(Uh…Maybe not this week…)
Week 6 Preview:

There are some terrific matchups to analyze in Week 6, and following last week’s disastrous outing it’s an opportune time get back to winning. This is the time of year where many of the games have importance in the standings as some contending teams look to cement their playoff aspirations while others are looking to avoid becoming also-rans. Let’s get after it!

At New Orleans -7.5 Oakland 47

This is the debut for Raiders’ coach “Whatizname” and provided the Saints don’t commit any turnovers or stupid penalties, they’ll win. Brees and the Saints’ passing game may now rate the highest in the League, but they can’t run the ball to save themselves. The dichotomy between pass and run effectiveness (1st vs. 29th) starkly demonstrates why the Saints are having a hard time winning. The Raiders’ D is middle of the road at best. On offense, their running game has been very good, rated at #3 after five weeks. For the Saints to win, they need to play fundamentally sound but to cover they’ll need another big game from Reggie Bush and the special teams.

Projected Final Score: New Orleans 28, Oakland 20

At Indianapolis -4.5 Baltimore 39

Could anyone imagine that after five weeks Indy’s offense was rated at #16? They’re dead last running the ball at 67.8 yd/game, and running against the top-rated Ravens’ D isn’t going to help their average. Indy came off the mat late in the fourth quarter to defeat Houston on the road. This week, the Ravens come to town looking to avenge last week’s loss to the Titans. McGahee’s rib injuries may affect the Ravens’ ability to consistently move the chains, but Coach Harbaugh will pound the ball against Indy’s pathetic pass defense. It’s going to be a long, tough afternoon for Manning, but Indy’s at home and that ought to count for something. Look for Manning to put the ball in the air 40+ times.

Projected Final Score: Indianapolis 24, Ravens 16.

At NY Jets -5.5 Cincinnati 45

Two weeks ago Brett Favre was on fire, lighting up the Meadowlands with 6 TD’s while the Bungles went down to Big D and played a very competitive game. Cincinnati’s offense has really yet to untrack and there’s word that Palmer will be out with elbow problems, so the show must go on with the Harvard Man behind the wheel. After playing valiantly in defeat, how many times can the Bengals go to the well? This game will help determine whether Favre’s explosion was an anomaly or whether the Jets’ offense is capable of consistently playing at such a high level.

Projected Final Score: Projected Final Score: NY Jets 27, Cincinnati 17

At Tampa Bay -1.5 Carolina 36.5

Unbeaten Carolina heads to Mabry Blvd. for a fun-filled afternoon with Chucky and his crew. How ‘bout them Panthers? Looking at the numbers, Carolina’s defensive efficiency (Rated #4) stands out. The Bucs played well enough (on defense) to beat Denver but the revolving quarterbacks fizzled at the end. Garcia will be back in the saddle after Griese injured his elbow last week. This is an important divisional game and Garcia is capable of pulling one out of the fire.

Projected Final Score: Tampa Bay 20, Carolina 17.

At Minnesota -13.5 Detroit 45.5

The Lions failed their coach in a big way last week and it’s looking like redemption’s a long way around the corner. Kitna’s probably out for this one as Orlovsky and Stanton have been taking the snaps this week. When an inexperienced quarterback paired with a poor O-Line goes against a tough defense, chances are rather high that the result will be unfavorable. The Vikings were the recipients of a handwrapped gift win in New Orleans on Monday night, and the question remains whether they’re a two-touchdown favorite, even against a pathetic team. If they cover, it’ll be by the hairs of their chinny-chin-chins.

Projected Final Score: Minnesota 27, Detroit 13.

Chicago -2.5 At Atlanta 43.5

Atlanta had their first road win in the Matt Ryan Era at Lambeau on Sunday, and return to the Dome where they haven’t lost. Ryan faces a very tough test with the Bears’ D. Kyle Orton torched the Lions last week, and the Bears are surprising contenders in the NFC Black n’ Blue. Legitimately contending teams don’t blow opportunities to advance. The key to victory for Chicago is stopping Michael Turner, who’s been a beast so far.

Projected Final Score: Chicago 23, Atlanta 20.

At Houston -2.5 Miami 45

Miami’s rebuild is developing at a more rapid pace than most analysts had expected, after resounding wins against New England and San Diego. Moving Roth from DE to OLB has been a revelation as well as their old-school offensive approach. What’s next, the Four Horsemen? The Texans started this year on the wrong foot and have yet to win. Looking at the numbers, Houston’s run defense has really struggled which plays directly into Miami’s strength. Brown and Williams will get a ton of carries and this week we’ll know whether Miami’s last two wins were a fluke or whether they’re for real.

Projected Final Score: Miami 24, Houston 20.

