NFL Week Six predictions

Four. Yes, four. That's how many picks out of 14 I got right. Thank god SCO doesn't pay me anything because if they did, I would be fired. What a weird league. Who would've figured that Detroit, Cleveland, Buffalo, Green Bay, New York Jets, Jacksonville and Pittsburgh would win? Ay caramba…

Pratik says: If you get spanked by 49 points against Green Bay, you will lose to the Dirty Birds.

Abe says: This is the easiest pick of the week. Why? New Orleans gave up 52 points to a Javon Walker-less Green Bay team last week, and the Saints could only muster a field goal against perhaps the worst defense in football. But the Saints worst news over the weekend was that stud running back Deuce McAllister will miss the rest of the season. If the Saints win another game in 2005, well, never mind.

Josh says: The Falcons get Mike Vick back, and healthy or not, the Falcons are too good to lose to a team that just last week lost its best player. Deuce McAllister will miss the rest of the season with a torn ACL and it couldn't hurt the Saints any more. Atlanta wins easily with its rushing attack or through the precision passing of backup quarterback Matt Schaub.

Carolina at Detroit – 1:00 p.m.

Pratik says: Detroit was the fortunate opponent of an imploding Ravens team. Carolina isn't going to hand this game away like the Ravens did, so expect the Lions, as per usual, to lose.

Abe says: Detroit put up more than 30 points in a game for the first time in over a year, but unlike the wrecked Ravens, Carolina has a solid QB, a big-time wideout, and a solid running game. Julius Peppers will be on a sack-happy adventure as the Panthers roll over the Lions in a feline affair.

Josh says: Joey Harrington can't throw the ball, because if he could the potentially super-talented Lions receiving corps would be racking up statistics. Carolina has Jake Delhomme and Steve Smith. Those two players are good enough to beat Detroit without any help.

Cincinnati at Tennessee – 1:00 p.m.

Pratik says: Carson Palmer must be eyeing this defense and salivating. Seriously, how can they stop Chad Johnson, Rudi Johnson and T.J. Howyouspellzadeh? Expect three or more touchdowns fro young Mr. Palmer today.

Abe says: Chris Brown has proven that indeed he can't "Run It," as he and Travis Henry have combined for a grand total of less than 400 yards rushing and no touchdowns. Jarrett Payton has more touchdowns than the duo combined. Tennessee is still the youngest team in the league, and Carson Palmer looks like Joe Montana out there these days, so Cincy is the pick.

Josh says: Cincinnati bounces back from its first loss of the season to beat the Titans. Steve McNair has shown flashes of his old self, but the Bengals' offense has too many weapons.

Cleveland at Baltimore – 1:00 p.m.

Pratik says: I think last Sunday was some crazy nightmarish scene concocted by a very angry Browns fan against the Ravens…except it actually happened. 21 penalties for 147 yards. Two players ejected…wow…I can't put the abysmal performance into words…I'm consciously picking the Ravens, but my gut keeps telling me to go with the Browns. Oh well.

Abe says: This matchup could be the ugliest of the year, but I'll take the Browns for a handful of reasons: 1) The Ravens' defense isn't what it used to be (ask Detroit), 2) Braylon Edwards is a special player, and veteran QB Trent Dilfer can get him the ball, 3) Romeo Crennell's defense is getting into gear and 4) Jamal Lewis has only one rushing touchdown on the year, and he won't get help from an anemic passing game.

Josh says: What a boring game. On the one hand you have the Browns, who have no star power at all. On the other hand you have the Ravens, who start Anthony Wright at quarterback. The Ravens win this one at home not because of their offense, but (as usual) because of their defense.

Jacksonville at Pittsburgh – 1:00 p.m.

Pratik says: Jacksonville may be good, but they're still no match for Pittsburgh.

Abe says: The Chargers' Luis Castillo snapped Steelers' QB Ben Roethlisberger's knee backwards like a stick on Monday night, and with backup Tommy Maddox's health in question, the Steelers could look to third-stringer Charlie Batch. The Jags' big D-line is licking their chops and I like their running game (who says Fred Taylor is old?). I'll take Jacksonville despite the return of The Bus for Pitt.

