It has been a difficult start to the season for the NFL Picks, but the same could be said in reality for so many of the teams looking to make an impact across the next several months.
The Los Angeles Rams have not begun this season as expected following the latest defeat, while the San Francisco 49ers have perhaps surpassed early expectations and have already beaten the two rivals in the Division that were expected to be the leading contenders for the Super Bowl.
Injuries are once again having an impact on a number of teams, much like they did in an erratic 2025 season, and this is a time where some will be thinking more about potential trades that could change the direction of travel.
We are still far too early in the season to be making long-term projections as to where teams stand, but moving into mid-October means some contenders will begin to separate out from the pack as Bye Weeks and Divisional match ups take place more frequently. The London NFL games are also concluded in Week 6, which is usually a sign that the season is in full swing, although the European slate is yet to begin.
Momentum of the season and momentum of a positive run for the NFL Picks has been missing so far in 2026, but Week 6 offers a new opportunity to get things going.
Picks will begin with Thursday Night Football again and further selections will be added to this thread.
Seattle Seahawks @ Denver Broncos Pick: There will be a real feeling around Colorado that the Denver Broncos (3-2) would have made the Super Bowl to compete against the Seattle Seahawks (3-2) at the end of last season if not for an injury suffered by Bo Nix.
Both teams look capable of returning to the post-season this season, but they will be playing in Week 6 after having very different results against Divisional rivals in Week 5.
While the Denver Broncos were doing just enough to beat the Los Angeles Chargers to move back above 0.500, the Seattle Seahawks were losing to the San Francisco 49ers and now trail this NFC West rival by 2 games.
The 3-2 record that both teams have put together means they are sitting in second place in their respective Divisions and both are chasing unbeaten teams.
Thursday Night Football means preparation time is limited for Denver and Seattle, but this is an important game for both and it looks like a game that will be dominated by the Defensive units.
Sean Payton has taken over play-calling on the Offensive side of the ball to try and spark the Broncos, while Bo Nix has admitted he needs to play without making any mistakes if the Broncos are going to have any success in this one. They do not look like they match up that well with the Seahawks on this side of the ball, but the altitude does give the Broncos an advantage and especially on a short week.
Making use of that will not be easy and one of the issues for Denver has been the struggles at the Line of Scrimmage, which means having problems establishing the run with any kind of consistency. They are not expected to have much more joy trying to pound the rock against this Seahawks Defensive Line and that will only increase the pressure on Bo Nix at Quarter Back if he is having to throw out of third and long spots on the field.
Bo Nix does have 4 Touchdown passes with a single Interception in the last three games played, but he has struggled to be as efficient as he would have hoped and is completing less than 60% of the passes thrown.
Credit has to be given to the Offensive Line for offering Bo Nix plenty of protection, but that Line will be challenged by this Seattle pass rush, while it should also be noted that time has not been enough to get the Receivers to find separation. This is going to be a real challenge for them against this Seattle Secondary that have been important in helping the team produce a winning record in 2026 and who also were instrumental in winning the Super Bowl.
There will be a confidence on this side of the ball and that will give Seattle an opportunity to win this game on the road and bounce back from the disappointing defeat in Week 5.
However, there are going to be some issues to resolve for the Seahawks and it begins in running behind this Offensive Line.
Replacing Kenneth Walker III was always going to be tough, especially after this MVP performance in the Super Bowl, and the Seahawks have been inconsistent when it comes to running the ball in recent weeks. They will take some encouragement from the fact the Denver Defensive Line is still finding its feet against the run, but it is also going to be a pressurised situation for Seattle who will want to put Sam Darnold in a position to have success.
If they can keep the Quarter Back in third and manageable positions, Sam Darnold can exploit some of the holes in the Broncos Secondary and put Seattle in a position to extend drives.
However, third and long situations will be much harder to convert with the Seahawks Offensive Line expected to have a tough time containing the Denver pass rush when in obvious passing situations. Avoiding those will be key for the Seahawks, but they have to believe they can do that little bit more Offensively compared with the Denver Broncos and that can set Seattle up for a road win.
Motivation will not be hard to find after a disagreement between the teams a couple of years ago which had both threatening to put together a lawsuit against the other.
With both chasing unbeaten Division leaders, it is important to try and put some wins together and the Denver Broncos are still having one too many Offensive issues that can give the Seattle Seahawks the edge on Thursday Night Football.
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Houston Texans Pick: The last NFL game to be played in London in the 2026 season features two AFC South teams having very different seasons.
