Sunday, October 15, 2006
Picking Week 6: Are Last Year's Super Bowl Participants in Trouble?
RECORD
Last Week: 11 - 3
Season: 29 - 12
Week 6 presents some intriguing games that will help clarify who the best teams really are in 2006. Surprise teams of the season, New Orleans and St. Louis, host talented teams that will serve as a litmus test for each team. The Rams host 3-1 Seattle who have had two weeks to cope with the thrashing they received at the hands of the Bears in Week 4. Again without Shaun Alexander, they will struggle to establish the run against an opportunistic Rams defense. I foresee another long day for Seattle QB Matt Hasselback. The reigning Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers find themselves in particularly disturbing circumstances. Ben Roethlisberger looks uncomfortable in the pocket this season, and last week against the Chargers, threw off his back foot multiple times. His eagerness to get rid of the ball has him out of sync with his receivers. Today, the Chiefs come to Pittsburgh in a must win for the 1-3 Steelers. However, a multitude of injuries in the linebacking corps will make it difficult to stop the Chiefs RB Larry Johnson who will play, despite a strained neck suffered last week in Arizona. With that said, I present my picks for the sixth week of the NFL season.
Buffalo Bills at Detroit Lions - Lions
The Lions are due for a win and I thought I had successfully predicted it last week against Minnesota. However, the team collapsed in the fourth quarter, giving up 23 unanswered points in the final fifteen minutes. Today, the Bills make another visit to the Midwest fresh off an embarrassing loss in Chicago. J.P. Losman has been maddeningly inconsistent for the Bills and was particularly awful last week. The drawback to picking Detroit is their offense lacks any identity. Like the Mike Martz coached Rams in '05, the team has a good running back and talented receivers. Now the Offensive Coordinator in Detroit, Martz has failed to consistently establish the run, putting the game in Jon Kitna's hands who has turned the ball over repeatedly. I still like the Lions in a close one.
Carolina Panthers at Baltimore Ravens - Panthers
The Ravens are a beatable team if you can avoid turnovers and stop the Ravens running attack. The Panthers defense should be able to neutralize Jamal Lewis and DE Julius Peppers will hound Raven QB Steve McNair throughout the day. Peppers is playing like a man possessed and deserves MVP consideration. The Panthers were atrocius on third downs, going 0-11 against an under-manned Browns defense. Delhomme must find a way to get the ball to wideouts Keyshawn Johnson and Steve Smith this afternoon because the Ravens are susceptible to the big play. I like the Panther 16-13.
Cincinnati Bengals at Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Bengals
The Bengals travel to Tampa today to take on the Bucs who are led by rookie QB Bruce Gradkowski. The former Toledo Rocket star played exceptionally in his first NFL start last week in New Orleans. The Bengals, coming off a bye week, have too much offensive firepower for the Bucs. Marvin Lewis will have the defense ready to play after a shocking-loss at home to the Patriots in Week 4.
Houston Texans at Dallas Cowboys - Cowboys
I think the Texans are moving in the right direction but have yet to shown any signs of emerging from the bottom rung of teams in the league. The Cowboys should win easily as the Dallas offense produces a good game against a below average defense. The Texan defense was the elixir for Mark Brunell a few weeks back and will be this week for Dallas QB Drew Bledsoe.
New York Giants at Atlanta Falcons - Falcons
This is such a difficult game because I am in the Giants corner this year. Eli Manning is vastly improved and the Giants finally put together a solid defensive effort last week against Washington. However, I think the Falcons, ranked first in the league in rushing,will find running room today. On turf, RB Warrick Dunn and QB Michael Vick are virtually unstoppable. This should be an interesting affair and a very close game. But at home, I like the Falcons.
Philadelphia Eagles at New Orleans Saints - Saints
This season, I have really knocked the Eagles. This week, I pay lip service to the legitimacy of Philadelphia as QB Donovan McNabb certainly is the MVP through the first five weeks of the season. I am still not sold on the Saints. I think the team is playing beyond their talent, especially on defense. But right now, they are finding ways to win. This game is a tossup like the Giants/Falcons but I will remain consistent and take the home team.
