With Week Five in the books, it’s starting to get real interesting around the league. Week Six is sure to add intrigue to the fire, and with some of the league’s bottom-feeders on their byes, we’ve got some nice matchups, as well.
BYES: Arizona (1-4), Buffalo (1-4), Carolina (2-3), and Cincinnati (4-1)
Sunday, October 17:
1:00 – Miami (2-2) at GREEN BAY (3-2)
The Dolphins are coming off of a bye, so they should be very prepared for the Pack here, but after a loss to Washington last week, it’s hard to imagine that Green Bay doesn’t get it together and find a way to beat Miami here, even if they do have their eyes squarely set on next week’s throw-down with Minnesota. Plus, mid-October is not quite the same in Green Bay, Wisconsin, as it is on South Beach. A tough one for the Fish, but I like (but don’t love) GB here.
1:00 – SAN DIEGO (4-1) at St. Louis (1-4)
After a jolt of reality last week delivered by the Oakland Raiders, the Chargers have a nice soft landing in St. Louis to get back to their winning ways, even at 1:00.
1:00 – Baltimore (3-2) at NEW ENGLAND (3-1)
I actually thought about this one longer than you might expect because the Ravens always seem to play the Patriots really tough. But, in the end, I couldn’t imagine not taking New England, at home, coming off of a bye. Belichick is too good of a coach to not scheme a victory at home given two weeks to prepare.
1:00 – Cleveland (2-3) at PITTSBURGH (1-3)
Ben is back. The Steelers are desperate and coming off of their bye. And, it’s the Browns at Heinz Field. Must I say more?
1:00 – Kansas City (1-3) at HOUSTON (3-2)
The Texans get a nice draw here heading into their bye week, as KC shouldn’t put up much of a test here at Reliant Field.
1:00 – Detroit (1-4) at N.Y. GIANTS (3-2)
Just what the doctor ordered for the G-Men here coming off of a loss in Houston. The Giants shouldn’t have any trouble with Detroit here in Week Six, as they get ready for a Monday night showdown with Dallas next week.
1:00 – Atlanta (4-1) at PHILADELPHIA (3-2)
Both teams are coming off of road trips, but the Birds went out west and got beat by San Fran. The Falcons were able to knock off Cleveland. I like the Eagles here to get the job done at home because I think that they’re on par with Atlanta’s talent level and play really well at the Linc.
1:00 – Seattle (0-4) at CHICAGO (2-3)
Just when it seemed it couldn’t get worse for Seattle, they lose in Chicago, coming off of their bye week. I expect the Bears to circle the wagons after a tough loss in Carolina last week. Playing a West Coast team at 1:00 doesn’t hurt either.
1:00 – NEW ORLEANS (5-0) at Tampa Bay (0-4)
Tampa comes into this game looking for their first win. They’re still looking.
4:05 – N.Y. Jets (3-2) at DENVER (1-4)
And, the pressure to succeed might be hitting the J-E-T-S, Jets, Jets, Jets, right about now, as they only have a short week to prepare for a game in the Mile High City–a tough place to play on regular rest. This is one that might enrage the New York tabloids.
4:05 – Oakland (4-1) at SAN FRANCISCO (2-3)
Letdown. The Raiders got a gigantic win last week against San Diego and now they have to go across the Bay to take on a ferocious defense with something to prove. I like the Niners to take city bragging rights.
4:15 – DALLAS (3-1) at Minnesota (3-1)
A huge NFC showdown that is a rematch of last year’s division playoff round. The problem for Minnesota here is that they played a brutally physical Jets team just six days prior, so the after-effects of that game might be enough to enable the Cowboys to walk into the Metrodome and leave with a rare opposition victory.
8:20 – INDIANAPOLIS (5-0) at Washington (2-3)
This is a tough one to forecast, but the Redskins got a big home win last week against Green Bay, and I don’t think that they can do it twice in a row here against Indy. The Colts remain undefeated heading into their bye week.
Monday, October 18:
8:30 – TENNESSEE (3-2) at Jacksonville (1-4)
This is another tough one to predict, but I just kind of think that the loss at Buffalo last week took all the wind from the Jacksonville sails. Tennessee is coming off a loss to Dallas, but I think can recover to get this one when they need it. Realistically, I think that the team that is still “in it” when this game rolls around will be the team that comes out on top.
STANDINGS AFTER WEEK 6
NFC EAST
4-1 Dallas
4-2 N.Y. Giants
4-2 Philadelphia
2-4 Washington
The NFC Beast continues to roll on, even though the Redskins slipped up against Indy. This division is brutal!
NFC NORTH
4-2 Green Bay
3-2 Minnesota
3-3 Chicago
1-5 Detroit
The top two teams flip-flop again, as the Packers take back the top spot. The Bears get a much-needed win to stay in this thing.
NFC SOUTH
6-0 New Orleans
4-2 Atlanta
2-3 Carolina
0-5 Tampa Bay
A tough loss for Atlanta in Philly opens up a two-game lead for the Saints.
NFC WEST
3-3 San Francisco
1-4 Arizona
1-5 St. Louis
0-5 Seattle
The Niners win again, outside the division, and appear to be, well, running away with this division at 3-3.
AFC EAST
4-1 New England
3-3 N.Y. Jets
2-3 Miami
1-4 Buffalo
Another win for the Pats, but another loss for both Miami and the Jets, as the start to the season couldn’t be any better for New England, considering the expectations out of New York and Miami this year.
AFC NORTH
4-1 Cincinnati
3-3 Baltimore
2-3 Pittsburgh
2-4 Cleveland
Cincy is on a bye, and the Ravens lose to the Patriots. This enables the Steelers, thanks to their win over Cleveland, to gain ground on the whole division.
AFC SOUTH
6-0 Indianapolis
4-2 Houston
4-2 Tennessee
1-5 Jacksonville
It looks like it’s another banner year for the AFC South–year in and year out, the most underrated division in football. The Colts are still the class of the group, but Tennessee and Houston are hanging around.
AFC WEST
5-1 San Diego
4-2 Oakland
2-4 Denver
1-4 Kansas City
And, poof, just like that, the Raiders top spot is gone. The Chargers regroup and win in St. Louis, while the Raiders lose a cross-town battle to San Fran.
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