I'm not even saying this just to use the clichéd rhetorical catchphrase that has become synonymous with Dallas' football team, but... How about them Cowboys? I've been one of their biggest supporters since the start of the season, picking them to win the division and compete in the NFC, and even I didn't expect them to go up to Seattle and do what they did against the Seahawks last week.
That Cowboys win, along with the Eagles' first shutout on defense since this writer was just a one-year-old (1996), and the Panthers blowing a late lead and playing to a tie with the Bengals, cost me Ws in week six. Nevertheless, the Titans' last second blocked field goal against the Jaguars, Aaron Rodgers' game-winning touchdown pass as time expired in Miami, and the Colts and 49ers' primetime success led me to a 10-win week. Here's to keeping that momentum going in week seven.
Patriots 27, Jets 20 (Thursday Night Football)
New England is getting better, and New York is getting worse. Tom Brady is playing better, and Geno Smith is playing worse. Bill Belichick is coaching better, and Rex Ryan is coaching worse. See a pattern yet? While I picked a rather close score, don't be surprised if the trend of incredibly lopsided Thursday night games rears its ugly head again.
Ravens 30, Falcons 20
Wait, Atlanta lost a game at home? It's hard to pick them on the road then, where we all know they're much worse off. It doesn't help that they're facing the AFC Offensive Player of the Week, Joe Flacco, who set the record for the least amount of time taken to throw five touchdown passes in a game. Baltimore should win this battle of teams who've embarrassed the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Redskins 31, Titans 26
Kirk Cousins has played rather well in the past two weeks, and one of their best chances to win comes this week at home against the 2-4 Titans. A loss would make Washington have to start re-thinking the entire make-up of their organization, and that's not something you want to have to do after just seven weeks.
Seahawks 23, Rams 19
We rarely see Seattle lose at home, but it did come against one of the NFC's two or three best teams. Now they travel to St. Louis to meet a defense that plays exceptional at home. Yet, I don't see the Seahawks losing back-to-back games, especially a division loss following a home loss.
Jaguars 24, Browns 21
Cleveland put on a clinic against Pittsburgh last week, while Jacksonville saw their last-second game-winning field goal get blocked in Tennessee, dropping them to 0-6. They and their rookie quarterback return home desperate for their first win, and host a Browns team that needs a dose of reality.
Colts 27, Bengals 24
After starting the season 3-0 and being prematurely crowned as this year's AFC powerhouse, the Bengals have dropped two straight, and travel to Indianapolis to take on the challenge of a team that could very well end up being one of the AFC's juggernauts. Andrew Luck is leading the early MVP conversations, and the Colts are playing well-rounded football.
Bills 22, Vikings 17
So we've had one great Teddy Bridgewater performance, and we've had one terrible Teddy Bridgewater performance. Traveling to face a quality defense on the road leads me to believe that the latter will repeat itself in Buffalo.
Bears 31, Dolphins 24
Miami was one play away from gaining a solid home victory against the Green Bay Packers, but one Aaron Rodgers' touchdown pass as time expired later, and the Dolphins now stare a 2-4 record in the face if they lose this week in Chicago. The Bears have yet to win a home game this season, and that needs to change.
Saints 26, Lions 24
Detroit's defense looked dominant against Minnesota and their rookie quarterback last week, but they'll face a considerable increase in skill when Drew Brees and New Orleans come to town. I can't imagine the Lions shutting Brees down, and no Calvin Johnson and a hurt Reggie Bush doesn't make for a high-scoring offensive day.
Packers 31, Panthers 27
After watching Carolina surrender a late lead and settle for a tie while Green Bay went down the field and stole a win at the last second in Miami, I give the Packers the edge in momentum. If the Panthers defense has their act together, they could definitely win this game. However, it's going to be more than difficult to shut down the "baaaaaaad maaaannnnn," as Stephen A. Smith puts it, that is Aaron Rodgers.
Chiefs 24, Chargers 20
Phillip Rivers set an NFL record by achieving a passer rating of 120 or higher in five straight games. That's led San Diego to a five-game winning streak and first place in the AFC West. The Chargers haven't lost since week one, and that streak has to end sooner or later. What's it going to take? How about a division rival coming off a bye week with an efficient offense and a solid defense?
Cardinals 30, Raiders 17
Oakland was so close to getting their first win of the season against the Chargers last week before losing a lead in the fourth quarter. Derek Carr had his best game as a pro, though, and his receiving core looked promising. All that being said, Carson Palmer is back under center for Arizona, and their defense is just too good to let Carr do what he did against San Diego again.
Cowboys 28, Giants 27
If anyone was still questioning the legitimacy of the Dallas Cowboys' success to start this season, all doubts should've been erased this past Sunday in Seattle. Now, they host a Giants team that laid an egg in Philadelphia on Sunday night and is now without Victor Cruz. It's an NFC East divisional matchup, though, so this game could be decided by anywhere from one point to 30 points.
Broncos 34, 49ers 24 (Sunday Night Football)
San Francisco has won three straight to once again return to being competitive in the NFC. Still, they're not a great team... Just a good team that has the potential to put a great game together now and then. Denver however, is a great team, and they rarely play down to the level of their inferior competition. You can thank Peyton Manning for that.
Texans 26, Steelers 20 (Monday Night Football)
I have more faith in Houston's defense than I do in Pittsburgh's... anything. I haven't taken the Steelers seriously for weeks now, and last week's debacle in Cleveland didn't help. I think the game will stay close since Pittsburgh has the home-field advantage, but that won't be enough in this Monday night showdown.
Record last week: 10-4 (The Panthers-Bengals tie won't count towards my record)
Record to date: 57-33 (.633)
Back to the NFL Newsfeed