The Cincinnati Bengals have been a thorn in the side of many NFL survivor pool contestants, with a disappointing 1-4 start to the season. Despite being large favorites in Weeks 1 and 3, they fell to the New England Patriots and Washington Commanders. However, with a favorable matchup against the New York Giants on Sunday Night Football, is this the week to put your faith in the Bengals?
Bengals vs. Giants: A Tricky Matchup
Cincinnati is a 3.5-point favorite, according to the latest Week 6 NFL odds. However, their 1-2 record straight-up as favorites this season raises concerns. Should you trust the Bengals or opt for a heavier favorite like the Green Bay Packers (-5.5 vs. Arizona Cardinals) or Houston Texans (-6.5 vs. New England Patriots)?
Expert Advice: SportsLine Projection Model
The SportsLine Projection Model, which simulates every NFL game 10,000 times, has an impressive track record:
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Up over $7,000 for $100 players on top-rated NFL picks since its inception
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10-2 hot streak on top-rated NFL picks this year
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191-131 roll on top-rated NFL picks since the 2017 season
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45-23 roll on top-rated NFL picks since Week 7 of 2022
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Ranked in the top 10 on NFLPickWatch four of the past six years on straight-up NFL picks
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Beat more than 94 percent of CBS Sports Football Pick’em players four times during that span
Top Week 6 NFL Survivor Pool Predictions
The model advises against picking the Philadelphia Eagles (-8.5) vs. the Cleveland Browns, citing Philadelphia’s inconsistent start to the season and defensive struggles. The Eagles have opened the season 2-2 and are coming off a 33-16 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Eagles’ Concerns
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Defensive failures: allowed the Atlanta Falcons to drive 70 yards in 1:05 for the winning touchdown
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Unclear if they’ve shaken off last year’s dismal finish
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Rested with their bye last week, but extended time to linger in a loss can be a negative
Alternative Pick
Instead, the model recommends a surprising team that wins outright in well over 60% of simulations. This team has a favorable matchup and has been performing well recently.
Key Considerations for Week 6 Survivor Pool Picks
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Avoid trendy picks like the Eagles, which may not be as reliable as they seem
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Consider teams with strong recent performance and favorable matchups
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Don’t underestimate the impact of injuries and bye weeks on team performance
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Keep an eye on line movements and adjust your picks accordingly
Get the Inside Scoop
Visit SportsLine to see the model’s Week 6 survivor pool pick and make informed decisions for your NFL knockout pool.