NFL Week 6 Predictions

!Upset
*Big Game
**Game of the Week


Carolina Panthers (1-4) v.s. Atlanta Falcons (2-3) (ATL -4, 50.5 O/U)

Michael Turner

     The Falcons do not want to put themselves into a big hole, but if they lose to Carolina today, they will  be way behind in the playoff race. Carolina is one of the most underrated teams in the NFL and they are by no means and easy team to beat. Carolina throws the ball well and against a weak Atlanta secondary, they should have success. But Carolina does not defend the run well, which is why I think Michael Turner will have a big day as Atlanta scrapes by Carolina in the Georgia Dome.
Atlanta 31-27
Spread: Carolina
O/U: Over 


Indianapolis Colts (0-5) v.s. Cincinnati Bengals (3-2) (CIN -7, 41 O/U)
     Indianapolis just can't seem to do anything right this year and it won't be easy for them against a Cincinnati team that is doing everything right at the moment. The Bengals have been playing stellar defense which will certainly give the Colts offense led by Curtis Painter fits. I think Indy's defense can keep them in the game, but Cincinnati is at home, so I'm taking the Bengals.
Cincinnati 23-10
Spread: Cincinnati
O/U: Under


*San Francisco 49ers (4-1) v.s. Detroit Lions (5-0) (DET -5, 46 O/U)

Patrick Willis

     This game might be the most intriguing of the weekend. Two teams that are on a roll meet up in Detroit today. San Francisco could arguably be 5-0 as well and they are playing great defense while not turning the ball over on offense. Detroit will need to pressure Alex Smith and force him into turnovers and if they do that, I think Detroit will win. But I see Matthew Stafford having a difficult day due to San Francisco shutting down the Lions run game. Alex Smith minimizes mistakes while Frank Gore controls the game. Detroit has a let down after a big Monday Night win; San Francisco gets the upset victory.
San Francisco 27-23!
Spread: San Francisco
O/U: Over


St. Louis Rams (0-4) v.s. Green Bay Packers (5-0) (GB -15, 47.5 O/U)
     Well, I don't know how the Rams can go about beating the Packers. Aaron Rodgers, even on "off nights" like I thought last week was for him and the Packer offense, he still threw for 396 yards. I also think that the Packers running game will have a big day against the worst run defense in the NFL.
Green Bay 41-17
Spread: Green Bay
O/U: Over


*Buffalo Bills (4-1) v.s. New York Giants (3-2) (NYG -3, 50 O/U)

Justin Tuck

     Bills mania enters the Meadowlands where the Bills are coming off a nice win over Philadelphia and the Giants are coming off of a bad loss to lowly Seattle. Just when you expect the Giants to fall apart, they win that big game and just when you expect them to win that easy game, they blow it. I think the Giants running game will get going today and Eli Manning will minimize turnovers. Buffalo will put up some points, but the Giants pass rush will get after Ryan Fitzpatrick.
New York 27-24
Spread: Buffalo
O/U: Over



Jacksonville Jaguars (1-4) v.s. Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2) (PIT -13, 40.5 O/U)
     Maybe the Jaguars defense can keep them hanging around for the upset, but I don't see it. Pittsburgh is starting to get healthy and figure it out. The Steelers will have a workmanlike day and get the win over Jacksonville, who just will not be able to muster enough points.
Pittsburgh 24-13
Spread: Jacksonville 
O/U: Under 


*Philadelphia Eagles (1-4) v.s. Washington Redskins (3-1) (PHI -3, 47 O/U)

Michael Vick

     Two big keys for Philadelphia: don't turn the ball over and stop the run game. It sounds simple, but it's not. Michael Vick has been a turnover machine lately and the Eagles have had trouble stopping the run. Luckily for the Eagles today, the Redskins might win, but they won't put up a lot of points. The Eagles will slow down Ryan Torrain and Tim Hightower while Michael Vick doesn't have quite as many mistakes today as the Eagles sneak by the Redskins in Washington to keep their season alive. 
Philadelphia 21-19
Spread: Washington 
O/U: Under


Cleveland Browns (2-2) v.s. Oakland Raiders (3-2) (OAK -7, 44.5 O/U)
     The Raiders are playing inspired football which is the main reason why I can't see Cleveland winning. The Browns also are 25th in stopping the run. Good luck today against Darren McFadden. 
Oakland 31-21
Spread: Oakland
O/U: Over


*Houston Texans (3-2) v.s. Baltimore Ravens (3-1) (BAL -7, 45 O/U)
      The Texans matchup pretty well with the Ravens if you look at all the stats and everything. But no Andre Johnson, no Mario Williams and they're in Baltimore. I don't see a win today for the Texans as the Ravens move to 4-1.
Baltimore 27-17
Spread: Baltimore
O/U: Under

Tom Brady

**Dallas Cowboys (2-2) v.s. New England Patriots (4-1) (NE -7, 56 O/U)
     If I was not a Patriots fan, I would pick Dallas in the upset and here is why. Potentially no BenJarvus Green-Ellis going up against the league's best run defense. Dallas has a very good defense overall as well; they were up 27-3 against the Lions before Tony Romo threw two pick sixes to get Detroit back into the game. Also, if Romo doesn't turn the ball over, the Cowboys offense could put up 40 points on the Patriots secondary. But the reason why I'm going with the Patriots is because they are at home and more reliable in late game situations. Tom Brady's MVP candidacy goes up big as the Patriots beat the Cowboys in a shootout.
New England 41-38
Spread: Dallas 
O/U: Over


*New Orleans Saints (4-1) v.s. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-2) (NO -6, 49 O/U)
     The last two times New Orleans has defeated Tampa Bay in Tampa, they have been blowouts. Tampa has been struggling of late and it looks like they won't have LeGarette Blount. This also is not the same Josh Freeman we saw last year, he already has more interceptions than he had all of last year. New Orleans rolls to 5-1.

Julius Peppers

New Orleans 28-17
Spread: New Orleans
O/U: Under

Minnesota Vikings (1-4) v.s. Chicago Bears (2-3) (CHI -3, 42 O/U)
      I think that both of these teams are a little bit better than their record indicates. In this game, I think the Minnesota defense will need to step up and pressure Jay Cutler. Also, Adrian Peterson needs to be the best player on the field in order for the Vikings to get the win. However, the Bears are not a 2-4 football team and tonight, they will show the NFC that they still are not out of the picture.
Chicago 24-17
Spread: Chicago
O/U: Under


Miami Dolphins (0-4) v.s. New York Jets (2-3) (NYJ -7, 42.5 O/U)
     The only ways I could see the Dolphins winning is if they force at least 3 turnovers which they turn into easy points or they hold the Jets under 16 points. I just can't see Matt Moore engineering an upset in New York where the Jets are very desperate for a win. I do think the Dolphins will keep it close because they play well against the Jets, but they won't have enough to win.
New York 20-13
Spread: Miami
O/U: Under


Last Week: 9-4
Season: 57-20
Last Week Against Spread: 10-3 
Season: 46-31
Last Week Upsets: 1-1
Season: 5-5
Last Week Big Games: 4-1
Season: 19-4 
Last Week Big Games Against Spread: 4-1
Season: 18-7
Last Week Game of the Week: 1-0
Season: 4-1
Last Week Game of the Week Against Spread: 1-0
Season: 2-3