Hello everyone! It's starting to get to that point in the season where we're able to identify more certainly how good or bad teams really are. Week 6 will show us even more about teams that have surprised thus far (Miami, Arizona, Minnesota), teams that have disapointed (Buffalo, Philly), teams that have dominated (Atlanta, Houston) and teams that we haven't quite figured out yet (Seattle, Pittsburgh). So, without further interruption, here's your Week Six Preview!
Pittsburgh over Tennessee (+6)- While Pittsburgh hasn't impressed very much so far, Tennessee has been quietly terrible. In fact, they are putting up historically bad defensive numbers as they are the first team in NFL history to give up 30+ points in each of their first five games. This seems like a golden opportunity for the Steeler's offense to come alive and for them to show that they're still a Super Bowl contending team. Roethlisberger has been solid again this year despite an average run game and a shaky offensive line. Mendenhall should be a welcome addition to the underwhelming ground game while the defense will miss their best player in Troy Polamalu. Meanwhile Tennessee has very little to hang their hat on right now. Quarterback of the future, Jake Locker, is suffering from the dreaded sore shoulder while the league's higest paid running back looks like an undrafted scrub. Look for a laugher here, but that won't necesarily mean Pittsburgh is in good shape.
Atlanta over Oakland(+9)- Let's go over Atlanta's wins real quick: they dominated the worst team in the league in Kansas City, held on to beat Denver, destroyed San Diego and then eeked out victories over the lowly Panthers and the RG3-less Redskins. The Falcons do not yet have a very impressive win. So when they demolish the league's worst pass defense in Oakland, and run their record to 6-0; remember who they've played so far. The next for weeks will bring at least mild challenges to the Falcons.
Cleveland over Cincinnati (-1)- Yup, you heard it here first. I'm actually predicting Brandon Weeden to win an NFL football game. The Browns have had the ball with the chance to win or a double digit lead in four of the five games they've played so far. Meanwhile Cincinnati is a rather unimpressive 3-2 (having beaten Jacksonville and Washington in addition to a very close win over these Browns). The game was nearly won by the Browns week 2 and since then, Trent Richardson has emerged as a legitimate weapon. Look for the Browns to win their first game in nearly 11 months sunday.
Miami over St. Louis (+3.5)- In a battle of teams that have been suprisingly frisky thus far, Miami will come out victroious. Reggie Bush has been as dangerous as he was last year and Tannehill is already developing as a quarterback. Sam Bradford appears to be back to his 2010 rookie of the year level while Steven Jackson is now fully healthy. Both defenses have been better than expected and that should show on Sunday.
Indianapolis over NYJ (-3.5)- You've got to hand it to the Jets, they showed up Monday night and gave one of the league's best teams a game. But all the effort in the world can't make up for their complete ineptitude on offense. The blame should not fall entirely on Sanchez's shoulders as the offensive line hasn't exactly been solid and the receivers have had trouble getting open and hanging on to the ball. But the fourth year quarterback hasn't shown enough to command a long term committment from the Jets. Fortunately for him, he's already got one in the form of an extension signed last season. But this shouldn't be the reason the Jets stick with an ineffective player. If they do happen to be losing to Indy late in this game, count me as one who believes they should pull Sanchez and give Tebow a shot. It's not often quarterbacks suddenly become effective after four seasons like the ones we just saw. On the Indianapolis side of things; the Colts look rejuvinated by the prescence of their veteran-like rookie QB. They pulled off an impressive come from behind win over the Packers and looked like a playoff team doing it. Chalk this up to a victory for them.
Philadelphia over Detroit (+4)- This is an absolutely huge game for both teams. On one hand, Detroit must win to avoid falling to 1-4 and thus alll but assuring themselves a football-free January. On the other hand, the Eagles risk falling to 3-3 with some very tough games looming (Atlanta, Dallas). Look for lots of yards, penalties, missed opportunities and turnovers in this one. I have Philly coming out on top because of their under-rated defense which is finally meshing.
