So, The [Five] skipped Week 5 in the NFL, but we are back for Week 6.
Week 4 Highlights
One the money:
ATL vs. CAR
Predicted: 24-10 CAR
Actual: 24-9 CAR
Upset special:
WAS vs. DAL
Predicted: 35-31 WAS
Actual: 26-24 WAS
Missed by a mile:
ARI vs. NYJ
Predicted: 27-13 ARI
Actual: 56-35 NYJ
Week 6 Matchups
Chicago at Atlanta
CHI: They have won two of the last three under a rejuvenated QB Kyle Orton – though no one is really sure who he is throwing the ball to. Matt Forte will run for 130+ yards and two touchdowns. The defense might be without Nathan Vasher, but should be able to handle the Falcons’ passing game and have a shot to win as long as DE Adewale Ogunleye can grab two sacks (the team is 10-2 when he has more than 2 sacks).
ATL: The Falcons’ QB Matt Ryan led his team into Green Bay last week and won – but he didn’t do it alone. The Falcon defense stepped up and Michael Turner ran for over 100 yards. They now sit at 3-2 and have surprised a lot of people (except me). Against Chicago, Ryan may have trouble finding his receivers as WR Roddy White is questionable and Laurent Robinson is doubtful and Michael Turner may have trouble running for 100 yards (he has only managed a total of 98 yards on the even weeks so far this season).
21-13, Bears
Miami at Houston
MIA: Another surprise team, Miami has more than doubled their wins from last season. Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams have run that “wildcat” offense to a T. Brown has 6 touchdowns on the year. Meanwhile Joey Porter on the defense has 4.5 sacks in the last two games. The Big Tuna has this team rollin’.
HOU: No defense. 0-4. Again. As much as I like the Texans, this is not their year. Again. They just don’t know how to win games. Andre Johnson will still have 80+ yards and a TD and Steve Slaton will run for 100+ yards – but it won’t matter.
29-16, Dolphins
Baltimore at Indianapolis
BAL: Joe Flacco is now the “official” starting quarterback and RB La’Ron McLean is starting to make fellow Ravens RB Willis McGahee look useless (fantasy-wise). Against the Colts (188.5 rushing yards/game), both the backs will have a breakout day. Flacco will still have to keep up with the Colts, though.
IND: When Payton Manning throws for more than two touchdowns, the Colts are 20-1. Tony Dungy is 4-0 again the Ravens. Colts have won the last four meetings. Even though the Colts couldn’t stop a high school running back from a 100-yard game, they can out-throw every team in the NFL.
27-19, Colts
Detroit at Minnesota
DET: Horrible. Even without Matt Millen.
MIN: I thought QB Tavaris Jackson would be back by now, but it hasn’t shaken out yet. The Vikings will feature RB Adrian Peterson against the horrid Lions defense. Peterson will run for over 175 yards and two touchdowns.
20-10, Vikings
Oakland at New Orleans
OAK: QB JaMarcus Russell (25-4 in the state of Louisiana) may be airing the ball out more, but with RB Darren McFadden out the Raiders might have trouble getting the offense moving. The defense is 18th against the pass facing QB Drew Brees who has passed for over 2500 yards in the past eight games. Look for RB Justin Fargas to run for 80 yards and a TD in his return from injury.
NO: As mentioned in the last eight games, Brees has thrown for 2500 yards and also has 16 touchdowns. He’ll throw for 300+ yards and three touchdowns – one to Reggie Bush. Meanwhile Bush (two punt returns last week) is finally coming to terms with his role in the NFL. Watch out for Bush to tie Anquan Boldin for the fastest player to reach 200 receptions (34 games). He’ll have 200+ total yards and two touchdowns against the lowly Raidas’.
42-20, Saints
Cincinnati at New York Jets
CIN: The Bengals are winless and recently signed Cedric Benson – that should tell you a lot. QB Carson Palmer is out and Ryan Fitzpatrick won’t be on the same page as his receivers WR T.J. Who’s-yo-mama and Ocho-Cinco. Nothing anyone can do will overcome the Bengals pitiful defense and a sluggish Offensive line.