Josh says: Both of these teams won gritty games in week five, but Pittsburgh is dominant at home at Heinz Field and they run the ball past the Jags. Fred Taylor, who had a breakout week five performance, rushing for 132 yards on 24 carries, can't find enough room to break free against the stingy Pittsburgh run defense.

Miami at Tampa Bay – 1:00 p.m.

Pratik says: We all got eager about Ricky last week, but we forgot about that pesky bye week in week four, so really, he's coming back this week. And once again, how can you bet against Ricky "The Weed" Williams? Besides, the Cadillac is banged up and may not be running as well as normal.

Abe says: This game will be a defensive, old-school battle won on the ground, and the main storyline will be the play of Ricky "Retired" Williams, but I like the Bucs at home with a stalwart defense and a top-notch running game.

Josh says: Miami is lifted by the return of Ricky Williams who hasn't played in over a year, but is put in place by the number one defense in the NFL. Head coach Nick Saban said he will start both rookie Ronnie Brown and Williams, an interesting decision. Tampa Bay will likely get Cadillac Williams back and should be able to muster up a run game good enough to beat the Dolphins in a close battle.

Minnesota at Chicago – 1:00 p.m.

Pratik says: Whew…how many Vikings does it take to get a sex party on a boat? (That was a rhetorical question…) Apparently, there was some illicit activity going on a hired cruise that some Vikings players undertook last week…seeing where the true priorities of the Vikings players lie, I guess I'll go with the team not actively calling their lawyers and trying to stay out of the public eye.

Abe says: This used to be Minnesota's sure-win on the schedule every year. Well, that has changed in 2005, and the Bears finally have a squad capable of stopping Daunte Culpepper and friends. Bears running back Thomas Jones has elusive ability and has made rookie Cedric Benson's absence less of an issue, while the Bears defense has playmakers and can stuff the run. Chi-town beats up on Culpepper, who has little help around him.

Josh says: I picked Chicago last week to beat the reeling Bills and I won't make the same mistake again this week. Daunte Culpepper may or may not have a good game, but the Bears' offense is just so pathetic that it doesn't even matter.

New York Giants at Dallas – 1:00 p.m.

Pratik says: Eli Manning is outplaying his brother down in Indy and Dallas has not looked up to snuff defensively, so I'm going to take the G-Men over the Cowboys in a shootout.

Abe says: Dallas is coming off a huge win over Philly, and a rejuvenated defense will slow down Eli Manning's passing game. The Giants' defense will have a tough time keeping up with the Jones- Julius, that is- as the 'Boys cruise to a victory.

Josh says: It is tough to pick against a Dallas team that dismantled the Eagles last week, but they may be without Julius Jones and if they have to rely on Anthony Thomas or Tyson Thompson all game for a rushing attack they could struggle. Oh yeah, I also have to pick the Giants because their offense is freakin' amazing.

Washington at Kansas City – 1:00 p.m.

Pratik says: Washington definitely played well last week and were one deflected pass away from tying the game up. On a side note, I HATE THE TUCK RULE! How does a fumble not become a fumble just because you were throwing it, brought it down and knocked it out with your own hands? That took away two points and probably cost the game for Washington right there. Larry Johnson and Priest Holmes are premier running backs, but I think that Gregg Williams will have definitely tightened up on the running game ever since last week's fiasco where Tatum Bell destroyed the D for 127 yards on 12 carries. And, Santana Moss must probably be trying to think up a touchdown dance already.

Abe says: Washington's defense has recorded only four sacks this season, yet 3-time Pro-Bowl linebacker LaVar Arrington, who compiled 11 sacks in 2002, didn't play a single down last week in the Redskins' loss Denver. RB Clinton Portis has the same number of tackles (2) as LaVar this season. The 'Skins have a great defense, but you mean to tell me LaVar can't do anything to help out- not even a single play? The coaching staff has it in for this guy, and this distraction, along with a dynamic duo of rushers for the Chiefs, makes K.C. the pick in this one.

Josh says: Washington plays its second away game in two weeks, but this week they bounce back from a loss at tough-to-win Mile High and beat the Chiefs in a much less hostile environment. Clinton Portis gets in the end zone for the first time this year and Mark Brunell continues his stellar play, feeding the ball to Santana Moss for big gains.

New England at Denver – 4:15 p.m.

