(Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
Five weeks down, and 12 to go. The NFL season has been flying by. It's already week six, and we Patriots fans continue our weekly series of picks with me , C Douglas Baker , and Glenn Card.
A quick word on our bye week teams, and then we'll get started.
Dallas: After a disappointing stretch to start the season marked by the necessity of overtime to beat the miserable Kansas City Chiefs, the Cowboys will relish in this week off to collect their thoughts. Hopefully the 'Boys will be able to explode out of their bye week, as they'll come back with a tough stretch against Atlanta, Seattle, and Philly.
Indianapolis: The Colts are running away with the AFC South, and the bye week should only help this dominant team recharge. After the week off, the Colts will start out a cupcake stretch marked by games against St. Louis, San Francisco, and Houston.
Miami: Sitting third in the AFC East, losing Chad Pennington for the season did not come at a worse time for the Dolphins, who had just recently begun picking up some steam. The Dolphins will need to rest up this week because they have a very hard three games after the bye week, hosting New Orleans before making road trips to New York and New England.
San Francisco: Take away an amazing comeback by Brett Favre and the Vikings, and this 'Niners team is 4-1. With that and also coming off a complete rout at the hands of the Atlanta Falcons, the 'Niners will be happy to have a break this week. After the down time this Sunday, San Fran will hit the road to play the Texans and Colts before coming home to host the Titans.
Sunday Oct. 18, 2009
Houston @ Cincinnati
GC : The Texans are dangerous only because you don’t know which team will show up. They had a tough loss last week and things won’t get any easier going up against a tough Bengals team. It’s nice to see that after all those tumultuous years the Bengals have finally turned the corner; they have me believing in them this year and this will be an easy home win.
EA: The Texans have been very inconsistent this year, but it doesn't change the fact that any slip up in the Bengals' defense could lead to explosive plays from Steve Slaton or Andre Johnson. The Bengals have the talent to win this one, but Texas does have the talent to grind this one out all the way to the end.
CB: But for a fluke play in Week One versus Denver Cincinnati may be undefeated right now. Houston, meanwhile, has been inconsistent. The Bengals' defense is finally looking pretty good, and I will take them at home. Cincinnati.
Carolina @ Tampa Bay
GC: The Panthers did something; they fixed something during their bye week. This is a game they should win because the Buccaneers are vying for last place this year.
EA: While they are bad, I'm not convinced that the Panthers are as bad as they've been. As long as Jake Delhomme doesn't turn over too many times, there's no reason why the Panthers can't win this. The key is forcing Josh Johnson to 50 pass attempts like the Eagles did last week. Even at home, it should be tough for the Bucs to overcome the Panthers. Carolina.
CB: Two more lousy teams, but Tampa Bay is lousier. Carolina.
Cleveland @ Pittsburgh
GC: Come on, the Browns in Pittsburgh? The Steelers could spot them six points and it still wouldn’t make a difference on the outcome.
EA: This won't even be a game. I'll be surprised if the Browns even have less than three total turnovers.
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