My esteemed colleague Justin Dunk wrote the lede for our NFL picks last week. He was coming off a few strong selections from Week 4, so it was only fair that he’d get the first kick at the can.
This week we’re moving to Hodgeville (it’s a real place in Saskatchewan — no, seriously) after I went 6-1 against the spread on Sunday’s slate of 1 p.m. ET games. Dunk went 4-3, which might get him a berth in the wild-card round. As for me, I’m holding out for that first-round bye.
Dunk and I will #MakeAPlay for each game this NFL season as members of #TeamBodog. The COVID-19 pandemic has put some games this week in jeopardy, but we’ll make do with the lines that are available.
Join us for the entertainment at Bodog.ca and see if you can beat Dunk and me as we lay it on the line each week. Make-A-Play with our exclusive bonus code: use 3DownBodog to get a 100 percent bonus up to $200.
Week 6
Sunday 1 p.m. ET
Atlanta Falcons at Minnesota Vikings
Line: Vikings -4.0 (-115)
Total: 54 points
Dunk’s pick: FALCONS. There is no way I am trusting Kirk Cousins as a four-point favourite with my hard earned money.
Hodge’s pick: FALCONS. The Texans bounced back after firing their coach and I expect Matt Ryan and company to do the same. Take the points at -105.
Baltimore Ravens at Philadelphia Eagles
Line: Ravens -8 (110)
Total: 47.5 points
Dunk’s pick: EAGLES. The Steelers needed four touchdowns from Chase Claypool to put away the pesky Eagles at Heinz Field. Philly has enough fight to cover.
Hodge’s pick: RAVENS. If the Eagles couldn’t cover against Pittsburgh, they won’t cover against Baltimore.
Chicago Bears at Carolina Panthers
Line: Panthers -1 (-115)
Total: 44.5 points
Dunk’s pick: PANTHERS. Teddy Bridgewater becomes more dangerous in Matt Rhule’s offence each week.
Hodge’s pick: BEARS. Given the quality of Chicago’s defence, I’m interested to see if this game even reaches 40 points.
Cincinnati Bengals at Indianapolis Colts
Line: Colts -8 (-105)
Total: 46.5 points
Dunk’s pick: BENGALS. Joey B and the Bengals bounce back from a Baltimore beatdown.
Hodge’s pick: BENGALS. These teams both looked like total duds last week. I wouldn’t be surprised to see them slog out a close one.
Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers
Line: Steelers -3.5 (-115)
Total: 51 points
Dunk’s pick: BROWNS. Best running team in the league, plus the best defensive end in Myles Garrett — Cleveland covers.
Hodge’s pick: STEELERS. I’m rolling with Chase Claypool and the Steelers until they give me a reason not to.
Denver Broncos at New England Patriots
Line: Patriots -9.5 (-115)
Total: 44.5 points
Dunk’s pick: BRONCOS. It’s a large number and Denver is desperate.
Hodge’s pick: PATS. I expect Cam Newton will make a statement in his return from COVID-19.
Detroit Lions at Jacksonville Jaguars
Line: Lions -3.5 (even)
Total: 54.5 points
Dunk’s pick: LIONS. Detroit coming off a bye and jobs on the line in the motor city.
Hodge’s pick: JAGS. There’s no greater indictment of a team than giving up 3.5 points at home to the Detroit Lions. That said, I still think Jacksonville covers.
Houston Texans at Tennessee Titans
Line: Titans -3.5 (-110)
Total: 53.5 points
Dunk’s pick: TEXANS. Houston has been freed from Bill O’Brien and displayed much different energy since his departure.
Hodge’s pick: TITANS. Playing on so little rest is tough, but 3.5 points isn’t a lot against the lowly Texans.
Washington Football Team at New York Giants
Line: Giants -2.5 (-120)
Total: 43 points
Dunk’s pick: WASHINGTON. The WFT actually has playmakers on offence in rookie running back Antonio Gibson and receiver Terry McLaurin.
Hodge’s pick: WASHINGTON. These teams both stink — may as well take the even payout with Washington.
Sunday 4 p.m. ET
New York Jets at Miami Dolphins
Line: Dolphins -9.5 (-110)
Total: 47 points
Dunk’s pick: DOLPHINS. Because J-E-T-S! Jets! Jets! Jets!
Hodge’s pick: DOLPHINS. I hate eating this many points on a mediocre team, but I’m not convinced the Jets could beat the Argonauts right now.
Green Bay Packers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Line: Packers -1 (-110)
Total: 55.5 points
Dunk’s pick: PACKERS. Marquee matchup of Week 6. Tom Brady lives for these but A-Rod has been on another level so far in 2020
Hodge’s pick: PACKERS. This is the game of the week. I’ll take Aaron Rodgers in what’s essentially a pick’em, but the best play here might be the over.
Sunday Night Football
Los Angeles Rams at San Francisco 49ers
Line: Rams -3.5 (even)
Total: 51.5 points
Dunk’s pick: 49ers. Jimmy Garoppolo can’t play worse than a week ago.
Hodge’s pick: RAMS. For even odds, I’m happy to pass on the 49ers as home dogs. They looked terrible last week against Miami.
Monday Night Football
Kansas City Chiefs at Buffalo Bills
Line: Chiefs -4.5 (-115)
Total: 57.5 points
Dunk’s pick: BILLS. Buffalo has the players to compete with KC, just need to win the turnover margin.
Hodge’s pick: CHIEFS. The Bills looked like pretenders against Tennessee. They’ll need a huge effort to keep it close against Patrick Mahomes.
Arizona Cardinals at Dallas Cowboys
Line: Cardinals -1 (-110)
Total: 55 points
Dunk’s pick: COWBOYS. Dallas leans heavy on Zeke Elliott without Dak Prescott.
Hodge’s pick: CARDS. Dallas stinks against the run. Can we please see some Chris Streveler in this one, Mr. Kingsbury?
