This has been one wild season so far that has seen the Broncos still undefeated at 5-0, the Bengals leading the AFC North, and the Titans falling flat on their face at 0-5.
We have some great games this week including Giants vs. Saints, Ravens vs. Vikings, and the Bears vs. Falcons.
Here’s everything you need to know heading into Week 6:
The Giants need to pressure Brees to get him out of sync.
Game of the Week #1: New York Giants vs. New Orleans Saints
This battle pits two titans of the NFC against each other for early season NFC supremacy. Both teams enter the game undefeated; the Giants at 5-0 and the Saints at 4-0, and one will leave with its first defeat.
The Giants have had a cupcake schedule so far and the last three weeks have played the Bucs, Chiefs, and Raiders, who have a combined 1-14 record. The Saints enter this game fresh off a bye giving them two weeks to prepare for the Giants.
Key Matchup: Giants DE Osi Umenyiora vs. Saints LT Jermon Bushrod
The only way to contain Drew Brees is to apply pressure, which the Jets did with great success two weeks ago against the Saints. Bushrod is filling in for normal starter Jamaal Brown and doesn’t have an easy job in containg Umenyiora. Osi has three sacks this season and could be adding a few more to that total after this week.
Prediction:
The Saints have been living off turnovers this year but Eli Manning and the Giants don’t make stupid mistakes. The Giants will get enough pressure on Brees to slow down the pass game and force Brees out of his comfort zone.
This game comes down to the wire but I see the Giants edging out the Saints in a close one.
Giants 24 Saints 20
Ray Lewis and teh Ravens D need to come to play on Sunday.
Game of the Week #2: Baltimore Ravens vs. Minnesota Vikings
This is a huge game for the Ravens who are trying to avoid going 3-3 after starting the season 3-0.
The Vikings are riding high sitting at 5-0 but may not be as good as their record indicates. They beat up on the Browns, Lions, and Rams, and needed a last second miracle to beat the 49ers. They were also outplayed in the first half against both the Lions and Rams.
Key Matchup: Adrian Peterson vs. Baltimore Run D
The Ravens defense has not been the same this season. They allowed their first 100 yard rusher in their last 39 games last week to Cedric Benson and now get A.D. If A.D. gets going then it could be a long day for the Ravens, who pass d is in the bottom 10 of the league.
Prediction:
The stats point to the Vikings but I like the Ravens in this matchup. Ray Lewis and Ed Reed know the importance of this game and won’t let this team lose.
I also expect the Ravens to get back to running the football, their bread and butter, against the Vikings mediocre run defense.
Ravens 27 Vikings 23
Here are my 5 things to watch in Week 6:
1. Does Brady Break Out?
Through the first five weeks of the season Tom Brady has not been the same Tom Brady were used to. He’s been good but he hasn’t had a huge game yet. That may come this Sunday against the Titans.
The Titans will be without their two starting corners, Cortland Finnegan and Nick Harper. Couple that with the Titans 31st ranked pass defense and I wouldn’t be surprised to see Brady throw for 4 touchdowns, possibly more.
2. Hot Seat in Washington and Buffalo
Both Jim Zorn and Dick Jauron could be out of jobs this time next week. Zorn is as good as gone if the Redskins lose to the Chiefs this weekend and another embarrassing loss could be it for Jauron as well.
Everyone is calling for these guy’s heads. Hall of fame John Riggins ragged on Zorn in this online video and Bills fans are calling for Jauron’s head, evidenced by the billboard put up in Buffalo.
3. Must Win for the Chargers
It’s only week 6 but it’s already must win territory for the Chargers. After yet another slow start the Chargers find themselves 2 ½ games behind the Broncos heading into their Monday Night showdown. A loss puts the Chargers below .500 and all but out of the AFC West race.
They have had a bye week to prepare for the Broncos and the Broncos are coming off an emotional high so the Chargers should take this game. L.T. has been huge historically against the Broncos and at this point any contribution from him would be a bonus.
4. With Good news comes Bad News for the Steelers
The Steelers finally get Troy Polamalu back from injury this week after his injury in week one but they also lost defensive end Aaron Smith for the season during the week.
Smith is perhaps one of the most underrated players in the league and is a key cog in the Steelers 3-4 defense. The Steelers will use a rotation of first-round pick Ziggy Hood, Travis Kirschke and Nick Eason to replace Smith but he is arguably as important to this defense as Polamalu.
5. Can the Bengals Keep it Going?
The Bengals have been one of best stories of this young season so far going 4-1 and would be 5-0 if not for a fluke catch against the Broncos in week one.
Now after three-straight division wins the Bengals have their swagger back, but can they keep it going. Last week against the Ravens was an emotionally draining win and this game against the Texans screams let down. If the Bengals want to prove they’re for real they need to win this week.
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