Seattle Seahawks at St. Louis Rams - Rams
Without Shaun Alexander, the Seahawks are one-dimensional. The Rams offense is starting to click in the new scheme under Head Coach Scott Linehan. The Seahawks have failed to impress me thus far. I like the Rams balance on offense with Steven Jackson running the football. Depending on Matt Hasselback, the Seahawks will be hard-pressed to match the Rams.
Tennessee Titans at Washington Redskins - Redskins
The Jekyll and Hyde impersonation of the Redskins offense is hard to figure out. One week, they look great. The next, atrocious. The hardest part for me to understand is how this team ever looks good on offense. Perhaps, I don't give enough credit in recognizing their talent on that side of the ball. Clinton Portis is a great running back but I find it difficult to find anything likable about their passing attack. At any rate, I like the Redskins over the hapless Titans.
Kansas City Chiefs at Pittsburgh Steelers - Steelers
The Steelers are too well-coached to lose to a team at home who is playing with their backup quarterback. Expect Bill Cowher to blitz QB Damon Huard repeatedly on third down, harrying the inexperienced quarterback into bad decisions. I suspect the Steelers will jump on the Chiefs early, taking Chiefs runner Larry Johnson out of the equation. Look for Willie Parker to get twenty-five carries and the Steelers to get back to their winning ways.
Miami Dolphins at New York Jets - Jets
Does Dolphin Head Coach Nick Saban really believe Joey Harrington is the answer to the Dolphins struggles? The decision to start the former Lions QB befuddles me. What happened to this team? The Jets play well at home and should find the Dolphins the perfect opponent to recover some pride after a pathetic performance last week in Jacksonville.
San Diego Chargers at San Francisco 49ers - Chargers
The Chargers offense proves too much for the 49ers and the best defense in the AFC overwhelm young Alex Smith.
Oakland Raiders at Denver Broncos - Broncos
I wish Oakland would surprise me with one well played game but I think the team may be headed for one of the worst seasons of all time.
Chicago Bears at Arizona Cardinals - Bears
Matt Leinart played superbly in his first start last week against the Chiefs. The Bears defense is a different breed of cat. I like the Bears in this one and again, I can't help but wonder how this game was designated a Monday night affair?
Last Week: 11 - 3
Season: 29 - 12
Week 6 presents some intriguing games that will help clarify who the best teams really are in 2006. Surprise teams of the season, New Orleans and St. Louis, host talented teams that will serve as a litmus test for each team. The Rams host 3-1 Seattle who have had two weeks to cope with the thrashing they received at the hands of the Bears in Week 4. Again without Shaun Alexander, they will struggle to establish the run against an opportunistic Rams defense. I foresee another long day for Seattle QB Matt Hasselback. The reigning Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers find themselves in particularly disturbing circumstances. Ben Roethlisberger looks uncomfortable in the pocket this season, and last week against the Chargers, threw off his back foot multiple times. His eagerness to get rid of the ball has him out of sync with his receivers. Today, the Chiefs come to Pittsburgh in a must win for the 1-3 Steelers. However, a multitude of injuries in the linebacking corps will make it difficult to stop the Chiefs RB Larry Johnson who will play, despite a strained neck suffered last week in Arizona. With that said, I present my picks for the sixth week of the NFL season.
Buffalo Bills at Detroit Lions - Lions
The Lions are due for a win and I thought I had successfully predicted it last week against Minnesota. However, the team collapsed in the fourth quarter, giving up 23 unanswered points in the final fifteen minutes. Today, the Bills make another visit to the Midwest fresh off an embarrassing loss in Chicago. J.P. Losman has been maddeningly inconsistent for the Bills and was particularly awful last week. The drawback to picking Detroit is their offense lacks any identity. Like the Mike Martz coached Rams in '05, the team has a good running back and talented receivers. Now the Offensive Coordinator in Detroit, Martz has failed to consistently establish the run, putting the game in Jon Kitna's hands who has turned the ball over repeatedly. I still like the Lions in a close one.
