NFL Pick'em Pool Strategy, Confidence Rankings: Straight Up Picks Week
In 2021, we went 181-90-1 (66.8%) in this weekly pick’em article for confidence ranking formats, and have carried that success into the early portion of the 2022 schedule – posting a 51-28-1 (64.6%) record through three weeks. Since Week 13 of last season, this article is 119-55-1 (68.4%) picking winners straight up!
In Week 1, we successfully navigated an abundance of chaos, finishing 10-5-1, with correct underdog selections on the Pittsburgh Steelers (+7.5), New York Giants (+6), and Minnesota Vikings (+2.5). In Week 2, our streak of seven consecutive weeks with 10-plus correct picks came to an end due to an abundance of chaos, including the Cleveland Browns blowing 13-point lead in the final two minutes, and the Las Vegas Raiders failing to hold onto a 23-point second-half cushion. In Week 3, we correctly selected six underdogs en route to a 13-3 showing. In Week 4, we hit each of our top four selections, in addition to correctly nailing five underdogs. In Week 5, favorites dominated, and we won on 11 of our selections. Below, we have our selections for an exciting Week 6 of NFL action!
2022 NFL Pick’em selections!
In preparation for the 2022 campaign, we evaluated each roster unit-by-unit, ensuring that there was not anyone more prepared to tackle the weekly slate this fall.
I will start by ranking each of my selections in order of confidence and provide reasoning on all of my top picks.
NFL Week 6 Pick’Em Pool Confidence Rankings
2022 Weekly Results
- Week 1: 10-5-1
- Week 2: 8-8
- Week 3: 13-3
- Week 4: 9-7
- Week 5: 11-5
2021 Weekly Results
- Week 1: 10-6
- Week 2: 10-6
- Week 3: 15-1
- Week 4: 9-7
- Week 5: 13-3
- Week 6: 9-5
- Week 7: 10-3
- Week 8: 8-7
- Week 9: 9-5
- Week 10: 5-8-1
- Week 11: 8-7
- Week 12: 7-8
- Week 13: 11-3
- Week 14: 12-2
- Week 15: 11-5
- Week 16: 11-5
- Week 17: 13-3
- Week 18: 10-6
Week 6 Selections
1. Los Angeles Rams
2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
3. Philadelphia Eagles
4. Baltimore Ravens
5. Minnesota Vikings
6. Green Bay Packers
7. Cincinnati Bengals
8. San Francisco 49ers
9. Los Angeles Chargers
10. New England Patriots
11. Seattle Seahawks
12. Kansas City Chiefs
13. Jacksonville Jaguars
14. Washington Commanders
NFL Pick’Em Pool Strategy Week 6
Rams (vs. Panthers)
After a disappointing 1-4 start to the season, the Carolina Panthers decided to fire Head Coach Matt Rhule, who finishes 11-27 in his career with the organization. Further complicating the situation in Carolina, Baker Mayfield and Christian McCaffrey have still not practiced this week, leaving the offense’s starting quarterback and running back positions with major question marks. The Los Angeles Rams have been a colossal disappointment to begin 2022, but they are still led by a Super Bowl winning quarterback and Head Coach. They also have the benefit of roster continuity and home field advantage in this spot. Though it may seem like the sky is falling in Los Angeles, the defense still ranks 12th in EPA/play, and their main weakness – in the secondary – is unlikely to be a tremendous problem against a backup signal caller.
Buccaneers (vs. Steelers)
After losing nearly their entire offensive line during the offseason, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ offense has struggled mightily to begin the new campaign – particularly on the ground, ranking 32nd in rush EPA/play through five weeks. Still, Tom Brady and the offense have been able to weather the storm, and Brady enters Week 6 ranked 3rd in the league in passing yards, with no interceptions since Week 1. The Pittsburgh Steelers are quickly descending to the bottom of the AFC standings, with little hope for improvement. Rookie signal caller Kenny Pickett has a 0-to-4 touchdown-to-interception ratio in his first two NFL games, and the defense ranks 20th in EPA/play compared to a Tampa Bay defense that ranks 8th in EPA/play. Expect the Buccaneers to do enough to get a road win in this spot.
Eagles (vs. Cowboys)
On Sunday Night Football, the Philadelphia Eagles will face, arguably, their toughest test of the young season when the Dallas Cowboys visit the City of Brotherly Love. Philadelphia is the only remaining undefeated team in the NFL after five weeks of action, after having defeated the Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, Washington Commanders, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Arizona Cardinals. More impressive than their record is the fact that Philadelphia has shown their ability to win in a variety of game scripts. Philadelphia jumped out to an early lead against Detroit, Minnesota, and Washington, but fell behind 14-0 early against Jacksonville before storming back for a win. In Week 5, the Eagles were able to win on a day when they did not play their best football. The Cowboys present a formidable test in this spot, but Cooper Rush will likely struggle against an Eagles secondary that has allowed the fewest yards-per-attempt of any team in the league this fall. If Dallas struggles to run the football, this game might not be particularly close.
Ravens (vs. Giants)
The New York Giants won an exciting matchup against the Green Bay Packers in London in Week 5, but their prospects for Week 6 do not look as great. Teams returning from overseas without the benefit of a bye week have historically had extremely poor defensive performances in the subsequent matchup upon returning to America. Despite the Baltimore Ravens’ struggles defensively during the early portion of the year, they enter play in first place in the AFC North after a last-second game-winning field goal against the Cincinnati Bengals. Lamar Jackson could be a major problem for the New York defense in this spot, especially in the second-half if jet-lag and fatigue begin to be a major issue. Take the Ravens here.
Vikings (vs. Dolphins)
The Minnesota Vikings are yet to lose a game in 2022 when they are favored. Through five weeks, the offense ranks 9th in EPA/play and gets to face a Miami Dolphins defense that ranks 29th in EPA/play – only seven days after surrendering 40 points to the New York Jets. There have been undeniable growing pains with a new head coach in Minnesota, but the Vikings continue to find ways to win football games. Entering this weekend, the Vikings’ only loss came against the still undefeated Eagles. Expect Minnesota to take care of business again on Sunday.
Image Credit: Imagn