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Houston Texans(2-3) @ Cincinnati Bengals(4-1) Sunday 1 ET
-The Cincinnati Bengals are one of the NFL’s early season surprises. They have beaten each of their AFC North Divisional opponents en route to a 4-1 record. The Bengal’s pulled out an emotional victory for their Defensive Coordinator Mike Zimmer whose wife passed away earlier in the week. Once again, QB Carson Palmer overcame his struggles and led the team on an 80-yard game-winning drive as he connected with WR Andre Caldwell with 22 seconds remaining to beat the Ravens 17-14. All five of the Bengal’s games have gone down to the wire. In the past, the Bengal’s more than likely lose the majority of these games. As long as the Bengals can run the ball behind RB Cedric Benson and their Defense plays well this team could be well on their way. Meanwhile, the Texans lost to the Cards on the road. QB Matt Schaub played very well. I really like this guy. The Texans Offense could challenge the Bengals Defense, but the Bengals should have no problem moving the ball on the Texan’s Defense which is ranked near the bottom of the league. Hopefully their fans will be able to enjoy the game as the Bengals, even at 4-1 could face a TV Blackout if they fail to sell out. There only have been 4 total blackouts this year out of 76 NFL games: Jacksonville(2), Cleveland, and Detroit(Not good company if you’re Cincinnati). Bengals win at home.
Detroit Lions(1-4) @ Green Bay Packers(2-2) Sunday 1 ET
-The Detroit Lions played the Steelers tough, but fell short even without QB Matthew Stafford and WR Calvin Johnson. Whether they will play this week or not remains yet to be seen. The Lions are not as bad as everyone thinks they are. This is a different team after one year removed from 0-16. The Packers meanwhile are coming of a much needed bye week. The Packers re-signed and brought back veteran RT Mark Tauscher to help out a unit which has given up 20 sacks through 4 games. Whether he will make an immediate impact and play right away or not has yet to be communicated by Packer’s Head coach Mike McCarthy. The Lions may have a better O-line unit than the Packers. However, some things may never change. The Lions have not won a football game in the state of Wisconsin since 1991. The Packers 18-game home win streak over the Lions is tied for the longest active streak in NFL history. Coming off their bye weekend rested and healthy, the Packers continue the streak and win at Lambeau.
St. Louis Rams(0-5) @ Jacksonville Jaguars(2-3) Sunday 1 ET
-The St. Louis Rams are getting more press for the actions off the field. A report that conservative talk-show radio host Rush Limbaugh has put in a bid to become a minority owner for the St. Louis Rams has created a lot of discussion around the country. Personally, I am not a fan of Rush Limbaugh. I think he is biased, ignorant, stupid, and blind. Yes, he has a right to be a minority NFL owner, but please keep your shit out of the sports world. I still can not get over the comment that he made about U.S. President Barack Obama shortly after he was elected. Rush Limbaugh stated, “I hope he fails.” WOW. If President Obama fails, then America fails. Anyways, the Rams play on the field has not been much to talk about. QB Marc Bulger should be able to throw the ball on the Jags pass Defense which ranks 30th in the league. However, I think the Jags will be able to outlast the Rams as RB Maurice Jones-Drew should be able to run all over the Rams. Jags win.
Baltimore Ravens(3-2) @ Minnesota Vikings(5-0) Sunday 1 ET
The Ravens have suffered back-to-back heartbreaking losses. Now, they have travel to Minnesota to face the undefeated Viking’s. This will be a great matchup between the Viking’s Offense and Raven’s Defense. I just do not see the Ravens losing 3 games in a row with all the veteran leadership that they have on their team. LB Ray Lewis and the Raven’s Defense will look to have a big game in shutting down Vikings RB Adrian Peterson and will force QB Brett Favre into a mistake in the passing game where there is always SS Ed Reed who has big play potential at all times. The Ravens who have struggles offensively the last two weeks after putting up huge numbers the first three, need to go back to the basics and hand the ball off to RB Ray Rice and get into a rhythm. Ravens bounce back and hand the Vikings their first loss of the season.
