NFL Picks | NFL Week 6 Top 10

 

1) GREEN BAY—The Pack is back for this year and probably for the next 5 years. This is a huge roster of talent. But the only question is from the ’72 Miami Dolphin team: will they go undefeated? They will remain perfect thru this week at least as they play the St Louis Rams. After their win in Atlanta last week it’s on cruise control the next month and a half till their trip to Detroit on Thanksgiving. Until then, enjoy the NFL’s number 1 team. For you doomsayers I offer you this; If there is a chink in the armor, it’s on the offensive line, where both tackles are hurt right now. Meanwhile the public will PAY in terms of pointspreads as the Oddsmakers hade placed a minus 15 points on this weeks game against the Rams.

 

2) NEW ENGLAND—All the talk is on Green Bay with a sprinkling few words about Baltimore, Detroit and Buffalo. That’s how Bill Belichick would want it. The perception that his team is the ultimate underdog fueled New England to at least two Super Bowl titles. They have look improved in their last two wins against Oakland and the Jets. Here’s a little-known fact: New England’s offense is sixth in the NFL in rushing. They have their hands full this week as a sporadic Dallas Cowboy team rides into Foxboro. NE is a 7 point favorite at this time.

 

3) DETROIT—The Detroit Lions have won close games and won blowouts. They have beaten good teams and survived trap games against lesser opponents. The Lions are for real. WR Calvin Johnson, known as Megatron, is simply unstoppable this season. Detroit is able to win in shootouts where Matthew Stafford has to air-it-out to Calvin Johnson, and they are able to win dogfights against blue-collar football teams. That experience will come in handy not only as the season progresses, but in the playoffs.The Lions outlook for the season is exceptional. Outside a tough game against San Francisco this weekend, the Lions only losses may come at the hands of the defending Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers.

 

4) NEW ORLEANS—The Saints are on top of their division and with the Falcons and the Bucs losing, there’s no stopping them for a long run from here to the NFC Championship game. Brees and Coach Peyton have it under control for right now. BUT, we’ll all learn a little more about this years Tampa Bay team this week after they were destroyed by the 49er’s last week. We’ll find out about class and character of a team coming off an embarrassing loss AND a team such as New Orleans knowing they are playing a team off that kind of loss. Interesting divisional match-up. PS: Saints have gone three games in a row without fumbling for the first time since the 2008 season.

 

5) BALTIMORE—The other part of the expected AFC Championship game to meet the Pats is the Baltimore Ravens. They were off last week and now we see how teams fair after a week on the beach. Are they rusty or refreshed is the question and answer that this handicapper will find out!! And they do not necessary benefit from the schedule after Houston lost last week and comes to Baltimore to try to find some of their own answers. The Oddsmakers recognized how well the Ravens have been playing in its three wins, Baltimore’s average margin of victory is 25 points, and made them a 7 point favorite this week.

 

6) SAN DIEGO—This team is 4-1 but the question posed for Norv Turner is who have you really beaten?

San Diego has wins over Minnesota (1-4), Kansas City (2-3), Miami (0-4) and Denver (1-4). Not exactly the toughest schedule in the world. They avoided a slow start this year, reaching their bye at 4-1 with a soft schedule. Remember that next week when the Chargers return from Sea World!

 

7) BUFFALO—The upstart Bills hold victories over the Patriots and “Dream Team” Eagles. Who would have thought? The Buffalo Bills having four wins is among the most surprising things to happen this season, but it’s great for the NFL. Fans my age remember watching four straight Super Bowl losses by the Bills. A very interesting game this week as any of the Bills games are when they play away from home. They go into Giants stadium as a 3 point dog against a team upset last week. The Bills have hung in with defense the past few years but this year tells a different story. The Bills have scored the second-most touchdowns in the NFL this season, tied with the juggernaut offense up in New England.

 

8) OAKLAND—First of all; My sincere condolences to the Family of Al Davis. It was nice and very ironic that Raider Nation gave him an outstanding final tribute with their victory over the Houston Texans. This week is back home to host the Cleveland Browns. It seems that in many games the past few years the Raiders were a small dog and this week they get to play the role of a 6 point favorite. Their running game is fantastic and all that is needed for QB Jason Campbell is for a wide receiver to step up. Again, Congrats from last weeks game and to responding to the passing of Al Davis with a win that solidified their contender status.

 

9) HOUSTON—The loss of Mario Williams for the season and the way they lost to Oakland doesn’t bode well for the Texans. Houston’s biggest need is getting wide receiver Andre Johnson back from a hamstring injury. At least with a healthy Johnson, the Texans can hope to outscore the opposition. Until Andre is back, the Texans will rely on Matt Schaub and Arian Foster to carry them. Playing this week on the road at Baltimore is not the answer they were looking for. But let’s face it; you were willing to accept the AFC Central title when Peyton Manning went down so now is the time to suck it up and deal with your own injuries and play hard!!

 

10) SAN FRANCISCO—It’s hard to believe the San Francisco 49ers are really 4-1. But they are. I double-checked. San Francisco is winning with tough defense and timely offense. Jim Harbaugh is looking like the top choice for coach of the year after going 4-1 with Alex Smith at QB. And all he did was throw away about half the troubling plays from the playbook leaving the ones that Smith was comfortable with. Some weeks, it’s Frank Gore and Kendall Hunter. Other weeks, it is Ted Ginn. And sometimes, it’s Alex Smith, a player many of us had written off as a draft bust. Smith and the 49ers have come alive under Jim Harbaugh, and right now, there is no one in the NFC West who can touch them. BUT, stop the presses, the 49ers’ get to play Detroit Lions this week and something has to give. More on this game later in the week!!

 

 

 

11) WASHINGTON—They had momentum going into their bye-week now we’ll see if it continues this week as they host the Philadelphia Eagles in an “early must win” game for the Eagles. To win the division, they will need big games from Rex Grossman along the way. OK, Rex Grossman. We’re watching you. The division is yours for the taking. What have you got?

 

12) PITTSBURGH—The Pittsburgh Steelers have rolled off three wins and one tough loss to Houston after an opening week loss, it’s time people take notice. It’s hard to explain, but QB Ben Roethlisberger (five passing TDs) often plays better when hurting.

 

13) DALLAS—I’m giving the Dallas Cowboys credit for having beat the San Francisco 49ers and Washington Redskins. I’m also giving them credit since their only losses came against the Detroit Lions and New York Jets. Dallas, even though they have just two wins, has the look of a playoff team…The Cowboys don’t exactly get the easiest rebound game out of their bye week. Up next: the 4-1 Patriots.

 

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