Carolina Panthers at Baltimore Ravens - Panthers
The Ravens are a beatable team if you can avoid turnovers and stop the Ravens running attack. The Panthers defense should be able to neutralize Jamal Lewis and DE Julius Peppers will hound Raven QB Steve McNair throughout the day. Peppers is playing like a man possessed and deserves MVP consideration. The Panthers were atrocius on third downs, going 0-11 against an under-manned Browns defense. Delhomme must find a way to get the ball to wideouts Keyshawn Johnson and Steve Smith this afternoon because the Ravens are susceptible to the big play. I like the Panther 16-13.
Cincinnati Bengals at Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Bengals
The Bengals travel to Tampa today to take on the Bucs who are led by rookie QB Bruce Gradkowski. The former Toledo Rocket star played exceptionally in his first NFL start last week in New Orleans. The Bengals, coming off a bye week, have too much offensive firepower for the Bucs. Marvin Lewis will have the defense ready to play after a shocking-loss at home to the Patriots in Week 4.
Houston Texans at Dallas Cowboys - Cowboys
I think the Texans are moving in the right direction but have yet to shown any signs of emerging from the bottom rung of teams in the league. The Cowboys should win easily as the Dallas offense produces a good game against a below average defense. The Texan defense was the elixir for Mark Brunell a few weeks back and will be this week for Dallas QB Drew Bledsoe.
New York Giants at Atlanta Falcons - Falcons
This is such a difficult game because I am in the Giants corner this year. Eli Manning is vastly improved and the Giants finally put together a solid defensive effort last week against Washington. However, I think the Falcons, ranked first in the league in rushing,will find running room today. On turf, RB Warrick Dunn and QB Michael Vick are virtually unstoppable. This should be an interesting affair and a very close game. But at home, I like the Falcons.
Philadelphia Eagles at New Orleans Saints - Saints
This season, I have really knocked the Eagles. This week, I pay lip service to the legitimacy of Philadelphia as QB Donovan McNabb certainly is the MVP through the first five weeks of the season. I am still not sold on the Saints. I think the team is playing beyond their talent, especially on defense. But right now, they are finding ways to win. This game is a tossup like the Giants/Falcons but I will remain consistent and take the home team.
Seattle Seahawks at St. Louis Rams - Rams
Without Shaun Alexander, the Seahawks are one-dimensional. The Rams offense is starting to click in the new scheme under Head Coach Scott Linehan. The Seahawks have failed to impress me thus far. I like the Rams balance on offense with Steven Jackson running the football. Depending on Matt Hasselback, the Seahawks will be hard-pressed to match the Rams.
Tennessee Titans at Washington Redskins - Redskins
The Jekyll and Hyde impersonation of the Redskins offense is hard to figure out. One week, they look great. The next, atrocious. The hardest part for me to understand is how this team ever looks good on offense. Perhaps, I don't give enough credit in recognizing their talent on that side of the ball. Clinton Portis is a great running back but I find it difficult to find anything likable about their passing attack. At any rate, I like the Redskins over the hapless Titans.
Kansas City Chiefs at Pittsburgh Steelers - Steelers
The Steelers are too well-coached to lose to a team at home who is playing with their backup quarterback. Expect Bill Cowher to blitz QB Damon Huard repeatedly on third down, harrying the inexperienced quarterback into bad decisions. I suspect the Steelers will jump on the Chiefs early, taking Chiefs runner Larry Johnson out of the equation. Look for Willie Parker to get twenty-five carries and the Steelers to get back to their winning ways.
Miami Dolphins at New York Jets - Jets
Does Dolphin Head Coach Nick Saban really believe Joey Harrington is the answer to the Dolphins struggles? The decision to start the former Lions QB befuddles me. What happened to this team? The Jets play well at home and should find the Dolphins the perfect opponent to recover some pride after a pathetic performance last week in Jacksonville.
San Diego Chargers at San Francisco 49ers - Chargers
The Chargers offense proves too much for the 49ers and the best defense in the AFC overwhelm young Alex Smith.
Oakland Raiders at Denver Broncos - Broncos
I wish Oakland would surprise me with one well played game but I think the team may be headed for one of the worst seasons of all time.
Chicago Bears at Arizona Cardinals - Bears
Matt Leinart played superbly in his first start last week against the Chiefs. The Bears defense is a different breed of cat. I like the Bears in this one and again, I can't help but wonder how this game was designated a Monday night affair?
# posted by Nate @ 11:47 AM 
