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Ben Axelrod's Week 6 NFL picks: Bucs beat Eagles, Browns beat Cardinals

3News' Ben Axelrod makes his picks against the spread for every game in Week 6 of the 2021 NFL season.

CLEVELAND — I wasn't able to run this column last week, but went 3-0 with my NFL picks on Chalk Talk, which we'll count toward my season total. After a 7-9 Week 4, my season total now sits at 36-30-1. Let's improve my winning record with my Week 6 picks.

RELATED: More NFL coverage from WKYC

Philadelphia Eagles (+7) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Pick: Buccaneers -7

I've been skeptical of the Eagles all season and I see no reason to stop now. Tampa Bay rolls as Tom Brady catapults to the top of the MVP discussion.

Jacksonville Jaguars (+3.5) vs. Miami Dolphins

Pick: Dolphins -3.5

Urban Meyer's NFL struggles have been well documented and now he has to prepare his team for a trip overseas? Miami's been disappointing but has enough talent to beat up on arguably the most dysfunctional team in the NFL.

Indianapolis Colts (-10) vs. Houston Texans

Pick: Texans +10

I'm not sure the Colts should be favored by double-digits against anyone -- even the lowly Colts.

Chicago Bears (+5) vs. Green Bay Packers

Pick: Packers -5

It's one thing for Justin Fields to improve over the course of his rookie season. It's another to ask him to keep pace with Aaron Rodgers.

Washington Football Team (+6.5) vs. Kansas City Chiefs

Pick: Chiefs -6.5

As shaky as the Chiefs have been, Patrick Mahomes is always capable of covering a less-than-a-touchdown spread. Especially in a spot where Kansas City needs to start stringing together some wins.

Carolina Panthers (+1.5) vs. Minnesota Vikings

Pick: Panthers +1.5

I'm so confused by this line that I almost feel inclined to go against my own instincts. Nevertheless, I'll take the Panthers -- who I think are better than the Vikings -- and the 1.5 points.

Baltimore Ravens (-3) vs. Los Angeles Chargers

Pick: Chargers +3

The Ravens are the luckiest 4-1 team I can remember in a while. Lucky will be harder to come by against Justin Herbert and a Chargers passing attack that's almost impossible to contain.

Detroit Lions (+3.5) vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Pick: Bengals -3.5

The Lions have played harder than anyone could have imagined, but that loss to the Vikings might have broken them. After last week's loss to the Packers, this seems like a good bounce-back spot for Joe Burrow and the Bengals.

New York Giants (+9.5) vs. Los Angeles Rams

Pick: Rams -9.5

The Rams are coming off a long week and Daniel Jones is coming off a concussion and won't have Saquon Barkley in his backfield. I'd like to take the points at home, but I can't find a good reason to do so.

Cleveland Browns (-3) vs. Arizona Cardinals

Pick: Browns -3

The Cardinals are banged up while the formerly banged-up Browns are getting healthier. With Cleveland needing a win to keep pace in the division, this seems like as good of a spot as any for Arizona to lose its first game.

Denver Broncos (-3.5) vs. Las Vegas Raiders

Pick: Raiders +3.5

I'm not reading too much into Jon Gruden's resignation having an impact on the Raiders this week. Meanwhile, I think the Broncos have been exposed as one of this season's fake good teams.

New England Patriots (+3.5) vs. Dallas Cowboys

Pick: Cowboys -3.5

I don't know what to make of the Patriots at this point in the season. But one thing I do know is that they don't have the offensive firepower to keep pace with the Cowboys on a consistent basis.

Pittsburgh Steelers (-5) vs. Seattle Seahawks

Pick: Seahawks +5

The drop from Russell Wilson to Geno Smith is significant, but the Seahawks have had 10 days off to prepare for it. I can't, in good faith, take the Steelers to cover by more than a field goal against a quality team.

Tennessee Titans (+5.5) vs. Buffalo Bills

Pick: Titans +5

The Bills can't keep blowing everyone out, can they? I expect Buffalo to win, but for Derrick Henry to do his part to keep Tennessee close.

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