort and that should be enough to give Cousins time to win this ball game.
Seattle Seahawks (3-1) vs Cincinnati Bengals (2-3), Sunday at 1 P.M. EST
Prediction: Bengals 31, Seahawks 24
It seems like the Bengals are starting to finally turn their season around after a tough start. Joe Burrow and their offense looked different last week and seem ready to start making a run now. Seattle is a quality team that should be in this ball game. Expect them to fight to the bitter end, but they are traveling across the country. Cincinnati is a good team and should get the win.
San Francisco 49ers (5-0) vs Cleveland Browns (2-2), Sunday at 1 P.M. EST
Prediction: 49ers 42, Browns 17
There are a bunch of different injuries currently going on within the Browns organization that could affect the outcome of this game. Cleveland might be without Deshaun Watson, and it seems like Myles Garrett could be dealing with an issue. Even if those two were fully healthy, there are not too many teams that could stop the 49ers right now.
New Orleans Saints (3-2) vs Houston Texans (2-3), Sunday at 1 P.M. EST
Prediction: Saints 25, Texans 23
C.J. Stroud could upset a handful of games this season with the way he is playing. The Saints are running the ball well right now and Houston does not have the best defense to stop that phase of attack. Expect a close game that comes down to the wire. Stroud's non-turnover streak ends here as the Saints talented defense will force an interception late.
Indianapolis Colts (3-2) vs Jacksonville Jaguars (3-2), Sunday at 1 P.M. EST
Prediction: Jaguars 27, Colts 19
A big AFC South matchup here that could not come at a worse time for the Colts after Anthony Richardson suffered an injury last week. Jacksonville is coming off two weeks across the pond and got a big win against the Bills in their last matchup. The Jaguars should be a tough battle for the Colts to overcome and those advantages will get the Jaguars a big divisional win.
Carolina Panthers (0-5) vs Miami Dolphins (4-1), Sunday at 1 P.M. EST
Prediction: Dolphins 41, Panthers 23
The Panthers are in a tough spot right now with almost no positives coming from their team. Miami is on the other foot even though they have struggled to beat playoff contenders throughout last year and early into this season. It should be another curb stomp this week by the Dolphins as they are the superior team at home against a rebuilding Carolina club.
New England Patriots (1-4) vs Las Vegas Raiders (2-3), Sunday at 4:05 P.M. EST
Prediction: Patriots 20, Raiders 19
A lot of different "revenge" scenarios here for the Raiders going up against the New England Patriots. Right now, things are not looking good for New England, but Bill Belichick has an unbelievable record going up against his former proteges when they take a top job elsewhere. That could stop here with how bad the Patriots are playing, but it's hard to pick against Belichick's trend.
Detroit Lions (4-1) vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-1), Sunday at 4:25 P.M. EST
Prediction: Lions 28, Buccaneers 20
Not many expect Tampa Bay to be in the conversation to win their division, but now they seem to be the favorite. They are coming off a bye week and should be well-prepared and rested for this game. The Lions are playing great football and should be able to handle the test that the Bucs will bring with them. It is close, but the Lions get a late touchdown to pull ahead.
Arizona Cardinals (1-4) vs LA Rams (2-3), Sunday at 4:25 P.M. EST
Prediction: Rams 24, Cardinals 15
The Rams are an average team that can make a game tough for a competitive team but also struggle against a lesser opponent at times. In this game against the Cardinals, LA has too many quality targets on offense for Arizona to handle. Expect the Rams to pull ahead early and coast into a victory at home against a division rival.
Philadelphia Eagles (5-0) vs New York Jets (2-3), Sunday at 4:25 P.M. EST
Prediction: Eagles 33, Jets 23
New York is coming off a big win on the road against the Broncos, and good for them. That trend of happiness will be decimated this week when they go up against the Eagles. Philadelphia is still firing on all cylinders and should be able to wipe the Jets out of this game early. A late touchdown by Zach Wilson will make this final score seem closer than it ever was.
New York Giants (1-4) vs Buffalo Bills (3-2), Sunday at 8:20 P.M. EST
Prediction: Bills 27, Giants 14
Another failure in prime time here as this game won't even be close. Brian Daboll's "revenge" game I guess here. maybe he will have a few tricks up his sleeve to slow down Josh Allen after being his offensive coordinator in Buffalo for a while. Even if he has those tricks, the Giants offense is terrible and could be missing a couple of starters in the lineup due to injury.
Dallas Cowboys (3-2) vs LA Chargers (2-2), Monday at 8:15 P.M. EST
Prediction: Cowboys 35, Chargers 30
Now we are getting somewhere here as both of these teams can apply points to the board on offense. Dallas is coming off a humbling loss against San Francisco, but that has become a common thread for the 49ers. This should be a shootout or a blowout, but the Cowboys get the edge here as their defense is far better than LA.
Pittsburgh Steelers get to enjoy their Bye Week
No better way to strut into a bye week than sitting in first place in the AFC North. The Steelers might have taken the most unconvincing route to get there in the standings, but they found a way to win somehow. Better lucky than good some might say, and that applies to Pittsburgh's football team tenfold. They have a lot of things to work on during their week off.
Matt Canada should have never been brought back, but Mike Tomlin continues to show his weakest point as a coach, forming a legit staff around him. Canada is receiving lots of hate, but this offense has a bunch of issues besides him. The Steelers defense is not much better, but they have made enough splash plays in timely moments to forget their struggles. They need to fix things for a shot to make the playoffs.