How do you go 13-2 with your picks and still end up disappointed in your week? When one of the two losses was the one you were so sure of you made it your survival pick. And now, thanks to the Lions, I already have two of my three strikes in my survival league...and it's only Week 6. Fortunately the Broncos are playing the Jets this week.
Thursday Night: Houston (Loss)
Patriots (3-2) at Bills (3-2): New England-The battle for first place in the AFC East. The Bills have been one of the biggest surprises in the NFL this season, and this is their first game under new owner Terry Peluga. After the sale was approved and official, the Pelgua family sent an e-mail to Bills fans reassuring them that the team was staying where they belong. As one of those fans, that's a relief. Because of that, I can actually see the Bills making this a game. But ultimately, I think New England will take over sole possession of first place for the first time this season.
Panthers (3-2) at Bengals (3-1): Cincinnati-This is another compelling matchup between teams that are in first place in their division (a total of four this week including Houston-Indianapolis). Cincinnati, of course, was the last undefeated team until falling to New England last Sunday night. Although, as former Bengal Cris Collinsworth pointed out, they do well in games that aren't in primetime, but can never seem to win under the bright lights. Fortunately for them, this game isn't in primetime. The Panthers, meanwhile, rebounded after dropping two straight by beating Chicago at home. Those two losses were to Pittsburgh and Baltimore. Unfortunately, another game against the AFC North will yield a similar result. The game's not in primetime. Cincinnati wins.
Steelers (3-2) at Browns (2-2): Pittsburgh-Is it just me, or is it weird that the Steelers and Browns are finishing the season series in Week 6? How many teams haven't played a single division game yet? Anyway, the Steelers barely won when they played in Pittsburgh in Week 1. That's when we first got the indication of how good Cleveland was going to be this year. And the Browns have looked more impressive each week, as evidence by last week's 22-point comeback in Nashville. Sure looks like the Browns might be able to steal one from their archrivals. I'm still picking Pittsburgh, though.
Jaguars (0-5) at Titans (1-4): Tennessee-These two are still in the same division, which means we're still subjected to this game twice a year. The Titans thought they lucked out when they drew Cleveland, Jacksonville, Washington in consecutive weeks, then they go and blow that lead against the Browns last week. The Jaguars aren't the Browns. And the Titans are an actual NFL team.
Packers (3-2) at Dolphins (2-2): Green Bay-Green Bay certainly seems to be headed back in the right direction after back-to-back division wins, including that Thursday night rout of the Vikings. Miami's last game was in London, where they beat the Raiders for their first victory since Opening Day. I'm still not sure whether or not I think the Dolphins or good or whether they have a chance in the AFC East. I do expect to see the Packers keep their roll going and come out of Miami with a win.
Lions (3-2) at Vikings (2-3): Detroit-Detroit is tied with Green Bay for first place, but is technically the NFC North leader because they beat the Packers. The Vikings did not beat the Packers. They did the exact opposite of beating the Packers. Not just that, they got their butts kicked. Minnesota's had plenty of time to integrate Christian Ponder into the offense, which might be the only good news I have for them. Because the Lions are the better team.
Broncos (3-1) at Jets (1-4): Denver-My Royals/Broncos fan friend was asking around if anyone wanted to go to this game with him. Then I reminded him that the last time he went to a Broncos game at MetLife Stadium, it didn't end that well. I'm not sure whether or not he ended up deciding to go, but either way this game will be a different story. The Jets aren't the Seahawks. Not even close.
Ravens (3-2) at Buccaneers (1-4): Baltimore-The Bucs and Jets have the same record, but they're very different 1-4s. Take last week. The Bucs could've and probably should've beaten the Saints, but ended up losing in overtime. The record might not show it, but Lovie Smith's got this team going in the right direction. As for Baltimore, they've been an up-and-down team all season. After losing in Indianapolis last week, I think we're in store for a good one from the Ravens this week. Which will give the fans in Baltimore something good to think about, even though it probably won't do much to take the sting out of the first two games of the ALCS.
Chargers (4-1) at Raiders (0-4): San Diego-It's good to be the San Diego Chargers right now. What's the only way for life to get better after playing the Jets at home? Oh, that's right, a trip to Oakland! The Chargers owe the NFL's schedule-maker dinner. Phillip Rivers doesn't even need to play in the second half and they'll still extend the NFL's best record to 5-1.
Bears (2-3) at Falcons (2-3): Chicago-It sounds a little weird this early in the season, but I really think this is a "must" game for both of these teams. Especially the Falcons, who don't play another game in Atlanta until November 23. They're both only a game out of first, but it really seems like the season could start slipping away if they fall to 2-4. That's a bigger concern for the Bears, who have to keep pace with the Lions and Packers if they have any hope of making the playoffs. Their only two wins have come in primetime road games. I think that changes this week.
Redskins (1-4) at Cardinals (3-1): Arizona-Jay Gruden called a team meeting because he was upset some of the Redskins were laughing on the sidelines after losing to the Seahawks on Monday night. I was actually surprised Washington kept it that close with Seattle. A trip to Arizona won't be any easier. For the Redskins' players sake, they'd better not be laughing on the flight back to DC.
Cowboys (4-1) at Seahawks (3-1): Seattle-This is clearly the best game in the Sunday afternoon window. Dallas has won four in a row since that Week 1 loss to San Francisco, and it really looks like this might be that one year in every five that the Cowboys are legitimately good and end up in the playoffs. A good showing in Seattle could further that belief. It's too hard for visitors to win in Qwest Field, so the Seahawks are still the safe bet. If the Seahawks win, Dallas will be rooting hard for the Giants on Sunday night. If the Cowboys win, Seattle will be rooting hard for an Arizona and/or San Francisco loss. So, basically, this game could end up being very important down the road.
Giants (3-2) at Eagles (4-1): Philadelphia-The flames of this fire have certainly be fanned this week. First that Giants fan showed up in the Super Bowls 0 Eagles jersey (which technically isn't a knock, since it's true). Then Bradley Cooper starts talking all sorts of crap about the Giants (Hey Bradley, you're only the third-biggest star who was in that movie, and Jennifer Lawrence is the one that won the Oscar!). And it's New York vs. Philadelphia. You know NBC is loving all of this. Something's gotta give. The Eagles have the best record in football, but it's the Giants who've won three straight. If they make it four, it could a three-way tie for first depending on how the Cowboys-Seahawks game goes. I think the Giants and Eagles are probably going to split this year. But I think it's the Eagles that win the first matchup this week.
49ers (3-2) at Rams (1-3): San Francisco-The Rams have given the 49ers fits in recent years. I think it was two years ago when they had the tie, then St. Louis won the second game. Last year, the 49ers finally got the better of the Rams, winning in St. Louis on either a Monday or Thursday night. Well, this year, they meet on a Monday night in St. Louis again. And just like the Monday night game on the other side of the state two weeks ago, this one falls in the midst of a playoff run by the home baseball team. This one's a little different in that it's after the baseball games, and that the Cardinals and Rams are both playing San Francisco teams. It's safe to say St. Louis fans will be sick of San Francisco by the end of the weekend. Because the 49ers are going to do to the Rams what I hope the Giants do to the Cardinals three more times.
BYE: Kansas City (2-3), New Orleans (2-3)
This Week: 0-1
Last Week: 13-2
Season: 50-27
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