Andrew Perloff at Sports Illustrated has ten weekly predictions that do not involve the final score.
NFL Week 6 predictions -- Trent Richardson, Aaron Rodgers to star - Andrew Perloff - SI.com
1. Patriots accumulate over 350 yards of offense against Seattle
In the clash between the NFL's No. 1 offense (New England at 439.4 yards per game) and No. 1 defense (Seattle at 258.6 yards allowed per game), the final tally will side closer to the Patriots. A lot depends on whether New England tight end Aaron Hernandez plays, because he's a tough matchup for Seattle.
Six out of eight writers at the Dallas Morning News think the Pats will win the game; they're split 4-4 on whether the Pats will cover the 3½ point spread.
NFL predictions: Did any of our experts pick Cowboys over Baltimore? | Dallas-Fort Worth Sports News
Elliot Harrison at NFL.com has the Pats winning 23-20.
Week 6 predictions: Texans handle Packers; 49ers exact revenge - NFL.com
Oh, to pick the Seattle Seahawks at home ... Difficult, this selection is. Yet, the football gods have moved around the pieces, karmically repaying the Seahawks for their last home game ( Tate Gate). Tom Brady overcomes two interceptions -- including a pick six -- to pull this one out in overtime. Russell Wilson's penchant for doing just enough to win will be thwarted by an opportunistic, if not dominant, defense that leads the AFC in takeaways with 14. Bill Belichick's club led the conference in the same category last season with 34.
All four panelists at FoxSports.com have the Pats winning and covering the spread.
2012 Pro Pick'em: Week 6 - News | FOX Sports on MSN
In its computer simulation, WhatIfSports has the Pats winning 73.2% of the time, by an average score of 24 to 17.
2012 NFL Week 6 - New England Patriots vs Seattle Seahawks From WhatIfSports.com
Greg Cote of the Miami Herald has the Pats winning 27-23.
Greg Cote's NFL picks for games this weekend - - MiamiHerald.com
Another legit Game of the Week nominee, with Patriots putting that big, great offense up against a Seahawks defense that is terrific. Seattle also is a different (better) team at home. Upset watch here, but I can't not like an English attack that has Tom Brady AND averages 165 yards on the ground. By the way, anybody remember that Pete Carroll was Pats head coach in 1997-99? (Anybody care?)
Walter Football predicts the Pats win 20-19.
WalterFootball.com: NFL Picks Against the Spread - Week 6, 2012
NEW ENGLAND OFFENSE: The Patriots seem unstoppable right now. They've scored 83 points the past two weeks. They converted a billion third downs against Denver. Who could possibly bet against Tom Brady and his improved rushing attack right now?
Well, there should be an asterisk next to that 83 because New England has beaten up on two ultra-crappy defenses. The Bills and Broncos can't stop anyone. The Seahawks, of course, are a different animal. They have a terrific secondary that will put the clamps on Brady's receivers, and they also dominate the line of scrimmage. The Patriots' offensive output the past two weeks has made everyone forget how much of a liability the interior of the offensive line happens to be. Seattle has a huge advantage there.
Oh, and as for the Patriots' new, awesome running backs, the Seahawks stop the rush as well as anyone except for the Dolphins. They're second against ground attacks, limiting opposing runners to an even three yards per carry. They haven't allowed more than 77 rushing yards to anyone this season.
SEATTLE OFFENSE: Both scoring attacks figure to struggle in this matchup. Bill Belichick is a defensive mastermind who excels at taking away one aspect of an opposing offense. He'll do his best to make sure that Marshawn Lynch is stymied. Of course, he doesn't have to try very hard because his team is already fourth versus the rush (3.3 YPC).
If Lynch can't do anything, the Seahawks will be punting often. Save for one throw, Russell Wilson was fairly decent against the Panthers, but his receivers could actually get open versus a Carolina secondary that was missing top corner Chris Gamble. The Patriots don't exactly have a stalwart defensive backfield themselves, but they at least have their key players healthy. Seattle's wideouts just don't have the capability to get open against starting talent.
In addition to worrying about his receivers being covered, Wilson will have to avoid New England's pass rush. Chandler Jones is the leading candidate for Defensive Rookie of the Year, and he figures to have a slight edge over Russell Okung, who has already committed a ridiculous seven penalties this season. Meanwhile, right tackle Breno Giacomini is a sieve who has been exposed all year.
OK, the Packers playing SF, Chicago and Seattle might have something to do with that!)
