Week 6 NFL Odds: Early Locks and Best Bets on the Schedule

It's been a strange start to the 2024 NFL season, but as we head into Week 6, things are beginning to settle.

This year, it would seem, there are no truly elite teams. The Minnesota Vikings remain undefeated, but they did appear vulnerable against the New York Jets in London on Sunday morning.

Perennial contenders like the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers have bitten by the injury bug, while emerging teams like the Washington Commanders and Chicago Bears still have something to prove.

It all adds up to a landscape that includes few teams that can be considered locks. However, this week's early odds have provided a few enticing opportunities.

*Lines via DraftKings Sportsbook

Kirk Cousins and the new-look Atlanta Falcons passing attack finally sprang to life last Thursday. Cousins threw for 509 yards and four touchdowns while helping to force overtime and then win it with a walk-off touchdown to KhaDarel Hodge.

Atlanta shouldn't need to mount a comeback against the struggling Carolina Panthers this week.

Yes, this is a large spread for a divisional matchup, but it's warranted. Andy Dalton has provided a boost to Carolina's offense, but it hasn't been a big enough jolt to offset a bad and injury-impacted defense.

The Panthers rank 28th in total defense and dead-last in points allowed. They've already lost star defensive tackle Derrick Brown for the season, and pass-rusher Jadevon Clowney exited Week 5 with a shoulder injury.

Atlanta hasn't emerged as a true Super Bowl threat yet, but it has a talent-laden squad that is learning to win tough games. This won't be one of those.

The Philadelphia Eagles have battled injuries this season, and their defense has been inconsistent at best. It offered little resistance against the Buccaneers in Week 4, calling into question whether Philadelphia is even a playoff contender this season.

However, a Week 5 bye and a Week 6 matchup with the Cleveland Browns should be enough to right the ship.

The Browns have been bad through the first five weeks, like really bad. Injuries along the offensive line have complicated matters, but the offense has been stagnant under new coordinator Ken Dorsey while Deshaun Watson has played like a career backup.

Cleveland won't be making a quarterback change for this one.

"We're not changing quarterbacks," head coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters. "We need to play better, I need to coach better. That's really what it is."

Don't expect the Browns to play much better, offensively, against the Eagles this week. Philadelphia, meanwhile, has had two weeks to prepare for a good, not great, Cleveland defense.

Expect Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley and the Eagles to win this one by a large margin.

Don't look now, but the Denver Broncos are 3-2 and are winners of three straight. While rookie quarterback Bo Nix continues to play inconsistently—though he has shown improvement—Denver is getting just enough from its offense to complement a defense that just might be elite.

The Los Angeles Chargers also have a terrific defense and are getting an extra week to prepare for this AFC West showdown. Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (ankle) should be healthier, and rookie tackle Joe Alt (knee) could be back as well.

However, fans should expect this to be a defensively-driven battle, a low-scoring game and a tight contest. It's a game that could hinge on one or two big plays, and both teams lack go-to playmakers.

The home team should have an advantage in such a game, and yet, Denver is a field-goal underdog in this one. The Chargers may steal a win, but it's worth taking the home dog before the line shifts.

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