On Thursday night the Indianapolis Colts held off a late rally by the Houston Texans to win their fourth consecutive game and take sole possession of first place in the AFC South.
That was the start of Week 6, but there are 14 more NFL games on the slate this Sunday and on Monday night.
XN Sports will take a look at each one of the other 14 matchups, providing you with some insight and one bold prediction. Last week, we predicted a Geno Smith benching at the half and that Tom Brady and the Pats would defeat the then-unbeaten Bengals.
Onto Week 6 …
Broncos vs. Jets
These two teams are going in very different directions at this point in the season. Denver just had a statement sort of win over the previously unbeaten Cardinals, but must move forward without starting running back Montee Ball, who’s out due to injury for the next two or three weeks. That shouldn’t be too much of a setback against the Jets, who can stop the run as good as any team in the league, but have been vulnerable through the air. A healthy Dee Milliner and Calvin Pryor will try to slow down Peyton Manning and Co., but the quarterback getting most attention is Geno Smith, who was benched at halftime a week ago. Can Smith begin to turn a corner against the AFC favorites?
Bold prediction:Â The boldest prediction would be that Smith leads the Jets to an upset of Denver, but it’s too early in the day and there’s not enough alcoholic beverages in my fridge to make such a claim just yet. Undoubtedly the underdogs, the Jets need a once-in-a-lifetime type of effort to win this one, but Rex Ryan has a history of slowing down Manning. Smith’s playing for his job, and the Jets squeak out of a season-salvaging victory at home.
Giants vs. Eagles
This matchup always provides us with a classic, and this year has NFC East title ramifications. The Giants are surging, winning in all three phases of the game. Eli Manning is protecting the football and the pass rush is back. The Eagles are 4-1 despite inconsistent play from Nick Foles and a very bendable defense.
Bold prediction:Â The Eagles have won four games despite failing to excel in the most necessary areas. Eventually, that has to catch up to them, right? The Eagles are also 3-0 at the Linc this season and are currently riding their longest home win streak since 2004. Well, Philly is a home away from home for the Giants, who have to travel a short way down I-95. Jason Pierre-Paul has been magnificent all season, and against a beat-up offensive line he has a J.J. Watt-esque effort, including a touchdown.
Jaguars vs. Titans
The loser of this one should be forced to relocate their franchise to London. Really. These two teams are a combined 1-9 and 0-5 on the road. Fortunately for the Titans, this one is being played in Nashville. It looks like Charlie Whitehurst is going to start in this one, while Blake Bortles get the nod for the third straight game.
Bold prediction:Â Will this be the first win of the Bortles era? Unfortunately, it’s Whitehurst getting the best of this matchup. The Jags — while competitive of late — rank among the league worst in passing, rushing, and pass defense. That’s a formula for failure. After a low-scoring first half, Zach Mettenberger earns some snaps under center for Tennessee late, and he helps the Titans earn the W.
Ravens vs. Buccaneers
The Buccaneers knocked off Pittsburgh then pushed New Orleans to overtime in recent weeks, but do those wins say more about Tampa Bay or the opponents they faced? The Ravens’ three-game win streak was just snapped by the surging Colts, and they’ll be ready to right the ship against these Buccaneers.
Bold prediction:Â Where has Torrey Smith been all season? Reports out of the Charm City indicate the Ravens’ coaching staff is trying to figure out ways to get the speedster involved. Well, consider me convinced. Week 6 is Smith’s breakout performance of the game. Lock it up: two touchdowns, both 30 yards or longer. Smith strikes against the Bucs.
Lions vs. Vikings
Teddy Bridgewater is back for the Vikings, and hopefully those in the Twin Cities don’t have to deal with Christian Ponder anymore. They will, however, have to deal with a Lions team coming off a disheartening loss to the Bills and their defensive coordinator, Jim Schwartz, who was carried off the field after the win. Calvin Johnson likely will be out for this one, perhaps evening the plane a bit.
Bold prediction:Â Detroit’s defense is just going be too strong for a rookie quarterback and two rather unimpressive running backs. The Lions offense hasn’t been too exciting without Megatron in the lineup at 100 percent, and neither has the running game. Reggie Bush and Joique Bell should be a full-go for this one, and both top 100 yards with a touchdown in the win.
Patriots vs. Bills
This showdown may have division title ramifications later this season. New England may have just notched a season-altering win against previously unbeaten Cincinnati, while the Bills just knocked off the Lions. Both teams are 3-2 and are in the thick of the AFC East race. Neither team has been consistently good, but both look poised to be the best of a mediocre group of teams.
Bold prediction: This one will be played in Orchard Park, where the Bills are 1-1 this season. The Patriots have seemingly owned their series with their rivals from Upstate New York, but this Bills team carries a different feel this year. Still, if the Patriots are to prove they’re legit, they can’t slip up here. Tom Brady and Co. get by in this one in a very Stephen Gostkowski kind of affair.
Panthers vs. Bengals
These two teams are very similar to one another. The Panthers overcame a rash of injuries to their running backs to rally past the Bears last week, and at 3-2 are leading the NFC South. The Bengals at 3-1 are coming off their first loss of the year against an emotional Patriots squad, and they have a chance to rebound in their own building.
Bold prediction: The Panthers have been a team very difficult to gauge, as they’ve won a couple they probably shouldn’t have and lost the ones we expected them to cruise away with. I think last week’s loss to New England said more about the Pats than it did about the Bengals. Without A.J. Green, Marvin Jones proves to be the Bengals’ top offensive weapon and Cincy gets back on track.
