With my not making a pick on the Arizona/Washington game and the Panthers/Bengals game ending in a tie (how annoying!), I've got to give myself one loss and put the other game in the tie column. That gave me an 8-6-1 record for Week 6 and puts me at 57-33-1 for the season. Let's see how I can do this coming week. I hope for better than last week.
New York Jets at New England Patriots
Horrible QB play on the road in Foxboro? Good luck, Jets. You're going to need it.
My Call: Patriots 31, Jets 13
Atlanta Falcons at Baltimore Ravens
Road woes are well documented in Atlanta, but I see them putting forth their best road effort of the season here since they're so desperate for a win. Unfortunately, it won't be enough. The Falcons defense blows it late in the 4th quarter, getting burned deep by Steve Smith.
My Call: Ravens 27, Falcons 23
Tennessee Titans at Washington Redskins
Two bad teams going at it here, but I at least see a light at the end of the tunnel for the Redskins. Can't say I see it for the Titans. Washington and Kirk Cousins come out on top.
My Call: Redskins 28, Titans 14
Seattle Seahawks at St. Louis Rams
Bounce back performance for Seattle after losing at home to Dallas last week. They do not play as well on the road though, so that will keep this one a game for a while until Russell Wilson and that defense say enough is enough and pull away in the second half.
My Call: Seahawks 30, Rams 17
Cleveland Browns at Jacksonville Jaguars
Browns are feeling great about themselves after pounding rival Pittsburgh at home. Meanwhile, the Jags are still in search of their first win of the season. Because I think that 31 point output against the Steelers is more the exception rather than the norm, I think the Jags can hang in this one. However, I've got to take Cleveland to squeak by.
My Call: Browns 21, Jaguars 20
Cincinnati Bengals at Indianapolis Colts
Defense hasn't been good at all for the Bengals these last two weeks in a loss and a tie, now they get to go on the road to try and tame Andrew Luck and the high flying Colts offense? Good luck with that one. Andy Dalton won't be able to keep up, with or without A.J. Green.
My Call: Colts 31, Bengals 24
Minnesota Vikings at Buffalo Bills
Good thing Minnesota is really bad, or else I'd be picking against the Bills this week. I think they're in a vulnerable spot after losing at home to New England. They won't be as up for this one, but they will use their 'B' game and kicking game to escape victorious.
My Call: Bills 16, Vikings 13
Miami Dolphins at Chicago Bears
Heartbreak hotel for the Dolphins at home against the Packers, giving up a game winning drive in the final minute to fall 27-24 against Aaron Rodgers and Co. Meanwhile, the Bears came up with a much needed victory in Atlanta; and looked very good in the process on the defensive side of the football. Unfortunately, their defense doesn't play that well all the time, but the good news is I don't see the Dolphins playing as well this week as they did against Green Bay. With Jay Cutler, it won't always be pretty (it rarely is with him), but the Bears should get it done.
My Call: Bears 26, Dolphins 20
New Orleans Saints at Detroit Lions
Here is one of those games where I think a week off is gonna do a team a lot of good. The Saints haven't exactly looked wonderful this season by any stretch, but you've got to think Drew Brees and that offense is just set for one of those big games. It may not come this week, but their desperation gets them a hard fought win at Ford Field.
My Call: Saints 27, Lions 24
Carolina Panthers at Green Bay Packers
Cam Newton vs. Aaron Rodgers. What more could you want? Cam looked more like his old self in Cincinnati this last week while Aaron Rodgers was just doing his usual thing. I like the Packers to keep their winning streak alive and to run it to four. I'd expect another tight battle though.
My Call: Packers 34, Panthers 31
Kansas City Chiefs at San Diego Chargers
San Diego may well have been caught looking ahead to this one this past weekend in Oakland. Granted they still won, but certainly had to earn it in a 31-28 barnburner. Against the Chiefs at home, the focus should be better and that should result in a victory. Another pretty close game.
My Call: Chargers 23, Chiefs 17
Arizona Cardinals at Oakland Raiders
Carson Palmer gets to return to his old stomping grounds in Oakland. Raider fans may be preparing more eggs to throw at another team bus since I'm sure they'd love to nail Palmer after a forgettable marriage. It's also not the easiest spot in the world for the Cardinals as they have to host the Eagles and go to Dallas following this game. They'll win because they're better, but Oakland will force Carson into a couple mistakes and make it interesting.
My Call: Cardinals 24, Raiders 20
New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys
Cowboys are riding sky high after that win in Seattle over the defending Super Bowl champion Seahawks while the Giants couldn't be riding more of a low after a shutout 27-0 defeat at the hands of the Philadelphia Eagles. Eli Manning tends to play well in Dallas and after last week, there should be a matter of pride at hand for the G-Men while Dallas could be due for a letdown. However, I do think the Boys will just scrap and claw their way to a victory here in the 4th quarter.
My Call: Cowboys 28, Giants 27
San Francisco 49ers at Denver Broncos
Game of the week potential right here as the defending AFC Champs host a strong San Francisco 49er squad. Colin Kaepernick gets a chance to show he can hang with the best QB of our generation in Peyton Manning on the big stage. He shows well, but Manning at home on the big stage will be better and so will the Broncos.
My Call: Broncos 34, 49ers 27
Houston Texans at Pittsburgh Steelers
Gotta think like with the Giants, there should be a measure of pride here with the Steelers after they took a major beating at the hands of the Cleveland Browns. In a low scoring, old school type of game, I'll take the Steelers to squeak past Houston with a late field goal. J.J. Watt will make life tough for Ben Roethlisberger and that Pittsburgh offense, but Ryan Fitzpatrick will make a couple of mistakes that his team doesn't overcome.
My Call: Steelers 19, Texans 17