The Jacksonville Jaguars (4-1) have remained in London having narrowly beaten the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 5 thanks to a big Field Goal converted as time was running out. They looked certain to lose, but somehow rallied with less than ten seconds left on the clock and the Jaguars have taken early control of the Division with the other three teams all holding losing records through five weeks of the season.
Next up is a game against the Houston Texans (1-4) who finally got off the mark and who will be looking to build up some momentum after a really poor start to the season.
Making poor starts and being able to rally has become a little too common for the Houston Texans in recent years, but making the Playoffs after a 0-4 start is going to be hugely challenging and games like this one will have to be won.
Houston should travel to London with some confidence they can get the better of the Jacksonville Jaguars having added Marvin Harrison Jr to the Receiving corps.
There has been little wrong with the passing game between the End Zones, but the Houston Texans will be hoping Harrison Jr can give CJ Stroud another target when it comes to converting drives into Touchdowns. The Quarter Back has thrown over 1400 yards, but he has only managed 6 passing Touchdowns in the five games played this season, although CJ Stroud will be happier with the fact he has yet to throw an Interception.
All of the pressure is on the shoulders of CJ Stroud because the Houston Offensive Line has struggled to open up the running lanes and they are not expected to have much consistent success against this Jacksonville Defensive Line. The Texans will not want to ignore the run completely, but they will be aware that the success or failure of the team on the Offensive side of the ball will come down to CJ Stroud and his skill players.
CJ Stroud has been given a bit of time when dropping back to pass, although his ability to move around helps, and the Texans have to be encouraged by some of the yards that have been allowed by the Jacksonville Secondary. The Jaguars have been able to cover up some of the issues by making big plays and turning the ball over, but the Houston Texans should be able to have success on this side of the ball and that will give the Defensive unit something to protect.
Much like their Divisional rival, the Jacksonville Jaguars Offensive Line may have some issues moving the ball on the ground and that is going to mean having to lean on Trevor Lawrence and the arm of the Quarter Back. Not only has the Jaguars Offensive Line had some issues finding consistency in the run blocking, but trying to move the ball on the ground against the Houston Texans has been challenging all season anyway.
Trevor Lawrence will be confident in his ability to attack this Houston Secondary, although his Offensive Line may be missing a starter or two and that does shift things.
The Quarter Back has been under some pressure when he has dropped back to throw, but using backups on the Offensive Line to protect against the Houston pass rush is far from ideal and that is where the underdog may be able to make some big plays. Rushing Trevor Lawrence will give the Houston Secondary a bit more protection and the recent head to head between these AFC South rivals shows the Texans have won four of the last six.
Moving the game from Florida to London does change some of the narratives around the game, but the Houston Texans look like an underdog that could spring the upset if building on the success from Week 5.
Carolina Panthers @ Philadelphia Eagles Pick: One team is travelling back from London and the other is playing after a Bye Week, but the big news of the week is that the Philadelphia Eagles (2-3) are going to be playing without Jalen Hurts. Losing the starting Quarter Back, a couple of the starting Running Backs and having a new look Offensive Line means the next few weeks look potentially challenging for the Philadelphia Eagles and they are pretty big home underdogs in Week 6.
Tanner McKee will be getting the start for the Philadelphia Eagles against the Carolina Panthers (2-2) who lead the NFC South without a winning record.
The Eagles have to go with McKee after it was announced Jalen Hurts has a 'superficial blood clot' and that is going mean the Eagles are going to have to take a patient approach to his recovery. The backup Quarter Back made a single start for the Eagles last year and ended up throwing 1 Touchdown and 1 Interception against the Washington Commanders, but Tanner McKee will know that a start in Week 6 of the regular season is much different than having one at the end of any season.
Philadelphia's changes on the Offensive Line has impacted the ability to run the ball, but they have not been helped by having to go with a third or fourth string Running Back. Those players have perhaps not the holes as confidently as someone like Saquon Barkley and it may not be a game in which the Eagles can exploit the problems Carolina have had when it comes to stopping the run.
If Jalen Hurts was playing at Quarter Back, things would feel different, but the Panthers could choose to load the box and dare Tanner McKee to beat them.
Jalen Hurts would at least offer some threat to throw the ball, but can also have runs designed for him, but Tanner McKee is going to have to try and find a rhythm with a set of Receivers who have been struggling. Doing so from behind the chains will be very difficult and the Carolina Panthers should be well prepared having had the Bye Week following the win over the Detroit Lions.
