Bing Predicts NFL Week 6

Philadelphia Eagles @ New York Giants

Game time: Thursday, Oct. 11, 8:20 p.m. EST

Historical matchup: New York Giants lead series 85-83-2

NFC East rivals square off this week. Neither team is where they hoped to be five games into the season, so this game is important as the division is still up for grabs. The Washington Redskins, 2-2, are currently in first place with a .500 record.

The New York Giants lost in heartbreaking fashion after Carolina’s kicker Graham Gano hit a 63-yard field goal as time expired—tied for the longest game-winning field goal in NFL history—to give the Panthers a 33-31 edge. The Giants battled back from an 11-point deficit to take the lead before the Gano kill-shot.  

The Eagles also lost by two points: their comeback attempt fell short after Minnesota recovered an onside kick. The 2018 season hasn’t been a Philadelphia victory lap as many predicted it would be. The offense has struggled despite the return of dynamic young quarterback Carson Wentz from a knee injury. Wentz has been sacked 12 times in his three starts this season, and the team, with or without Wentz, is yet to eclipse 23 points in a game. Things got worse for the Eagles as they were forced to place running back Jay Ajayi on injured reserve Monday.  

The Giants will try to capitalize on what has been shoddy pass protection from the Eagles, but more importantly, they need to make sure Odell Beckham Jr. remains a focal point of the offense. The All-Pro receiver finally caught his first touchdown pass of the season after voicing concerns about the offense prior to Sunday.

Bing Predicts Winner: Philadelphia Eagles (57% chance)

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Los Angeles Chargers @ Cleveland Browns

Game time: Sunday, Oct. 14, 1 p.m. EST

Historical matchup: Los Angeles Chargers lead series 16-9-1

The Browns won on a Sunday for the first time since 2015. For the second-consecutive week, and the third time through the first five weeks of the season, Cleveland played deep into overtime, finally coming away with a 12-9 victory. The Browns’ defense was stupendous—they defended 11 passes; rookie Denzel Ward grabbed his third interception of the season, which is tied for the league lead, and Baltimore was held without a touchdown.

The Chargers rolled past the Raiders 26-10, behind a balanced and potent offensive attack. Quarterback Philip Rivers was a meticulous 22-of-27 for 339 yards and two touchdowns while running backs Melvin Gordon and Austin Ekeler combined for 179 total yards and two touchdowns. Ekeler caught one of Rivers’ two TD tosses.

The Browns are looking for their first winning streak since 2014, but have played almost an extra half football this season as overtime frequenters. We’ll see if fatigue catches up to them this week or if Baker Mayfield and company can hold off a Chargers’ team that has seemingly found their groove. 

Bing Predicts Winner: Cleveland Browns (51% chance)

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Carolina Panthers @ Washington Redskins

Game time: Sunday, Oct. 14, 1 p.m. EST

Historical matchup: Washington Redskins lead series 7-6-0

Like it was nothing, Graham Gano trotted onto the field and knocked through a 63-yard field goal to beat the New York Giants 33-31 as time expired. It was tied for the longest game-winning kick in NFL history. On a day where many kickers were scapegoats, Gano was a hero. He went 4-of-4, including the monster kick. Quarterback Cam Newton was, in his own words, "subpar," but did have two touchdown throws in the victory.  

The Redskins fell to 2-2 after a picture-perfect night for Saints’ quarterback Drew Brees. The decorated QB’s evening couldn’t have been written better than it played out—he had as many touchdown passes as incompletions—three of each—and a nearly perfect passer rating of 153.2 en route to his record-breaking performance. The Redskins didn’t have a chance. From the start, it was Brees’ stage.

Now Washington must right the ship against an NFC opponent, the Panthers, who are on a two-game winning streak and a mission to keep pace with the red-hot Saints, who lead the NFC South division. The Redskins’ .500 record is good enough for first place in the NFC East, but a win this week would provide a cushion as Washington is yet to square off against a division foe this season.

Bing Predicts Winner: Washington Redskins (61% chance)

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Seattle Seahawks @ Oakland Raiders

Game time: Sunday, Oct. 14, 1 p.m. EST

Historical matchup: Oakland Raiders lead the series 29-25-0

The matchup between the Seahawks and the Raiders features two West Coast teams traveling across the Atlantic Ocean—an eight-hour time difference for each squad—for the NFL’s first of three games at Wembley Stadium in London.

