NFL Week 6 picks

Kansas City lost to eliminate all unbeaten teams.  After several close games, Detroit won their first game, and it was a HUGE one-sided victory.  Two of the winless teams take a bye week, but San Francisco faces Oakland in an attempt to win their first game of the season.  Do I think they'll make it?  Let's see...

Sunday early games:
Atlanta Falcons (4-1) at Philadelphia Eagles (3-2):  NFL.com places the Falcons as the top team in the NFC.  If Michael Vick were starting for the Eagles, that spot might be tested.  Kolb is slower and more methodical, which the Falcons might exploit.  Certainly Matt Ryan and the Falcons' offense will move the ball faster.  FALCONS, 24-14

Baltimore Ravens (4-1) at New England Patriots (3-1):  Here's NFL.com's top AFC team, but it's not the Patriots -- it's the Ravens.  The Ravens defense is tough, but the Patriots are getting better.  They're coming off a bye week, which should help them, too.  I'm picking the upset, and watching Baltimore fall from that top spot.  PATRIOTS, 21-16

Cleveland Browns (1-4) at Pittsburgh Steelers (3-1):  The Steelers come off bye, Big Ben is back, and he has something to prove!  The Browns will get toasted here as Big Ben tosses for three touchdowns.  STEELERS, 31-13

Detroit Lions (1-4) at New York Giants (3-2):  Detroit hasn't won two in a row in years.  The Giants aren't having a stellar year, but they know how to fight when their back is against the wall.  With Dallas struggling and Vick out, the Giants see their chance to take control of the division.  The Lions will fight, perhaps harder than the Giants expect, but the Giants should pull this one out.  GIANTS, 24-20

Kansas City Chiefs (3-1) at Houston Texans (3-2):  The Texans look good, but they have struggled at home.  The Chiefs have been doing well, led by former Patriot QB Matt Cassell.  The Chiefs look to bounce back from their first loss of the season, and they should do it well.  CHIEFS, 20-13

Miami Dolphins (2-2) at Green Bay Packers (3-2):  Aaron Rodgers is ready to play.  The Dolphins' defense knows he's susceptible to another concussion, so look for plenty of rushes.  That might open coverage down field, so Rodgers should have a nice passing day.  PACK, 27-16

New Orleans Saints (3-2) at Tampa Bay Bucs (3-1):  Josh Freeman has been terrific for the Bucs, and the Bucs defense has been outstanding.  Statistically, the Bucs should win this game.  However, I never count the Saints offense out.  Their run game is devastated without Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas, and Tracy Porter's absence affects the defense.  Still, I think the Saints will make this a close game.  The Bucs have the advantage due to Saints' injuries, but if they have a late game turnover, this game could go to the Saints.  BUCS, 17-16

San Diego Chargers (2-3) at St Louis Rams (2-3):  The Rams were just getting momentum when Detroit destroyed them last week.  The Rams want a strong victory to restore their momentum.  I think they can get it.  San Diego has been atrocious on the road this season, and I see nothing that would make them better this week.  RAMS, 24-23

Seattle Seahawks (2-2) at Chicago Bears (3-1): Both Cutler and Urlacher are likely to play, which gives the advantage to Chicago, even with Lance Briggs out.  BEARS, 20-13

Sunday late games:
Dallas Cowboys (1-3) at Minnesota Vikings (1-3):  This is a "must win" game for both teams.  Brett Favre has many distractions, including a sore elbow and a league investigation.  He may like having Randy Moss available, but I don't think Favre will be in form.  His arm may even force him to leave the game, which will be the kiss of death to the Vikings.  COWBOYS, 20-13

New York Jets (4-1) at Denver Broncos (2-3):  Orton is having a good year, but the lack of a running game makes them vulnerable, especially with the speed of the Jets' defensive backfield.  JETS, 26-17

Oakland Raiders (2-3) at San Francisco 49ers (0-5):  It's time to pull the plug on Alex Smith.  This is his third career opportunity to be a starter, and he has failed in each.  He is the main reason the 49ers are winless.  If Coach Singletary is smart, he'll pull him early and let David Carr get comfortable with the system.  Carr at least has shown that he can be successful as a starting QB, even if he's been inconsistent in that role.  However, I'm afraid the 49ers are still sticking with Smith, or will stick with him too long.  RAIDERS, 17-13

Sunday Night game:
Indianapolis Colts (3-2) at Washington Redskins (3-2):  The Colts offense is starting to gain momentum, despite a crippled wide receivers corps.  Washington's defense is good, but the Colts have too large a playbook for the Redskins defense to adjust.  COLTS, 27-20

Monday Night Football: Tennessee Titans (3-2) at Jacksonville Jaguars (3-2):  Both teams have been inconsistent this season.  The Titans can move the ball, especially on the road.  They have been much better away from home, and that should continue this game.  TITANS, 23-20