Week 6 NFL Predictions: Struggling Stars Who Will Regain Their Mojo

The 2013 NFL season has been filled with both surprise players and underperforming stars. This has created a bit of a balance in the league, but it's only a matter of time before the game's top stars begin dominating yet again.

In Week 6, expect a few stars to start the trend.

The following players have proven themselves as bona fide stars in the NFL. Whether it be because of longevity, experience or ability to take over games, they have proven themselves to be a step ahead of the second-tier players in the league.

Even though they've struggled early on, there's still plenty of season left for them to get it going.

Ray Rice

Ray Rice is a major reason why the Baltimore Ravens haven't looked as clean early on as they did in the playoffs last season. On their way to the Super Bowl, Rice was both consistent and dominant.

He scored four touchdowns in four games and amassed 394 total yards. As both a safety net and playmaker for Joe Flacco, Rice proved his worth.

This season, Rice has yet to record a 100-yard rushing game. In his last game against the Miami Dolphins, he totaled 102 total yards from scrimmage with two rushing touchdowns. It was his first time registering 100 total yards in a game this season.

The Ravens match up against the Green Bay Packers in Week 6—a team allowing 86.0 rush yards per game on the season. While that may rank fifth-best in the NFL, I like Rice's chances to break out given his performance against Miami in Week 5.

Rice is again a candidate to exceed 100 total yards, especially considering Green Bay's lackluster pass defense. He may not get to 100 yards on the ground, but an overall impact on the offense is more important to the Ravens' success in this game.

If Flacco can get Rice involved early and often, then the running back should be able to post his second straight productive game. He hasn't been a star this season, but a performance like that would bring him back to that status.

Tom Brady

Tom Brady has been simply pedestrian this season. Even so, the New England Patriots are still off to a 4-1 start.

Brady has been far from the quarterback we've come to expect. He has just seven touchdowns with three interceptions and a completion percentage of 56.6. Much of his inconsistency can be attributed to the lack of chemistry he has had with his receivers.

After Wes Welker departed via free agency, the organization brought in Danny Amendola to fill the role of possession receiver. After missing several weeks, Amendola returned last week against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Aside from Amendola, Brady's weapons include Kenbrell Thompkins, Julian Edelman and Matthew Mulligan. If you asked "who?" to two out of those three, then you're consistent with a good portion of NFL fans.

Things will be looking up in Week 6, though, as Ed Werder of ESPN.com reports that tight end Rob Gronkowski will likely be active against the New Orleans Saints.

With a legitimate weapon in the end zone, Brady's numbers should start to see a boost. Even if Gronk has been an injury liability recently, he and Brady have great chemistry. Expect that to pick up right where it left off.

Having his receivers back and healthy will be just what Brady needs to stop being pedestrian and start being Brady.

Robert Griffin III

The Dallas Cowboys allow 326.4 yards per game through the air (second-worst in the NFL), and they just allowed Peyton Manning to carve them up for 414 yards.

If I'm Robert Griffin III, I'm thinking, "bingo."

Griffin and the Washington Redskins have been in dire need of a matchup like this. Griffin has struggled mightily this season, passing for just six touchdowns compared to four interceptions. He hasn't been dynamic enough to lead the Redskins to more than the one victory they've enjoyed against the Raiders.

Following a bye in Week 5, Griffin and the Redskins will be well-rested and ready to go against Dallas. Don't be surprised if Dallas looks a little sluggish as the game goes on, mostly because its game against Denver went right down to the wire.

Last season, Griffin wasn't a guy who would torch a defense for 400-plus yards like Manning did, but a 250-plus-yard performance with a completion percentage near 70 would put Griffin back on track.

That, of course, is assuming he doesn't turn the ball over. Dallas handed Manning his first interception of the season, but he was bound to throw one eventually.

Having not played in the preseason, maybe these first four games coupled with the bye week will serve as such for Griffin. If that's the case, then the rest of the NFC should watch out. The Redskins will be a dangerous team when Griffin is clicking.