- Who Shot First? - The first head coach firing of the 2019 NFL season occurred Monday at 5:30 AM. Washington relieved Jay Gruden of his duties following an 0-4 start to the season. It's bad enough getting fired, but waking up at 5:00 in the morning to get fired? Can't be fun. Assistant Bill Callahan will take over as interim head coach. Coaches the Redskins are rumored to be looking at include Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bienemy and Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, but whom Dan Snyder ends up hiring is anyone's guess.
- Andrew Who? - It's never ideal when your franchise quarterback retires a week before the regular season, but if you've watched the Colts this season, you'd never know that that's exactly what happened to Indianapolis. With former backup Jacoby Brissett at QB, the Colts have started 3-2, including a big win over Kansas City Sunday night. Chris Ballard and company have built a team that can weather the blow of losing a starting quarterback.
- Dapgate - Instead of Tuesday being spent talking about the legitimacy of the 49ers and the problems facing the Browns, it was spent talking about a pre-game handshake. San Francisco corner (and noted talker) Richard Sherman stated that several Niners felt disrespected by an apparent handshake snub by Baker Mayfield during the coin toss, and they used that to fuel their blowout of the Browns. However, Sherman's story was disputed Tuesday afternoon, when video was released of the coin toss. People treated it like the JFK assassination, looking at different camera angles to see if Baker and Sherman actually shook hands. The video showed that they did, and Sherman backpedaled faster than he does in a game, saying that he was talking about Baker not shaking his hand after the coin toss, then later apologizing to Baker. This whole thing was ridiculous.
Week 5 Superlatives
Best Performance: Aaron Jones, RB, Packers (19 carries, 107 yards, 4 TD; 7 catches, 75 yards)
Aaron Jones pleased Packer fans and fantasy owners alike on Sunday, tearing up the Dallas defense. His four-touchdown performance edged out Houston WR Will Fuller V's three-TD performance.
Best Play: Russell Wilson 13-yard TD Pass to Tyler Lockett
I considered Matt Brieda's 83-yard touchdown run (in which he broke 22 miles per hour), but I went with this beautiful throw-and-catch between Russ Wilson and Ty Lockett Thursday night.
Best Quote: "Oh, I hope the little darlin' didn't hear something he hadn't heard before." - Jerry Jones, Cowboys Owner
Sunday afternoon's Packers-Cowboys game provided us with the funniest interaction between a coach and a referee this year. Jason Garrett, unhappy with the officials, challenged a play by spiking the red flag right in front of a referee, which drew a yellow flag. Jerry Jones also wasn't pleased.
Week 6 Games
Thursday
Giants @ Patriots
(8:20 PM, FOX/NFL)
Giants fans woke up from their Danny Dimes Dream last week, as Daniel Jones suffered his first career loss. His second career loss will likely come Thursday, especially since New York will be without Saquon Barkley, Wayne Galman, Sterling Shepherd, Evan Engram and much hope.
Spread: NE -17 Over/Under: 41
Prediction: Patriots 31, Giants 13
Sunday
Panthers @ Buccaneers
(London, UK, 9:30 AM, NFL)
This week brings the return of early morning London games. Mike Evans and the Bucs fell short against New Orleans last Sunday, while CMC and the Panthers held off Minshew Magic. With McCaffrey now questionable to play (blimey!), I'll take "Good Jameis" and the Buccaneers.
Spread: CAR -2.5 Over/Under: 47.5
Prediction: Buccaneers 26, Panthers 21
Seahawks @ Browns
(1:00 PM, FOX)
Ugh. Well, I guess being on a rollercoaster in better than being on an escalator that only goes down. The rollercoaster could go back up this week, but it will be tough sledding against a top-tier Seahawk team that is firing on all cylinders (so, the opposite of the Browns right now).
Spread: SEA -2 Over/Under: 47
Prediction: Seahawks 24, Browns 20
Texans @ Chiefs
(1:00 PM, CBS)
This should be a good one. The Chiefs suffered their first loss of the season Sunday night in Indy, while the Texans lambasted the Falcons. I expect points galore in this contest (both teams sport top-10 offenses), and I'll take Kansas City to edge Houston at home.
Spread: KC -5 Over/Under: 55
Prediction: Chiefs 35, Texans 31
Redskins @ Dolphins
(1:00 PM, FOX)
Right now, it looks like there a three favorites to win the number on pick in the draft: the Dolphins, the Redskins, and the Bengals. If I were to bet on a team to win it, I'd bet on the Dolphins, who are blatantly tanking, but don't underestimate the ineptitude of the other two teams. I'll take Washington.
Spread: WAS -3.5 Over/Under: 41
Prediction: Redskins 27, Dolphins 17
Eagles @ Vikings
(1:00 PM, FOX)
The Vikings breezed by the Giants last week, while the Eagles had a bye week... oh, wait, I'm sorry, they played the Sam Darnold-less Jets. I still can't trust the Vikings, even after an 18-point victory seemingly washed away the drama in the receiver room. I have more faith in the Eagles.
Spread: MIN -3 Over/Under: 44
Prediction: Eagles 27, Vikings 14
Saints @ Jaguars
(1:00 PM, CBS)
The Saints are rolling along, even without Drew Brees, but they'll have to contend with Minshew Magic this weekend. The Panthers were barely able to escape the mustache last week, and I think New Orleans escapes with the victory this week.
