Photo: Chicago Tribune
- Adam Parker
Week 6 of the 2012 NFL Season is now in the rear-view mirror, and what a week it was. It all began on Thursday Night Football with my Pittsburgh Steelers somehow finding a way to lose to a Tennessee Titans team, who, at the time had only one win on the season.
Other highlights include the New York Jets dropping 35 points on the lowly Indianapolis Colts in a blowout win. Only time will tell if that game will finally get the Jets' anemic offense going.
The Minnesota Vikings came back down to Earth after being handled by the Washington Redskins despite another solid game from Christian Ponder.
The New York Giants cruised to a blowout win over the San Francisco 49ers in a rematch of last year's NFC Championship game. Talk about a disappointment...
The week ended with the Green Bay Packers handing the Houston Texans their first loss of the season, but the question remains about whether or not the Packers have truly found their groove offensively or if it was merely a facade (I'm betting the former).
On Monday night, Peyton Manning was Peyton Manning again, as he led the Denver Broncos on a historic comeback.
I fell off the wagon again in Week 6, finishing with a less than stellar mark of (5-9). But hey, can you blame me? I mean, I know this only accounts for one of the losses, but did anyone have the Seahawks beating Tom Brady and company? Didn't think so.
My Pick 'Em Record: (42-49)
What crazy games are in store for Week 7? Let's find out.
Seattle Seahawks (4-2) at San Francisco 49ers (4-2) on Thursday Night Football
Three teams in the hotly contested NFC West sit at (4-2) and this will be a primetime match-up between two of them. After getting embarrassed at home by the Giants, the 49ers will no doubt be out for blood in this one; looking to prove that they're still the top dogs — at least in their own division.
The Seahawks are (1-2) away from the friendly confines of CenturyLink Field and their raucous home crowd, but they do boast the top scoring defense in the league. While the Niners are coming off back-to-back poor defensive showings, the Seahawks have shown they can shut down even the most elite offenses in the league (New England, Green Bay, Dallas). I don't normally like Seattle at home, but I feel like their defense gives them a great chance to be in the game late with a chance to pull off the upset on the road.
Prediction - Seahawks win, 20-17
Tennessee Titans (2-4) at Buffalo Bills (3-3)
Will going up against the 32nd-ranked rush defense help Chris Johnson get over his long-running slump? It certainly won't hurt. Both clubs are coming off quality wins last week against the Steelers (Titans) and Cardinals (Bills), respectively. If the man formerly known as 'CJ2K' can hit the ground running (less dancing, more north and south) and the Titans receivers can fix their problem with drops, Tennessee should come out on top.
Prediction - Titans win, 23-17
Washington Redskins (3-3) at New York Giants (4-2)
It's a good thing Robert Griffin III is as fast as he is, because he'll need all of that speed and acceleration to get away from the Giants' pass rush aka the Blue Crush. The G-Men will harass and frustrate RGIII and the Redskins' offense all game long. As for Washington's defense? It doesn't stand a chance against Eli Manning.
Prediction - Giants win, 31-20
New Orleans Saints (1-4) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-3)
Coming into the season, I sincerely doubt that this is where either club expected their record to be. Look for Drew Brees and the Saints to march all over Tampa Bay's 31st-ranked pass defense en route to their second win of the season.
Prediction - Saints win, 35-24
Dallas Cowboys (2-3) at Carolina Panthers (1-4)
The Cam Newton-led Panthers don't look so hot in year two. So much for the playoffs; better luck next year? Dallas hasn't looked much better, but they did still almost knock off the Baltimore Ravens last week. That, and it appears a light bulb may have finally turned on in Dez Bryant's head.
Prediction - Cowboys win, 27-17
Baltimore Ravens (5-1) at Houston Texans (5-1)
The Ravens won their game last week, but they lost cornerback LaDarius Webb and their leader Ray Lewis to season-ending injuries. Houston is going to come out firing after last week's embarrassing loss in Reliant Stadium to Aaron Rodgers and the Pack Attack, and without guys like Lewis and Webb, I just don't think the Ravens' defense will be able to hold up.
Prediction - Texans win, 23-20
Cleveland Browns (1-5) at Indianapolis Colts (2-3)
Apparently, the Browns do care about their season, at least enough to win one game anyway. Do I expect a repeat performance against the Colts? The smart money says no.
Prediction - Colts win, 24-13
Green Bay Packers (3-3) at St. Louis Rams (3-3)
This is probably the most intriguing game of the week. It seems like the Packers finally re-discovered some of that passing game magic from last season on Sunday night against the Texans, but will they able to recreate a similar performance against one of the league's most-improved secondaries? I think Rodgers and company will do fairly well, but Green Bay's defense will be the main factor in them getting the W.
Prediction - Packers win, 35-17
Arizona Cardinals (4-2) at Minnesota Vikings (4-2)
Another intriguing match-up between arguably the two most surprising teams in the NFL this season. The Vikings look like the better overall club and Christian Ponder's offensive line will do a better job protecting him than Arizona will do in protecting Kevin Kolb against the likes of Jared Allen and others.
Prediction - Vikings win, 24-17
New York Jets (3-3) at New England Patriots (3-3)
Bill Belichick won't allow his teams to lose back-to-back games, especially when they get to play their rebound game at home. The Jets may have blown out the Colts, but the Patriots are an entirely different animal.
Prediction - Patriots win, 34-20
Jacksonville Jaguars (1-4) at Oakland Raiders (1-4)
This looks like the 'snooze game' of the week. Two (1-4) teams going no where fast, but Oakland has the more explosive offense (though I wish they would get Darren McFadden more involved) so I'll go with them.
Prediction - Raiders win, 24-17
Pittsburgh Steelers (2-3) at Cincinnati Bengals (3-3) on Sunday Night Football
If Pittsburgh wants to have any shot at making the playoffs, they need to make a stand here and now; it's that simple. The Bengals have played fairly well thus far this season (though they are coming off a loss to the lowly Browns). This is a hard pick for me... I want to side with my team but I also feel that Cincy is quite talented as well. Ah the hell with it, give me Pittsburgh.
Prediction - Steelers win, 23-20
Detroit Lions (2-3) at Chicago Bears (4-1) on Monday Night Football
Last year at this time, I would have taken the Lions easily, especially with how poorly the Bears' offensive line was playing. Granted, it hasn't gotten much better, but the Bears seem like the superior squad on both sides of the ball even if the Lions are the 'sexier' pick.
Prediction - Bears win, 27-24