NFL Picks Week 6: Philadelphia Eagles and 3 Teams That Will Salvage Their Season

It's becoming that time of year when a number of teams will fade into the background of the NFL playoff picture. It's becoming that time of year that real contenders put their stamp on the season and pretenders make critical errors that push them from the winner's circle.

There is still time to correct the mistakes that have put this season's disappointments where they stand, but there isn't as much time as they'd like. Some big games this week headline this year's early disappointments. Here are three teams that should turn it around now in Week 6.

Philadelphia Eagles @ Washington Redskins

The Eagles find themselves at 1-4 and nobody expected it to get this far. This is the type of team that can lose Andy Reid his job. They are immensely talented, but vastly under-performing. 

On the bright side they are just 0-1 in the NFC East with five games left to play. The next game will be Sunday when they visit the Washington Redskins hopes of delivering the 'Skins a second division loss. 

With these five division games, Philadelphia still controls its own destiny as far as an NFC East title and the playoffs are concerned, but they have to get back to what made them so successful last year. And last year they split the season series with Washington, who seem to have greatly improved this year. The Eagles did however win the game at FedEx Field, putting up 59 points in the process.

So there are good memories they can draw from. Look for running back LeSean McCoy to be a focal point of the offense and let the pressure on Michael Vick subside. The offense can create, but they will need time from the offensive line to avoid those costly turnovers. The Eagles' biggest challenge will be stopping the pass rush of Brian Orakpo and Ryan Kerrigan.

On defense, they will focus on containing the heavy run-based Redskins offense, letting Nnamdi Asomugha, Asante Samuel and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie do their thing on the smaller Washington receivers and stopping the run. If Philadelphia can accomplish that successfully, they will get a much needed division win to help level the NFC East playing field.

Prediction:   Philadelphia 30, Washington 24

Carolina Panthers @ Atlanta Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons only lost three games all year in 2010 en route to a division title and first-round bye in the playoffs. They have lost three of their first five with some poor play from their offensive line and lack of a pass rush. They catch the 1-4 Carolina Panthers this week; despite Carolina's record they have been within a score of every game they played and will by no means be an easy out. 

Cam Newton has an explosive connection with veteran receiver Steve Smith and RB DeAngelo Williams seems like he's beginning to start rolling.

The focus though will be on the better team, the Atlanta Falcons, and alleviating the pressure on Matt Ryan who will be without rookie wide receiver standout Julio Jones. If the Falcons can protect Ryan and get RB Michael Turner back on track they should win, especially so at home, where the Falcons just lost their third game at home in Matt Ryan's entire career. 

Protecting Matt Ryan shouldn't be too difficult this week, as the Panthers are near the bottom of the league with eight sacks in five games.

I like the Falcons to pull to .500 with an important division win.

Prediction: Atlanta 30, Carolina 27

Buffalo Bills @ New York Giants

The New York Giants are in the best shape of these three teams looking for turnarounds. They are 3-2 and many might say this isn't a team that needs to "salvage" their season. After Week 5 though, concern is on the forefront when they lost at home to the lowly Seattle Seahawks.

Eli Manning had four turnovers versus Seattle and may be reverting to last season's form, in which he had 31 turnovers. The Bills lead the league with 12 interceptions and seem to have a green light at all times to jump routes and passes. That could spell trouble for Manning.

The Bills defense, aside from forcing turnovers, doesn't pose much of a threat. They don't stop the pass or the run very well and get the quarterback down less than anyone in the league. Still, their formula has worked to the tune of a 4-1 start.

This Giants will be without fullback Brandon Jacobs, negating their two-pronged rushing attack. Ahmad Bradshaw will be an integral part of the offensive push, but avoiding those turnovers are key. If Manning loses the ball a handful of times again, it could send New York into an early season slide; that's not good news when they usually do that at the end of the year as well.

Prediction: New York 23, Buffalo 20