St. Louis Rams divisional rivals: Week 6 predictions

Oct 11, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals won 27-24. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

CAROLINA PANTHERS @ SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

The Panthers have had a great start to the year and are one of only five undefeated teams left in the NFL. They also have the benefit of extra preparation time, coming off their own bye in Week 5. Expect to see star linebacker Luke Kuechly return to action after missing a number of games going through concussion protocol.

However, the Panthers’ success needs to be put in the context of a pretty easy schedule, having faced Jacksonville, Houston, New Orleans and Tampa Bay who have a combined record of 5-15 on the year. Cam Newton’s pass completion rate is currently second worst in the league at 55.4%. Going into CenturyLink to face the Seahawks will undoubtedly be the biggest challenge Ron Rivera’s team have faced this year.

Were it not for nailbiting overtime losses with field goals to the Rams in Week 1 and the Bengals in Week 5, Seattle could very easily be sitting level with Arizona at 4-1. Coming off back-to-back Super Bowl appearances, they remain a force in the NFL and should not be written off just yet.

Prediction: Seahawks return to .500 with a home win.

 ARIZONA CARDINALS @ PITTSBURGH STEELERS

A strong contender for game of the week, sees two of the Rams early season opponents go head to head at Heinz Field. Despite their defeat suffered at the hands of St. Louis, the Cardinals have looked good with their 4-1 record, scoring over 40 points on three occasions, boasting a quarterback in Carson Palmer with an impressive 114.0 rating and a defense that has given up an average of only 18 points per game.

Arizona’s running game is the only attack in the NFL with an average 5 yards per carry, and wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald currently has a league-leading six touchdowns. Despite the Cardinals strength, Pittsburgh on the road is not an easy trip. Since being drafted in 2013, Le’Veon Bell has emerged as one of the top running backs in the league. Defensively, conceding only 19 points per game ranks comfortably within the league’s top ten. On balance however, the key factor (thanks to the Rams’ Mark Barron) is the likely continued absence of Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Without his leadership, the Cardinals should be too strong.

Prediction: Arizona continues their winning streak and move to 5-1.

While Rams fans will obviously hope the other NFC West sides go 0-3 on Sunday, realistically there is every chance that divisional rivals will improve their position.