Despite a valiant effort, the Seahawks couldn’t defeat the Rams. In a game that saw five lead changes, Seattle showed promise carrying their lead into the fourth quarter and driving the ball into Rams’ territory late in the game with a chance to take the lead, but back-to-back penalties had Seattle facing a third-and-23 they could not convert. After punting, the Seahawks’ offense never saw the ball again.

The Raiders have shown flashes of offensive productivity, averaging 411.2 yards-per-game which is the sixth-highest mark in the league, but the team amassed only 289 yards last week. Quarterback Derek Carr has thrown eight interceptions against seven touchdowns. Amari Cooper, the team’s #1 receiver on the depth chart, is fourth in targets this season and had only one target last week in the Raiders’ blowout loss.

Bing Predicts Winner: Seattle Seahawks (70% chance)

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Buffalo Bills @ Houston Texans

Game time: Sunday, Oct. 14, 1 p.m. EST

Historical matchup: The series is tied 4-4-0

These two underperforming AFC squads both managed to eke out narrow victories last week. The Buffalo Bills used a game-winning field goal to earn their second win of the season, but it wasn’t pretty. The Bills and the Titans combined for just 200 yards passing. Rookie quarterback Josh Allen threw for a whopping 82 yards.

The Texans needed overtime before their game-winning field goal lifted them over the Cowboys. Houston advanced the ball within five yards of the end zone five different times and, of those trips, came away with 16 points in their 19-16 victory.

Both teams have been wildly inconsistent this season, but either the Texans or the Bills will move to .500 after Week 6. Houston is heavily favored because of how impressive they’ve been on offense, but it’s crucial that they capitalize on opportunities and not let the Bills stick around. Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins was magnificent. He finished with nine receptions for 151 yards. Expect another heavy dose of the All-Pro against a depleted Bills' secondary.

Bing Predicts Winner: Houston Texans (75% chance)

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Atlanta Falcons

Game time: Sunday, Oct. 14, 1 p.m. EST

Historical matchup: Atlanta Falcons lead series 25-24-0

The early season pyrotechnics from the Buccaneers have subsided after ‘Fitzmagic’ was brought back to earth and the squad dropped two-straight games, including a 48-10 annihilation by the Bears. Jameis Winston was announced as the starter heading into the team’s Week 5 bye, but it remains to be seen if the switch will be the right choice for the season.

The Falcons desperately need a win: Only two teams have made the playoffs after a 1-5 start since the NFL-AFL merger. The Kansas City Chiefs did it in 2016. Atlanta, who came into last week having been competitive in every game, was rolled by the Steelers 41-17. The Falcons and their dismal record is one of the biggest surprises of the season.

If Atlanta wants to stay in the NFC playoff conversation, this game is as close to a must-win as it gets. Julio Jones, who entered Sunday’s game with the most receiving yards in the NFL, finished with only five catches for 62 yards. The Falcons cannot afford to get away from their most potent offensive weapon this week against the division-rival Bucs. 

Bing Predicts Winner: Atlanta Falcons (66% chance)

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Pittsburgh Steelers @ Cincinnati Bengals

Game time: Sunday, Oct. 14, 1 p.m. EST

Historical matchup: Pittsburgh leads series 62-35-0

The Pittsburgh Steelers finally showed what they’re capable of in a 41-17 rout of the Atlanta Falcons. The only problem is they run into one of the best teams in football this week in the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals sit atop the AFC North, while the Steelers are hoping to move up with an important division win.

After playing some of their worst football of the season, Cincinnati scored 27 unanswered points to come from behind and take down the Dolphins 27-17. A.J. Green eclipsed 100 yards for the first time this season (six receptions for 112 yards) and re-established himself as the Bengals go-to option at receiver. The Steelers star receiver, Antonio Brown, also topped 100 yards receiving and had two touchdown catches in their victory.

Week 6 marks the first time since 2015 the Bengals have been favored in a game over the Steelers, but Pittsburgh has won eight of the last nine contests. Both teams rank toward the bottom of the league in total defense, so expect an offensive showdown. 

Bing Predicts Winner: Cincinnati Bengals (53% chance)

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Arizona Cardinals @ Minnesota Vikings

Game time: Sunday, Oct. 14, 1 p.m. EST

Historical matchup: Minnesota Vikings lead series 16-11-0

The Cardinals are no longer a winless team after forcing five turnovers and taking down the 49ers 28-18.

