Ramblin’ Fan’s NFL Picks and Predictions: Week 6

Week 5 of the regular season is in the books and its time to review our record from last weeks NFL picks, as well as make our NFL picks and predictions for Week 6. Last week we were absolutely on fire early with only two incorrect picks in the first 12 games, however we faltered down the stretch missing the final two games of the week to finish a very respectable 10-4. This week I expect that the NFC West will finish 2-2 with one divisional matchup this week between the San Francisco 49ers and the Arizona Cardinals in San Francisco. Lets get to this weeks NFL picks and predictions, again the NFC West games have been put in bold font in the table to make them easier to find.  In another shameless plug to gain Twitter followers anyone who follows me this week will receive a shoutout in this column next week.  Thanks for reading and as always Go Rams!!!

New York Giants @ Chicago Bears (TNF).  Last week I picked the Giants to get their first win against the Eagles because I know that a team with Eli Manning at QB can’t go 0-16.  However I really don’t think that the Bears are the team that lets the Giants off the hook.  The Bears have fairly quietly been a pretty good team this season, and while the defense isn’t as dominant as it has been in the past they are still quite good.  If the Giants can’t figure out how to stop turning the ball over this game could get ugly in a hurry.  Bears win 31 – 17.

St. Louis Rams @ Houston Texans.  A struggling Texans team is vulnerable to the upset by a very young and inconsistent Rams team.  If the Rams can get the ground game going again this week they may have a chance.  If the Texans defense can make the Rams one-dimensional like the Cowboys and 49ers did than Bradford could have a very rough outing.  The Texans offense has struggled the past few weeks as Matt Schaub’s dubious record pick six streak has helped contribute to their 3 game losing streak.  If this game were at the Edward Jones Dome I may go with the Rams in the upset, but I still don’t see it here.  Of course if the Rams special teams units can avoid the big penalties this game it would go a long way to help both the offense and defense. Good news for Rams fans is Texans star TE Owen Daniels will not be playing, and I expect a close game between two teams desperate to get to .500.  Texans win 27 – 24.

Cincinnati Bengals @ Buffalo Bills.  The Bengals knocked the Patriots from the ranks of the unbeaten last weekend behind their impressive defense.  The Bills lost their rookie QB against the Browns last week, and CJ Spiller is still nursing an ankle injury.  If Andy Dalton decides its time to feed AJ Green the ball the young WR could have a big game.  The Bengals are just too much for a Bills team that isn’t at full strength.  Bengals win 28 – 20.

Detroit Lions @ Cleveland Browns. The Browns lost QB Brian Hoyer in their game against the Bills last week after he had led them to two straight wins in relief of Brandon Weeden.  The Browns special teams were a huge factor in earning them their third consecutive win last week and may need similar production to top the Lions.  Of course if All-Pro wide receiver Calvin “Megatron” Johnson is unavailable for the Lions for a second consecutive week that could make this game much more interesting.  When the Lions have Megatron and Reggie Bush on the field at the same time it makes them awfully difficult to defend.  The Browns defense has been a surprise unit so far this season, but if the Lions are full strength expect them to have the upper hand.  Lions win 21 – 16.

Oakland Raiders @ Kansas City Chiefs.  The surprise team of the season is the 5-0 Chiefs, who boast a remarkable +14 points for/against differential through their first 5 games.  The Raiders on the other hand have looked like a completely different team with Terrell Pryor in at QB.  Injuries have really impacted the Raiders backfield, but Pryor still finds a way to make things happen when he is on the field.  The Chiefs defense has been excellent at pressuring the QB this season and the Raiders porous offensive line may have a hard time keeping Pryor upright.  If the Chiefs can keep Pryor from breaking outside the pocket and extending the play the Raiders may have trouble moving the ball.  I like watching Pryor play and he certainly gives Raiders fans hope for the future, but the Chiefs should remain undefeated after week 6 and break their 6 game home losing streak to the Raiders.  Chiefs win 24 – 13.

Carolina Panthers @ Minnesota Vikings. Cam Newton will be hoping to bounce back against Matt Cassell and the Vikings on Sunday after a terrible performance against the Cardinals last week.  This could be a very close game but I am going to give the nod to the home team with the best RB in the game.  While Peterson may not be on a 2,000 yard pace this season he still has over 400 yards rushing, 5 rushing TDs and a 4.6 yard per carry average.  Peterson can still put this team on his back and carry them to victory over equal or lesser teams.  Vikings win 21 – 17.

Pittsburgh Steelers @ New York Jets. Big Ben and the Steelers are having a rough year so far and it likely isn’t going to get better with a trip to the Meadowlands.  The Jets defense has been impressive so far this season, while the offense has been wildly inconsistent behind rookie QB Geno Smith.  Somehow the Steelers defense has yet to create a turnover, although that luck is likely to change given Geno Smith’s knack for turning the ball over (11 total so far).  This could be a low scoring defensive struggle which I believe would favor the home team.  Jets win 13 – 6.

