NFL Week Six Pigskin Predictions

THURSDAY
steelers over TITANS
Coming off a 30-7 drubbing at Minnesota last week, the Titans (1-4) get roughed up again and continue to tumble toward the bottom of the AFC ranks. Ben Roethlisberger throws for 300 yards and two touchdowns as Pittsburgh cruises past Tennessee in Nashville.

PREDICTION: steelers 27, TITANS 17 [RESULT: TITANS 26, steelers 23]

SUNDAY (NOON)
FALCONS over raiders

Falcons QB Matt Ryan (right)

In clichéd terms, this contest could be considered a "trap game" for the Falcons. Undefeated Atlanta hosts 1-3 Oakland this afternoon at the Georgia Dome. Pitted against league's 30th-ranked defense, the Falcons hang tough and do not fold. "Matty Ice" and his arsenal of weapons stay hot, as the home team trounces its cross-coast opponent by two touches.

PREDICTION: FALCONS 34, raiders 20

bengals over BROWNS
Cincinnati lost at home to the Dolphins last week. Not good. The Browns have shown signs of respectability (i.e. building a 14-0 lead against the Giants at New York last week). But the Browns still bumble more than the Bengals. A.J. Green extends his touchdown-scoring streak to five games as Cincinnati scratches out the victory.

PREDICTION: bengals 20, BROWNS 16

Rams RB Steven Jackson

rams over FINS
Stephen Jackson finally appears to be at full health. The Rams back rushes past the 100-yard mark for the first time this season as his Rams quietly improve to 4-2.

PREDICTION: rams 17, FINS 13

colts over JETS
The Andrew Luck show takes its exhibit to the Big Apple this afternoon to play the Jets. New York continues to find it difficult to win without a quality quarterback. Luck's Colts pull the upset over Mark Sanchez, Tim Tebow or whoever else might be at the helm for the host Jets today.

PREDICTION: colts 24, JETS 20

Eagles QB Michael Vick

EAGLES over lions
Michael Vicks gets his turnover woes under control as his Eagles fly by the Lions in Philly.

PREDICTION: EAGLES 31, lions 24
 
BUCS over chiefs
A battle of one-win teams takes place in Tampa Bay today, where the Buccaneers entertain the visiting Kansas City Chiefs. Who wins? Who cares? I guess the Bucs fans might. And today they're able to witness that win. The home team stops its three-game skid, topping the Chiefs by six.

Ravens K Justin Tucker

PREDICTION: BUCS 23, chiefs 17

RAVENS over boys
Dallas brings its "A" game to Baltimore this afternoon ... but, its not quite enough. Rookie kicker Justin Tucker boots a 48-yard game-winner in overtime, as the Ravens stave off a rugged effort from the Cowboys to win its 11th straight home game.

PREDICTION: RAVENS 20, boys 17 (in OT)

SUNDAY (LATE)

vikes over SKINS

Vikings WR Percy Harvin (right)

Minnesota continues to look more like a contender than a pretender. Led by a vastly improved secondary, the Vikings continue to shine on defense. On offense, early MVP candidate Percy Harvin continues to evade and deliver crushing blows to oncoming tacklers. As a team, the Purple defeat the Redskins in DC today and up its record to 5-1.

PREDICTION: vikes 27, SKINS 17

CARDS over bills

Arizona bounces back from its ugly 17-3 loss last week in St. Louis, defeating the struggling Bills in the desert today.

PREDICTION: CARDS 20, bills 17

Pats over HAWKS

In a hostile atmosphere at CenturyLink Field in Seattle this afternoon, Tom Brady and the Patriots pass the Seahawks’ test and improve to 4-2.

PREDICTION: pats 27, HAWKS 20

49ers RB Frank Gore (center)

NINERS over giants

The game of the week takes place in San Francisco today, in a rematch battle of last year’s NFC Championship game. San Francisco enters its contest against the Giants having won its previous two games by a combined score of 79-3. While it can’t expect to carry over that level of dominance against New York, the 49ers are able to exact revenge on the Super Bowl champs. Running back Frank Gore pounds the rock for 100 yards and two scores, pacing the host Niners past the G-Men.

PREDICTION: NINERS 21, giants 17

SNF

TEXANS over pack

A remedy to cure the struggling Packers is not a date with the 5-0 Texans in Houston. Without a decent running back and its number one receiver, the AFC’s number one defense is too tough for Green Bay to handle. Houston wins by four.

PREDICTION: TEXANS 24, pack 20

MNF

broncos over CHARGERS

Peyton Manning wins a shootout over his AFC West counterpart Philip Rivers tomorrow night in San Diego. The Broncos win by three to even its record at 3-3 and pull into a division-lead tie with the Chargers.

PREDICTION: broncos 27, CHARGERS 24

Bye teams: Chicago, New Orleans, Carolina, Jacksonville