Week 6 NFL Predictions: Surprise Teams That Will Continue to Roll with Victories

As is inevitable with any NFL season in the early going, a number of teams have exceeded expectations and are sitting prettier than just about any prognosticator could have predicted.

The New Orleans Saints have ascended to the top of the NFC in starting a perfect 5-0. Much of the credit goes to the return of head coach Sean Payton and new defensive coordinator Rob Ryan, who has turned around last year's historically bad unit to complement the team's dynamic offense.

Many were ready to dismiss the New York Jets and apparent lame duck coach Rex Ryan, but thanks to stout defense and key rookie contributors in Sheldon Richardson and quarterback Geno Smith, they sit at 3-2.

When the Cleveland Browns traded away running back Trent Richardson, it seemed the new regime was tanking the 2013 campaign. Not so fast—the perpetual AFC North cellar dwellers are now tied for the division lead thanks to a three-game winning streak.

All three of these teams will notch victories in Week 6, too. Read on to find out how they will get it done and for a list of picks for every Week 6 game.

New Orleans Saints (5-0) over New England Patriots (4-1)

This is an epic quarterback duel between the Saints' Drew Brees and Patriots legend Tom Brady. Both are Super Bowl MVPs and are among the true elite at their position, along with Peyton Manning and Aaron Rodgers.

An ugly 13-6 loss at Cincinnati has the Patriots facing adversity as they head back to Gillette Stadium, and matching up with New Orleans will do them no favors.

A statistic tweeted by ESPN Stats & Info captured the difference between Brady and Brees well:

Brady is working with a new batch of skill players that haven't quite gelled yet. Considering how well Rob Ryan is able to draw up unconventional blitzes, it will be hard for Brady and Co. to get in a rhythm.

Meanwhile, the Saints look unstoppable no matter who the opponent is. Tight end Jimmy Graham continues to improve in his fourth season. The always dependable Marques Colston continues to be one of the most unappreciated receivers in the league, too.

New Orleans will make more plays on defense and pull out a second consecutive road victory.

Prediction: Saints 24, Patriots 17

New York Jets (3-2) over Pittsburgh Steelers (0-4)

After turning it over 11 times in his first four starts, the Jets' rookie Smith made it a point not to put his team in harm's way by giving the ball away on Monday night.

Play-caller Marty Mornhinweg dialed up a nice mix of rhythm passes and runs, which put less of a burden on Smith's shoulders. The former West Virginia star responded by going 15-of-20 for 199 yards and three touchdowns in a 30-28 win over the Atlanta Falcons.

Smith drove the team to a last-minute victory, too, showing that he has the stuff of a franchise quarterback.

Check out some of the numbers on Smith thus far, which reflect how willing he is to make big plays and how he's progressing when facing pressure in the pocket:

Although the Steelers' defense is difficult to prepare for—especially with the desperation Pittsburgh will have in fighting for its season, armed with the advantage of coming off a bye—the Jets will continue rolling.

Smith's counterpart, Ben Roethlisberger, has not been well-protected this season in being sacked 15 times, and he will struggle to handle New York's relentless, unpredictable defense.

Between Richardson, Muhammad Wilkerson and even Quinton Coples, the Jets should generate plenty of pressure on Big Ben up front alone.

The run should be easy to establish for New York, too, because the Steelers are 25th in the league in giving up 122.8 yards per game, while averaging just 58 yards of their own on the ground.

Prediction: Jets 20, Steelers 13

Cleveland Browns (3-2) over Detroit Lions (3-2)

A lot of attention has been shifted to the Browns' offense. Between the Richardson trade, Josh Gordon's return to the lineup, Brian Hoyer's brief rise and questions surrounding Brandon Weeden, there has been a lot to cover.

Not that it's been overlooked, but the defense is playing as well as any unit in the NFL.

In lieu of an injured Jabaal Sheard, No. 6 overall pick Barkevious Mingo is making a huge impact at outside linebacker opposite high-profile free agent acquisition Paul Kruger.

Joe Haden has emerged as a shutdown corner, and the Browns are yielding just 301.8 yards per game.

Other than letting up a 54-yard touchdown to Buffalo's C.J. Spiller last week, Cleveland has been stout against the run. That will continue at home against Detroit on Sunday.

Lions running back Reggie Bush gives the team's offense a new dimension, but it depends on QB Matthew Stafford playing at a high level. When superstar receiver Calvin Johnson wasn't in action last week with a knee injury, the offense crumbled in a 22-9 loss to Green Bay.

Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com reports that Johnson is "improving every day" but that his status for Week 6 is still up in the air. There is no guarantee Megatron will be himself; even if he can suit up, a difficult matchup with Haden and constant double teams awaits.

Thus, it comes down to Browns signal-caller Brandon Weeden getting the ball out quickly to his playmakers in Gordon and blossoming tight end Jordan Cameron.

Look for offensive coordinator Norv Turner to design a game plan based on Weeden having a quick trigger and challenging a suspect Lions secondary vertically. That will neutralize Detroit's ferocious defensive line and result in an improbably fourth consecutive win for the resurgent Browns.

Prediction: Browns 31, Lions 20