Pratik says: Denver definitely looked like a great team against the 'Skins even though they were trying to give away the game at the end with all of those penalties extending the Redskins drive. Tatum Bell stole the show by making two great touchdown runs, one a 34 yarder and the other for 55. New England barely beat an Atlanta team without Mr. Vick and they seem very susceptible to the run.

Abe says: Denver sneaked by Washington last week, and with a healthy running game and a decisive home-field advantage, the Broncos look like the easy choice in this matchup. But these are the games that the 2-time defending world champions always win, so I like New England. Adam Vinatieri wins the game for the Pats for the second straight week.

Josh says: They're battered and bruised but they still have Tom Brady as their quarterback and as long as he's behind center the Patriots will have a chance to win. Although Denver is one of the few stadiums in the NFL with a real home field advantage, New England has shown time and time again that outside pressures simply do not affect their on field performance. New England steals this one in their second tight game in two weeks.

New York Jets at Buffalo – 4:15 p.m.

Pratik says: Ugh…New York. Because they're playing the Bills…

Abe says: Vinny's back in the saddle again, and the Jets beat an undefeated Tampa Bay squad last week. The Bills are in the midst of a quarterback change (or are they?) and haven't shown me anything this year. Curtis Martin is like your favorite song of all-time; you know he's old, but he's so good you just can't stop playing him. I'll take the J-E-T-S Jets! Jets! Jets!

Josh says: Vinny Testaverde is back at the helm for the Jets who rode Curtis Martin to a week five win but look for a different result this week against a Buffalo team now quarterbacked by Kelly Holcomb instead of J.P. Losman. Willis McGahee continues to pile up yards and touchdowns. Look for him to push through a below-average Jets defense.

San Diego at Oakland – 4:15 p.m.

Pratik says: Two words: LaDainian Tomlinson.

Abe says: I know San Diego has been playing well and LT is on fire, but I'll take the Raiders just because I'd feel bad for the thousands of fans in RaiderNation who went to all that trouble to paint their faces if I picked against them. Plus, I want to see another Randy Moss touchdown celebration.

Josh says: San Diego was unlucky not to beat the Steelers last week on Monday Night Football, losing on a game-winning field goal, but look for them to beat the Raiders this week in the Black Hole. Randy Moss has a big game against the San Diego secondary, but the Chargers' offense, especially LT, scores a lot of points to beat the Raiders on the road.

Houston at Seattle – 8:30 p.m.

Pratik says: What did I say last week? Oh yeah, "Houston hasn't won a game yet. There's a reason for that. Everyone else is better." It still holds true.

Abe says: Anyone have Shaun Alexander on their fantasy team? Houston is the worst team in the NFL, plain and simple. This one should be a Seattle blowout, and Alexander should rush for at least 200 yards. Houston quarterback David Carr has been sacked 27 times this year (reminiscent of Patrick Ramsey's first couple years in Washington) and the beating won't stop in Seattle. I'll take the Seahawks in a Packers-Saints type score.

Josh says: Why am I picking Seattle other than the facts that they produced a come-from-behind victory against the Rams on the road last week, have Shaun Alexander, Matt Hasselbeck, Darrell Jackson? The answer is simple: there is no team in the NFL that can lose to the Texans.

Monday, October 17, 2005
St. Louis at Indianapolis – 9:00 p.m.

Pratik says: Indianapolis is basically the same team as the Rams. Except they have a better defense, better special teams, a better coach and a slightly better offense. So, I guess they'll win.

Abe says: I've said it for weeks, but it's worth repeating: Dwight Freeney is a beast. Freeney finally got some recognition this week, appearing on the cover of Sports Illustrated (yes, I know about the jinx) and the Colts' defense is giving up less than 10 points a game, tops in the NFL. St. Louis is without coach Mike Martz this week due to personal health problems, and the Rams' shaky secondary can't be happy about the slew of receivers rolling onto the RCA Dome field. Peyton Manning should go off for an astounding aerial attack against the reeling Rams in a classic shootout. On a side note, am I the only one sad to see Marshall Faulk's career ending this way?

Josh says: Indianapolis, at home, on national television. Does it get any better? Actually, yes it does. They are going up against one of the weakest secondaries in the league. Look for a blowout and a lot of touchdowns from Peyton Manning.