NFL Week 6 picks

The NFL is completely lop-sided this year.  The NFC East is undoubtedly the best division in football, with 3 (maybe 4) potential Super Bowl contenders.  Fortunately for the rest of the league, most of the teams regardless of their record at this point could potentially earn a playoff berth by winning their division.  If the playoffs were to end today you would have NY Giants, Chicago, Carolina, Arizona, Washington, and Dallas in the NFC, and Buffalo, Pittsburgh, Tennessee, Denver, New England and one from (NY Jets, Miami, Baltimore, and Indianapolis).  Can the NFC East continue to dominate the NFL?  Can New England keep winning with Matt Cassel?  Who walks out of Indy 3-2?  Lots to look forward to this weekend in the NFL.

Miami at Houston (+2.5)

Miami has shown the ability to not only win games this year, but play the role of spoiler giving losses to San Diego and New England.  Pennington is playing mistake free football and Ronnie Brown has stolen the spotlight in the Dolphins, can we say "entertaining" offense?  On the other hand, Houston saw Sage Rosenfels fumble away a win against the Colts last week.  The Dolphins will enforce their running attack and suffocate Houston's offense en route to victory.  I'm seeing two Ronnie Brown scores in this game and a possible defensive touchdown.

Miami 24, Houston 13

Detroit at Minnesota (-11)

When all the preseason predictions were very optimistic about Minnesota, I was very skeptical.  Everyone saw the explosiveness of Adrian Peterson last season, but that doesn't automatically mean a championship.  (Think of Barry Sanders in Lions blue).  However, I can't see them losing to Detroit at home.  Minnesota controls the clock and keeps the ball on the ground in a win.  Looking for a big days from Peterson and Chester Taylor.

Minnesota 31, Detroit 17

Chicago at Atlanta (+4)

Not quite sure what to make of this Atlanta team.  Chicago defense and balanced offense should allow them to build momentum and take this one in the Dome.  Looking for big games from Matt Forte and Kyle Orton.

Chicago 27, Atlanta 21

Carolina at Tampa Bay(+3.5)

Carolina has looked sharp with Delhomme back from Tommy John surgery, Steve Smith back from suspension, and DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewert handing backfield duties.  Tampa Bay will bring the Carolina offense back to earth.  Looking for the team to win the turnover battle to take the win.  I'm leaning towards Tampa Bay at home. 

Tampa Bay 19, Carolina 17

Cincinnati at NY Jets(-6.5)

Ocho Cinco and the Bengals are off to a bad start in 2008 and it doesn't look to get any better against Favre and the Jets.  The Jets have a string of three very winnable games starting with Cincy at home.  Cotchery and Coles have big games as the Jets beat Cincinnati at home.

NY Jets 28, Cincinnati 20

Oakland at New Orleans(-7)

I'm looking for the Saints to come out and put up one of their biggest offensive outbursts of the season against the Raiders.  Now that the woes of Gramatica have joined the injured reserve, New Orleans can get on track to win the NFC South.  Their defense has been looking better each week and Brees has shown he can still get the ball downfield despite all the injuries they've had on offense.

New Orleans 45, Oakland 17

St. Louis at Washington(-13.5)

Two teams headed in opposite directions here.  The Rams may perform better than expected coming off a bye week with Jim Haslett stepping in.  Washington is now considered in the league's elite, obviously with their 2 touchdown spread.  This game could get out of control.  Looking for Clinton Portis and Santana Moss to light it up in a win.

Washington 23, St. Louis 13

Baltimore at Indy (-1)

This looks to be the most entertaining game of the week in my opinion.  The Ravens defense is the most feared in the league again, and Manning has really struggled early in the season.  The Colts will have next to 0 net rushing yards and it's up to Peyton to win it for the Colts.  I predict a close game, and Baltimore takes the win on the road.

Baltimore 16, Indianapolis 14

Jacksonville at Denver(-3.5)

Denver's offense has been excellent under Jay Cutler, but after his comments towards Brett Favre and John Elway this week, it's hard for anyone outside of Denver to be rooting for this guy.  Jacksonville has been difficult to figure out this season and has yet to establish its identity as the best running attack in the NFL.  Jacksonville will finally do on the ground this week what they were able to do week in and week out last season, run the ball.  Fred Taylor and MJD expose an awful Denver defense in a Jags win.

Jacksonville 27, Denver 24

Philadelphia at San Francisco (+4)

The Birds head to the bay to see if they can right the ship and play up to their potential.  Donovan McNabb has slowed after a great start to the season and the Eagles will be looking to get a rare win without star running back Brian Westbrook.  The Eagles passing game gets back on track as McNabb goes for over 300 passing yards and a few touchdowns.

Philadelphia 31, San Francisco 14

Green Bay at Seattle(+4)

Green Bay would be a no brainer pick against the spread this week.  Aaron Rodgers has been a very efficient passer in replacing Brett Favre.  Seattle has been down on its luck this season and no longer looks like the playoff team its been the last few years.  Rodgers, Jennings, and Driver all have big days in Seattle.

Green Bay 38, Seattle 20

Dallas at Arizona (+4.5)

Oh Pac-man Jones!  You just can't help yourself can you?  Dallas making headlines again for all the wrong reasons.  The long-term effects of this club have yet to be seen, but if Terrell Owens isn't distracting the team than Pac-man is.  Tony Romo and offense will be fine.  The Dallas secondary will be missing Terrence Newman, and looking at Pac-man Jones and a pair of rookies to corral one of the finest passing offenses in the league.  This will be a greatly entertaining game.  Arizona pulls off the upset.

Arizona 41, Dallas 38

New England at San Diego (-2)

Matt Cassel.  That's really all I need to say.  Chargers and Patriots find out a lot about themselves in this game.  San Diego gets a big win at home.

San Diego 30, New England 20

NY Giants at Cleveland(+7)

The Giants have been on fire carrying the momentum they have from last year.  Eli Manning is looking more and more like a Manning every game.  New York just keeps on winning in the least entertaining MNF game of the season.

NY Giants 23, Cleveland 7

Well, I'm looking at the NFC East going 3-1 in non-division games this week and a lot of high scoring games.  There shouldn't be many fantasy shockers this week.  Here are my fantasy stars for the week:

QB: Kurt Warner, Drew Brees, Donovan McNabb

RB: Clinton Portis, Brandon Jacobs, Maurice Jones-Drew, Reggie Bush, Adrian Peterson, Matt Forte

WR: Larry Fitzgerald, Terrell Owens, Greg Jennings, DeSean Jackson, Brandon Marshall, Jericho Cotchery

TE: Antonio Gates, Jason Witten

K: Matt Bryant, Nate Kaeding

Defense/Special Teams: Baltimore, Chicago, NY Giants