The Week 6 slate starts with the modern-day rivalry between the Patriots and Giants. Then, we’ll have the desperate Steelers up against the Chargers in LA. Tuesday’s NFC North battle between the Packers and Lions figures to be one of the best games of the Week as well. We have a full preview and betting tips for these key matchups of the week here.
NFL Week 6 Betting Tips
New York Giants at New England Patriots (Friday 11.20am AEDT)
The Patriots have shown no signs of slowing down in 2019 with a 5-0 record and they're well favoured to make it 6-0 against the Giants this Friday. While they've only played one team with a winning record (Bills), the defensive masterclass by Bill Belichick and his squad has been impressive. In those 5 victories, they've allowed just 34 total points and rank 1st for passing yards allowed. While on offence, Tom Brady has 10 tds and 4 of 5 games with 2 or more touchdown passes. Edelman is showing his elite toughness while playing through broken ribs and has continued to be Brady's favourite target.
New York is in full rebuild mode with Rookie QB Daniel Jones at the helm after replacing Eli Manning earlier season. Which is a shame for Eli considering his epic battles with Brady and the Pats in his 2 Super Bowl victories. Injuries at the running back position are a problem for the Giants with Barkley sidelined and backup Gallman suffering concussion last week. So Daniel Jones will likely have to beat this defence in the air, which won't be an easy task.
The Giants do enjoy playing the Patriots with 8 of the last 9 meetings being decided by 4 or fewer points. However, New England's defence should be the difference in a low scoring affair this time. The Giants will likely struggle to move the ball all game, considering the Pats are the 4th best team against the run and the best against the pass. So the question will be whether the Giants D can stop Brady and their running game. With a 5-0 Unders record in New England and 8-1 ATS in their last 9 road games, we're banking on the Giants defence to hold them off for long enough to keep this matchup Under 43 points. The Under also has a nice 5-2 record in the Patriots last 7 home games.
Total points UNDER 43
$1.99
Pittsburgh Steelers at Los Angeles Chargers (Monday 11.20am AEDT)
This is a key home game for the LA Chargers are a string of close losses in 2019. In their 2-3 start, they've lost to the Broncos by 7, Houston by 7 and Detroit by 3. They continue to be strong passing the football with veteran Phillip Rivers and wideout Keenan Allen. While in the running game, Melvin Gordon returned from his holdout last week and didn't get much action as the Chargers abandoned the run. On defence, the Chargers will need a better showing against the run with this matchup against James Conner after they gave up 191 yards on the ground against Denver.
It's been a shocking start to the season for the Steelers with injuries and it's not getting any easier. Backup QB Mason Rudolph was knocked out of last week's 3 point loss to the Ravens so he may miss this clash with a concussion. Their offence has obviously struggled without Antonio Brown as they've near the bottom of the NFL for passing/rushing yards. So they'll need a solid showing by their defence in this matchup against Rivers and the Chargers.
Both the Chargers and Steelers have been sloppy in 2019 so we believe this will be a low scoring/grinding type of contest. Pittsburgh could be starting their 3rd string QB and they'll need to put more faith in their running game. Meanwhile, Rivers was picked off twice last week and the Chargers offence hasn't looked overly great thus far. So we're looking for the Under in this matchup as well. It's saluted in 6 of the last 8 games between these two sides when the Chargers are the home side. The Steelers have a 7-1 Unders record in their last 8 road games and the Chargers are 4-1 against it at home.
Total points UNDER 41.5
$1.90
Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers (Tuesday 11.15am AEDT)
The renewed Green Bay Packers moved to 4-1 on the season last week with an impressive performance against the Cowboys in Arlington. Packers RB Aaron Jones had a field day on the ground with 4 touchdowns in the 34-24 victory. Which was a perfect response after the Eagles upset them at home previously. The Packers are the best takeaway team in the NFL (+7) and they'll look to pressure Lions QB Matt Stafford all game in this matchup. There's a chance star wideout Davante Adams returns from a toe injury and Aaron Rodgers will be extra dangerous if that occurs.
Detroit have enjoyed a solid 2-1-1 start to the season and they'll be back from the bye for this divisional clash. In Week 4, they almost upset the Chiefs at home and close games involving the Lions are becoming a trend. They tied with the Cardinals in Week 1 and have recorded margins of 3, 3 and 4 in their last 3 games. The key against the Packers will be getting back to their running game through Kerryon Johnson after his 125 yards on 26 carries against the Chiefs. So if they can run some clock, that'll keep the ball away from Rodgers.
The Lions have turned the tables (Packers 22-3 at Lambeau against Detriot) in this NFC North rivalry after 4 wins on the trot and a 31-0 victory last December at Lambeau Field. However, the Packers are a different side now. We feel this will be a high scoring affair considering two defensive factors. The first being the poor Lions against the pass. They're 30th in the NFL with 280 passing yards allowed per game and that should mean trouble against Aaron Rodgers. While for the Packers, their run defence hasn't been great overall and the Lions should take advantage on the ground. Which should open up the field for Matt Stafford. With the Over going 6-1 in the last 7 meetings and the Packers last 3 games going Over, we like it here.
Total points OVER 49.5
$1.98
