Week 5 of the NFL season delivered us some thrillers. There were multiple double-digit comebacks and quite a few upsets, giving us just a taste of what the rest of the season has in store.

Hopefully, Week 6 is just as unforgettable as Week 5. There are some heavy favorites, but also quite a few games that should come down to the wire.

Last week we didn’t do so hot. The Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans and other tripped us up, but we’re back at it again and hope to do better this time around.

Here are our records from our first week of predictions.

Luke Hubbard: 8-5

Tim Wood: 7-6

Abhisek Singh: 6-7

Here are the EssentiallySports staff’s predictions for every game in Week 6.

Eagles at Giants

Game Time: Thursday, 7:15 pm at MetLife Stadium

Where to Watch: Amazon Prime TV

Broadcasters: Al Michaels, Kirk Herbstreit, Kaylee Hartung

Game Odds: Eagles (-6.5), O/U 40.5

PFF Rankings: PHI offense 14, defense 5. NYG offense 29, defense 10

Recent Matchups: Eagles 21-17 loss to Broncos, Giants 26-14 loss to Saints

Players Ruled Out: Anthony Johnson, Nakobe Dean

Luke Hubbard, Senior NFL Writer: On paper, this should be a Philadelphia Eagles blowout. The New York Giants are one of the worst teams in the league, and the Eagles are 4-1, and yet, I don’t think it’ll be that simple. Philly’s offense has been out of sync this year, so I think the Giants can keep it close, but ultimately lose. Eagles 24, Giants 18

Abhisek Singh, NFL Content Manager: Don’t be fooled by the Eagles’ passing game. It may look efficient on paper but lacks explosiveness. The Giants’ offense is collapsing under pressure and injuries. I expect Philly to lean on Barkley and the defense to grind out a win. Eagles 16, Giants 12

Tim Wood, NFL Content Chief: One X factor. This game is pivotal in the fate of Giants head coach Brian Daboll. He just needs to sell hope here. Do the players want to play for him? Week 4, the answer was yes. Week 5, not so much. I think ultimately, this is a close game, enough to sustain support around the coach.Eagles 24, Giants 20

Reubyn Coutinho, NFL Senior Lead Editor: The Eagles could not have asked for a better game to turn things around. The same goes for Barkley, who will relish another chance to show the Giants what they lost. Expect him to cross 100 rushing yards and increase the scrutiny around Daboll. It will be close, and, well, at least the Giants have the Jets’ futility to hide behind. Eagles 20, Giants 17

Broncos at Jets (London)

Game Time: Sunday, 9:30 am at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

Where to Watch: NFL Network

Broadcasters: Rich Eisen, Kurt Warner, Sara Walsh

Game Odds: Broncos (-6.5), O/U 43.5

PFF Rankings: DEN offense 19, defense 15. NYJ offense 23, defense 26

Recent Matchups: Broncos 21-17 win over Eagles, Jets 37-22 loss to Cowboys

Players Ruled Out: Allen Lazard

Hubbard: The Denver Broncos just earned a massive win over the Eagles and are looking to keep the good times rolling. The New York Jets look dead in the water right now, and after struggling against one of the worst defenses in the league, they face one of the best in Denver. Look for the Broncos to win big this weekend. Broncos 31, Jets 13

Singh: The Broncos’ run defense has been elite this season (just 2 rushing TDs allowed). Sean Payton should be able to stifle the one-dimensional Jets. New York’s scoring woes make it hard to see an upset. Broncos 25, Jets 10

Wood: If you had told me coming into 2025 that the Jets would be 0-6 … as much as I historically cackle at the Jets’ organizational failures as a Pats fan, I just never saw this coming. Every instinct in my betting bones says go oppo to the crowd here but I can’t do it. Broncos 28, Jets 21

Coutinho: A trip across the pond will not change things for the New York Jets. Let’s not even take up space for these guys. One small piece of advice- load your fantasy teams with Broncos’ offensive players this week. Broncos 34, Jets 12

