Bry’s Week-by-Week NFL Preview: Week Six

So, we are through Week Five and heading into Week Six, and the divisions are taking some form, but we are still a long way from understanding anything from another exciting NFL season.  Week Six might help clear up a division or two, but may make a couple others even more murky.  The Steelers are the last remaining unbeaten, while the Lions, Bucs, Bengals, and Jets are all still in search of their first win.  (Winners in CAPS.)

On Bye:
Dallas (4-1)
Indianapolis (3-2)
Miami (2-3)
San Francisco (3-2)

Sunday, October 18:
1:00 – St. Louis (1-4) at JACKSONVILLE (2-3) *
I really, really wanted to take St. Louis in this one because these are just the types of games that the Jags lose.  But, I couldn’t do it for several reasons.  One, the Rams are not a good road team.  Two, they are coming off a shocking win over Minnesota, so there is a good shot at a letdown.  Three, the Jags are coming off a loss to Seattle, so they are probably ramped up to avoid a two-game losing streak heading into a bye week.  And, the Jags are just a better team at home.  But, honestly, I really wanted to take St. Louis here.

1:00 – Kansas City (2-3) at WASHINGTON (3-2)
The ‘Skins, coming off a tough loss to Carolina, should get it right here at home against the Chiefs.  I have very little confidence in the Chiefs on the road, and I think the Redskins are too tough at home to even consider them dropping this one.

1:00 – Houston (3-2) at CINCINNATI (0-5)
And, the Bengals are on the board.  A bad loss for the Texans, for if they really fancy themselves a playoff team, these are the games they cannot give away, but I’m not so sure they are there yet.  The Bengals can do some things on offense and, here at home, I like them to strike a big blow into Houston this week.

1:00 – Baltimore (4-1) at MINNESOTA (4-1) *
This is going to be WAR.  Two phenomenal defenses will just go at each other.  The two reasons that I am very tenatively going with Minnesota is because (1) they are at home, with a decent homefield advantage, and (2) I really don’t see the Ravens moving the chains with any consistency against this Viking defense.  I really want to go with B-more, but I think the right pick is Minnesota–barely.

1:00 – Detroit (0-5) at GREEN BAY (3-1)
Coming off the bye.  At home.  Against the Lions.  I like the Pack here in a walk.

1:00 – Cleveland (1-4) at Pittsburgh (5-0)
And, the Steelers go to 6-0 in their title defense.  The Browns do play them tough, but they just don’t have the offense to hang with that defense IN Pittsburgh.  Pretty easy win for the ‘Burgh.

1:00 – Carolina (3-1) at TAMPA BAY (0-5)
In a pretty big surprise, I have the winless Bucs knocking off Carolina down in Tampa.  The Bucs are a proud group and they have had five pretty tough games to open the season, so they are not your typical 0-5 team.  I think they can contain the running game and force Delhomme into a few mistakes and win a close one at home.

1:00 – New York Giants (3-2) at NEW ORLEANS (2-2) *
In New York or even a neutral field, this is probably a Giants victory.  If the Saints were not coming off a bye, it is probably a Giants victory.  But, it is in New Orleans and the Saints are coming off a bye.  They have two weeks to fire up that explosive offense on their turf.  It is a tough one to call because I can see the Giants going on a couple 9-10 minute drives against this defense, but I am still going with the Saints.  If they can get a lead early, they can front-run their way to a nice Week Six victory.

4:05 – Arizona (2-2) at SEATTLE (3-2) *
Two teams coming off nice wins at home and fighting each other (and the Niners) for this division.  It should be a good one that could probably go either way, but I am going with the Seahawks and their homefield advantage.

4:05 – PHILADELPHIA (3-1) at Oakland (2-3)
Not an easy place, The Black Hole, for the Eagles to go in and get a victory, but they should be able to do it.  The talent differential is just too great, and the Birds really know how to expose bad teams.  Go with the Eagles in a closer game than some may expect, but a professional victory nonetheless.

4:15 – BUFFALO (3-2) at New York Jets (0-5)
Is Mark Sanchez ever going to win a game?  Not this week.  The Jets, coming off a Monday nighter in Miami, come back to the Meadowlands and lose to a solid Buffalo team.  The Bills have a pair of terrific receivers, an underrated quarterback, and a very underrated head coach.  They should send the Jets to 0-6.

4:15 – Tennessee (3-2) at NEW ENGLAND (4-1)
This could be a fantastic matchup, but the Patriots are probably a step above the Titans, at this point, especially with such an advantage at the quarterback position.  Don’t worry, Jeff Fisher will have his boys prepared, but I cannot see them going into Foxborough and stealing one.

8:20 – CHICAGO (1-3) at Atlanta (2-2) *
This game may be a swing game for either of these teams.  The winner can use this primetime result as a catapult to a nice season, while the other may look back at see this one as a missed opportunity to get back in it.  The Bears have two weeks to prepare for this one, while the Falcons are coming off a nice road win in San Fran.  The Bears are in Cincinnati next week, while the Falcons have to gear up for a trip to Dallas.  And, with four games and then an off-week, this seems like the time Jay Cutler would really start clicking with his weapons.  This, a big game for both teams, should go to the Bears, on the road.

Monday, October 19:
8:30 – Denver (3-2) at San Diego (2-2)
It is time for the Chargers to flex their muscles and start to take control of a division that should be theirs for the taking.  This game might even get ugly, as the Chargers have 15 days to prepare for this one.  They should roll over their inferior division rival.

To go to Week Seven, click here

STANDINGS AFTER WEEK 5:
NFC EAST:
4-1   Dallas
4-1   Philadelphia
4-2   Washington
3-3   New York Giants

NFC NORTH:
5-1   Minnesota
4-1   Green Bay
2-3   Chicago
0-6   Detroit

NFC SOUTH:
3-2   Carolina
3-2   New Orleans
2-3   Atlanta
1-5   Tampa Bay

NFC WEST:
4-2   Seattle
3-2   San Francisco
2-3   Arizona
1-5   St. Louis

AFC EAST:
5-1   New England
4-2   Buffalo
2-3   Miami
0-6   N.Y. Jets

AFC NORTH:
6-0   Pittsburgh
4-2   Baltimore
1-5   Cincinnati
1-5   Cleveland

AFC SOUTH:
3-2   Indianapolis
3-3   Houston
3-3   Jacksonville
3-3   Tennessee

AFC WEST:
3-2   San Diego
3-3   Denver
2-4   Kansas City
2-4   Oakland