Week Six around the NFL gets started tonight with the Chicago Bears hosting the winless (yes, that is correct) WINLESS New York Giants on NFL Network's Thursday Night Football game.The Giants cannot run the football or play defense (allowing a league high 183 points) and their quarterback, Eli Manning has thrown a league high 12 interceptions through the first five games.
The Bears have lost two in a row after a 3-0 start and are looking to get back on track in a tightly bunched NFC North division race. The Bears and Detroit Lions are both 3-2 and the Green Bay Packers are looming at 2-2.
Other games of interest this weekend features the New Orleans Saints (5-0) at the New England Patriots (4-1) while the Green Bay Packers will be at Baltimore facing the Ravens (3-2) in what could be a high scoring game.
The Saints appear to be rolling once again (as they did in 2009 when they won it all) on both sides of the football. Their defense has been opportunistic, creating turnovers and playing way better than last year, when they set a record for allowing the most yardage in NFL history. The offense is doing well as QB Drew Brees is among the top signal callers in the game once again.
The Patriots have been doing it with defense so far in 2013 as the offense is adjusting on the fly with Tom Brady still directing things at quarterback. The wide receivers have been fair as they get the experience and the Pats are hoping All-Pro tight end Rob Gronkowski can finally play a game this week after missing the first five due to recovery from off-season surgeries.
The Packers and Ravens are two teams that are expected to be in the mix for the playoffs this season, so this early season tilt in Baltimore is big for both teams as they seek to get some momentum going forward as the season heads toward the midway point.
Packers' linebacker Clay Matthews suffered a broken thumb in last week's 22-9 victory over Detroit and is expected to miss at least four weeks. The Ravens are looking to get their running game going as Ray Rice and Bernard Pierce have struggled so far, each averaging less than three yards per carry.
So buckle up football fans and get ready for some exciting action. The following capsule style previews offers an analysis of each game. (Atlanta and Miami have the Bye Week)
New York Giants (0-5) at Chicago Bears (3-2) - What more can possibly go wrong for the Giants? Bears should win this one.
Cincinnati Bengals (3-2) at Buffalo Bills (2-3) - The Bills are going with a totally inexperienced QB against one of the NFL's better defenses. Take the Bengals.
Detroit Lions (3-2) at Cleveland Browns (3-2) - Are the Browns for real? We will find out this week.
Oakland Raiders (2-3) at Kansas City Chiefs (5-0) - Raiders' QB Terrelle Pryor had his way vs. Chargers defense last week. But this ain't the Chargers defense ... this is the Chiefs defense and that is a HUGE difference.
Carolina Panthers (1-3) at Minnesota Vikings (1-3) - Panthers' QB Cam Newton has to snap out of it and the Vikings could be just the tonic.
Philadelphia Eagles (2-3) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-4) - The Bucs are still a mess ... the Eagles should take advantage of that.
Green Bay Packers (2-2) at Baltimore Ravens (3-2) - This game could go down to the wire. Rodgers rates the edge here against Flacco.
St. Louis Rams (2-3) at Houston Texans (2-3) - The Texans have been a disappointment so far, but should get back on track in this game.
Pittsburgh Steelers (0-4) at New York Jets (3-2) - The biggest surprise of the young season is the Jets with a winning record at this point. Steelers have to win at some point, right?
Jacksonville Jaguars (0-5) at Denver Broncos (5-0) - A 28-point spread in the NFL? Unheard of until this game...Can the Jags wake up the ghost of Joe Namath's guaranteed performance from Super Bowl III? No chance.
Tennessee Titans (3-2) at Seattle Seahawks (4-1) - Seahawks let one get away from them on the road last week. Now they are back home and the "12th Man" will be a factor.
New Orleans Saints (5-0) at New England Patriots (4-1) - This is the Game of the Week... anything can happen here, so expect a thriller.
Arizona Cardinals (3-2) at San Francisco 49ers (3-2) - The Cardinals have been the NFC version of the New York Jets so far this season, but they are playing the 49ers on the road this week.
Washington Redskins (1-3) at Dallas Cowboys (2-3) - The Redskins can win this game and be in first place with a sub .500 record... Unbelievable.
Indianapolis Colts (4-1) at San Diego Chargers (2-3) - Colts continue to confound their foes each week, including two huge wins against Seattle and San Francisco. Chargers have been simply unpredictable so far this season. Go figure.
The Heftyinfo picks for Week Six . . . . . (Home teams are listed in BOLD; Lock of the Week pick is listed in BOLD CAPS)
Chicago over NY Giants
Cincinnati over Buffalo
Cleveland over Detroit
Kansas City over Oakland
Carolina over Minnesota
Philadelphia over Tampa Bay
Green Bay over Baltimore
Houston over St. Louis
Pittsburgh over NY Jets
DENVER over Jacksonville
Seattle over Tennessee
New Orleans over New England
San Francisco over Arizona
Dallas over Washington
San Diego over Indianapolis
Last Week's Record: 8-6
SEASON RECORD: 42-35
Lock of the Week Record: 4-1
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