Cardinals at Colts

Game Time: Sunday, 1 pm at Lucas Oil Stadium

Where to Watch: FOX, NFL Sunday Ticket

Broadcasters:Kevin Kugler, Daryl Johnston, Allison Williams

Game Odds: Colts (-6.5), O/U 47.5

PFF Rankings: IND offense 6, defense 13. PHX offense 26, defense 23

Recent Matchups: Colts 40-6 win over Raiders, Cardinals 22-21 loss to Titans

Players Ruled Out: Tip Reiman, Mike Hilton

Hubbard: The Arizona Cardinals just lost to the Tennessee Titans, and now they have to face one of the best teams in the league? Yeah, give me the Indianapolis Colts in an easy one. Colts 29, Cardinals 20

Singh: Cardinals face the talk-of-the-league Colts, led by efficient play from Daniel Jones and a balanced attack. Arizona’s defense might slow Jonathan Taylor a bit, but the Colts should control this one. Colts 27, Cardinals 17

Wood: This is my co-pick for the Admiral Ackbar Trap Game of the Week. Everything, everyone, probably the extraterrestrials monitoring us from galaxies far away … they’re all going Colts. Momentum, matchups, home at Indy … it all says Colts. Sometimes the universe is right, and sometimes … Cardinals 38, Colts 34

Coutinho: It just can’t get worse for the Cardinals. Wrong. It can. Playing against a red hot Daniel Jones at home is the last thing they wanted. One silver lining is that they surely cannot have a worse spell than they did in Glendale. If they do… We don’t want to imagine it. Colts 41, Cardinals 18

Chargers at Dolphins

Game Time: Sunday, 1 pm at Hard Rock Stadium

Where to Watch: CBS, NFL Sunday Ticket

Broadcasters: Andrew Catalon, Charles Davis, Jason McCourty, AJ Ross

Game Odds: Chargers (-3.5), O/U 42.5

PFF Rankings: LAC offense 15, defense 8. MIA offense 25, defense 32

Recent Matchups: Chargers 27-10 loss to Commanders, Dolphins 27-24 loss to Panthers

Players Ruled Out: Cornell Armstrong, Liam Eichenberg, Omarion Hamption

Hubbard: The Miami Dolphins are clearly one of the worst teams in the league, and while the Los Angeles Chargers are beat up, they should be able to handle Mike McDaniel’s sqaud. Chargers 21, Dolphins 14

Singh: Chargers are looking to bounce back after back-to-back losses, and Miami’s shaky defense will be the perfect remedy. Even without Hampton, Herbert should find success against Dolphins’ leaky secondary. While McDaniel can keep it close, LA’s overall talent and defensive edge should prevail. Chargers 28, Dolphins 23

Wood: The Chargers already showed against the Giants that they don’t travel east well. This is more of a hope pick for me, because my 40 years covering this game tell me the Chargers are going to keep Chargering (aka losing when they’re supposed to win). But the optimist, the romantic in me wants them to prove us all wrong. And this, friends, could be the end of Mr. McDaniel. Chargers 48, Dolphins 17  

Coutinho: At this point, Justin Herbert and Co. will be delighted to facing anyone outside the NFC East. Can they win? They have gotten one of the three teams that the rest of the league is salivating to play. That’s how bad the Dolphins are and things will not change, even at home. Chargers 25, Dolphins 16

Patriots at Saints

Game Time: Sunday, 1 pm at Caesars Superdome

Where to Watch: CBS, NFL Sunday Ticket

Broadcasters: Spero Dedes, Adam Archuleta, Aditi Kinkhabwala

Game Odds: Patriots (-3.5), O/U 45.5

PFF Rankings: NO offense 28, defense 20. NE offense 12, defense 25

Recent Matchups: Saints 26-14 win over Giants, Patriots 23-20 win over Bills

Players Ruled Out: Antonio Gibson

Hubbard: The New England Patriots just beat the Buffalo Bills on the road in primetime. Surely they’ll blow out the New Orleans Saints, right? No. I think they win, but the Saints have been feisty, so I like them to keep it close at home. Patriots 23, Saints 20

Singh: Drake Maye is the real deal, and the Patriots are starting to find their rhythm. After a statement win over Josh Allen’s Bills, Vrabel should handle a shaky Saints team that struggles to keep up offensively. Patriots 27, Saints 20

Wood: Welcome to the Maye bandwagon to Mr. Singh, our video department and the rest of the world outside of New England. But this is my other part of the Admiral Ackbar duo. The Saints deflated the Jaxson Dart hype bubble, too. I didn’t have the courage to pick the Pats against the Bills and I HEARD about it. I gotta pick them now until they lose. Patriots 28, Saints 20