New York Giants(5-0) @ New Orleans Saints(4-0) Sunday 1 ET
-Another great NFL week 6 matchup pairing two unbeaten teams. Eli vs. Brees. Both QB are ranked in the top three in QB rating this year. However, both teams also have great rushing attacks as well to compliment their great QB play. WR Steve Smith anybody? No, not the WR Steve Smith that plays for the Carolina Panthers. The other WR Steve Smith who plays for the Giants and heading into week 6 is the NFL’s leading WR with 37 catches for 481 yards. This game could really go either way. Once again, the only reason that I am going to pick the Saint’s is because they are coming off the bye week. They had more time to rest and prepare for this game than the Giants did. However, the Giants did play the Raiders last week and more than likely they had already started preparing for this game as well. This will be a great game that will be decided in the 4th Q. Saints at home.
Cleveland Browns(1-4) @ Pittsburgh Steelers(3-2) Sunday 1 ET
-Congratulations Head coach Eric Mangini recording your first win with the Browns. Their exciting 6-3 win over the Bills snapped their 10-game losing streak. The Browns lethal offensive attack racked up 193 total yards. RB Jamal Lewis recorded 117 of those total yards as the Browns continue to struggle at the QB position(Derek Anderson 2/17 23 yards 1 INT). He will remain the starter. I mean, even with that performance they did seemingly win the game. Rumor has it that QB Brady Quinn has put his house up for sale. Another potential trade for the Browns? Meanwhile, the Steelers have gotten back on track and notched back-to-back wins after starting the season 1-2. SS Troy Polamalu could also be back this week as well. Steelers, who have won the last 16 out of 17 meetings against the Browns win big.
Carolina Panthers(1-3) @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers(0-5) Sunday 1 ET
-The Carolina Panthers overcame a 15-point 3rd Q deficit to seal a come-from-behind win. QB Jake Delhomme and the Panther’s Offense just has too much talent to be held under check. RB Jonathon Stewart and RB DeAngelo Williams need to continue to get more carries to help take the pressure off of QB Jake Delhomme who has struggles early in the season. I really do not have much to say about the Bucs. Former Head coach John Gruden must be really happy that he is sitting in the booth and not is that locker room. Carolina wins on the road.
Kansas City Chiefs(0-5) @ Washington Redskins(2-3) Sunday 1 ET
-Yes, the Kansas City Chiefs may be winless at 0-5, but I am going to pick them to win this game. Let me tell you why. They have nothing to lose. There is no pressure on them. There performance last week against the Cowboys, despite losing could have been seen as encouraging. If Cowboys WR Miles Austin does not have a career day, the Chiefs may have won the game. Like most winless teams trailing late in the 4th Q they could have just rolled over, but they did not. Trailing 26-20 with 2:16 remaining in the game, QB Matt Cassel led the Chiefs down the field on a 10-play 74-yard TD scoring drive that tied the game to force OT. Yes, the Redskins may be 2-3, but their two wins are against teams that are still winless(St. Louis & Tampa Bay). It is their losses that stand out to me. They lost to the Lions to end their losing streak and then most recently blew a late 4th Q lead against the previously winless Panthers. Then, you have the whole mess with Redskin’s Head coach Jim Zorn’s job security. Too many distractions. Chiefs find a way to win.
Philadelphia Eagles(3-1) @ Oakland Raiders(1-4) Sunday 4:05 ET
-Eagles QB Donavan McNabb returned from a broken rib after the bye week and led the Eagles to a convincing victory over the winless Bucs throwing for 264 yards and 3 TD. Rookie WR Jeremy Maclin looked very good hauling in 6 catches, 142 yards, and 2 TD. The Raiders meanwhile continue to get worse. The Raiders may be on their way to the NFL’s second 0-16 season in league history. This can not be good for the Raiders or the NFL. QB JaMarcus Russell also continues to get worse(47.1 QB rating, 606 yards, 1 TD, 4 INT). As terrible as this sounds, I find it amusing to watch this guy to see if there is any way that he can possibly go out and play any worse than the week before. Well, he did not throw an INT for the second straight game, but he did lose 3 fumbles. Pick your poison I guess. I hate picking on the guy because he is a professional, but I find it hard not to. Eagles give the Raiders another embarrassing loss at home.
