Site Editor Matt Loede’s NFL Picks for week six

Last Week: 6-8
Season: 41-34

Atlanta at Philadelphia – Kevin Kolb remains as the starter for the Eagles, coming off a big win in SF last week. The Falcons are playing at a high level, and have maybe the most balanced offense in the league. No Michael Vick for the Eagles won’t be enough to overcome a good Falcons team. Atlanta 27 Philadelphia 17

Cleveland at Pittsburgh – Are you kidding me? Colt McCoy, a guy who some felt would be cut during training camp is going to go into Heinz Field against a peeved Steelers defense coming off a bye and a loss, and is going to have a big enough game to come away a winner? No. Steelers are two TD favorites for a reason. Pittsburgh 35 Cleveland 3

Seattle at Chicago – Jay Cutler is back for the Bears, and lucky for them after watching Todd Collins last week. Seattle is good at home, not very good on the road, and the Bears will be able to get the job done at home with Matt Forte and Cutler producing enough points to win. Chicago 21 Seattle 13

Miami at Green Bay – The Pack is a beat up bunch, and there’s no word if even Aaron Rodgers is going to play, which could really put them behind the 8-ball. The Fins have killed themselves the last two weeks with turnovers and bad special teams play, but are still a physical bunch that I think takes advantage of a Packer crew that is hurting. Miami 17 Green Bay 6

Detroit at New York Giants – The Giants are playing the best football in the NFC over the past two weeks, and seem to have their pass rush in order. Shaun Hill has played well for the Lions, but it’ll be tough for him to escape the G-Men and find enough time to throw. Giants keep winning with a solid home win. New York 26 Detroit 13

New Orleans at Tampa Bay – Last week the Saints were stunned on the road in Arizona, and played sloppy. The Bucs beat Cincy last Sunday, and continue to be the surprise team in the division. Tampa Bay wants to again prove they are for real, but it’s time for the Saints to step up and prove they are worth to be defending Super Bowl champs. New Orleans 28 Tampa Bay 20

San Diego at St.Louis – The Rams had growing pains big time last week in Detroit after two straight wins, while the Chargers win streak vs the Raiders was finally snapped. San Diego usually takes 5-6 weeks to start playing good football, just like last season. Which is why they step up this week and take out a Rams team that won’t have enough to keep up with them. San Diego 20 St.Louis 13

Kansas City at Houston – Tough game to call with the Chiefs losing their first game, while the Texans were beat up bad at home against the Giants. I have to believe that the Texans are going to rebound here. They have the offense to do it, and the Chiefs offense is going to be severely tested to keep up on the scoreboard with the high flying Texans. Houston 31 Kansas City 16

Baltimore at New England – The game of the week as the new look Pats try to overcome one of the best defenses in the league in the Ravens. The question will be can Deion Branch help New England right away, and will the Pats have any type of run game to keep the Ravens from simply playing the pass? Baltimore will put up some points, and I think their defense is playing so well they will find a way to win another huge game away from home. Baltimore 17 New England 14

Oakland at San Francisco – Can the Raiders win two in a row, or will the Niners finally get their first win? Something has to give, and to me, there’s big issues in San Fran. The QB can’t play a solid four quarters, the coach seems to like to yell at players and when a big play is needed, no one is there to make it. The Raiders may have to go with Jason Campbell again, but to me, that’ll be good enough for the team to win their second in a row. Oakland 23 San Francisco 17

New York Jets at Denver – The Jets won an emotional game last week against the Vikings on Monday night, and now have to go across the country against the pass happy Broncos. Darrelle Revis is again saying he may not play, and this seems to be a trap game for a Jets team that everyone is jumping on. Despite a loss in Baltimore, the Broncos have been playing good offensive football, and will pass their way past the Jets here. Denver 27 New York Jets 21

Dallas at Minnesota – No one could have ever guessed these two teams would be at this point at this time of the year. Everything comes down to if Brett Favre plays, and if the Vikings D can stop Tony Romo. Many seem to feel the Vikings found themselves in the second half of that Jets game Monday night, but to me this team has way too many distractions right now. Dallas isn’t much better, but Romo and the offense is going to score enough to send the Vikings to 1-4. Dallas 32 Minnesota 23

Indianapolis at Washington – The Colts are scuffling, despite a win last week vs the Chiefs they don’t seem to have that same magic as years past. They go to DC to play a Skins team that pulled out a gutsy win on Sunday vs the Pack. The Redskins are playing good on defense, and seem to rise up in prime time games enough to get a close win here. Washington 20 Indianapolis 17

Monday Night:

Tennessee at Jacksonville – Two AFC South teams do battle Monday night, and the Titans seem to be the better team, this after winning in Dallas a week ago. The Jags stepped up with a win in Buffalo, but had to scramble after trailing early. Tennessee with their defense and Chris Johnson should be able to get a close win here to move to 4-2. Tennessee 23 Jacksonville 16