Coutinho: “Oh, when the Pats go marching in …” It was too good an opportunity to pass up this line. The Saints will march, but they will come up short against Maye and Stefon Diggs. Expect the duo to feast on Sunday. Diggs is set to have a third consecutive 100-yard game. Patriots 25, Saints 21

Browns at Steelers

Game Time: Sunday, 1 pm at Acrisure Stadium

Where to Watch: CBS, NFL Sunday Ticket

Broadcasters: Ian Eagle, JJ Watt, Evan Washburn

Game Odds: Steelers (-6.5), O/U 38.5

PFF Rankings: CLE offense 31, defense 1. PIT offense 27, defense 9

Recent Matchups: Steelers bye, Browns 21-17 loss to Vikings

Players Ruled Out: David Bell, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah

Hubbard: The Cleveland Browns are committing to their two young quarterbacks after trading Joe Flacco away. While it’s the right move for the future of their franchise, it won’t help them this weekend against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Steelers 13, Browns 3

Singh: Steelers have the edge in this matchup, with a healthier defense and a rookie QB starting for the Browns. Travel and fatigue could play a part for the Browns after their London trip. Pittsburgh’s defense should frustrate Dillon Gabriel and help the team control the game. Steelers 24, Browns 14

Wood: Y’all are baiting me into going Lone Wolf here. Just begging me to go against my eye test. Here’s the thing. I think this is where the Steelers start to show who they really are, and it’s not a 3-1 team. This is the Gabiel hype explosion moment. Or the moment Shedeur Sanders replaces him at the half and orchestrates an all-time comeback. Either way … Browns 20, Steelers 17

Coutinho: Steelers off of a bye week will have too much firepower for a Browns team. Dillon Gabriel held his own across the pond, but he will not have his first NFL win as QB 1. That, of course, changes if Rodgers implodes as his old team did in the final 10 minutes. That’s not gonna happen with the Steelers extending their advantage in the AFC North. Steelers 29, Browns 14

Cowboys at Panthers

Game Time: Sunday, 1 pm at Bank of America Stadium

Where to Watch: FOX, NFL Sunday Ticket

Broadcasters:Adam Amin, Greg Olsen, Pam Oliver

Game Odds: Cowboys (-3.5), O/U 49.5

PFF Rankings: DAL offense 5, defense 31. CAR offense 21, defense 22

Recent Matchups: Cowboys 37-22 win over Jets, Panthers 27-24 win over Dolphins

Players Ruled Out: DeMarvion Overshown, Jonathan Brooks

Hubbard: The Dallas Cowboys are 2-2-1 and hoping to get above .500 for the first time this season with a win over the Carolina Panthers. Both teams are coming off a win, and while I believe in Bryce Young, Dak Prescott is the better quarterback and ultimately the Cowboys’ offense is too much for Carolina. Cowboys 41, Panthers 25

Singh: Dak Prescott & Cowboys’ 4th-ranked scoring offense should overpower the Panthers. Rico Dowdle won’t repeat his 200-yard game, and Dallas’ top-10 pass defense will contain Bryce Young. Cowboys 30, Panthers 20

Wood: This is the type of game where I just feel “Cowboy Steve” staring at me. The “just you wait” moment where the Cowboys collapse. I’m going against the Stephen A. Smith devil in my ear, mostly because I think Young and Dowdle both come back to Earth. Cowboys 33, Panthers 13

Coutinho: The Panthers have not lost at home this season. Their diehards are begging for a moment to go all-in on. It’s not this week. Young will falter against the Cowboys’ defense. If Panthers fans are seeking heart and grit, there will be an abundance of that … for the first quarter. Cowboys 36, Panthers 18

Seahawks at Jaguars

Game Time: Sunday, 1 pm at EverBank Stadium

Where to Watch: FOX, NFL Sunday Ticket

Broadcasters: Chris Myers, TBD (Mark Sanchez), Kristina Pink

Game Odds: Jaguars (-1.5), O/U 46.5

PFF Rankings: JAX offense 20, defense 6. SEA offense 1, defense 10

Recent Matchups: Cowboys 37-22 win over Jets, Panthers 27-24 win over Dolphins

Players Ruled Out: DeMarvion Overshown, Jonathan Brooks

Hubbard: The Jacksonville Jaguars just got a big, emotional win over the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday night, but now they have to face a pissed off Seattle Seahawks team. Love the Jaguars, but the Seahawks pull off the (slight) upset here. Seahawks 27, Jaguars 24

