ProFootballDoc: Top 5 Actionable Injury Issues for Week 6
Relying primarily on injury advantages, our hot start has cooled to a 14-11 overall record against the spread but is still positive. There are some good double digit SIC score health advantages this week.
SIC Score is our proprietary numerical injury grading system that incorporates the health of every NFL team and individual players to give sports bettors, DFS players and fantasy owners an edge each week during the season. While it purposely doesn’t take into account coaching, schemes or matchups, SIC Scores give an accurate assessment of team/player overall health heading into a game.
Use the Field View and SIC scores published at www.profootballdoc.com to assist in all your fantasy/DFS/wagering decisions.
LA RAMS -7.5 @ NY GIANTS
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The Rams are the healthiest team playing on Sunday. They play the Giants who were ravaged by injuries last week including top weapon Saquon Barkley with likely a multi-week ankle sprain. However, they do get their QB and some WRs back. Daniel Jones did clear the concussion protocol. Sterling Shepard should be back but they are without Kenny Golladay plus Darius Slayton and Kadarius Toney are questionable. Three out of five spots (center, left guard, left tackle) have injury issues and the backups will be facing Aaron Donald. Laying eight on the road is a tall order but the overall SIC score advantage of 17.1 points warrants this. The Giants have a 30 point lower offense health than the Rams defense. The run game difference is almost 40 points.
KANSAS CITY -6.5 @ WASHINGTON
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The Washington Football Team has over half the offense with injury issues. Everyone knows that Taylor Heinicke is subbing in at QB but speedster Curtis Samuel is back out, Terry McLaurin is iffy with a hamstring and TE Logan Thomas is on IR. Antonio Gibson is playing thru a tibial stress fracture and the right side of the offensive line is out. The Chiefs offense and new offensive line have struggled but overall they are the healthier side. Look for KC to get back on track this week and cover given their 13.2 point SIC score advantage.
GREEN BAY -5.5 @ CHICAGO
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The Packers have a double-digit SIC score overall advantage making this selection the third road favorite on the day (which we don't love but that is what the numbers say). The Bears are down to their 3rd running back and thus their rush offense has the single biggest disadvantage (47.1) given the Packers healthy (91.7) run defense. Justin Fields is playing but admits his left knee is not 100% and is still without his starting left tackle plus his #1 WR may not play. The Achilles heel of Green Bay will be its cornerbacks but can Chicago capitalize? We stick with the healthier Packers to lay the less than touchdown.
MINNESOTA -2.5 @ CAROLINA
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The Panthers have three key players offensively and defensively out. The Vikings are relatively healthy. Technically, this makes for the fourth straight road favorite, but Carolina started as the slight favorite and is essentially a pick 'em game. With the toss up, it seems the healthier side by almost a dozen is the right choice. Christian McCaffrey is now on IR with a set back after initially avoiding the mandatory minimal game sit out but here he misses his third game.
INDIANAPOLIS vs. HOUSTON UNDER 43.5
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Combined the defenses average 20 points healthier than the offenses. The Texans are on their 3rd string QB with both tackles out. Carson Wentz is finally fully healthy and he might have TY Hilton back but the Colts still have offensive line issues. The numbers show an under game. The Colts have an overall 8.1 point advantage and have gotten healthier. An honorable mention selection is Indianapolis at home but they lay 10 points.
Honorable Mention:
CINCINNATI -3.5 @ DETROIT
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The Bengals just seem to be the right side. The Lions have been the hard luck team and they are down cornerbacks just as Joe Burrows gets healthier from his ACL. Now they miss their left tackle and anchor center. The Bengals should be poised to cruise.
PITTSBURGH -4.5 vs. SEATTLE
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Geno Smith played well in relief of Russell Wilson but will that be the case again? The Seahawks also put Chris Carson on injured reserve. The Steelers lose Juju for the season. In the end, the QB is a much bigger loss. Expect Pittsburgh to win in a low scoring contest.
Go to www.profootballdoc.com for all the details before you make any final wagering/DFS/fantasy decisions.