Tampa Bay over Kansas City (+4)- Man oh man what a choice here. Two of the league's worst teams face off here as the Josh Freeman led Bucs face off against the Brady Quinn led Chiefs in a battle of teams you thought were good in 2010. After incredibly impressive seasons two years ago (27tds-7 ints for Cassell, 25-6 for Freeman), the quarterbacks of both teams have fallen apart to the point where people were calling for Quinn to replace Cassell even before he was injured. Getting booed at home after getting injured is about as low as gets in professional sports and so it appears the Matt Cassell era is coming to an end in Kansas City. Expect to see Brady Quinn play out the string of a 3-13-type season so the Chiefs can take their chances on Geno Smith or Matt Barkley in April. The Bucs may be too good and have too easy of a schedule to tank like this, perhaps they aren't so lucky. Look for Tampa to be victorious sunday but I hope none of you have the displeasure of watching and actually finding out.
Baltimore over Dallas (+3.5)- Baltimore's offense looked straight up ugly in their 9-6 victory over the lowly Chiefs Sunday. The defense hasn't been completely reliable yet and the offense is still led by Joe Flacco (not yet to be trusted). But they should come out on top Sunday for one major reason: Since week one, Dallas hasn't even been good. The offense has been downright putrid and Romo has been as inconsistent as ever. They're going to have to stop turning the ball over and run more consistently if they hope to have a chance at Baltimore.
Arizona over Buffalo (+5)- It wouldn't have mattered if Kolb was sacked 250 times thursday, the Cardinals were going to be favored over the Bills. The worst part of the last six quarters for the Bills was the fact that they just gave up. Defenses full of new pieces with new coordinators some times take time fully mesh. Sometimes players are put in the wrong spots or an ill-fitting scheme is used. That can be fixed. Quitting cannot be. It won't matter if Kevin Kolb and Larod Stephens-Howling are leading the attack Sunday if the Bills quit the way they did the last two sundays. Meanwhile, Fitz will have a hell of a time throwing on this defense. Congrats on your career day Patrick Peterson.
New England over Seattle (+3.5)- I know the Seahawks are better this year, I know. I know they have one of the better defenses in the league, I know. I know they have one of the best home field advantages in the league. I know all of this. But so do the Patriots. New England has been on of the best teams at ignoring all the distractions and hoopla before and during games. It doesn't matter what the conditions are, the Patriots can win in them. Seattle's only chance is to hit Brady early and often to get him off his rhythm. But Wilson will have to show more than he has in recent weeks if this upset is to occur.
San Francisco over New York(+6)- This here is the game of the week. The league's most dangerous offense will face off against it's most solid defense. This re-match of last year's NFC Championship game could be a preview of this year's. While 6 may be too high of a line, I like San Francisco at home and I like the streak they're on. Expect this one to come down to the wire.
Minnesota over Washington- There's no line on this game because of the RG3 injury. However I don't believe Washington will win even if Griffin does play. With Cousins, they might as well not show up. Every year at least 2 sleepers make the playoffs after being ignored through the preseason. This year's first sleeper will be the Vikings. It seems as though people forgot how much talent they had at key positions (Harvin, Peterson, Ponder, Allen). Look for Minnesota to move to 5-1 as sleeper talk begins to heat up.
Houston over Green Bay(3.5)- Last year's 15-1 offensive juggernaut is having trouble moving the ball and closing games this year. The Packers are no longer the darlings of the NFC and are in serious danger of missing the playoffs. But, with a reigning MVP at quarterback, they can't be counted out yet. Unforetunatly for them, they'll be facing football's most complete team in front of a National audience. Houston should be able to run all over Green Bay's less than stellar D and control the game.
Denver over San Diego (-1.5) The Chargers are favored here....but let's forget every other story line for a second........Peyton Manning vs. Norv Turner on Monday Night. Now who should be favored....that's what I thought.
Stay Hungry My Friends.
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