Singh: Jaguars are riding high after a signature win against the Chiefs, led by a defense with 14 takeaways. Trevor Lawrence and Jacksonville’s offense should carry some of that momentum, though Seattle’s run-heavy attack could chew the clock. I expect a high-scoring game. Jaguars 27, Seahawks 24

Wood: There’s no way the Seahawks could be in my most entertaining game of the week twice in a row, right? I just feel like both of these teams are showing they’re up to the moment. It’s going to be a last-possession kind of game and I have to go with the home team. I checked in with my Floor mate Molly. She’s feeling it, so I am, too. Jaguars 24, Seahawks 21

Coutinho: The Jaguars have shaken off decades of malaise thus far, but Sam Darnold is on another level this season. The Seahawks will head to Florida and snap the Jaguars’ three-game winning streak. Travis Hunter’s targets may rise but his success in catching them will not. Seahawks 31, Jaguars 25

Rams at Ravens

Game Time: Sunday, 1 pm at M&T Bank Stadium

Where to Watch: FOX, NFL Sunday Ticket

Broadcasters: Kevin Burkhardt, Tom Brady, Erin Andrews, Tom Rinaldi

Game Odds: Ravens (-7.5), O/U 45.5

PFF Rankings: LAR offense 2, defense 3. BAL offense 13, defense 29

Recent Matchups: Rams 23-26 loss to 49ers, Ravens 44-10 loss to Texans

Players Ruled Out: Emery Jones, Ar’Darius Washington

Hubbard: If Lamar Jackson doesn’t play this weekend, and there’s a good chance he doesn’t, this spread needs to be MUCH bigger. Give me the Los Angeles Rams in a blowout. Rams 41, Ravens 17

Singh: Ravens’ struggling offense, allowing a league-worst 35.4 points per game, faces a tough test. Matthew Stafford and the Rams, coming off extra rest and eager to bounce back from their TNF loss, should dominate both offensively and defensively. Rams 31, Ravens 17

Wood: I’m not happy on the fantasy side. I was really hoping Lamar would be back. So this is just an angry pick and I own that. Rams 62, Ravens 0

Coutinho: This one’s simple. If Cooper Rush lines up under center, Ravens fans should simply look ahead to the Bears game next weekend. Stafford and Puka Nacua will look to become the fourth team this season to cross the 37-point mark against the Ravens defense that only seems to be a defense on paper. Rams 42 – Ravens 17

Titans at Raiders

Game Time: Sunday, 4:05 pm at Allegiant Stadium

Where to Watch: FOX, NFL Sunday Ticket

Broadcasters:Kenny Albert, Jonathan Vilma, Megan Olivi

Game Odds: Raiders (-4.5), O/U 41.5

PFF Rankings: TEN offense 30, defense 19. LV offense 17, defense 30

Recent Matchups: Titans 22-21 win over Cardinals, Raiders 40-6 loss to Colts

Players Ruled Out: T’Vondre Sweat

Hubbard: The ugliest game of the week (possibly even the season). I’m not sure either team wants to win this game, but someone has to. Titans 15, Raiders 12

Singh: Pete Carroll is desperate to snap a four-game skid and must fix their turnover issues, but the Titans are coming off a confidence-boosting win. While the Raiders have more talent, Tennessee’s momentum and a struggling Las Vegas offense will make this a closer contest. Raiders 24, Titans 21

Wood: I’m with Luke on this. The Toilet Bowl battle of attrition and whatever futility cliches you want to (insert here). The under is the only winner here. Titans 6, Raiders 3

Coutinho: The Titans were lucky to get a win last week. It is just unlikely that they will get another quarter of football like that again. And especially not on Carroll’s watch. Raiders 22, Titans 10

