NFL Picks Week 6: One Player Who Could Singlehandedly Win Each Game

So far, the only thing predictable in this NFL season is the unpredictability of it all.

A rookie quarterback has racked up over 1,600 yards in five games. Three score leads are no longer comfortable ones. And the San Francisco 49ers and Detroit Lions meet with a combined 9-1 record.

But what is certain is that the league is still made of big time playmakers. And nearly every squad, no matter how bad their record, seems to have a player who can take over a game.

Who could single-handedly seal a victory for each squad? Let's take a look.

*Arizona, Denver, Kansas City, San Diego, Seattle and Tennessee are all on their bye weeks.

Carolina Panthers vs. Atlanta Falcons

For Carolina: QB Cam Newton 

Newton is establishing himself as an excellent NFL quarterback early in his career and there's no reason to expect he can't continue his impressive play in Atlanta.

The Falcons give up 294 passing yards a game, and Newton currently averages 322 yards a game. He's also learning quickly that he has more options than Steve Smith. Tight ends Greg Olsen and Jeremy Shockey could run wild against the Falcons.

While Atlanta is the favorite at home, the explosive Newton should have a field day against the Falcons.

For Atlanta: RB Michael Turner

Carolina is ranked 27th in the league in rush defense, and while Turner has been utterly disappointing in the last few weeks, this could be a great chance for him to break out of his slump.

He's had just 143 total yards in the past three weeks (at Tampa Bay, at Seattle and vs. Green Bay) and gotten just 2.5 yards per carry. But Carolina's defense is without starters Omar Gaither and Thomas Davis, and the Panthers have given up 4.9 yards per carry on the season.

Atlanta will have it's hands full with Newton and his weapons, but Turner could dominate against a weak and crippled Carolina rush defense.

Prediction: Carolina 27, Atlanta 20 

Philadelphia Eagles vs. Washington Redskins

For Philadelphia:  RB LeSean McCoy

Washington ranks second in fewest passing yards allowed and third in fewest rushing yards allowed. That's a scary thing for a struggling Eagles team to look at.

Washington also has 15 sacks on the season, so it'll be up to Michael Vick to determine how the Eagles will attack an exceptional Redskins offense. My money is on the run game, which means giving LeSean McCoy the ball and hoping the porous offensive line for Philadelphia can cut him some holes.

For Washington: RB Tim Hightower 

Washington is coming off their bye week and Philadelphia is on the verge of panic, both of which benefit the Redskins.

Philadelphia's run defense is absolutely disastrous, ranked 30th in the league in yards allowed. That means whoever gets the most touches for the Redskins—and with Mike Shanahan that's always a question mark—should get quite a few yards against the Eagles. Put your money on Hightower.

Prediction: Redskins 23, Philadelphia 16 (Redskins defense is too much and the Eagles hit the panic button)

St. Louis Rams vs. Green Bay Packers

For St. Louis: QB Sam Bradford

Green Bay, despite looking invincible, has given up the second most passing yards so far this season at 300 yards a game.

Bradford has had 300 yards in one of his four contests this season, when he had 331 yards against the Giants in Week 2. Could this be the week Bradford and the Rams explode?

Simply put, not really. Bad news for Bradford—the Packers may have given up 10 passing touchdowns this season, but they've snagged 10 interceptions, good for second most in the league.

For Green Bay: QB Aaron Rodgers 

Sorry to be Mr. Obvious here, but is it even a question?

St. Louis is ranked 13th in the league in pass defense, which isn't bad considering how weak the Rams have been, but Rodgers won't be stopped. 

The major question for the Packers is who really could beat them? It certainly won't be the Rams.

Prediction: Green Bay 48, St. Louis 7 (Bradford throws one touchdown and two interceptions)

Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

For Jacksonville: RB Maurice Jones-Drew

This one doesn't look good for Jacksonville, but if pressed you gotta bet on Jones-Drew. Rookie quarterback Blane Gabbert isn't ready to win the Jaguars many games, especially against an incredibly tough pass defense like Pittsburgh.

Gabbert is going to be pressed at every angle and will probably end up on the ground a number of times.

The Pittsburgh run defense gives up 108.8 yards a contest. Jones-Drew averages 95.2 yards a contest. I hardly expect Jones-Drew to dominate the Steelers, but he's the best shot Jacksonville has.

For Pittsburgh: WR Mike Wallace

Expect the Steelers to run at the Jaguars most of the game, even though Jacksonville's run defense is fairly solid and gives up the 12th least rushing yards per game.

Still, it wouldn't be a surprise to me to see Pittsburgh make their biggest plays on the pass. They got 257 yards and five touchdowns last week on the fly against Tennessee.

Mike Wallace is the most talented wideout for Pittsburgh and could do big damage if Jacksonville continues to force Ben Roethlisberger to throw. Wallace could rack up some big numbers.

Prediction: Pittsburgh 26, Jacksonville 7 

Buffalo Bills vs. New York Giants

For Buffalo: S George Wilson 

What? No Ryan Fitzpatrick? Not Fred Jackson?

