Welcome to “Mac’s Picks for Week 6.”
New York Jets (2-3) at New England Patriots (3-2)
Sunday 1p CBS
The New York Jets are undefeated on CBS (2-0) with all three of their losses on FOX (0-3). They are also undefeated in the AFC (2-0), having lost out-of-conference games against the Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions, and Chicago Bears. Plus, while the Jets organization has only won once in Gillette Stadium in the last 15 years, Geno Smith was victorious in Foxboro in 2024 with the Seattle Seahawks, and 2025 with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Despite these three completely unrelated stats, the New England Patriots are favored by 7.5 points. In the last two weeks they beat the Buffalo Bills (29-26) and then wiped the floor with the previously undefeated Raiders (45-17). Most importantly, Drake Maye has finally started to resemble the breakout star he was last season. Against the Raiders, Maye completed 26 of 34 passes for 374 yards, 4 TDs, and 0 INTs.
To keep those three stats alive, they are going to have to do two things. Defensively, they are going to need to put pressure on the Pats’ young QB like they did against Cam Ward (3 sacks) and Deshaun Watson (8 sacks). Offensively, they have to improve their two-and-four-minute offense at the end of each half. I’m confident they will keep it close, but I’m not confident they find a way to pull it out with Breece Hall, AD Mitchell, Dylan Parham, and now Kenyon Sadiq dealing with injuries.
New England Patriots 24 New York Jets 20
Mac’s Pick — Jets (+7.5)
New Orleans Saints (1-4) at New York Giants (3-1-1)
Sunday 1p FOX
IF you predicted that Jaxson Dart would play only five quarters, yet the New York Giants would be alone in first place going into Week 6, please stand up. IF you stood up, stop lying and sit back down. How are they doing this? Defensively, Big Blue is giving up 21.2 PPG (ranking 9th) and 327 YPG (ranking 15th). Offensively, they are scoring 21.8 PPG (ranking 22nd) and producing 308.2 YPG (ranking 21st).
Since none of those stats jump off the page, they must be killing the turnover battle? Through five games the Giants have 8 takeaways and 7 giveaways. Hmm? Let’s look at coaching. John Harbaugh is 183-114-1 as a head coach in 18+ seasons. Now, while he won only one Super Bowl in that time frame, every fanbase other than the New York Yankees would take that type of consistency and production.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the field, Kellen Moore has won just seven of his first 22 games since being named the New Orleans Saints head coach, and this past week drew the ire of team owner Gayle Benson. Plus, second-year QB Tyler Shough is coming off his worst professional outing when he threw for only 96 yards against the Minnesota Vikings. Harbaugh is not only a good coach, he seems to have impeccable timing.
New York Giants 31 New Orleans Saints 20
Mac’s Pick — Giants (+1.5)
MAC’S PICKS SEASON RECORD
Versus the point spread: 6-4
On the moneyline: 7-2-1
MAC’S PICKS DISCLAIMER
Mac’s Picks is written for entertainment purposes only. While “Mac” comes from gambling lineage, he knows he can’t actually predict the future. Therefore, use this information at your own risk.