Alright, I did warn you that the week 6 schedule seemed ripe for the upsets. I wasn’t expecting to see so many; as half of the underdogs going in pulled out victories. The parity in the NFL right now seems better than ever before. If it weren’t so frustrating, it would make for entertaining football.
The Seattle Seahawks had a statement win as they held home field against New England. The Seahawks now must travel into San Francisco where they look to make another statement. Can the ‘Hawks pull out another win or are they destined to only win home games?
Robert Griffin III looked healthy as he ran for 138 yards and two scores. Where are the critics of his scrambling play now? Can the ‘Skins bring the same game plan into their matchup with the Giants and expect to get a victory?
Are the Pack back or did they ever really leave? The Packers bounced back from their week 5 debacle against Indianapolis and absolutely destroyed the Houston Texans. Even with the collapse against the Colts and the Tate-Gate in Seattle; the Packers remain the class of the NFC North.
Last week record was 5-9 with my lock pick in Pittsburgh losing to Tennessee and the upset pick of the week in Minnesota dropping their game to Washington. Thus far the overall record is 53-38.
Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers
A 49 yard bomb from rookie quarterback Russell Wilson clinched a Seahawks victory last week against a tough New England team. The 49ers welcomed the NY Giants into town and then promptly got punched in the face by the G-men. The Seahawks have a knack for beating the good teams; they have already toppled the Green Bay Packers, Dallas Cowboys and the New England Patriots. I think we have to take this team or at least the Seahawks defense seriously. If any team is poised to pull the upset this week it could be the 'Hawks, in a very close game, PICK: SEAHAWKS
Arizona Cardinals at Minnesota Vikings
Kevin Kolb is officially out and John Skelton is back under center as the starter. The Cardinals lost to Buffalo last week on a missed Jay Feeley chip-shot field goal attempt; this after he absolutely drilled a game tying 61 yard attempt. The Vikings defense had no answer for Robert Griffin III, as he rushed for a ridiculous 138 yards with two touchdowns. Good news for Vikings fans is that Skelton is not a runner and is no threat to scamper down field. Vikings get back in the win column with a win at home. PICK: VIKINGS
Dallas Cowboys at Carolina Panthers
The Cowboys didn’t play too bad in losing to the Baltimore Ravens last week. A bright spot for the ‘Boys was the effort put forth by Dez Bryant, who might finally be tiring of the overrated label. Bad news for Dallas was the injury to running back DeMarco Murray, Felix Jones resumes his role as the primary back. I see the Cowboys coming out with a win. PICK: COWBOYS
New Orleans Saints at Tamp Bay Buccaneers
It is almost too bad that the bye week came for New Orleans when it did, they just got their first win and were riding high again as a team. The break should have given some time to work on the defensive sets, we shall see if it helped. The ‘Bucs got a win last week against the Brady Quinn led Kansas City Chiefs. I’m not sold on the ‘Bucs so far; a look at their first six weeks shows a weak schedule and for them to be 2-3 at this point is not encouraging. Let’s go ahead and make it two in a row for Brees and Co. PICK: SAINTS
Green Bay Packers at St Louis Rams
The packers laid a SNF beat down on the previously undefeated Houston Texans as Aaron Rodgers shredded the Texans for 338 passing yards and six touchdowns. The Packers defense also came up big as they held the Texans to only 90 yards on the ground. The Rams meanwhile dropped a road game in Miami when rookie kicker Greg Zuerlein missed a mammoth 66 yard attempt for the tie. The Packers seem to have things figured out and are re-asserting themselves as one of the Leagues best. PICK: PACKERS
Washington Redskins at NY Giants
Both the ‘Skins and the Giants are coming impressive wins. The Redskins beat the Vikings on the strength of Robert Griffin III’s running game. While the Giants beat the 49ers on smash-mouth defense. There is no way the G-men give up 138 rushing yards to RGIII in this one. Giants keep it rolling at home. PICK: GIANTS
Baltimore Ravens at Houston Texans
The biggest news of the week came out of Baltimore as all-pro Ray Lewis is out for the season with a torn tricep. In addition to that loss, cornerback Lardarius Webb is also lost for the season. Back to back weeks now the Ravens defense has given up 214 rushing yards to Kansas City then followed it up by surrendering 227 rushing yards to the Cowboys. All this is not a good sign as they go into Houston to face Arian Foster. Texans are looking to rebound from a SNF beat down at the hands of Aaron Rodgers. PICK: TEXANS
Tennessee Titans at Buffalo Bills
Easy to forget, but the first of the many upsets in Week 6 came on Thursday night as the Titans toppled the Pittsburgh Steelers. Once again Matt Hasselbeck will be the starter as Jake Locker isn’t ready to go. The Bills pulled out an overtime thriller against the Arizona Cardinals last week in a game that should have been won on Jay Feeley’s game winning field goal attempt. The Bills two-headed running attack in C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson looked impressive and opened up the passing game for Ryan Fitzpatrick. In another close game, pick the home team. PICK: BILLS
Cleveland Browns at Indianapolis Colts
The Browns finally put one up in the win column as they beat the Cincinnati Bengals last week. That win snapped an eleven game winless drought dating back to last season. In the win, the Browns still managed to give up 438 total yards: however, it was the four take-aways that sealed the win. The Colts meanwhile struggled mightily against the NY Jets. In a game many people thought the Colts would win, they came out flat and got spanked. I’m looking for the Browns to start a new streak here. PICK: COLTS
NY Jets at new England Patriots
The Jets showed many that they were not ready to be written off just yet. Running back Shonn Greene had a huge day; rushing for 161 yards and three touchdowns. Reality will sink in and folks will realize that Greene is just not that good of a back. The Patriots played a too conservative fourth quarter against the Seahawks and lost a game they should have won. Brady put up 475 yards of total offense against the Seahawks number one ranked defense. There is nothing that the Patriots love doing more than beating the Jets; it will be a long day for the battered Jets defense. PICK: PATRIOTS
Jacksonville Jaguars at Oakland Raiders
The Jaguars got a bye week after their dismal performance in Week 5 against the Chicago Bears. They mustered only 189 yards of total offense and turned the ball over three times; twice for pick sixes. The Raiders hung tough against Atlanta and came within a last second game winning field goal from stealing a victory. If the Raiders can limit the penalty yards ceded, this game should be theirs. PICK: RAIDERS
Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals
A matchup of two teams who managed to snatch defeat from the mouth of victory; as both teams were upset in their Week 6 tilts. The Steelers lost out to Tennessee, while Cincinnati graciously permitted Cleveland the join the ranks of the winning. This is a huge AFC North matchup as both teams are looking to gain ground on the ailing Baltimore Ravens. Tough game to pick, I like the Bengals but they have disappointed me of late. PICK: STEELERS
Detroit Lions at Chicago Bears
The Lions pulled out a fourth quarter comeback last week to beat the Philadelphia Eagles. Mathew Stafford didn’t have a great game; however, he rallied the team when he had to and got points on the board. The Bears are coming off a bye week, preceded by impressive victories against Dallas and Jacksonville. The Bears defense is playing great and Cutler is protecting the football. If those trends continue the Bears get the win. PICK: BEARS
UPSET PICK OF THE WEEK: Seattle Seahawks
LOCK PICK OF THE WEEK: Oakland Raiders