NFL 2010 Week 6 Predictions

My top 8: previous ranking in parenthesis

1. Baltimore (2) – I still don’t see them as an elite talent. However, they are winning their games, don’t have a true weakness, and are getting the best safety in the world back next week. Of course, I also think they’ll lose to NE this week, but that is another story.

2. Atlanta (5) – They are winning their games, have the pieces for a great run, and look like they will be a team with a bye week in the playoffs. The pass defense needs work, and the Saints won’t go away though.

3. Indianapolis (6) – The Colts got it done, and KC is a good team. They still have the pieces, and until they are really put down I will maintain faith in them.

4. Chicago (NR) – 4-1 and the last win without Cutler and DESPITE Todd Collins puts them squarely in the top 5. I don’t see how I can omit them. The defense is really solid, and their effort and special teams are great too. If Cutler can be consistently good, this team can win this division with the injuries to GB and dysfunction of the Vikings.

5. Pittsburgh (8) – They get Big Ben back, but I am not sure that is really going to be so great right away. However, they didn’t lose this week, and so many other top teams did.

6. New York Jets (NR) – I still don’t like the long term composition of this team (No true stars on defense other than a hurt Revis, weakness in the middle with no Kris Jenkins, QB who could melt down, LT eventually showing age). However, they are winning, and beat NE, so I have to rank them here.

6. New England (NR) – Well, the bye week wasn’t boring. And they didn’t lose this week either. They are 3-1, and the only loss to the team above them. However, the demolishing of Miami and Cincy is no longer looking so good because those teams probably aren’t that good.

7. New Orleans (3) – Uh oh. This team can pull it together, and the returns of PT, Reggie, and Sharper over the next few weeks will do wonders for them. They need to survive the time in between though.

8. Kansas City (NR) – That’s right, they lost, and they rose on my list. However, they played hard and did great in a loss to the Colts, who could not score for the life of them. KC showed me something. A little QB play would vault this team very high.

Fallen out:

-Green Bay (1) – #1 falls off the list. The running game is a big problem, and the injuries have killed them. Aaron Rodgers seems to be okay, but Barnett kills them from a leadership perspective. Finley was something special they had that separated them from other teams, and now they’ve lost that. I don’t know if this team can hold itself up for long.

-Houston (4) – Play in the back 7 is killing them.

-San Diego (7) – I believe in them, and I know they do this 2-3 dance every year. So talented, and I think they’ll be on my top 8 in the end.

My bottom 4: previous ranking in parenthesis

29. Seattle (28) – Just despicable. The team isn’t horrible: I honestly think most of the problem is that the coach turns over 5 new players a week. I know it is a new thing for him and in college he couldn’t trade, cut players, etc. However, this team has zero continuity. Play it out with what you have, and let Whitehurst play at some point.

30. San Francisco (29) – I don’t think they are this bad, but 0-5 has to count for something.

31. Carolina (30) – Wow Jimmy Clausen, really?

32. Buffalo (32) – Ouch. Their best move was ditching their best back.

NFL 2010 week 6 picks:

Steelers (-13.5) over Browns, 28-10

-Because it is Colt McCoy. Enough said?

Saints -4.5 over Bucs, 26-20

-It may not be pretty, but the Saints are truly the better team.

Chargers -8.5 over Rams, 31-17

-Chargers turn it on about now, and still look like a top 5 team in the league despite being 2-3. The Rams are a nice story, but they don’t have enough.

Packers -3 over Dolphins, 27-21

-I am not sure the Dolphins have enough ammo, even with Green Bay a little hurt. Needless to say, if the Packers don’t have Rodgers, forget this.

Falcons +3 over Eagles, 27-16

-Dear Falcons: you won last week like I thought you would. I now will have belief in you. I also believe the Eagles won’t be able to stop Turner. Until next week, MIKE

Patriots -3 over Ravens, 34-20

-Because Bill never loses twice in a year span to any team. Because Flacco  has not really shown development and Bill will pick him apart. Oh, and the Patriots haven’t lost after a bye for 7 years (look it up).

Chiefs +4.5 over Texans, 24-27

-Texans win but Chiefs cover. I love everything about the Chiefs in this one except their QB in tight situations. So, I thought the Chiefs outplay them, but Schaub is the difference in the game.

Giants -10 over Lions, 24-13

-Good defense by the Giants and no Calvin Johnson.

Bears -6.5 over Seahawks, 27-20

-Cutler just makes them much better than “get 5 new players a week” Seattle.

49ers -7 over Raiders, 21-13

-Because they have to get a win at some point, and Oakland is playing too well for their low standards.

Broncos +3 over Jets, 24-10

-If Revis doesn’t play, this could be an aerial display by the Broncos. Either way, I see a close game and a West Coast letdown by the Jets.

Vikings PK over Cowboys, 31-29

-Someone has to win. The things is, the Cowboys are firing on most cylinders, their best players playing pretty well. The Vikings are not. So, if the Vikings get up for this and have everybody go off (Favre complete game, Jared Allen gets a few sacks, etc), they should win. And then Wade Phillips gets fired.

Colts -3 over Redskins, 34-17

-Redskins are exposed, Colts don’t lose in primetime, and the line is 3? Eliminator pick….

Titans -3 over Jags, 27-13

-Chris Johnson has a HUGE game. The Jags aren’t this good, and the Titans are tough in divisional games.

Record last week:

Straight up: 5-7

Against the Spread: 5-7

Record this year:

Straight up: 30-15

Against the Spread: 19-28

Lifetime record:
Straight up: 148-83
Against the Spread: 120-113


 BLISS