Spread: JAC -1.5 Over/Under: 44.5
Prediction: Saints 24, Jaguars 21
Bengals @ Ravens
(1:00 PM, CBS)
The AFC North, which many predicted could be the toughest division in football this season, looks like the worst division in football. That's good news for the Ravens, who, despite a blowout loss to Cleveland two weeks ago, are back in first place, and will stay in first place with a win on Sunday.
Spread: BAL -11.5 Over/Under: 48
Prediction: Ravens 35, Bengals 21
49ers @ Rams
(4:05 PM, FOX)
The two remaining unbeatens in the NFL? New England (of course) and San Francisco (not of course). It appears that this team is for real, but they'll face a brand new test in L.A. this weekend. I'll pick the host Rams to give the Niners their first loss of the season.
Spread: LAR -3 Over/Under: 50.5
Prediction: Rams 31, 49ers 24
Falcons @ Cardinals
(4:05 PM, FOX)
Falcons and Cardinals are not flightless birds, but these two teams aren't going anywhere this season. Atlanta looked awful against Houston last week, while Arizona barely beat the hapless Bengals. This Cardinals team boasts more potential, but I think the Falcons bounce back this week.
Spread: ATL -2.5 Over/Under: 51.5
Prediction: Falcons 30, Cardinals 24
Titans @ Broncos
(4:25 PM, CBS)
These two teams are prime examples of what I was talking about at the beginning of this article. The Titans keep alternating strong wins and tough losses, and the 1-4 Broncos are extremely close to being 3-2. I'll take the Titans in this one.
Spread: DEN -2 Over/Under: 39
Prediction: Titans 19, Broncos 17
Cowboys @ Jets
(4:25 PM, CBS)
Questions surround the Cowboys after they lost for a second straight week, further suggesting that their 3-0 start might've been largely due to weak competition. Sam Darnold is expected to return this week, giving the Jets a much better chance. However, I'll still pick the Cowboys.
Spread: DAL -7 Over/Under: 43
Prediction: Cowboys 28, Jets 17
Steelers @ Chargers
(8:20 PM, NBC)
Like most of the NFL, I don't exactly know what to make of these teams. Usually, the Chargers fall behind and then Phillip Rivers bring them back, but so far this season, they're mostly just falling behind. But the Steelers will be starting a Duck at quarterback, so I'll side with the Bolts.
Spread: LAC -6.5 Over/Under: 41
Prediction: Chargers 30, Steelers 20
Monday
Lions @ Packers
(8:15 PM, ESPN)
Coming off a bye week, the 2-1-1 Lions face a Packers team riding high off a big win in Dallas. I believe that this will be a back-and-forth games, but I think Aaron Jones and the Packers will emerge victorious.
Spread: GB -4 Over/Under: 47
Prediction: Packers 32, Lions 27
Last Week: 10-5 vs. Spread: 7-7-1 Over/Under: 8-7
Season: 46-31-1 vs. Spread: 32-45-1 Over/Under: 36-41-1
My Week 6 Daily Fantasy Lineup
QB: Matt Ryan, Falcons (@ ARI)
Despite getting smashed by the Texans last week, Ryan still had a solid fantasy day, thanks to 330 yards passing and three touchdowns. This week, he faces off against the porous Cardinal defense. I also considered Deshaun Watson vs. Kansas City and Case Keenum against Miami.
RB: Alvin Kamara, Saints (@ JAC)
Jacksonville's defense got ripped up by Christian McCaffrey last week, and if there is anyone who has the ability to replicate CMC's performance, it's Kamara, one of the most versatile backs in football. I also considered Aaron Jones against Detroit.
RB: Chris Carson, Seahawks (@ CLE)
Carson has gone for over 100 yards on the ground in two straight games, and he could make it three against a Browns defense that got gashed by San Francisco's run game Monday night. Another solid option is Derrick Henry against Denver.
WR: DJ Chark, Jaguars (vs. NO)
Chark has emerged as Gardner Minshew's favorite target. He had eight catches for 164 yards and two touchdowns last week against Carolina, and he could keep it going Sunday against the Saints. I also considered Julian Edelman against the Giants.
WR: Tyler Boyd, Bengals (@ BAL)
Last week was really hit-or-miss for me, but Boyd was one of my hits. He reeled in 10 catches for 123 yards and a touchdown. I'm going back to him again this week against Baltimore. You could also look at teammate Auden Tate as a bargain bin option.
WR: Terry McLaurin, Redskins (@ MIA)
In each of the four games in which Scary Terry has played, he has been targeted at least seven times. If the Washington offense is going to look good against anyone, it's going to be Miami. You could also go with Tyler Lockett vs. the Browns.
TE: Austin Hooper, Falcons (@ ARI)
I'll double up and pair Matt Ryan with his tight end in Arizona. Hooper has 34 total catches through five games, and he'll have room to operate against the Cardinal defense. I also considered Will Dissly against Cleveland.
FLEX: Le'Veon Bell, Jets (vs. DAL)
Bell has been the workhorse in New York, but he hasn't been able to get going because of the ineffectiveness of the rest of the offense. With Sam Darnold returning, things should open up for Bell, especially against a Dallas defense that got shredded last week. I also considered Kerryon Johnson against Green Bay.
DEF: Washington Redskins (@ MIA)
I know it's Washington, but they're playing the Dolphins. I also considered Tennessee vs. Denver.
Stats and info via ESPN.com, OddsShark.com, Twitter.com, CBSSports.com, FanDuel.com, and SportingNews.com
Lines via OddsShark.com
Lines as of Wednesday evening
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