Bengals at Packers

Game Time: Sunday, 4:25 pm at Lambeau Field

Where to Watch: CBS, NFL Sunday Ticket

Broadcasters: Kevin Harlan, Trent Green, Melanie Collins

Game Odds: Packers (-14.5), O/U 44.5

PFF Rankings: GB offense 9, defense 4. CIN offense 32, defense 28

Recent Matchups: Packers bye, Bengals 37-24 loss to Lions

Players Ruled Out: Erick All Jr., Christian Watson, John Williams, Collin Oliver

Hubbard: The Green Bay Packers are very good at football, and the Cincinnati Bengals are very bad at football (without Joe Burrow). Still, this spread is too high, especially with Joe Flacco likely taking over for Jake Browning. Packers 23, Bengals 14

Singh: Packers, coming off a bye, will dominate a struggling Bengals team. Flacco might bring some spark, but Cincinnati’s offense remains inconsistent, and it should be an easy win for head coach Matt LaFleur and Cheesehead Nation.

Wood: I just can’t accept a world where this Bengals roster is near-15-point underdogs. Is Vegas just trying to encourage action on a dud of a game? I’m ambivalent here. I feel like I should go against the grain, but the Bengals have looked SOOOO bad. Packers 31, Bengals 20

Coutinho: It would be real fun if Flacco took the Bengals to a win. Flacco could join an exclusive club with Jack Kemp from 1962 as the only other QB to beat the same team in a season leading two different squads. Flacco has the aura to pull it off, but he does not have a strong O-Line. The Bengals defense can’t win this either, as Jordan Love will go for two-plus TDs for the fourth time in five games. Hedging my bet moment: That one miss came against Flacco and the Browns. Packers 22, Bengals 16

49ers at Buccaneers

Game Time: Sunday, 4:25 pm at Raymond James Stadium

Where to Watch: CBS, NFL Sunday Ticket

Broadcasters: Jim Nantz, Tony Romo, Tracy Wolfson

Game Odds: Buccaneers (-2.5), O/U 47.5

PFF Rankings: SF offense 8, defense 21. TB offense 21, defense 16

Recent Matchups: 49ers 26-23 win over Rams, Buccaneers 38-35 win over Seahawks

Players Ruled Out: Mike Evans, Bucky Irving, Brandon Aiyuk

Hubbard: The Buccaneers are riding high off their big win over the Seahawks, but this feels like a bit of a trap game. I think the public is going to be all over the Bucs, so I’m going against the grain and riding with Mac Jones and the San Francisco 49ers. And I don’t think it’ll be that close. 49ers 30, Buccaneers 17

Singh: Baker Mayfield and the Bucs continue to roll while rookie Emeka Egbuka fuels Tampa Bay’s offense. Both teams are banged up, but the Bucs’ consistency and ability to win close games give them a slight edge. Buccaneers 27, 49ers 24

Wood: No matter which QB starts for San Fran, they’re too banged up to pull off a road miracle. I’m betting that the Bucs don’t even need a fourth-quarter comeback this time. Buccaneers 35, 49ers 20

Coutinho: This one’s my pick for game of the week. The 49ers defense will look to keep the guns aboard the pirate ship silent. I just don’t see this 49ers offense matching the Mayfield magic. Baker is on and MVP trajectory and is not going to slip against a weakened 49ers. Buccaneers 34, 49ers 29

Lions at Chiefs

Game Time: Sunday, 8:15 pm at Arrowhead Stadium

Where to Watch: NBC, Peacock

Broadcasters: Mike Tirico, Cris Collinsworth, Melissa Stark

Game Odds: Chiefs (-2.5), O/U 52.5

PFF Rankings: KC offense 11, defense 12. DET offense 4, defense 2

Recent Matchups: Chiefs 31-28 loss to Jaguars, Lions 37-24 win over Bengals

Players Ruled Out: Rashee Rice, Etha Driskell, Terrion Arnold, Alim McNeill

Hubbard: I know the Chiefs are hard to beat at home, but the Detroit Lions are tough to beat period. The wrong team is favored in this game, and I’m excited for Chiefs fans to start questioning their existence for the first time in nearly a decade. Lions 27, Chiefs 26

Singh: Campbell’s balanced offense & defense have the Lions firing on all cylinders, while Chiefs have been inconsistent. Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs are dangerous, but Detroit’s momentum and efficiency give them a slight edge in a tight matchup. Lions 18, Chiefs 17