Philadelphia Eagles @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Eagles offense is churning out over 450 yards per game this season while averaging 180+ on the ground.  Ball security and defense have been a problem for the Eagles though as their defense is allowing over 430 yards per game this season and nearly 32 points per game.  With the Bucs offense averaging a paltry 11 points per game something just has to give here.  Of course with the Bucs releasing Josh Freeman and tabbing Mike Glennon as his replacement there is no guarantee of improvement.  The Bucs are coming off their bye week still seeking their first win, and while I anticipate improvement from the Bucs offense I don’t think it will be enough.  Eagles win 31 – 20.

Green Bay Packers @ Baltimore Ravens.  The Packers will be without their star linebacker Clay Matthews for this game, which should make Joe Flacco’s life a little easier.  Aaron Rodgers on the other hand is perfectly healthy and still very Aaron Rodgersy (9 TD 3INT 300+ yard per game) while Joe Flacco is very Joe Flaccoy (5TD 8INT less than 60% completion rate).  This should be a pretty good game, but I think Rodgers and the Packers should be able to take this one on the road to get above .500 and into the playoff hunt.    Packers win 28 – 21.

Jacksonville Jaguars @ Denver Broncos.  Let’s forget about the historic point spread for this game and realize that this is still two NFL teams facing each other, not a FCS team versus Florida State or something silly like that.  With that said the Jaguars defense hasn’t been very good at much of anything this season, while Peyton Manning is playing at a level that most people couldn’t even imagine before this season.  There is a very solid chance that Manning doesn’t take many snaps in the second half as it’s quite possible they will already have the game in hand.  Don’t sleep on Justin Blackmon (looking at you Rams secondary) as he has big play ability.  Just think that after this game the Broncos will get Von Miller back to finally add some teeth to their pass rush.    Broncos win 42 – 10.

Tennessee Titans @ Seattle Seahawks. The Seahawks lost a close one on the road last week to the Colts, highlighted by some uncharacteristic breakdowns by the defensive secondary.  Fortunately for the Seahawks they get to return home to the Pacific Northwest where Russell Wilson has yet to lose a game.  They will also be facing a Titans team that will be without local (University of Washington) hero Jake Locker who has been looking much improved so far this season before going down with injury.  With Ryan Fitzpatrick at QB the Titans may have a tough time moving the ball against a very solid Seahawks defense.   Seahawks win 28 – 13.

Arizona Cardinals @ San Francisco 49ers.  An NFC West showdown between two 3-2 teams at Candlestick Park.  The 49ers have finally realized that they are built to run the ball and will look to impose their will on the Cardinals defense which has been very strong against the run this season.  The Cardinals offense on the other hand will be hoping that Carson Palmer returns to form, heck even his Raiders form would be an improvement.  Palmer has thrown plenty of interceptions this season, most of them in the opposing teams territory.  If the Cardinals continue to turn the ball over in scoring position they wont have much of a chance against the 49ers.    49ers win 27 – 16.

New Orleans Saints @ New England Patriots.  This was very nearly another battle of the undefeated teams as the Patriots had opportunities to knock of the Bengals last week.  The Saints on the other hand won on the road against a formidable defense in less than ideal conditions.  Let’s just say I am not taking the fact that the game will be played outdoors in Foxborough into account for this one.  The Saints offense can do pretty much whatever it pleases to any defense it comes across as Drew Brees is playing incredible football.  Tom Brady and the Patriots offense have struggled so far this season and unless Gronkowski comes back at full strength this week I imagine those struggles continue against a much improved Saints D.   Saints win 31 – 24.

Washington Redskins @ Dallas Cowboys (SNF). Can the Cowboys recover after a devastating loss to the Broncos last week?  Well with the 1-3 Redskins coming to town they should have a pretty good chance at it.  The Redskins are coming off their bye week and perhaps RGIII has gotten back more of that dynamic playmaking ability he has so clearly lacked so far this season.  Still this Cowboys team is mighty talented and if they can overcome the heartbreak from last week they should cruise on primetime television.   Cowboys win 31 – 17.

Indianapolis Colts @ San Diego Chargers. The Colts are fresh off their thrilling victory over the previously undefeated Seahawks and ready to show their stuff on the big stage of Monday Night Football.  I know we all can’t wait to hear Jon Gruden’s “this guy” droolfest over Andrew Luck, but hey can you blame him?  The Chargers on the other hand suffered a humbling defeat in the late late game last weekend against the Oakland Raiders.  Philip Rivers has been very good this season, but he needs to avoid another multiple INT game like he had against the Raiders.  Trent Richardson is going to need to pay dividends for the Colts as basically every other viable RB on their roster is injured.  Should be a good game but gotta go with the young superstar QB to shine under the bright lights.   Colts win 38 – 31.

NFL Week 6 Matchups

Pick

Giants @ Bears (TNF)

Bears

Rams @ Texans

Texans 

Bengals @ Bills

Bengals

Lions @ Browns

Lions 

Raiders @ Chiefs

Chiefs

Panthers @ Vikings

Vikings 

Steelers @ Jets

Jets

Eagles @ Bucs

Eagles

Packers @ Ravens

Packers

Jaguars @ Broncos

Broncos

Titans @ Seahawks

Seahawks

Cardinals @ 49ers

49ers

Saints @ Patriots

 Saints

Redskins @ Cowboys (SNF)

Cowboys

Colts @ Chargers (MNF)

Colts

Last Week

10-4

Overall Record

47-30