NFL Predictions Week 6: Bengals, Raiders and Teams That Will Keep Surprising

The NFL is a league predicated on a high rate of turnover between winners and losers, but rarely have there been so many surprises in the early going of a season as in 2011. None of last year's division winners find themselves in the same perch heading into Week 6, though that could all change rather quickly.

For now, though, fans around the league, particularly those who cheer for these teams, can sit back and enjoy some pro football at its topsy-turvy best. 

Cincinnati Bengals

Somehow, someway, the Bengals, the very same team whose owner opted to send Carson Palmer into retirement rather than trade him, find themselves at 3-2 and in the thick of things in the highly-competitive AFC North.

Cincinnati's success has been predicated on a surprisingly strong defense, one that lost the likes of Dante Whitner and Johnathan Joseph to free agency, and the steady contributions of rookies Andy Dalton and A.J. Green on offense.

It's tough to say just how good these Bengals are, with a mixed bag of wins against the Bills, the Browns and the Jaguars and close losses to the Broncos and the 49ers.

Not that a win over the lowly Colts will do much to clear things up, but at least it'll put Cincy at a formidable 4-2 heading into its bye week.

Oakland Raiders

Sunday's home game against the Browns is a dangerous game for the Raiders. The Silver and Black could be in for a big letdown after last week's emotional win in Houston, with a so-so Cleveland club coming into town. The Browns' pass defense is among the best in the NFL on paper, albeit against some rather underwhelming competition (Andy Dalton, Kerry Collins and Chad Henne).

And, well, the Raiders aren't exactly a pass-happy bunch. Oakland prefers to butter its bread on the ground, with Darren McFadden, the NFL's leading rusher, carrying the load.

What's that you say? The Browns defense is 25th in the league against the run? That should be enough for the Raiders to just win, baby. 

Washington Redskins

Like Cincinnati, Washington is another one of these teams that's been the benefactor of circumstance. The Redskins stand at 3-1, though they've been significantly less-than-impressive in their last three games—a one-point win over the Cardinals, a two-point loss at the Cowboys and a seven-point victory in St. Louis.

That being said, the Eagles are in no position to tell the 'Skins anything about how to win ball games. Michael Vick hasn't been great, but that's more a function of poor play from his offensive line and lapses in focus from his skill guys. Meanwhile, Philly's run defense is among the worst in the NFL and will have its hands full against Mike Shanahan's famous zone-blocking scheme.

With those pieces in place, a little bit of smart play from Rex Grossman will go a long way toward setting the 'Skins up for success to continue their reign atop the NFC East.