NFL - Week Six predictions

And then there were two. The Bills fell last week, leaving only the Giants and the Titans with perfect records so far. Our hometown Redskins are not far off with a 4-1 record after winning four straight games, two of which were division road games. This week, the Skins tackle the winless Rams in what should be an easy match up, but crazy things happen in the NFL. In other league news, "Pacman" Jones is in trouble once again and his career hangs in the balance.

Kevin's lead continues to grow after an astounding 11-3 week, but Sean was right there to match him and has pulled within one game of Anshul. Jon still remains in the hunt as there is plenty of football to be played.

Standings:

	This week	Season total
Anshul	9-5	46-28
Jon	7-7	41-33
Kevin	11-3	51-23
Sean	11-3	45-29

Sunday October 12, 2008

Chicago Bears (3-2) at Atlanta Falcons (3-2)

Anshul	Jon	Kevin	Sean
Chicago	Atlanta	Atlanta	Atlanta

Anshul says:
Both these teams have had some surprising wins in recent memory to push them above .500. But the Bears' defense has re-emerged as one of the league's top lines, and should be able to handle the Falcons and rookie quarterback Matt Ryan.

Jon says:
I'm going with a strong running game in ATL.

Kevin says:
The Falcons closed out the Packers last week under pressure. The Bears crushed the Lions, which isn't anything special.

Sean says:
The lack of T.I. jokes on this match up disturbs me - no one on the Bears has swagger like the Falcons.

Miami Dolphins (2-2) at Houston Texans (0-4)

Anshul	Jon	Kevin	Sean
Miami	Miami	Houston	Miami

Anshul says:
Don't be fooled by Miami's record, they are better than that. Their two wins have been upsets against the Patriots and the Chargers. Ronnie Brown has shown his talent as the Dolphins have used formations that even the little Giants couldn't have thought of.

Jon says:
Sage Rosenfelds does some decent work and without such a silly choice to fumble when they had the lead in the fourth quarter against the Colts, they would have won. Still, I give this to the tough Miami D.

Kevin says:
The Texans are in dire need of a win after completely falling apart to the Colts last week. The Dolphins are decent without Jason Taylor, but I don't think they can stand up to the Texans' high-powered offense.

Sean says:
His Greatness the Bill Parcells was able to bring the Dolphins a win against the Patriots. It is impossible to know what His plan is, but I think it involves the fall of the Texan usurpers.

Baltimore Ravens (2-2) at Indianapolis Colts (2-2)

Anshul	Jon	Kevin	Sean
Baltimore	Baltimore	Baltimore	Baltimore

Anshul says:
The Colts have not looked good this season while Baltimore's defense and running game has. Le'Ron McClain has proven himself as a go-to running threat to compliment Willis McGahee and the Ravens' passing game is starting to get off the ground.

Jon says:
This is going to be a great match up between Peyton Manning and the impenetrable Baltimore defense. Flacco's got the confidence. Plus, the Colts have the worst running game on both sides.

Kevin says:
The Ravens almost beat the Titans last week. Seeing as their defense isn't so bad and their quarterback is getting better, I see an upset on the Colts.

Sean says:
"Shall Indianapolis win this game? Shall I pick the Ravens and eventually bow my head in shame? Shall I conclude that the Manning called Peyton is really quite tame?" As the humor editor looked to his screen and flipped a coin to decide who had the better men, "Shall I pick Indianapolis again?" Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore."

Detroit Lions (0-4) at Minnesota Vikings (2-3)

Anshul	Jon	Kevin	Sean
Minnesota	Minnesota	Minnesota	Minnesota

Anshul says:
Detroit is this year's Miami.

Jon says:
It's a sad day to be a Lions fan. At least there's the prospect of the Thanksgiving game that makes everyone complain "why don't they pick any good teams" to show on television.

Kevin says:
I don't see the Lions winning any games. Maybe it's because McCain gave up on Michigan, some sort of signal that people there don't care about "Joe Six-Pack" players that really should be playing college football instead.

