The NFL schedule makers were on their game when they drew up this matchup for the NFL Week 6 Thursday Night Over Under Free Pick. 4-1 Philadelphia travels to Carolina to take on Carolina, who is also 4-1. The winner is on the fast track towards home field advantage in the NFC playoffs (with Green Bay and Atlanta in the mix too).
We focus on the NFL week 6 Thursday night over under free pick and it’s a wild one to break down. Both teams have stout defenses and would in a perfect scenario prefer to run the ball…BUT they both have formidable passing attacks behind Philadelphia’s Carson Wentz and Carolina’s Cam Newton. The total has dropped a point to 44 but which way does the number end up?
Solid games by both the @Eagles and @Panthers today setting up a good one Thursday night on #TNF! @NFLonCBS
— Tracy Wolfson (@tracywolfson) October 8, 2017
NFL Week 6 Thursday Night Over Under Free Pick
– an Offensive Explosion?
It was long considered that short weeks favored low scoring games because offenses lacked the time to adequately game plan. Then of course the Rams beat the 49ers 41-39 three weeks ago which totally debunked that theory. Both of tonight’s offenses have the capability to put up points. Here are a few reasons why:
- Philadelphia has scored 26+ points in four of five games this season
- Philadelphia has the #3 total offense in the league
- Wentz is #9 in the NFL in passer rating
- Newton is #8 in the NFL in passer rating
- Newton has thrown for over 300 yards in back-to-back games
- Carolina has scored 30.0 PPG their last two games
- The Philadelphia defense is 29th in opposing pass yards allowed (283.2).
In the two teams last combined eight games this season, the ‘over’ has gone 6-2. Carolina games have posted more than tonight’s listed “44” the last three games while the Eagles have combined with their opponents for more than 44 points in four of five. With all this information going in favor of a high scoring affair, it’s a pretty confident pick if you were to take the ‘over.’
NFL Week 6 Thursday Night Over Under Free Pick
– Any Chance at a Defensive Struggle?
For as good as both teams’ offenses have been, some aspects of their respective D’s have been borderline elite. Take the home team Panthers for example. Carolina boasts the #3 overall defense in the NFL in terms of total yardage allowed and ranks 5th in passing yards, 6th in rushing yards, and 9th in total points allowed. Also remember that their opponents have included the Lions, Patriots, and Saints too – some good offensive teams.
Something that goes under the radar with Philadelphia as well is that they have the #2 ranked rushing defense in the league giving up just 68.2 per game. The Eagles offense doesn’t just rely on the wings of the passing game either, LeGarrette Blount has pounded out 323 yards this season and Doug Pederson will surely want to get the big man going to wear down the tough Panthers defense – letting the clock run in the process.
NFL Week 6 Thursday Night Over Under Free Pick
At the risk of making a ‘hot take’ it’s possible that the Eagles could be overrated. Their last three wins have come against Arizona, the Chargers, and the Giants – teams that are a combined 3-11. Philadelphia only beat the 0-5 Giants by 3 points and squeaked by the 1-4 Chargers by just two. The Eagles have an important rematch against Washington next week and could be a little disinterested in the Thursday night contest.
These predictions are great for the side, but also the NFL week 6 Thursday night over under free pick. Carolina gets out to an early lead behind a vastly improving offense which allows the Panther D to take away the Philly running game and focus on pinning back and attacking Wentz.
Pick: Philadelphia / Carolina *Under 44
