NFL Picks Week 6: Which Teams Will Leave with Losing Records?

It's a tough situation for any team to be in, but if they're one game below .500 a win would be enormous for its confidence.

At the same time, if a team has a record of .500, getting the W is equally important. A loss that drops your team below .500 is always devastating.

With that in mind, here are three teams who are fighting to stay above/get to .500. Ultimately they will all fall short in Week 6.

Atlanta Falcons (2-3) vs Carolina Panthers

It's for certain that the Atlanta Falcons are in dire straits.

They're 1-2 on the road, and 1-1 at home, but have two wins against two losing teams (Seattle, Philly).

And although the Carolina Panthers are a dismal 1-4, they're not under the same pressure that Atlanta is under, coming off a 13-3 NFC South championship season.

This is a must win game for the Dirty Birds, but thanks to a sad pass defense, Cam Newton will shred them with WR Steve Smith and his TEs Greg Olsen and Jeremy Shockey.

The game will be close however, because Atlanta does have some success with their talented offense. But Carolina will steal one in the end, as their defense should step up big.

Panthers 26, Falcons 23 OT

Cleveland Browns (2-2) at Oakland Raiders

The Browns may be 2-2, but both wins came against winless Miami and Indianapolis. On the other hand, the Raiders defeated Houston and Denver on the road, and the Jets at home.

Now putting the whole Peyton Hillis situation aside, Cleveland is still going down in this game. Their offense will be dominated by an improving and confident Raiders defense.

Let's put it this way. If Oakland can limit Houston to 25 (even though Andre Johnson was out) and New England to 31, the Browns will be lucky to hit 17.

On the flip-side, Cleveland does have a solid pass defense lead by CB Joe Haden. But a rush defense needing to prove itself won't succeed against Darren McFadden and the No. 2 rush offense.

Raiders 28, Browns 10

Chicago Bears (2-3) vs Minnesota Vikings

It's going to be a battle of RBs in Week 6 at Soldier Field when Minnesota's Adrian Peterson and Chicago's Matt Forte try to oust one another.

Adrian Peterson significantly wins this battle though, because the Bears have one of the league's worst defenses (even though they've played a tough schedule) and they're not feeling confident.

As for the Bears offense, RB Matt Forte is the key, and the Vikings are well aware.

Expect Forte to see eight in the box every snap that's not long distance, and two LB/nickel/dime back spies to prevent him from gaining too many receiving yards.

Minnesota is going to make Jay Cutler beat them, and that is to their advantage while Peterson runs wild against the No. 28 ranked rush defense in Chicago.

Vikings 20, Bears 13

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