Sean says:
Detroit is like a stock exchange right now.

Oakland Raiders (1-3) at New Orleans Saints (2-3)

Anshul	Jon	Kevin	Sean
New Orleans	New Orleans	New Orleans	New Orleans

Anshul says:
Drew Brees, Reggie Bush and Deuce McAllister versus Darren McFadden. Seems a little bit one-sided.

Jon says:
I've been freaking out these past few weeks about upsets. But this is too much.

Kevin says:
The Saints deserve to win and the Raiders do not. McFadden can't carry a team as a rookie because he's no Adrian Peterson.

Sean says:
The Raiders are doing better than I thought they would but they haven't found a way back into my heart. New Orleans however, unjustly lost to the Skins; they deserve their revenge and the Raiders won't stand in their way.

Cincinnati Bengals (0-5) at New York Jets (2-2)

Anshul	Jon	Kevin	Sean
New York	New York	New York	New York

Anshul says:
The Bengals hung in there with the Cowboys all the way until the last few minutes, but their defense still has not shown any ability to impact the game positively for the Bengals. Brett Favre may have another six-touchdown day against a weak Cincinnati secondary.

Jon says:
Chad Johnson is like, "Alright, NOW we're going to actually play football! We were just kidding before." Too bad their offense is the worst in the NFL. However, the Bengals pass defense is impressive. Still, bad teams find a way to lose.

Kevin says:
I'm surprised that the Cowboys couldn't close out such a terrible defense in the Bengals. However, with maverick Favre at their lead, the Packers should make quick work of the Bengals.

Sean says:
The Bengals were able to provide some light entertainment for the Cowboys last week. But to be frank, the Jets are going to destroy the Bengals.

Carolina Panthers (4-1) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-2)

Anshul	Jon	Kevin	Sean
Carolina	Carolina	Carolina	Carolina

Anshul says:
Wait a minute, Carolina is 4-1? When did this happen?

Jon says:
Carolina has a fierce defense that might as well put on a clinic for the NFC.

Kevin says:
The Buccaneers have a misleadingly good record when they actually aren't so good.

Sean says:
The Bucs just aren't that good and no one really likes Carolina . Seriously, I have never met a Panthers fan. Even when they were close to winning the Super Bowl, I didn't meet anyone who even jumped on their bandwagon.

St. Louis Rams (0-4) at Washington Redskins (4-1)

Anshul	Jon	Kevin	Sean
Washington	Washington	Washington	St. Louis

Anshul says:
Please, the Skins just beat Dallas and Philly on the road.

Jon says:
Hmm. I know the Skins are capable of ruining a good record, they have this uncanny power to drop the ball against easy teams. Luckily, we didn't have to watch any Rams football last week. This is the first and only Washington pick.

Kevin says:
The Redskins can't lose with a ridiculously loud home crowd unless they are playing against themselves.

Sean says:
The Redskins will win again. But Dallas will be back, with a vengeance and without mercy. I know the Skins will likely win this game, but there's always that chance that they'll fall to a team that they were seemingly destined to beat. Call it spite on my part, but I call it a prophecy. LET'S GO RAMS.

Jacksonville Jaguars (2-3) at Denver Broncos (4-1)

Anshul	Jon	Kevin	Sean
Denver	Denver	Denver	Denver

Anshul says:
Denver got back on track against the Bucs, even though they did not show as much offensive fire power as before. As long as Jay Cutler avoids Jaguar safety Rashean Mathis and his game-changing abilities, Denver will be fine.

Jon says:
The Jags have a tough schedule, but they haven't been able to make light of a rainy day.

Kevin says:
Tragic loss for the Jaguars against the Steelers last week. That won't stop them from being killed by Cutler and his boys.

Sean says:
It's hard to feel sorry for a team that proved your prediction right. With that said, my absence of guilt will make me pick the Broncos.