The Vikings grabbed a huge road victory over the defending Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles, but it’s tough to say if it was a praiseworthy performance by Minnesota or an indictment of how lackluster Philly has been. Nevertheless, the Vikings have a chance to move to a half-game back in the NFC North if the Dolphins can defeat the Bears this week. Vikings’ receiver Adam Thielen has been stellar: He became the first player in the Super Bowl era to have 100 or more yards in each of his team’s first five games.

Arizona bolstered their offense this week after adding Kendall Wright. The 2012 first-round selection by the Tennessee Titans spent training camp with the Vikings—the Cardinals Week 6 opponent—before being cut prior to the season’s start.

The Cardinals have been bad this season, incredibly bad. The team ranks in last place in total yards per game, rushing yards per game, first downs per game, and average time of possession. As expected, they are big underdogs on the road this Sunday. 

Bing Predicts Winner: Minnesota Vikings (78% chance)

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Indianapolis Colts @ New York Jets

Game time: Sunday, Oct. 14, 1 p.m. EST

Historical matchup: Indianapolis Colts lead series 42-31-0

The Colts and the Jets won’t be considered as one of the premier games this week, but these two teams could be better than their records indicate.  

The Jets’ season has been anything but predictable. They opened with a blowout victory over the Lions, lost three straight games, and then convincingly defeated the the Broncos last week. Rookie quarterback Sam Darnold completed only 10 passes in the victory, but three of them were touchdowns, and running back Isaiah Crowell rushed for a franchise-record 219 yards.

Indianapolis quarterback Andrew Luck has played well this season after missing all of 2017, but a litany of injuries has limited the Colts’ production. They desperately need these extra few days of rest after their Thursday night loss to the Patriots; the number of available players on the roster made its way down into the 30s before the game was over.

If the Colts can get a few guys back, this should be a close game. 

Bing Predicts Winner: New York Jets (63% chance)

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Chicago Bears @ Miami Dolphins

Game time: Sunday, Oct. 14, 1 p.m. EST

Historical matchup: Miami Dolphins lead series 8-4-0

The well-rested Bears march into Miami off of a bye week that followed one of the most impressive quarterback displays in team history. Mitchell Trubisky threw for six touchdowns in the team’s 48-10 dismantling of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Chicago currently sits in first place of the NFC North armed with the most efficient defense in the NFL and the reigning NFC Defensive Player of the Month.

The Miami Dolphins, after a 3-0 start, have dropped two straight games by double digits. Quarterback Ryan Tannehill has posted a sub-60 passer rating for the second-consecutive week. The Week 5 loss proves that no lead is safe for the Dolphins; after jumping out to a 17-0 lead, the Cincinnati Bengals scored the final 27 points of the game.

The lethal Bears’ pass rush will attack a banged-up Dolphins’ offensive line that could be without three starters. If Trubisky can do half of what he accomplished last week, Chicago should easily handle Miami. 

Bing Predicts Winner: Chicago Bears (60% chance)

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Los Angeles Rams @ Denver Broncos

Game time: Sunday, Oct. 14, 4:05 p.m. EST

Historical matchup: Los Angeles Rams lead series 8-5-0

For the first time all season, the Rams trailed in the fourth quarter of Week 5, but like they’ve done all season, they prevailed. Los Angeles continues to prove why they’re one of the best, if not the best, teams in football. L.A. and one of the most dynamic running backs in the league, Todd Gurley II, will face a Broncos’ team that relinquished 323 rushing yards last week.

The Rams may need to rely on the rushing game more predominantly than usual—top receivers Cooper Kupp and Brandin Cooks both left last Sunday’s game with concussions.

The Broncos will likely try to keep the ball on the ground as well and feed their rookie running back duo Royce Freeman and Phillip Lindsay since the Rams surrendered a gaudy 5.9 yards per carry last week on the ground to Seattle. All that said, Los Angeles has proven they are a good enough all around team to endure injuries, inconsistencies, and a late-game deficit. The Rams should be picked to win each week until they give us a reason to believe they’re not the team to beat in football. 

Bing Predicts Winner: Los Angeles Rams (72% chance)

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Jacksonville Jaguars @ Dallas Cowboys

Game time: Sunday, Oct. 14, 4:25 p.m. EST

Historical matchup: Series is tied 3-3

Jacksonville is looking to rebound after Kansas City showed them who the true front-runner in the AFC is. The Jaguars fell 30-14 to the Chiefs, and quarterback Blake Bortles was responsible for five turnovers, four interceptions and one fumble.