It isn't that long ago that Bryce Young looked like being a bust in the NFL, but the Carolina Quarter Back has over 1250 passing yards with 9 Touchdown passes and 2 Interceptions this season. He was a key to the Panthers winning the NFC South last year and Young had a solid showing in his first Playoff start, which will have given him motivation to take into the 2026 season as he looks to back up that campaign.
The Panthers will look to run the ball first and foremost, but they won't find that easy against this Eagles Defensive Line and so they will be looking for some more magic out of the Quarter Back position.
However, that looks like a real possibility after recent games in which the Eagles Secondary have really allowed opponents to rack up the yards and so Bryce Young could return with another big game.
Philadelphia are not getting much of a pass rush generated and that has allowed Quarter Backs to hurt them in the Secondary and Bryce Young may be next to have a big game. He will have to be aware of the Interceptions that the Eagles have been able to pick up, but the Carolina Panthers should keep the chains moving with some consistency and that may see them move into a position to cover as the road favourite.
The Panthers do have a Divisional game coming up, but they are coming out of a Bye Week and will be expected to do so with a bit more confidence than they did in the 2025 season.
New York Jets @ New England Patriots Pick: The New York Jets (2-3) earned a win over the Cleveland Browns, but they are going to have a tough time competing in the AFC East which has a couple of teams expecting to be Super Bowl contenders.
One of those is the New England Patriots (3-2) who are looking for a third win in a row as they sit a game behind the Buffalo Bills.
The home team will be looking to use the Offensive Line to establish the run and ease some of the pressure on Quarter Back Drake Maye who has been questioned after some early struggles. No one will argue with the 8 Touchdown passes thrown, but Drake Maye has 7 Interceptions and there are big expectations around a New England team that reached the Super Bowl last season.
Drake Maye has been better in leading the Patriots to back to back wins, while throwing 7 Touchdown passes with a single Interception, and that kind of level will help New England establish the run as teams begin to respect the level shown by the Quarter Back.
Running the ball against the Jets Defensive Line is not easy, but the Patriots will feel they can at least keep the Quarter Back in third and manageable spots and that is the key to this game. If they can do that, Drake Maye should be in a position where he can keep the chains moving and especially if AJ Brown is able to suit up for New England.
Playing from in front of the chains is key for the Patriots to slow the New York pass rush and making sure Drake Maye is throwing without feeling the pocket collapsing around him. The Jets Secondary have played well, which will offer encouragement to the road team, but the Patriots have found a good rhythm over the last two games and that should see them have more Offensive successes.
Confidence will also be taken from the way the Patriots Defensive unit have been playing all season.
The Jets have been able to stay competitive thanks to their performances on the other side of the ball, but the Offensive unit have been struggling and they are not expected to have anything easy in Week 6 of the NFL season. Those problems all begin up front and the Jets Offensive Line are going to have a tough time establishing the run with any kind of consistency, which in turn puts more pressure on Geno Smith at Quarter Back.
Geno Smith has 6 Touchdown passes without throwing an Interception this season, but he has not been pushing the boat out when it comes to making plays with his arm. That is underlined by the fact that Smith has only just surpassed the 1000 yard mark in the passing game, and it is going to be a tough day in the office for Smith to produce more in Foxboro.
One of the issues is that the Offensive Line have broken down when it comes to pass protection, while Geno Smith is going to be facing a New England Secondary that had been a huge part of the run to the Super Bowl last season.
They have come out with a similar level in 2026 and New England will feel they can make enough plays through in the Secondary to slow down this passing attack.
Last season the Patriots had two very strong wins over the New York Jets and they can produce another as long as they do not overlook a Divisional rival to Thursday Night Football when New England travel to Soldier Field. Divisional games are very important and that should see a focused effort from the Patriots, which leads to a strong win on the day.
MY PICKS: Seattle Seahawks - 2.5 Points @ 1.91 Paddy Power (1 Unit)
Houston Texans + 2.5 Points @ 2.00 William Hill (1 Unit)
Carolina Panthers - 3.5 Points @ 2.05 Bet Fred (1 Unit)
New England Patriots - 7.5 Points @ 2.00 William Hill (1 Unit)
Week 5: 2-2, - 0.14 Units (4 Units Staked, - 3.50% Yield)
Week 4: 4-4, - 0.52 Units (8 Units Staked, - 6.50% Yield)
Week 3: 2-5, - 3.09 Units (7 Units Staked, - 44.14% Yield)
Week 2: 3-4, - 1.31 Units (7 Units Staked, - 18.71% Yield)
Week 1: 2-4-1, - 2.23 Units (7 Units Staked, - 31.86% Yield)