Steelers vs. Browns
A re-match of Week 1, the Steelers and Browns are set to wrap up their season series, this one played at the Dog Pound. We’ve learned a lot about both of these teams over the past six weeks. The Steelers are proving to be the Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde of the AFC, while the Browns under Brian Hoyer are notorious for being the comeback kids.
Bold prediction: Cleveland nearly rallied back against Pittsburgh in the season opener at Heinz Field. Since then, they’ve knocked off the Saints and Titans, the latter in historical fashion. This time, the Browns don’t need a comeback; it’ll be over by the first half. Big Ben leads Pittsburgh to a 24-0 lead by the break, and the underachieving Browns defense has no answer for Le’Veon Bell. We can’t go all season without fans starting to call for Johnny Manziel.
Packers vs. Dolphins
The Joe Philbin Bowl gets underway as the surging Packers take on the Dolphins coming off their bye week. Aaron Rodgers has elevated the Packers back into contender status with wins against the Bears and Vikings the past two weeks, while Eddie Lacy is proving he’s immune to the sophomore slump. Miami beat Oakland in London before the week off, quieting the boo birds calling for Ryan Tannehill to be benched. Knowshon Moreno returns to the offense to rekindle the 1-2 punch with Lamar Miller.
Bold prediction:Â Call it the upset special. The Dolphins have had two weeks to prepare for Green Bay, and Philbin — whose job is very much on the line this season — must get this win against his former club. The ‘Fins defense has an edge in this one against a porous Packers O-line, and Rodgers has little time in the pocket and Lacy has little room to run. Miami sneaks by with a 17-10 win.
Chargers vs. Raiders
If Green Bay-Miami is the upset special, this one is the dud of the week. The Bolts are the NFL’s hottest team, and MVP frontrunner Philip Rivers doesn’t face any fear when lining up against the Oakland defense. Tony Sparano is making his interim head coach debut for the Black and Silver, and unfortunately it comes at a time where Derek Carr is beat up and his team looks poised to pick first in the 2015 draft.
Bold prediction:Â Bold will be saying Carr leads the Raiders to their first win, and Sparano is then carried off the field in celebration. If that’s the case, I might as well forget everything I’ve learned about football ever. More bold: Rivers doesn’t have a big statistical day; he doesn’t have to. Branden Oliver rifles through the elderly Raiders defense, and Rivers doesn’t throw for a single touchdown in the Chargers’ rout.
Bears vs. Falcons
Is it too early to call this a must-win for the Bears? Perhaps. But looking up at the Packers and Lions in the NFC North standings, and coming off back-to-back second-half collapses, the Bears need a win not only to right the ship but get their confidence level back up. Meanwhile, Atlanta has been up and down all year, largely because of their defensive deficiencies. But when they play in the Dome, they’re unbeatable, and this year they’re 2-0 there.
Bold prediction:Â In what should be the highest-scoring contest of the week, you have to decide which defense will make a play or two to decide the outcome. I don’t think anyone is slowing down Jay Cutler or Matt Ryan, but when it comes to an edge defense-wise, I trust the rookie Kyle Fuller and the opportunistic Bears secondary. They may surrender 400 yards through the air and four touchdowns, but one interception or fumble recovery by Fuller gives the Bears an edge up and the win.
Cowboys vs. Seahawks
Without question, this is the biggest test for the upstart Cowboys to date. At 4-1 and leading their division, Dallas just got past Houston in overtime and are giving us the impression they are a team that’s not going away anytime soon. Seattle just stomped fellow NFC East squad Washington, and at home where the advantage is the best in the league, they should be able to expose these Cowboys. Right?
Bold prediction:Â This game will be competitive … for one half. In the third quarter, Marshawn Lynch trucks over the weak Dallas interior defense, and Russell Wilson makes the secondary look truly mediocre. Seattle runs over Dallas to the tune of a 33-13 win, with a lopsided second half.
Washington vs. CardinalsÂ
Arizona just suffered its first loss of the year, but even more pressing is the question mark the team has under center. Injuries to both Drew Stanton and Carson Palmer means that rookie Logan Thomas may get the start at quarterback. That spells trouble for the Cardinals. Washington gave Seattle a run for its money, and when Kirk Cousins plays well, this offense is capable of making some noise.
Bold prediction: Depending on who starts at quarterback for ‘Zona, this game could go either way. Signs point to either Thomas or Stanton getting the nod, depending on if Stanton can pass his final concussion test. Washington has enough weapons on the defensive side of the ball to give Thomas headaches all day. If it is the rookie, consider Washington a lock for at least seven sacks.
49ers vs. Rams
The 49ers are catching their stride, with wins over Philly and Kansas City the past two weeks to remain in the mix of the NFC West standings. Despite all of the losses on the defensive side of the ball, San Francisco still ranks in the top five against both the run and the pass. Enter Austin Davis, who posted video game-esque numbers against the Eagles last week, albeit in a losing effort.
Bold prediction:Â Historically, St. Louis gives the 49ers a tough go every time they meet. This one will be played at the Edwards Jones Dome, and it’s hard to give up on a Jeff Fisher-coached team. The Rams have been awful against the run, and Frank Gore is running all over teams. But at home on Monday night, teams can outplay their own abilities. The Rams upset the 49ers to knock them back to .500 as Davis continues making his case to be the quarterback of the future.
