NFL Week 6: Dust is Starting to Settle

This week’s slate features the undefeated Giants going to the undefeated Saints. Both teams are rolling and both QBs are playing at a Pro-Bowl level.

Speaking of which, I think Week Six is the time to start labeling players possible pro bowlers. The season is 30 percent finished and certain players are consistently putting together big games in a row now.

This is also the time to start labeling players busts for single-handedly killing fantasy teams across the country (LT, Matt Forte, and DeAngelo Williams.) On to the picks:

Kansas City at Washington - The Redskins have yet to play a team with a win this year and yet sit at 2-3. The Chiefs are fresh off a heart-breaking loss to the Cowboys and officially have an awful running back. Larry Johnson is averaging less than three yards a carry. That's not going to get it done against DT Albert Haynesworth. Redskins 20-16

Houston at Cincinnati - The cardiac cats have brought hope to the 'Nati. Carson Palmer is looking more and more like the Palmer of ’05 and potential pro bowler Cedric Benson has resurrected his career. The Bengal corners, Jonathan Joseph and Leon Hall, have been outstanding in pass coverage. This is a possible let down spot for them, but the talent level is too wide Bengals 26-17

Cleveland at Pittsburgh - The Pitt D is hurting after the loss of DE Aaron Smith. They were allowing the Lions to move the ball at will before QB Daunte Culpepper self-destructed in the fourth quarter. The Browns can’t move the ball on anybody, so even an overrated ’09 Steelers D will look like the ’08 version. Steelers 27-6

St. Louis at Jacksonville - Not a good game to watch by any stretch of the imagination. The Rams have been blown out in every game this year and have 13 straight losses going back to last season. Make it 14. Jags 27-13

Detroit at Green Bay - The Packers had two weeks to fume over the Vikings loss. The Lions are not horrible, but they’re not beating the Pack at Lambeau. The Packers are still struggling with the new 3-4 defense, but this will be the week A.J Hawk and company figure it out. Packers 30-17

New York at New Orleans - This Game-of-the-Week features two of the top QBs in the NFC. Drew Brees has had two weeks to study the Giants, and Eli Manning has a foot problem that will likely bother him for the rest of the year. This one comes down to which D can get the crucial fourth quarter stop. I’m taking the better rested team Saints 24-21

Baltimore at Minnesota - Intriguing matchup that will be extremely physical. Ray Lewis will be eager to redeem himself after last week’s costly penalty. If the Ravens can get to Brett Favre then the gunslinger version appears. The Vikings have yet to play a D the caliber of the Ravens and it will be interesting to see how the Vikes offense handles it. Baltimore 21-18

Philadelphia at Oakland - The Eagles offense looks like top-five material. They can put points on the board with the best of them. Against Oakland? Blowout city Eagles 35-10

Arizona at Seattle - With Matt Hasselbeck, the Seahawks are a legit NFC West contenders. Hasselbeck is extremely accurate and provides quality veteran leadership. Arizona is hit or miss on a week-to-week basis. With one of the only home-field advantages left in the NFL, I’m going with the home team. Seahawks 27-23

Buffalo at New York - The Jets are not for real after all. But then again, nobody ever thought the Bills were. Reminder: never fire your offense coordinator right before the season starts. Jets 26-12

Tennessee at New England - The Titans are cooked. Stick a fork in them, they might as well throw in QB Vince Young. Or is he so bad that the Titans have absolutely no confidence in the former first-round pick? The Pats are coming off a tough loss at Denver, and they never lose two in a row. Patriots 27-19

Chicago at Atlanta - Coming off the butt whipping of the 49ers, the Falcons' confidence is riding high. QB Matt Ryan throws a beautiful deep ball and plays more like a 10-year vet than a second-year guy. The Bears had a bye last week and will be fresh. RB Matt Forte has yet to really have a break out game… until now. Bears 23-19

Denver at San Diego - A Broncos win puts them in the driver seat in the AFC West. A loss opens the door for the Chargers. Broncos QB Kyle Orton is overdue for a clunker and Chargers QB Phillip Rivers is due for a gutsy, grind out type of win. Rivers has to be aware of the Denver secondary duo of Brian Dawkins and Champ Bailey. There may even be an LT sighting. Chargers 21-17