I'll go out on a limb a bit. George Wilson is a defensive player of the year candidate who is tied for the league lead in interceptions with three, is fourth in tackles with 47 and has a forced fumble to boot.

It could really go either way for QB Eli Manning. This season he has been great—most of the time, anyways—but last week he had three interceptions with his three touchdowns against Seattle.

Buffalo may be giving up 283 passing yards a contest, but they also have the most interceptions in the league with 12. Wilson has been a big part of that.

I expect Buffalo's offense to shine, but Wilson could be a huge factor if Manning isn't careful.

For New York: RB Ahmad Bradshaw

If Manning can make smart decisions all the way through and connect with his receivers, he could win the Giants the game. If not, he could cost them a chance.

New York will probably try a lot of running plays against Buffalo, who give up 5.5 yards a carry, second most in the league. Ahmad Bradshaw could have some really big plays for New York, but Buffalo's offense is just too dangerous.

So the smart money goes on the Giants running game, and that goes through Bradshaw.

Prediction: Buffalo 35, New York 20 (Wilson with a interception that cuts out New York's hopes).

San Francisco 49ers vs. Detroit Lions

For San Francisco: TE Vernon Davis

Despite Alex Smith's recent transformation into a successful quarterback, the San Francisco offense is still powered mostly by the legs of veteran Frank Gore and rookie Kendall Hunter.

While Detroit's defensive line is excellent, they are susceptible to the run game (19th in the league with 114.8 yards a game) and both Gore and Hunter could get some nice yardage.

The key for San Francisco, however, is establishing Davis. Detroit lacks anyone who can cover a big tight end like Davis. Two weeks ago against Dallas, Detroit gave up 94 yards and a touchdown to Jason Witten.

With Josh Morgan, the 49ers lead receiver, out for the season, Smith will have to get more passes to Davis, who caught just three passes but scored two touchdowns last week.

For Detroit: WR Calvin Johnson

San Francisco's Carlos Rogers is tied for the league lead in interceptions with three, but he and the 49ers secondary aren't ready for Megatron.

The secondary core, even with Rogers, has given up big plays all season and now face arguably the most talented wideout in the game.

With Matthew Stafford and Johnson to contend with, San Francisco is going to need a monster game from their secondary—which is easier said than done against the incredible Johnson.

Prediction: Detroit 27, San Francisco 21

Indianapolis Colts vs. Cincinnati Bengals

For Indianapolis: QB Curtis Painter

Painter has had two decent games for Indianapolis now, scoring four touchdowns and owning a quarterback rating of 100. He had 277 yards against Kansas City last week and if Indianapolis is ever going to win a game, it'll be on his arm. 

Still, this is picking for a winless team that seems in full "Suck-for-Luck" mode?

For Cincinnati: RB Cedric Benson

Benson, whose status for the next few weeks was put in doubt by his recent suspension, will play on Sunday. And that's good news for the Bengals, since the Colts give up the most rushing yards in the league.

Certainly, the tag team of rookies—Andy Dalton and A.J. Green—could carve the weak Colts apart, but with Indianapolis giving up 145.2 yards a game on the ground, Benson could be on the edge of a dynamite game.

Prediction: Cincinnati 30, Indianapolis 10

Cleveland Browns vs. Oakland Raiders

For Cleveland: QB Colt McCoy

Oakland ranks in the bottom ten in both passing yards allowed and rushing yards allowed, so it would be easy to go the obvious route and say Peyton Hillis here.

But I'll go out on a limb and say McCoy. He had high expectations going into the season that he has not lived up to. Certainly the fact that he doesn't have a number one receiver hurts his cause, but he had 350 yards against a much better secondary in Tennessee.

With questions about Hillis' commitment to the team and a weaker Oakland secondary (30th in the league in yards allowed), I wouldn't be surprised if McCoy has an excellent game.

Of course, Oakland's secondary seems to be best in crunch time as evidenced by Michael Huff's game securing interception last week against Houston—and Matt Schaub is a better quarterback than McCoy is.

For Oakland: RB Darren McFadden

Cleveland is ranked fourth in the league in fewest passing yards allowed per game. So the obvious game plan for Oakland is give the ball to McFadden and run, run, run—as if that wasn't it most of the time anyway, though.

Tennessee's Chris Johnson got 101 yards against the Browns in Week 4, and McFadden is having twice as good a season as Johnson is.

Oakland's crowd could also single-handedly win this one for the Raiders. It'll be the first home game for the silver and black since the death of owner Al Davis, and emotions should be running very high for the "Raider Nation."

Prediction: Oakland 33, Cleveland 17

Houston Texans vs. Baltimore Ravens

For Houston: RB Arian Foster

Foster had 155 yards against Pittsburgh in Week 4 and 68 yards against Oakland in Week 5, which are fairly solid numbers since returning from his hamstring injury. Unfortunately for his team, they just can't stay healthy.

With wide receiver Andre Johnson injured, Foster becomes the absolute focal point for Houston offense. Baltimore has one of the best defenses in the league, however, giving up the second least rushing yards per game at 72.8 a contest.

It won't be easy for Foster, but if Houston has much hope it'll be going through him.

