2010 NFL Week 6: Picks and Predictions

Each Tuesday morning, Whatifsports.com's NFL simulation engine will provide you with predictions, box scores and statistics for every NFL game that week. The NFL simulation engine generates detailed information including the home team's chances of winning (Home Win %), average score and comprehensive box score link. If you want to share your new found NFL knowledge with friends and family, make sure to check out our NFL Widgets on the WhatIf To Go page or click on the social networking share bar located at the top and bottom of the article.

The statistical inputs to the thousands of NFL games simulated are based on rigorous analysis of each team's roster, depth chart and statistically based player ranking. Roster modifications have been made for injuries and suspensions and those players are not part of their team's game simulation.

To account for injuries and roster moves announced late in the week, we will be re-simulating some games on Thursdays throughout the 2010 NFL season.

Check out our 2010 NFL Season-to-Date page to follow our accuracy week-to-week and find Locks and Upsets of the Week.

Game of the Week: Saints at Buccaneers

Week 6 in the NFL features a plethora of intriguing matchups on its slate. NFC hot-starts Philadelphia and Atlanta collide in the City of Brotherly Love, two Super Bowl candidates clash in Foxborough as the Patriots host the Ravens, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers battle the defending New Orleans Saints.

Say what?

As in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who went 3-13 in 2009?

Believe it, as Tampa Bay heads into the game 3-1 after defeating the Bengals 24-21 on a last-second Connor Barth field goal. Expectations for 2010 were tempered, as Tampa Bay's squad was filled with youngins, has-beens, and never-wases. Yet a solid secondary, combined with the growth of quarterback Josh Freeman, has been a winning equation for Raheem Morris' roster.

Granted, critics will point to this 3-1 record as misleading, with the victories coming against an overrated Cincinnati squad and NFL weaklings Carolina and Cleveland. Statistics aren't necessarily kind to the Bucs either, as the Tampa rush defense is giving up 143.3 yards a contest, ranked 30th in the NFL. Furthermore, the offensive rushing attack has been somewhat stalled, averaging just 103.5 per game.

However, no one prognosticated Tampa to have three wins through their first four games of the season. The Buccaneers have a relatively easy schedule, with matchups against the NFC West's (7-12 combined) Carolina, Detroit and Washington looming. Is it far-fetched that the Bucs can eek out five wins against that motley crew? No matter how the season plays out, Tampa Bay fans can cherish their team's upstart for another week.

The same cannot be said for New Orleans, who appear to be suffering symptoms of a Super Bowl hangover.

Luck has not been on their side, as an injury outbreak has riddled their roster. A quick rundown of the infirmary report:

- Darren Sharper, last season's defensive leader, currently on the PUP list recovering from knee surgery.

- Reggie Bush, who had collected 260 receptions the past four seasons, out five weeks with a broken leg.

- Pierre Thomas, the team's leading rusher in 2009, has been dealing with ankle issues.

- Will Smith, who racked up 13 sacks in 2009, was inactive against Arizona with a groin injury.

- Drew Brees, who's been sporting a brace on a banged-up knee.

Injuries haven't been the only issue. Kicker Garrett Hartley was so abysmal in the first three games (4 of 7 FG attempts) that 46-year-old John Carney was brought back to solidify the position. Furthermore, thanks to the injuries in the backfield, the infamous air assault of New Orleans has been hindered throughout the season.

Ironically enough, the biggest question mark is Brees, a player who has been the franchise's foundation since his arrival in 2006. Although he's remarked that the brace is a non-factor, the Super Bowl MVP looks uncomfortable moving in the pocket. If Brees can't regain his Pro Bowl form, New Orleans' title defense will surely be short-lived.

Yet one would be a fool to omit the Saints from playoff predictions. Sharper is set to return once coming off the PUP list, and the schedule eases up quite considerably for the Saints.

So who wins the matchup in this AFC South showdown? According to the WhatIfSports NFL simulation engine, the Bucs fall to the Saints 26-20, with New Orleans winning 74.1 percent of the time.

For the rest of week's matchups, check out the table below:

NFL Week 6
Matchup	Win%	Avg Score
Detroit Lions	6.4	10	Boxscore
@ New York Giants	93.6	30	Simulate Game
Cleveland Browns	15.4	12	Boxscore
@ Pittsburgh Steelers	84.6	26	Simulate Game
Atlanta Falcons	21.4	15	Boxscore
@ Philadelphia Eagles	78.6	28	Simulate Game
Seattle Seahawks	32.9	15	Boxscore
@ Chicago Bears	67.1	22	Simulate Game
Miami Dolphins	32.9	15	Boxscore
@ Green Bay Packers	67.1	23	Simulate Game
Kansas City Chiefs	34.9	21	Boxscore
@ Houston Texans	65.1	26	Simulate Game
Dallas Cowboys	42.1	23	Boxscore
@ Minnesota Vikings	57.9	27	Simulate Game
Oakland Raiders	42.3	19	Boxscore
@ San Francisco 49ers	57.7	23	Simulate Game
Baltimore Ravens	49.5	17	Boxscore
@ New England Patriots	50.5	19	Simulate Game
Indianapolis Colts	52.5	25	Boxscore
@ Washington Redskins	47.5	24	Simulate Game
New York Jets	61.1	22	Boxscore
@ Denver Broncos	38.9	20	Simulate Game
New Orleans Saints	74.1	26	Boxscore
@ Tampa Bay Buccaneers	25.9	20	Simulate Game
Tennessee Titans	80.6	28	Boxscore
@ Jacksonville Jaguars	19.4	18	Simulate Game
San Diego Chargers	95.0	35	Boxscore
@ St. Louis Rams	5.0	12	Simulate Game