NYJ: The Jets have beaten the Bengals five out of the last six times, and lead the overall series, 12-7. QB Brett Favre hit six touchdown passes before the bye week when he and WR Laveranues Coles have got on the same page and connected for three touchdowns. Look for Favre to continue to toss the ball around in what he calls “not a true spread offense.”
27-13, Jets
Carolina at Tampa Bay
CAR: Chris Berman once said, “Daylight come and you gotta Delhomme.” While I don’t know what that means, QB Jake Delhomme is 7-1 against the Bucs. Steve Smith has had the Bucs number (six straight 100-yard games) and RB DeAngelo Williams and (Oregon grad) RB Jonathan Smith are one of the best running back tandems in the league. Oh and by the way, the Panther defense hasn’t allowed a touchdown in the last nine quarters.
TB: Jeff Garcia might get the start – which says a lot. While the Bucs have a fierce running attack (Rbs Ernest Graham and Warrick Dunn) the Panthers have shut down feature backs all season (Larry Johnson, Michael Turner, Adrian Peterson, Matt Forte and LaDainian Tomlinson have all failed to gain 100 yards against the Panthers). This will be a test for the quarterback (whoever it might be) to beat a great Panther defense.
23-9, Panthers
St. Louis at Washington
STL: Until they win they don’t deserve a breakdown. This is a bad, bad team.
WAS: QB Jason Campbell is looking like the quarterback he was at Florida. Clinton Portis is looking like the running back he was at Miami. Those two players alone could probably beat the Rams but guess what, there are nine other guys on the field too!
31-6, Redskins
Jacksonville at Denver
JAX: The Jaguars will utilize Maurice Jones-Drew in both the passing and rushing game. Jones-Drew will have 200+ total yards and a pair of touchdowns. David Gerrard will throw a late interception that will be the game changer. The 3-4 of Denver will give the Jags a headache all day (I agree with NFL Network). Look for the Jaguar defense to hold the Bronco running game (perhaps without Selvin Young) in check, but give up a lot of big gains through the air.
DEN: At 4-1 – on paper – the Broncos look decent. But three of the four wins have been squeakers (the win against the Chargers should be a loss) and this team is in a division with the Chiefs and the Raiders. Jay Cutler (should have a 250-yard, two touchdown day) will be pas happy all day but he needs the defense (25th against the run) to step up against Maurice Jones-Drew.
27, 21, Denver
Dallas at Arizona
DAL: Not the best week for the Cowboys – CB Pacman’s “fight” and WR T.O. complaining. But then again, it wasn’t the worst. It won’t effect QB Tony Romo or RB Marion Barber. Romo will throw for over 300 yards and three Tds, Barber 80+ yards and one TD. The defense will have a tough time with the passing game of the Cardinals.
ARI: The AFC west leading Cardinals QB Kurt Warner may have been thinking about retiring – but no more. The Cards have looked good the last two weeks, even when they lost to the Jets. Warner will throw for over 300 yards against the Cowboy defense. On the Arizona defensive side of the ball, hilarity will ensue.
38-33, Cowboys
Philadelphia at San Francisco
PHI: No RB Brian Westbrook. Dinged up QB Donovan. Hurt WR Reggie Brown. This game will feature McNabb trying to do too much and the Eagles defense proving they are the best in the league.
SF: Frank Gore will only rush for 60 yards and a touchdown against the leagues best run defense. That will force J.T. O’Sullivan to beat the Eagles through the air. The 49ner defense will have a heyday against the Eagle offense. LB Patrick Willis will have another 15+ tackles and a sack against McNabb.
13-10, 49ners
Green Bay at Seattle
GB: The defense is struggling. They have allowed 25.6ppg and Al Harris is still out with an injured spleen. QB Aaron Rodgers is still lighting up the stats sheet but it isn’t helping the team. Rodgers will throw for over 300+ yards and three touchdowns, Jennings will catch eight passes for 100+ yards. Too bad the running game can’t help balance out the Packer attack.
SEA: Mike Holmgren is mad – nothing new there – and challenged his team (1-3 this season) to get a win. Even though Seattle got most of it’s offense back, they still don’t have a running back. The ‘Hawks will be leaning on the defense and the “12th Man” for support.
21-17, Packers
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