Arizona Cardinals(2-2) @ Seattle Seahawks(2-3) Sunday 4:05 ET
-The success of an NFL team heavily lies on quarterback play. This could not have been more evident this past week for the Seahawks. QB Matt Hasselbeck returned after missing the last two games due to a rib injury. His presence alone changed the entire identity and attitude of their team. QB Matt Hasselbeck had a great game(18-for-30, 241 yards, 4TD), but so did the team as a whole as well. The Defense held the Jags RB Maurice Jones-Drew to 32 yards rushing en route to a shutout victory. Meanwhile, the Cardinals Defense also came up big for them as well. The Cards Defense made a goal-line stand in the final minute to help preserve the victory. As stated before the added presence od QB Matt Hasselbeck will be the difference in this game. No team has given up more yards through the air then the Cards. No matter how many weapons that the Cards have on Offense they will not be able to overcome their Defense giving up big plays on a consistent basis. Seahawks who have found new-life win at Quest.
Tennessee Titans(0-5) @ New England Patriots(3-2) Sunday 4:15 ET
-At 0-6 the Titans have to be the NFL’s most disappointing team coming off an NFL-best 13-3 record one year ago. It is actually a real difficult situation to attempt to explain how they got here. Their roster is loaded with veteran, all-pro talent. I guess big plays will doom any team. The Titans secondary has given up too many for them to overcome. It does not help that 3 of their top DB have missed significant time. If QB Kerry Collins continues to struggle, QB Vince Young may get to see some snaps. Meanwhile, the Patriots and Head coach Bill Bellicheck suffered an OT loss to one of his many former student, Josh McDaniel’s, who is now the Head coach at Denver. Patriots as they always do bounce back and win at home.
Buffalo Bills(1-4) @ New York Jets(3-2) Sunday 4:15 ET
-Despite the loss to the Fins on MNF, How good did newly acquired WR Braylon Edwards look in a New York Jets uniform? WOW. Talked about a changed man. WR Braylon Edwards who seemingly could not catch a ball in Cleveland found himself as Jets QB Mark Sanchez’s favorite target finishing with 5 receptions, 64 yards, and TD. It is amazing as to what a change of scenery can do to an athlete’s career. You can argue that the Jets Defense lost them the game failing to stop the Fins “Wildcat” formation. The Jets Defense which has given up 756 total yards in consecutive losses may have found the cure to get back on track: the Buffalo Bills. The Bills could not get anything going offensively one week ago against the lowly Browns in a loss. Look for the Jets to blitz and blitz often as they get their confidence back on Defense and the Offense continues to produce. Jets win at home.
Chicago Bears(3-1) @ Atlanta Falcons(3-1) Sunday 8:20 ET
-Another great NFL week 6 matchup. This one will be on SNF for the entire country to watch. QB Jay Cutler and the Bears have played better since the opening week disaster in Green Bay, but the Falcons are just too strong. Wow, did QB Matt Ryan and the Falcons destroy a pretty good 49ers team on the road. The Falcons Offense rolled up 477 total yards en route to a blowout victory. The Bears have overcome a lot to be where they are right now, but unfortunately the Falcons will hand them their first loss since winning 3 straight. Falcons win at the Georgia Dome.
Denver Broncos(5-0) @ San Diego Chargers(2-2) Monday 8:30 ET
-The Broncos at 5-0 may be the biggest surprise of the year. I saw the Broncos play in person in week 1 in Cincinnati. With their performance and all the distractions entering the season, if you told me that they would be undefeated thus far at 5-0 I would have laughed in your face. You have to give them credit. The last two weeks they have pulled out victories over the Cowboys and Patriots. Everyone counted them out of these games. I am sure there are still people that doubt this team. What a better way to prove all the doubters wrong as they are playing on MNF which will be showcased to a national television audience. This is a huge early season game in the NFC West. The Broncos can solidify themselves, while the Chargers with a victory can put themselves right back in the mix. I am a big believe of the bye week, especially at this level of football. The Broncos emotional rollercoaster start to a season has to come to an end at sometime. QB Phillip Rivers and the Chargers beat the Broncos at home.
Byes: Cowboys, Colts, Dolphins, 49ers
Overall: 48-28
Last Week: 9-5
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