Jacksonville is ailing from injuries. The team placed running back Corey Grant and tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins on injured reserve, bringing their number of key offensive players injured to 10. Starting running back Leonard Fournette, who has been battling a hamstring injury, is one of those key players. It’s unclear if he’ll be ready to go this Sunday.

Dallas fell to Houston 19-16 in overtime, in part due to an ultra-conservative call by head coach Jason Garrett to punt the ball on fourth-and-one inside of Texans’ territory. The Cowboys never regained possession.

Good news for the Cowboys: they welcome the Jaguars into Dallas where they are undefeated this season, but a tenacious Jacksonville team coming off of a loss will be their toughest task to date.

Bing Predicts Winner: Jacksonville Jaguars (60% chance)

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Baltimore Ravens @ Tennessee Titans

Game time: Sunday, Oct. 14, 4:25 p.m. EST

Historical matchup: Series is tied 11-11

The Ravens and Titans both suffered brutal Week 5 losses. Neither team managed to muster a single touchdown against their opponent. The Cleveland Browns needed an extra quarter and a wobbly last-second field goal from Greg Joseph to beat the Ravens 12-9; the Titans also lost on a last-second field goal when Steven Hauschka knocked in a 46-yard field goal.

This matchup will provide insight into these two teams and whether or not they are contenders. Both squads were a play or two away from a 4-1 record and at least a tie atop their respective divisions.

The Titans could be without two-time Pro Bowl left tackle Taylor Lewan, who has been battling injury all season and left Sunday’s game after hurting his foot in the second quarter. Neither starting safety Kenny Vaccaro nor starting linebacker Wesley Woodyard suited up last week. It’s unclear if Lewan or Woodyard will be available against the Ravens. Vaccaro has been ruled out.

Although they have one of the league’s best kickers in Justin Tucker, the Ravens will need to find the end zone more consistently. The team hasn’t scored a touchdown in over 123 minutes of game action.

Bing Predicts Winner: Baltimore Ravens (57% chance)

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Kansas City Chiefs @ New England Patriots

Game time: Sunday, Oct. 14, 8:20 p.m. EST

Historical matchup: Kansas City Chiefs lead series 18-14-3

This primetime contest is the centerpiece of Week 6 in the NFL and a potential foreshadowing of the AFC Championship game.

Despite remaining one of two undefeated teams and easily handling the Jacksonville Jaguars and their top-ranked defense last week, the Chiefs are still underdogs on the road in New England. The showdown will feature last year’s MVP, Tom Brady, and the early MVP favorite, Patrick Mahomes II, in what is sure to be an offensive onslaught. Kansas City, who has one of the league’s top offenses, also has its most porous defense. The Chiefs were able to force five turnovers last week, though. This game could easily come down to who wins the turnover battle.

As expected, the Patriots have woken up from their early season slumber, winning two-straight games and scoring 38 points in each. Last week marked the first time Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman shared the same field for a regular season game since 2016.

This has all the makings for one of the most entertaining games of the season. 

Bing Predicts Winner: New England Patriots (54% chance)

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San Francisco 49ers @ Green Bay Packers

Game time: Monday, Oct. 15, 8:15 p.m. EST

Historical matchup: Green Bay Packers lead series 35-30-1

Mason Crosby, the all-time leading Packers scorer, was anything but “all-time” on Sunday. The veteran kicker missed five kicks, four field goals, and an extra point. The Packers would go on to lose 31-23. An incredible Aaron Rodgers performance—442 passing yards and three touchdowns—was for naught as many mistakes proved too much to overcome.

The Packers are sticking with Crosby despite his lackluster performance and trusting that the 12-year veteran can shake off the worst game of his career.

The San Francisco 49ers had the unfortunate role last week of providing the Arizona Cardinals with their first win of the year. The 49ers have been plagued with injuries since the beginning of the season. They lost running back Jerick McKinnon and quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo to season-ending ACL injuries earlier this year, and they entered Sunday’s game without defensive back Jimmie Ward or wide receivers Marquise Goodwin and Dante Pettis. To make matters worse, running back Matt Breida sprained his ankle in the loss to the Cardinals and is doubtful for Monday night.

A faltering San Francisco team enters Green Bay as big underdogs this week.

Bing Predicts Winner: Green Bay Packers (67% chance)

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