NFL Picks Week 6: Awkward QB Turtle in Minnesota

Minnesota decided to be the team to make the leap on Josh Freeman. After Tampa Bay released their former first-round pick, Minnesota decided to bring Freeman aboard and attempt to make a push back to the top of the NFC North after starting 0-3. This creates an awkward scene with already having two NFL pseudo-starters in Matt Cassel and Christian Ponder. One will likely have to go with Freeman being here, the question is who and how soon?

We will address the second question first. It will all depend on when Freeman knows the playbook. The Vikings are in primetime for the next two weeks with a Monday Night against the Giants (FEEL THE EXCITEMENT) and Green Bay at home. My assumption being in front of the rest of the nation, they will want Freeman starting one of those games.  Who needs to order U-Hauls?

My guess is they would see who would want Cassel instead of Ponder. Cassel's resume is a little better than Ponder although he is older than the Florida State product. I have to think Buffalo and Cleveland would kick their tires on the idea given their success this season. If you're a Minnesota fan, you want both of those teams to win their games this weekend. Additionally, I think this is Freeman's team at some point no matter what Cassel does in the next couple of weeks here. If they beat Carolina and New York to get to 3-3, I still believe they would shelf him for Freeman.  This is the plan, Cassel is not the plan. On to the picks.

Picks
Cincinnati (3-2) (-7) at Buffalo (2-3) 12:00 pm CBS - This feels like your 'Lock It Up' of the week. Thad Lewis is the quarterback for Buffalo. Who is Thad Lewis you ask?  He played one game for his NFL career and he went to Duke. Cincinnati's defense will have a good game along with a big A.J. Green day leading to a Bengals rout. CIN 35-14

Detroit (3-2) at Cleveland (3-2) (-3) 12:00 pm FOX - It appears the Lions will have Calvin Johnson back setting up a great matchup with him and Joe Haden in the Factory of Sadness. Brandon Weeden must get rid of the football to win this football game. The Lions will dial up blitzes left and right on him. This game will be ugly, hard-hitting and any other adjective you choose to use and I like the Browns' defense a touch better than the Lions'. CLEV 14-10

Oakland (2-3) at Kansas City (5-0) (-8) 12:00 pm CBS - Probably the first time in awhile when both of these teams are somewhat worth a damn. Definitely the toughest test for Terrelle Pryor this season and I feel like that will be the demise of this being a good game. The Chiefs defense will ball out again and Alex Smith will do just enough to win the game. It is like Groundhog's Day with Kansas City. KC 28-13

Carolina (1-3) at Minnesota (1-3) (-3) 12:00 pm FOX - Adrian Peterson says he will play after his two-year old son is in critical condition after a man abused him. Such a sad story and all thoughts and prayers are with AD. Football is sometimes therapy and I expect that is how I expect Peterson to use it as he will play on Sunday. Big day from Peterson and Cassel puts in another good game at quarterback with Ron Rivera's seat getting hotter. MIN 23-17

Pittsburgh (0-4) at New York Jets (3-2) (-3) 12:00 pm CBS - This is one where I am not sure about the outcome of this game. On one hand, you have Pittsburgh who needs a win and everyone expects to win at some time because they are Pittsburgh. On the other hand, the Jets front-seven is highly underrated and they could really give Ben Roethlisberger some problems. If this were at Pittsburgh, I am taking the Steelers, but I like the Jets at home even without Antonio Cromartie.  Geno Smith continues to make his case for Rookie of the Year and New York could be tied for first by the end of the day.... Gulp.  NYJ 21-16

Philadelphia (2-3) (-2) at Tampa Bay (0-4) 12:00 pm FOX - The Buccaneers are dealing with a MRSA problem. Yes MRSA, a staph infection. Three players have it. Tampa Bay is a literal disgusting dumpster fire. For the players who have it, I hope they recover quickly because staph infections sound like the goddamn worst. As for the game, Eagles. Hell I would parlay the Bengals and Eagles. PHI 30-14

Green Bay (2-2) (-3) at Baltimore (3-2) 12:00 pm FOX - See our Packers preview and a playlist where we have some upbeat and depressing music, a perfect description of Baltimore.  

St. Louis (2-3) at Houston (2-3) (-9) 12:00 pm FOX - This is the 'Closed Room Game of the Week.' Working title for what we described last week, how much money would it take for you to watch this game without any social media interaction, not able to turn the channel and have food/beer?  I would put this one at about 50 dollars. Not a horrible game, but really nothing to get excited about. Texans rite the ship somewhat, but they do not do it pretty. HOU 24-21

Jacksonville (0-5) at Denver (5-0) (-27) 3:05 pm CBS - Many people have wondered whether the Broncos are going to cover this massive spread. I, for one, do not know because they are so many variables going into this one. I thought Seattle would not cover their big spread against Jacksonville, but they did. This one is college football big. I think Denver does it because I learned to trust Peyton Manning in situations like these ones. DEN 49-14

Tennessee (3-2) at Seattle (4-1) (-14) 3:05 pm CBS - Hmm this one is interesting. I do not think Tennessee can win, but I am wondering if Seattle will cover the spread. They are coming off a loss and Ryan Fitzpatrick is going up against Seattle's secondary. Oh who am I kidding, of course they are covering it. It is Fitzpatrick against Seattle's secondary, that's good for the 14 points alone. SEA 38-21

New Orleans (5-0) at New England (4-1) (-1.5) 3:25 pm FOX - Best game of the week by far. This is another big test for New Orleans, but it also an equally as big test for New England. A barometer game for both teams if you will. New England's secondary has been one of the best in the league so expect safety valves, Darren Sproles and Pierre Thomas, to have big games running underneath routes. New England needs to get back on track against a suddenly tough Saints defense. Rob Ryan relies on blitzes to force turnovers. The Patriots offensive line is the most slept-on part of this team. They come up huge and Brady figures it out on offense finally in a thrilling, down-to-the wire football game. NE 30-28

Arizona (3-2) at San Francisco (3-2) (-11) 3:25 pm FOX - We really get to see how good a team Arizona is this weekend. They have three wins against Detroit, Carolina and Tampa with the Lions being their best win. They will give Colin Kaeprnick troubles in the secondary though. Patrick Peterson is playing like one of the best in the league right now. If they could get a defensive turnover, it might swing the game. But as Lee Corso says, 'Closer than the experts think!'  SF 20-16

Washington (1-3) at Dallas (2-3) (-6) 7:30 pm NBC - No matter what we think of the NFC East, it is always fun seeing these two teams on Sunday Night.  Tony Romo will have another big game against a weak Redskins secondary and I do not even think we will have a scenario where the Romocoaster is involved. Dallas' defense is better than their performance against Denver and they come to play this weekend. DAL 34-24

Monday
Indianapolis (4-1) at San Diego (2-3) (-2.5) 7:30 pm ESPN - Not a bad Monday night game especially as there will be major fantasy implications all over the place. The question is to go with the young calf, Andrew Luck or the old bull, Philip Rivers?  I am taking Luck in this one because San Diego's secondary is putrid meaning he will put on a major show with big days from Reggie Wayne and T.Y. Hilton as a causation of Luck's big day. IND 28-23

Bye weeks: Atlanta, Miami

Straight Up - 50-30
ATS - 33-42-1  

Charlie.