Week Six NFL Picks

A lot of do-or-die games for teams this week. I would hazard to guess that this has probably been the toughest week to predict so far. But I enjoy it.

I really like how wide open this season is compared to past seasons. Its a theme that's been beaten to death, so I won't harp on it anymore, but I do think is makes it more exciting for the average NFL fan.

The only teams that are in "We definitely do NOT have a chance" territory are Detroit, Cincinnati, Houston and Kansas City. That's right, I'm not even writing of St. Louis.

Even though they're probably the worst team in the NFL, their division is so bad that they really have as much of a shot as anyone. Have you seen Arizona, San Fran and Seattle play? You're seriously telling me that any of those teams are miles ahead of the Rams?

Now that I've pulled off the impossible feat of the day (convincing people that the Rams still have playoff aspirations) its time for the picks. Home teams in CAPS...

Bears over FALCONS

This could be a trap game for the Bears. No matter how banged-up the Packers are, you still have to respect anyone who can go into Lambeau and beat a decent Green Bay team. Still, I'm not feeling the Falcons defense at all, and even if they decide to shut down the suddenly red hot Kyle Orton, Matt Forte can take them on the ground.

Ravens over COLTS

Believe me, I lie awake horrified at the fact that the Ravens should be 4-0 and that the Division is slowly slipping away from them. But I really do like them here against a leaky Colts D and their hurting o-line. Plus, Manning's injury has made the Colts O look outta sync all year, even when he does have time to pass. This isn't the kind of defense you want to face when you have that problem.

VIKINGS over Lions

Minnesota saved their season on Monday night, in a tough road spot against a good team. You gotta love a team that can do that. Especially when they're facing the Detroit Lions. And seeing as how Adrian Peterson is going up against the bad Detroit D and how he is due for a big game and since I have him on both of my fantasy teams...well...you know...

SAINTS over Raiders

The Tom Cable era begins! The Vince Lombardi of Idaho University brings his "A" game to the NFL. Feel the excitement!

(P.S. JaMarcus Russell doesn't completely suck...so...you know...you might want to take that into consideration...)

Bengals over JETS

The Bengals played two really good games back-to-back and probably would have beat Cleveland if they had Carson Palmer. I think this is a great shoot-out that ends with a Brett Favre INT. And like 20 people will see it.

***EDIT***

In the time I wrote this article, I found out that Ryan Fitzgerald is starting on Sunday. So...

JETS over Bengals

There, that's better. Poor Marvin Lewis.

Panthers over BUCCANEERS

Well so much for Jeff Garcia. This is the statement game for the Carolina Panthers. Are they the class in the NFC South and a potential Super Bowl contender? They can make as great of a claim as anyone as beast of the NFC by beating Tampa Bay on the road.

REDSKINS over Rams

I'm totally, unequivocally sold on the Washington Redskins. I was expecting them to roll over completely against Philly, instead they dug in, fought back and earned that victory. They're legit and Jim Zorn has emerged as a decent coach.

True, it is definitely still early and they can fall off. But if they fatten up against their easy schedule the next three weeks (St. Louis, Cleveland, @ Detroit), they'll have a 7-1 record and be in prime position to take the East with their three divisional adversaries having to come to them. Huge advantage.

TEXANS over Dolphins

Upset special. Don't get me wrong, I like Miami. I just think that Houston is playing better, has found their weapon in Steve Slaton, is due for a win and the Fins are due for a loss. At some point, someone has to figure out how to defend this Wildcat formation right?

BRONCOS over Jaguars

Jacksonville will put up a fight, as it always does. I just don't know about them against a good Denver team, on the road, where they have to score points. Sure the Broncos defense is conducive to this, but I don't know if Jacksonville has enough on their D to stop Denver's O, even without Eddie Royal.

Cowboys over CARDINALS

I don't really know what to make of this Dallas team. I do know that if they don't beat the Arizona Cardinals, in a game where 60 percent of fans are gonna be cheering for Dallas anyway, then they get the best-in-the-NFC label taken from them.

Eagles over 49ERS

Going with a lot of road teams this week, I know. I just don't know about the 49ers. I would love to see them take off, and they definitely could have won the New England game. But the odds are that they're just not that good of a team and probably look better because they play in a crap division.

SEAHAWKS over Packers

In the battle of two overly-injured and overrated teams (though I guess no one is overrating them anymore), Seattle prevails at home because...they are at home. Yawn.

***EDIT***

Hasselbeck's out. Charle Frye is in. That means...

Packers over SEAHAWKS

Hopefully that'll be the last change.

CHARGERS over Patriots

I'm kinda happy to see these teams suck. All the Chargers do is talk about how the Patriots are so classless and how much they hate them and blah, blah, blah. And of course, everyone is sick of New England, especially the loathsome Teddy Bruschi. I'm picking San Diego because I think their defense rises to the occasion at home. The end.

Giants over BROWNS

An aside, if the Giants and Redskins played each other right now, even in Giants Stadium, I'd still pick Washington to win. The Giants are definitely good, but there's no way they're this good. Nevertheless, there is something to be said about taking care of business in winnable games.

In a division where there is no wiggle room for bad losses, at least New York is beating the teams its supposed to. That'll finally come in handy when they hit that slate of tough division games.