NFL Week 6 over/under best bets: McCaffrey faces toughest test in London

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Each week of the NFL season, we'll highlight some of the best bets on the over/under. We had another perfect run in Week 5, pushing our record to 11-4 on the year with a 10-2 run since Week 2.

Here are our best bets on totals for Week 6.

New York Giants at New England Patriots

Total: 42.5

Sharps have been all over this game since early in the week, drilling the total down from 46.5 to 42.5 and counting. The weather plays a role - Foxborough is expecting heavy rain and winds up to 40 miles per hour - but so does a bevy of injuries for the road team.

The Patriots' defense is putting up all-time numbers through the first five weeks, albeit against some pretty atrocious offenses. Fittingly, the Giants' below-average offense will be short on star power on a short week, with Sterling Shepard, Evan Engram, and Wayne Gallman all ruled out for Thursday's affair.

New York is already without Saquon Barkley, so it'll need to test the Patriots' elite secondary if it faces a halftime deficit - and all five of New England's opponents have this year. Tom Brady and Co. are 4-0-1 to the under and haven't scored more than four offensive touchdowns in a game this season, so the Giants' B-team will likely need to reach the end zone twice in blustery conditions to foil under bettors.

Pick: Under

Carolina Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Total: 48

You probably won't get up early to watch an under affair in London, but it's worth betting on. The last time these two teams played, the Buccaneers earned an ugly 20-14 win in Cam Newton's most recent start. Carolina's offense has since blossomed behind Christian McCaffrey's brilliance, though Tampa Bay's run defense has shut down elite backs all season.

The Bucs faced Alvin Kamara, Todd Gurley, Saquon Barkley, and McCaffrey in the past four weeks and surrendered a combined 125 rushing yards and 139 receiving yards to those four stars, with McCaffrey netting just 53 yards in Week 2. The Saints and Rams both feature passing attacks more potent than Carolina's, as backup quarterback Kyle Allen has come down to earth since his fiery start versus Arizona.

Tampa Bay's inconsistent pass attack could really struggle against the Panthers' top-notch secondary and pass rush, so the better run game could be the difference Sunday. That's a good sign for the under, which is 5-2 in the last seven London games.

Pick: Under

Philadelphia Eagles at Minnesota Vikings

Total: 44

This game is a Mike Zimmer special. The Vikings are 13-4-1 (76.5%) to the under after a road win and 22-10 (68.8%) in home games after a road game since Zimmer took over in 2014, with both spots occurring here following Minnesota's win in New York a week ago. The under is also 9-3-2 (75%) when Zimmer is a home favorite of 4.5 points or fewer.

The Vikings' defense will pose a stiff test for the visiting Eagles, who have been excellent through their air but inconsistent on the ground. Philadelphia averaged 146 rushing yards in three overs this year but combined for 120 yards in two unders versus the Falcons and Jets. Minnesota's run defense is stellar this year, and its pass defense should also rankle an Eagles receiving corps still saddled with injuries.

Philly's secondary is battered, too, but the Vikings' inept air attack and woeful offensive line aren't set up to take advantage. Since 2014, Minnesota is 40-13-5 (24.5%) to the under when passing for fewer than 250 yards, as it's done in four of five games this year. Expect another run-first approach against Philadelphia's average rush defense in what should be a low-scoring slugfest.

Pick: Under

C Jackson Cowart is a betting writer for theScore. He's an award-winning journalist with stops at The Charlotte Observer, The San Diego Union-Tribune, The Times Herald-Record, and BetChicago. He's also a proud graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, and his love of sweet tea is rivaled only by that of a juicy prop bet. Find him on Twitter @CJacksonCowart.