It’s time to make my 2011 NFL Week 6 predictions and picks. Last week was quite unpredictable with a few upsets here and there-so will this week on the NFL schedule deliver more of the same or less?
Let’s start with the early Sunday contests.
San Francisco at Detroit is turning into a huge game. Can you believe that the 49’ers versus Lions tilt is going to be the reason people tune in on Sunday? Most people expected the Lions to be much improved but perhaps not this good. Many people are surprised that San Francisco is off to such a fantastic start which included a statement win over Tampa Bay. Which team will continue the momentum going forward? I just think the Lions are going to be way too much physically on defense for the 49’ers to tally points. What should be a close game on paper might turn into anything but. So my predictions and picks for this week 6 contest? Lions roll 31-13. Matthew Stafford delivers 3 touchdown passes and Frank Gore is bottled up for less than 60 yards.
St. Louis is in Green Bay for what looks to be a lopsided affair. It probably will be. Look for Green Bay to score often and early in a 38-10 win. Aaron Rodgers continues his MVP season with 3 more touchdown passes in the win.
The Cam Newton show moves to Atlanta where the Falcons will be quite angry and hungry after a loss to Green Bay. I think the Panthers have a chance to sneak one out here if things tumble the way they would like. Still, my 2011 NFL week 6 predictions and picks have the Falcons squeezing out a 31-24 victory.
Indianapolis is still looking for win number one when they travel to Cincy. What are the odds the Colts will walk away with that first win here? Probably not that good. My gut feeling is that the Bengals are starting to gather some momentum and they’ll put a hurting on Curtis Painter and the Colts. Cincy wins 27-14.
Buffalo gets a tough road test in New York when they face the Giants. Can the Bills win a big game in a tough environment. I think this game has the potential to be very close and possibly even an overtime match. I think in the end, however, the Giants will find a way to get back on the winning side with a 31-28 victory. Eli Manning has 2 touchdown passes and 2 interceptions but is great when he needs to be.
The 2011 Week 6 schedule continues with Jacksonville in Pittsburgh. Can the Jags upset the Steelers? No chance. This is probably one of those games that is as close to a given as any this week. The Steelers defense has been awesome at home and I can’t imagine a rookie quarterback, no matter how much potential he has, will do well against the 2011 Steel Curtain. Steelers win big 34-16.
Philadelphia is in Washington and hoping to stop the nightmare start to their season. Can the Eagles get it together for a win in Washington. I think this game could potentially be very close and come down to a miscue here or there. I look for the Eagles in an upset to win here 31-23.
Houston travels to Baltimore to face the Ravens. Can the Texans put up enough points against Ray Lewis and company? This is an interesting matchup and I think Houston could potentially walk away with the “W” if things stack up right. However, I don’t anticipate that will happen on this Sunday. My predictions and picks have the Ravens winning 23-17.
Cleveland is in Oakland to play the red hot Raiders. Do the Browns have a shot at winning? What are the odds of an upset when Oakland is playing so well. The NFL is a strange beast but I think Oakland has way too much firepower. The Cleveland loss to Tennessee a few weeks ago exposed some serious holes in the Browns defense. I think the Oakland running attack will break loose this week for big yardage with McFadden and the Raiders crush the Browns 34-13.
Dallas is in New England for what looks to be a decent matchup. The only problem is that the Patriots are flat out mean at home. Tom Brady is Tom Brady and we don’t expect that to change from week to week. Look for the Patriots to roll to a 33-23 win. Brady finds Wes Welker for 2 more touchdowns.
New Orleans is in Tampa Bay for another game on the 2011 NFL week 6 schedule. What are the odds that the Bucs can rebound from a very lopsided loss to the 49’ers? The odds aren’t good when Drew Brees is coming to town. I think Tampa plays much better at home during week 6 but it’s not enough. The Saints win 27-20.
Minnesota is in Chicago to face the Bears. The Vikings are in need of a road win to start to salvage anything this season. It’s not going to happen at Soldier Field on this Sunday. The Bears get 3 touchdown passes from Jay Cutler in one of his best performances of the year and win 34-23. Adrian Peterson gets 106 yards and 1 touchdown-but it’s not nearly enough.
The final game takes place on Monday night when Miami travels to New York to face the Jets. Same New York Jets story here. Ugly home game results in win. Jets get defensive and win 23-9.
That’s it for my 2011 NFL Week 6 predictions and picks. I’ll be back next week to analyze and offer up more predictions for the 2011 NFL week 6 schedule. Until then, enjoy the games everyone!