Dallas Cowboys (4-1) at Arizona Cardinals (3-2)

Anshul	Jon	Kevin	Sean
Dallas	Arizona	Dallas	Dallas

Anshul says:
Both teams have great passing games, but the Cowboys have a stellar defense and a back-breaking running game in the combo attack of rookie Felix Jones and Marion Barber. All Tony Romo has to worry about is keeping T.O. happy.

Jon says:
Let's not make this difficult. Wait! Arizona destroyed Buffalo (formerly undefeated). This complicates things. THIS IS NEVER EASY! EVER!

Kevin says:
Everyone in the NFC East beats the Cardinals, especially with running games that work.

Sean says:
All T.O. and Romo have to worry about is deciding on which finger to wear that Super Bowl ring. What? We're talking about the Cardinals? Oh, wait, I forgot something - DALLAS. ALL DAY, EVERYDAY.

Philadelphia Eagles (2-3) at San Francisco 49ers (2-3)

Anshul	Jon	Kevin	Sean
Philadelphia	Philadelphia	Philadelphia	Philadelphia

Anshul says:
DeSean Jackson is stunning teams in the league with his play-making abilities as a receiver and on special teams. San Francisco better watch out for him.

Jon says:
Philly, let's get serious.

Kevin says:
Come on over baby. All of the NFC East teams should end with winning records - maybe the conference winner shouldn't get a bye week to make things interesting this postseason.

Sean says:
I use this column to be as irreverent as possible and Kevin uses it to practice being seductive. "Come on over baby." Is that the best you've got, Mr. Teng? While Mr. Objectivity tries to seduce, I will deduce that that the Eagles will reduce the 49ers to dust.

Green Bay Packers (2-3) at Seattle Seahawks (1-3)

Anshul	Jon	Kevin	Sean
Green Bay	Green Bay	Seattle	Seattle

Anshul says:
Even though the Packers could not beat the Falcons last week, A-Rodg showed tremendous accuracy in two deep touchdown passes. The Seahawks, meanwhile, are still looking for some kind of rhythm to their game.

Jon says:
Wow. Let me just apologize for even thinking about picking the Seahawks. I'm sorry. I can't believe I did such a thing.

Kevin says:
The Seahawks got crushed last week, but it was to the Giants and not much can be done about that. Rodgers can't keep up that BS accuracy in double coverage.

Sean says:
Hey, I'm going to Seattle for a wedding this weekend. You may ask yourself, "Self, is Sean Howard really narcissistic enough to believe that victory follows him?" The answer to that is: of course not, I'm just saying it's a very interesting coincidence.

New England Patriots (3-1) at San Diego Chargers (2-3)

Anshul	Jon	Kevin	Sean
New England	New England	New England	New England

Anshul says:
In the Chargers' stunning loss to Miami, one stat stuck out for me: L.T. had 12 rushes for 35 yards. Not only was he not getting the ball enough, but he was not making plays when he had the ball. Matt Cassel showed that he can hook up with Moss on go routes, something he had been criticized for earlier in the season.

Jon says:
Kevin, you are so eloquent. Rather, I must make note of the Patriots' uncanny ability to kick-butt. Ahem: Randy Moss. 'Nuff said.

Kevin says:
Okay, the Patriots kind of suck this year compared to previous years. But that's just part of the franchise cycle, I guess. In any case, the Chargers suck.

Sean says:
I put my iPod on random and the first song that came up was "Shipping Up to Boston" by the Dropkick Murphys. I shall take this as a sign that L.T. will be stopped once again.

Monday October 13, 2008

New York Giants (4-0) at Cleveland Browns (1-3)

Anshul	Jon	Kevin	Sean
New York	New York	New York	New York

Anshul says:
What happened to the Browns of last year? What happened to the Giants of early last year? My, how things change.

Jon says:
Let's go, Browns! Yeah - and Sean's getting into Harvard. Just kidding, Sean. Not really.

Kevin says:
The Giants were the franchise of last year and the Browns are struggling. BLOWOUT OF THE WEEK.

Sean says:
Let's go, Browns! Yeah, and Jon's jokes will start being funny.