Wood: What a moment for both teams. Detroit can put an exclamation mark on their place atop the power rankings. KC is looking to prove to themselves and the rest of us they can hang with the league’s elite. Are the Lions as two-way dominant as the Pro Football Focus numbers tell us? Let’s get it on. Chiefs 28, Lions 27

Coutinho: The Detroit Lions’ streak of four successive games with 30-plus points will not stop at Arrowhead. Chiefs fans can take one positive from here. Mahomes’ 0-3 streak of one-score defeats will not be a final stat line in Week 6. P.S. It’s the Chiefs, so let’s just be cautious on having Jared Goff in your fantasy lineups. Lions 30, Chiefs 21

Bills at Falcons

Game Time: Monday, 7:15 pm at Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Where to Watch: ESPN, ESPN App

Broadcasters: Chris Fowler, Louis Riddick, Dan Orlovsky, Katie George, Peter Schrager

Game Odds: Bills (-4.5), O/U 50.5

PFF Rankings: BUF offense 3, defense 24. ATL offense 10, defense 18

Recent Matchups: Bills 20-23 loss to Patriots, Falcons bye

Players Ruled Out: Malik Verdon, Troy Anderson

Hubbard: Originally, I was going to pick the Bills to win by a lot. But the spread being 4.5 tells me Vegas knows something I don’t. The public is going to hammer the Bills -4.5, so I’m going to say the Bills win a close one and Vegas collects their money. Bills 27, Falcons 24

Singh: All my instincts favor an upset by the Falcons, but can the Bills struggle two weeks in a row? Unlikely. Michael Penix Jr. and Bijan Robinson will face a Bills defense that ranks among the league’s best. Buffalo should play with urgency and control in this prime-time matchup. Bills 31, Falcons 17

Wood: Oh man, Abhishek. You took my route with the Pats last week, could not pull the trigger on your gut. And you were smart to stay off that trigger! The Falcons always cower away from these statement moments and they will once again. Bills 35, Falcons 17

Coutinho: The Bills will look to show the league that the Patriots defeat was an anomaly and not a pattern. PS. Shockingly, Josh Allen does not have a passing touchdown in his career against the Falcons. He will get it here. Easiest prediction this week, right? Bills 27, Falcons 17

Bears at Commanders

Game Time: Monday, 8:15 pm at Northwest Stadium

Where to Watch: ABC

Broadcasters: Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Lisa Salters, Laura Rutledge

Game Odds: Commanders (-4.5), O/U 49.5

PFF Rankings: WAS offense 7, defense 17. CHI offense 18, defense 27

Recent Matchups: Bears bye, Commanders 27-10 win over Chargers

Players Ruled Out: Sam Cosmi, Zah Frazier

Hubbard: The Washington Commanders finally got Jayden Daniels back and just blew out the Chargers on the road. Now they get a Chicago Bears team that’s coming off a bye and looking to get above .500. Should be a close game, but I think Chicago steals this one on the road. Bears 28, Commanders 23

Singh: Jayden Daniels is back and with Bill Croskey-Merritt getting more work, Commanders should exploit Chicago’s weak run defense. Home-field advantage and balanced offense give Washington the edge. Commanders 27, Bears 20

Wood: I’m really shocked that with the whole Bill thing, we haven’t seen more references to Schoolhouse Rock (“I’m just a bill, sitting here on Capitol Hill.”). I have a weird intuition this game is going to bore me. Vegas thinks I’m wrong. I hope I’m wrong. This just feels like a collective QB sophomore slump in the Monday night lights. The Bears are rested. That’s all I got for a reason here. Other than this feels like a cruel trick from the NFL to bring back memories of the Hail Mary that was a nuclear bomb to the Bears’ 2024 hopes. I think Johnson has them coached up to seal the deal this time. Bears 17, Commanders 9

Coutinho: Monday Night Football will be a real treat after the usual Monday blues. This game can rival the Seahawks-Buccaneers for Game of the Year. That’s how confident I am that Tim’s visions have betrayed him here. Daniels will not eclipse his 326-yard outing from last season against the Commanders. Instead, Crosky-Merritt will be the game’s standout with Chicago not being able to stop him. If they do, Daniels will be the one to have running success. Commanders 26, Bears 16