At Washington -13.5 St. Louis 44

The ‘Skins get a break from the NFC East when the Woeful Rams visit the DC. Can they handle the prosperity of 13 ½? After playing well from Week 2 on, they can’t afford a letdown against a bad team. The Rams at this point are simply trying to play with some semblance of a clue. Eventually, St. Louis will win some games under Coach Haslett, but it most likely won’t happen against a team that’s been playing terrific football of late. Washington’s #6 offense ought to have an easy time against the #31 defense. Portis will get a lot of carries and Campbell will spread the ball around.

Projected Final Score: Washington 28, St. Louis 13.

At Denver -3.5 Jacksonville 48.5

The Broncos are playing their fourth out of the last five games at home, where they’ve yet to lose and are currently the best offense in the AFC. Cutler will have to make do without Selvin Young and Tony Scheffler, who’ll miss this one with injuries. Into the Mile High breach come the Jags at 2-3, and despite their tough approach it’s just not the best time for them to slug it out with a quality opponent. They’re banged up on both sides of the ball. The only weak link in Denver’s chain is their pass defense so Garrard will need to have a big day. Sure, he’s capable, but in the end Denver simply has too much going their way.

Projected Final Score: Denver 28, Jacksonville 20.

Philadelphia -4.5 At San Francisco 42.5

Both teams are coming off tough defeats, but the Eagles have seriously underperformed to date while the ‘Niners are a work in progress. Westbrook’s out for this one, which limits McNabb’s effectiveness. There’s no reason why Philly should lose, despite the injuries. As New England discovered last week, the ‘Niners are an eminently beatable team. Philly’s defense needs to maintain the heat on O’Sullivan all afternoon and force opportunities. If the Eagles falter here, put a fork in ‘em.

Projected Final Score: Philadelphia 24, San Francisco 17.

Dallas -5.5 At Arizona 50

The circus-like atmosphere in Big D took another ugly turn with the latest “Pacman Episode”. The latest revelations (attacking his “babysitter”) are truly pathetic. The NFL can send out all of the “mentors” on the face of the earth to counsel this reprobate, but no good will come until he faces the truth – as a man. True to form, their reptilian owner, Jones, tried to sweep the mess under the carpet. The Cowboys have underperformed in large part due to a lack of discipline, under the laid-back Son of Bum. They should easily pummel the Cardinals, who play like contenders one week and frauds the next. Ware should be looking at this game like a kid on Christmas morning, as he can help Warner firm up those retirement plans. Last week, the Cards’ D knocked Buffalo’s quarterback for a loop and won. This week, who knows? The most remarkable statistic after five weeks is that Arizona’s D gives up approximately the same amount of yardage as the vaunted “Doomsday”. If the Cowboys are looking to re-establish their credentials as Super Bowl contenders, they need to come out with a dominant game. Arizona simply needs to play consistent football, but no one knows which team will show up on Sunday.

Projected Final Score: Dallas 31, Arizona 24.

At Seattle -2.5 Green Bay 46.5

Injuries have ripped through both of these teams like a tornado. Both starting QB’s enter this one not exactly 100%, and both defenses are lousy (26th and 27th, respectively). The Pack, who initially started well, are in a tailspin while the Seahawks are trying to fight their way back into contention in the NFC West (which isn’t saying much) Losing 44-6 to the G-Men didn’t exactly advance their cause. Which team has more to lose? If the Packers fall, they go to .500, which isn’t fatal at this stage. If the ‘Hawks lose, they’ll be 1-4, which is a tough hole to climb out of despite being in a weak division. Playing at home before a fanatical crowd, they find a way to come out on top.

Projected Final Score: Seattle 27. Green Bay 24.

At San Diego -5.5 New England 45

Again, it’s hard to qualify Week 6 games as “must win” types, but the season is on the line for the Chargers. A loss on Sunday night puts them at 2-4, which is probably more harmful to the team’s psyche than their playoff hopes in the shallow AFC West. Just like the Patriots were forced to find a new identity without Brady, the Chargers are having a tough time coping with Merriman’s loss. Right now, their defense is simply atrocious (ranked 28th at 379 yd/game). For a team that was considered one of the preseason favorites, that’s an abominable performance level. New England comes in 3-1, having spent the week training in San Jose after playing in San Francisco. Cassel may have turned a corner in his development last week, as he played composed and the offense seemed to click for the most part, albeit against a poor team. San Diego’s defense (even without Merriman) presents a more difficult challenge for the Patriots’ defense. This week, the story will be Philip Rivers, and whether he can exploit the holes in New England’s tepid pass defense. LT may be banged up a little, so Rivers needs to have a big afternoon. It’s not as if he lacks the motivation to torch the Patriots. The matchups seem to favor the Chargers’ offense.

Projected Final Score: San Diego 31, New England 20.