NFL Week Six Picks

The following picks are ranked from least likely to most likely to happen. Thus far, I am 49-25.

1. Eagles: I believe that without Westbrook, the Eagles may be too one-dimensional to beat a defense on the road that, at least on paper, is pretty good. However, I lack the courage to pick the upset.
   
2. Ravens: it is time to accept the Ravens are better than we thought and the Colts aren't as good. They will struggle against a world-class defense with their lack of a running game, and the Ravens offense is good enough to put up points.
3. Packers: the team that loses this battle of the medical reports is probably out of the playoff picture. The Packers at least have played tougher opponents and were better to start with.
4. Buccaneers: Griese is hurt, so Gruden will have to go with the good quarterback--Garcia and home field carry them over the Panthers, who I am not sold on yet.
5. Texans: they have had the most brutal schedule besides Washington so far; this week if they lose they prove they are really as bad as their record.
6. Broncos: they showed life on defense last week, but they still have too many holes to be a confident pick for me.
7. Cowboys: if Boldin was healthy or Pacman was suspended (as he should be), this receiving corps would gash this backfield. But this is nearly a home game for the 'Boys every year because they were the Southwest's team before the Cardinals moved to Arizona. 
8. Bears: the Falcons are better than we thought, but so are the Bears.
9. Chargers: don't be surprised if LT runs right over this pourous run defense--San Diego would love to "run" up the score against their hated playoff rivals and dance "Lights Out" in the middle of the field.
10. Giants: with a bye week and if Winslow plays, the Browns have a chance to prove they are the team we thought they'd be before the season began. But Corey Williams didn't help by questioning the Giants' manhood. (Which, excuse me, cannot be questioned after they overcame so many injuries and Williams' old team led by Brett Favre in the playoffs last year, and so many more losses to go unbeaten so far this year...)
11. Vikings: the Lions are without a win, but division games are never easy and this one smells of a trap since they are coming off a bye and out from under the distraction of Matt Millen.
12. Saints: another team coming off a distraction travels to New Orleans, but the Saints are better than their record and the Raiders aren't so long as Al Davis still runs the show.
13. Offensively Named Ones: St. Louis comes in with a better coach and a couple big-play options, but no supporting cast; I doubt a team of Washington's stature will let up enough to lose, but I also doubt they will take this one seriously enough to cover the spread.
14. Jets: without Carson Palmer, this team that has been unable to win will not be able to build a lead Favre cannot come back from; they're only hope is that this week is one of his two to three boneheaded games each year, but those usually come against good teams.