For Baltimore: RB Ray Rice

Expect Baltimore to even go harder at the Texans' line now that linebacker Mario Williams is out for the year. That means giving it to Rice, who'll need to do better than he did in Week 4 when he had just 2.5 yards a carry against the Jets.

Houston still has a very formidable defense, especially considering they held  Darren McFadden to just 56 yards on Sunday. But Williams' territory is going to be a lot more open.

This will be a tough game with two very solid defenses but with the injuries to Houston the smart money has to go on Baltimore

Prediction: Baltimore 30, Houston 20

New Orleans Saints vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

For New Orleans: QB Drew Brees

You have to think that Brees saw the three touchdowns the Bucs gave up to Alex Smith last Sunday and started drooling.

Certainly, Tampa Bay is at home, and are probably far more motivated than they looked last week. But if Smith and the 49ers can carve up the Tampa Bay secondary, imagine what Brees and the Saints can do.

Tampa Bay's hard-nosed defensive line also gave up 125 yards to Frank Gore last week, so New Orleans' "run-by-committee" could also fare well against the Bucs. But the big damage should come through Brees and his passing weapons.

For Tampa Bay: QB Josh Freeman

LeGarrette Blount is likely sitting this one out (he was injured midway through the San Francisco contest) and this leaves the run game in the hands of Earnest Grant, a 31-year-old who has been a sub most of his career.

The passing game, of course, is still run by Freeman, coming off one of the worst games of his career.

I'll go with Freeman on this one. He's certainly not as bad as he looked against San Francisco, and he could certainly bounce back and drop a few touchdowns on a Saints team that focuses mainly on outscoring their opponents.

But even though the 49ers secondary had a field day against Freeman, New Orleans secondary is stronger, so it may not be easy for Freeman and his receivers to regain their composure.

Prediction: New Orleans 36, Tampa Bay 17

Dallas Cowboys vs. New England Patriots

For Dallas: QB Tony Romo

Closely behind the San Francisco/Detroit matchup sits Dallas/New England for most interesting game of the week, mainly because of No. 9. Tony Romo, recently crowned king of the horribly timed interceptions, goes up against a New England team that gives up a league leading 327 passing yards a game.

Which gives first? Romo's interceptions, or New England's porous secondary?

The case for Romo: Dez Bryant will probably be back, and Dallas is getting off a bye week. Romo and his team have had a chance to calm down and get healthy after their meltdown against Detroit.

If he can contain himself, Romo might be set up for a huge game offensively.

The case for New England: Yes, they sure give up a ton of points, but they're still outscoring everyone.

For New England: QB Tom Brady

Again, hate to be Mr. Obvious here, but it's not exactly a tough decision. You could put Wes Welker up here, if that's any less obvious a selection. The Patriots passing attack (most passing yards in the league) is just too dynamic to be stopped by anyone, even if Dallas' secondary is decent enough.

Prediction: New England 37, Dallas 33

Minnesota Vikings vs. Chicago Bears

For Minnesota: RB Adrian Peterson

After averaging 20 carries his first four games, Peterson got 29 carries on Sunday and scored three touchdowns in the 34-10 dismantling of the Cardinals. Understandably, the Vikings can't run every play through Peterson, but you figure he'd be the obvious focus for an offense with Donovan McNabb struggling.

Peterson is the key to any chance the Vikings have of winning contests. Chicago gives up 135.5 rushing yards a contest and gave up some big gains to Detroit's Jahvid Best last week.

While Peterson doesn't have the QB to help keep the defenses equally wary of the pass, he's the best running back in the game and should get some big yards against the Bears.

For Chicago: QB Jay Cutler

A tough decision because running back Matt Forte has capped 100 yards in two straight games, including 205 yards and a ridiculous 8.2 yards a carry against Carolina in Week 4.

Yet, Minnesota actually sits fourth in the league in least rushing yards allowed per contest, with just 74.4 yards allowed per game. They held San Diego's Ryan Matthews to 45 yards in Week 1, and gave Best just 14 yards on 12 carries in Week 3.

Forte is better than the running backs Minnesota has faced, and as hard as it is to trust in Cutler over a excellent running backing, both Kevin Kolb and Matt Cassell got over 230 yards against the Vikings so far this year.

Minnesota is more susceptible to the pass, and Cutler is coming off a decently impressive contest against Detroit.

Prediction: Chicago 24, Minnesota 21

Miami Dolphins vs. New York Jets

For Miami: QB Matt Moore

Your Monday night football game of the week gives us two teams that really lack players who could "single-handedly" win contests—a snoozefest between two boring and struggling squads.

Now do I really expect Matt Moore to come out and dominate New York? Not really, as evident by my pick for New York's "single-handedly can win" player.

But I'll go for the surprise factor... I mean, how amazing would it be for Chad Henne's backup to come in an have an awesome end to the season, thus ruining Miami's chances in the "Suck-for-Luck" sweepstakes?

For New York: CB Darrelle Revis

No, I really don't expect Moore to win the game for Miami. I expect Darrelle Revis, and perhaps Antonio Cromartie, to keep him locked down in the passing game.

Prediction: New York 17, Miami 7