NFL Week 6: Predicting Scores for Every Game on the Schedule

As my picks for Week 5 proved, selecting winners in the NFL isn't easy. The league has been especially volatile this season and incredibly difficult to predict. That said, I'm going to try again this week and hope for a little better result.

Here are my picks for Week 6:

Carolina Panthers (1-4) at Atlanta Falcons (2-3)

Matt Ryan and the Falcons are bound to turn things around at some point and this week looks to be as good a time as any. The Panthers have been relying on rookie quarterback Cam Newton to do too much and that will eventually jump up and bite them.

Atlanta 31, Carolina 24

Indianapolis Colts (0-5) at Cincinnati Bengals (3-2)

Andy Dalton has improved every week for the Bengals and I expect his evolution to continue. While Curtis Painter has been better than expected for the Colts, the entire franchise just seems listless without Peyton Manning on the field.

Cincinnati 28, Indianapolis 24

San Francisco 49ers (4-1) at Detroit Lions (5-0)

Neither of these teams were expected to be this good, so obviously this is an intriguing matchup. Still, the Lions have arguably the league's best player in Calvin Johnson, and I don't think the 49ers have any answer for him.

Detroit 38, San Francisco 21

St. Louis Rams (0-4) at Green Bay Packers (5-0)

Do I really need to break this one down? The Packers are rolling behind early season MVP Aaron Rodgers and the Rams are one of the league's three worst teams. Green Bay cruises at home.

Green Bay 45, St. Louis 17

Buffalo Bills (4-1) at New York Giants (3-2)

Having watched the Giants play a few times, I'm shocked they are 3-2. Meanwhile the Bills have performed beyond anyone's expectations. There is no reason that won't continue on Sunday.

Buffalo 31, New York (Giants) 28

Jacksonville Jaguars (1-4) at Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2)

The Jaguars rank last in the NFL in total offense (270.6 yards per game) and have a rookie starting quarterback in Blaine Gabbert. The Steelers have the NFL's second-best defense (282.8 yards per game) and have to be licking their chops to attack Jacksonville's young signal-caller. Enough said.

Pittsburgh 35, Jacksonville 20

Philadelphia Eagles (1-4) at Washington Redskins (3-1)

The Eagles have to turn things around at some point, right?

Philadelphia 31, Washington 24

Cleveland Browns (2-2) at Oakland Raiders (3-2)

The Raiders will rely on their second-ranked rushing attack (161.8 yards per game) to carve up a Browns team that struggles against the run. Cleveland is allowing 124.5 rushing yards per game, which is 25th in the NFL. Don't expect that pattern to change.

Oakland 34, Cleveland 14

Houston Texans (3-2) at Baltimore Ravens (3-1)

With two of the franchise's cornerstones (Andre Johnson and Mario Williams) sidelined it will be tough for the Texans to find answers against a very good Ravens team.

Baltimore 24, Houston 21

Dallas Cowboys (2-2) at New England Patriots (4-1)

Tom Brady and the NFL's top-ranked offense (495.2 yards per game) will have another big day at home.

New England 42, Dallas 24

New Orleans Saints (4-1) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-2)

Josh Freeman and the Bucs will hang around in this one for a while, but Drew Brees and the Saints will eventually prove to much to handle as they pull away late.

New Orleans 38, Tampa Bay 27

Minnesota Vikings (1-4) at Chicago Bears (2-3)

In what should be an awful matchup on Sunday Night Football, Minnesota's Adrian Peterson will out-do Chicago's Matt Forte in a battle of outstanding running backs.

Minnesota 21, Chicago 18

Miami Dolphins (0-4) at New York Jets (2-3)

The Dolphins are terrible and the Jets are struggling, which makes this appear to be an awful matchup for Monday Night Football. Miami will trot out Matt Moore at quarterback and Jets' coach Rex Ryan is sure to attack him constantly. Expect the Jets to establish a lead early and pull away late.

New York (Jets) 34, Miami 13