Week 5 Review/Week 6 Preview

For the Week/Season:
vs. W/L: (8-5)/55-22
vs. ATS: (8-5)/44-33
vs. Aggregate: (10-3)/45-32

vs. ATS:
CBS Brinson 45-32-0
Postcards 44-33-0
CBS Judge 43-34-0
Walter Football 37-35-5
USAT Saraceno 36-39-2
ESPN Simmons 41-32-3
CBS Freeman 35-42-0
CBS Richard 35-42-0
CBS Prisco 34-43-0

vs. W/L:
ESPN Hoge 56-21
Postcards 55-22
ESPN Pick 'em 55-22
ESPN Golic 55-22
ESPN Schlereth 54-23
ESPN Accuscore 54-23
USAT Nate Davis 52-25
USAT Pete O'Brien 52-25
PFT Rosenthal 52-25
ESPN Wickersham 51-26
USAT Jarrett Bell 51-26
USAT Jim Corbett 51-26
USAT Gary Mihoces 50-27
USAT Tom Pedulla 50-27
PFT Florio 50-27
ESPN Allen 50-27
ESPN Schefter 51-26
USAT Robert Klemko 48-29
ESPN Mortensen 46-31

Week 6 Preview:

This week, Arizona, Denver, Kansas City, San Diego, Seattle and Tennessee are on holiday.

At Green Bay -14.5 St. Louis 48

The Rams were off last week and probably wish they were off this week as well as they have the terrible task of traveling to Lambeau for a date with the mighty Packers, who spotted Atlanta a two-touchdown lead before roaring back with 25 unanswered points on Sunday night. That the Packers came back to win minus their two starting tackles was an amazing accomplishment. The Rams are in a particularly rough spot here as they simply lack the weapons to compete with Green Bay over 60 minutes.

Projected Final Score: Green Bay 31, St. Louis 14

At Pittsburgh -12.5 Jacksonville 39.5

That was quite a statement game by the Steelers last week as Big Ben threw five touchdown passes and they routed Tennessee. The loss of Harrison did not hurt the defense much last week. Can theit offense function at that high a level this week? Meanwhile, the poor Jaguars are running out of excuses as their woeful offense couldn’t get the job done at home last week against Cincinnati. What was surprising was the defense allowing 30 points. Unless Pittsburgh spits the bit, this is a nigh impossible task for the Jags.

Projected Final Score: Pittsburgh 27, Jacksonville 13

At Washington -1.5 Philadelphia 47.5

After Sunday’s loss in Buffalo, the Eagles are in full-blown desperation mode at 1-4. The Eagles have to be the NFL’s biggest disappointment so far. If they lose to the Redskins here, they’ll be playing out the string. The ‘Skins were off last week and have had a nice start in the NFC East and will be looking to bury the Eagles. In the big scheme of things, this is a game that Washington would like to win but one in which the Eagles positively have to win. The Eagles are up against the wall like a cornered animal, they simplay must win.

Projected Final Score: Philadelphia 24, Washington 21

At Detroit -5.5 San Francisco 47.5

49’ers’ fans have to be delirious over the team’s 4-1 start as the ‘Niners positively demolished Tampa Bay 48-3 on Sunday. Now they to travel to Motown where the mighty Honolulu Blue had a pretty good outing against the Bears to start off the year 5-0 for the first time since 1956. The crowd at Ford Field was deafeningly loud and the Lions played with great energy. Do they now possess the veteran poise to play this well in back-to-back games? Since the ‘Niners have won twice already in the Eastern Time Zone, the Lions have to really be prepared for a fight and that’ll be tough since they had one less day to prepare for a quality opponent.

Projected Final Score: Detroit 24, San Francisco 17

At Atlanta -4.5 Carolina 51

After the Panthers’ three-point loss to the Saints at home last week, you have to think that they’re leaps and bounds beyond last year with Cam Newton and Coach Rivera. After the Falcons’ depressing play on Sunday night, Carolina has a legitimate shot at winning here. Excepting last week, the Falcons are generally a powerhouse at home. There’s no shame in losing to Green Bay, but can the Falcons get their act together this week?

