Things would look a lot different heading in to week six of the NFL regular season if there wasn’t so many injuries plaguing the AFC South, but with Peyton Manning, Mario Williams, and Andre Johnson all injured there is no doubt about which division in three AFC matchups. The Baltimore Ravens find themselves one-half game ahead of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC North coming off their bye week, and will look to remain north of both of those teams in the standings with all three teams heavy favorites for this Sunday.Jacksonville Jaguars @ Pittsburgh Steelers (-12)
Sunday, 1:00 PM ET
The Jaguars’ 32nd ranked passing offense will go up against the Steelers’ top-ranked pass defense this weekend, and that shapes up as a nightmare for rookie quarterback Blaine Gabbert and a team that has struggled with four straight losses. Jacksonville’s schedule doesn’t get any easier with trips to Pittsburgh and Baltimore in consecutive weeks, and while the defense has kept them competitive for the most part this season, things could get ugly in a hurry for a franchise lacking much of an identity. The Steelers have won two of three against the AFC South, and after finally putting it all together against the Tennessee Titans in their biggest pay head win of the year will look to flex their muscle against an inferior opponent.
NFL Betting Pick: Pittsburgh Steelers - 12
Indianapolis Colts @ Cincinnati Bengals (-7)
Sunday, 1:00 PM ET
Even despite an 0-5 record, the Colts have managed to remain competitive in their last four sports betting games, losing each of them by a single score. Indianapolis may have already had its best chance to get in the win column however, and after blowing a 17-point second quarter lead against the Kansas City Chiefs, they will now travel on a season-high three-game road trip. While the Colts have struggled without their franchise quarterbacks, the Bengals have graduated to a new leading man in rookie Andy Dalton, who continues to progress as a legitimate starter. Dalton won’t be asked to do too much with Cedric Benson back in the game, and as long as they don’t turn the ball over Cincinnati should be able to cover.
NFL Betting Picks : Cincinnati Bengals - 7
Houston Texans @ Baltimore Ravens (-7.5)
Sunday, 4:05 PM ET
What was considered two weeks ago to be a marquee matchup that would feature two key AFC contenders is now one of the more lopsided contests of the week, with the Texans limping in to Baltimore missing both Mario Williams and Andre Johnson. While Houston has been decimated by injuries, the Ravens return from their bye well rested and looking to extend their winning streak with a statement game at home. How well Matt Schaub and the remaining pieces are able to come together will determine how close this game ends up, but in the end the Texans simply don’t have the pay per head weapons to keep up.
NFL Betting Pick: Baltimore Ravens – 7.5