Projected Final Score: Atlanta 27, Carolina 24

At Cincinnati -7.5 Indianapolis 39.5

The surprising Bengals return home after a big win in Jacksonville to face an Indy team that allowed a big lead to slip away against KC and now have the NFL’s worst record. Indy now simply has too many holes to compete on either side of the ball and facing a team that’s hungry for recognition and respect may be too tall of an order. Addai and Castonzo are out of this game and that really has to hamper Painter and the offense.

Projected Final Score: Cincinnati 27, Indianapolis 20

At NY Giants -3.5 Buffalo 50

What’s up with the G-Men, anyhow? They put forth a real stinker against an inferior Seattle team last week and now have a tiger by the tail in the 4-1 Bills. The Giants are a good team that’s already played two bad games already. Buffalo has played outstanding football so far, especially at home. This is a big test for them as well as the football world tries to separate the contenders from the pretenders.

Projected Final Score: NY Giants 27, Buffalo 21

At Ravens -7.5 Houston 45

The Ravens return from a bye week to face a Texans’ squad that has to feel deflated after losing to the Raiders at the very end and losing Mario Williams for the season with a torn pectoral. The Ravens’ last had a dominant defensive outing against the Jets in Week 4 and are primed to put the hammer down on Schaub this week.

Projected Final Score: Ravens 27, Houston 17

At Oakland -5.5 Cleveland 44.5

In a touching scene, Coach Jackson broke down and wept at the conclusion of his team’s emotional comeback victory over Houston last week, following the sudden passing of Mr. Davis. In an incredible irony, the previous week Mr. Davis requested a moment of silence for the passing of Mrs. Kraft prior to the Raiders’ game with New England. In Week 5, a moment of silence was offered league-wide for him. This week, the Raiders return home for the first time without their heart and soul in the owner’s box. Emotions will remain high for the Raiders as the legions in the Black Hole will be at a fever pitch. The problem is whether the Raiders can play sound, disciplined football for 60 minutes. The Browns are in a tough spot here as they have the misfortune of facing a team that will be on a mile-high adrenaline rush playing in honor of a man who was far more than an owner.

Projected Final Score: Oakland 27, Cleveland 21

At New England -7.5 Dallas 54

The Patriots’ win over the Jets was their most-balanced victory of the season. The defense wasn’t a sieve (for once) and the running game was highly effective. The enigmatic Tony Romo and the Cowboys travel to Gillette looking to put forth a consistent 60-minute effort, something that’s been sorely lacking so far. Which Romo shows up on Sunday?

Projected Final Score: New England 31, Dallas 27

New Orleans -4.5 At Tampa Bay 49

Both of these teams have to feel that they didn’t play well last week. The Bucs were totally blown off the field at Candlestick Park while the Saints were able to escape by only a field goal in Carolina. For the Bucs, the consequences of losing here are obvious (a one-way ticket to nowhere) while the Saints want to establish themselves as the class of the NFC South. The Bucs suffered a major blow to the offense with LaGarrette Blount being out of the lineup with a bad knee and Freeman has simply been far too inconsistent this year.

Projected Final Score: New Orleans 31, Tampa Bay 24

At Chicago -3.5 Minnesota 45

The Vikes are coming off their first win of the year against the woeful Cardinals as the offense was well-balanced and the defense got after the quarterback. The Bears had one less day to prepare after they were manhandled in Detroit on Monday night. Was that a record for most “false start” penalties in a game, or what? The Bears are capable of a much better effort, and they really need to come away with the win here as Green Bay and the Lions are running away with the division. The problem is that their offensive line leaves much to be desired and Cutler is going to get hounded and harassed all night long by Jared Allen & Co.

Projected Final Score: Chicago 24, Minnesota 20

Monday Night Preview:

At NY Jets -7.5 Miami 42

The Jets have played poorly in their last three outings. They were able to move the ball occasionally with success against New England but on the whole, their run defense was unsatisfactory. The perfect cure for poor performance would be a home date with the winless Dolphins. Chad Henne is done for the season with a separated non-throwing shoulder, so it Matt Moore’s offense to run. The last we saw of Moore, he was running Carolina’s offense…into the ground. Whenever these teams meet, it’s always a dogfight regardless of records.

Projected Final Score: NY Jets 23, Miami 17