NFL Picks, Week 6

The NFL is settling into something that resembles form after five weeks of the season. There are three undefeated teams: Dallas, New England, and Indianapolis. There are three winless teams: Miami, New Orleans, and St. Louis. There are a ton of other teams in the middle.

Last Week: 10-4
Season: 49-27

Here are this blog’s fearless picks for Week 6 in the National Football League:

New England at Dallas: The mighty Patriots roll into Dallas for a meeting with the Cowboys. Can the Cowboys shut down Tom Brady and Randy Moss? The Cowboys are coming off an improbable win on Monday night at Buffalo, winning 25-24 despite 6 turnovers by Tony Romo. Who wins on Sunday? Who do you think? Pick: Dallas

Minnesota at Chicago: Someone named Adrian Peterson will be a winner in this game. The one from Oklahoma isn’t surrounded with nearly as much talent as the one from Georgia Southern. The Bears saved their season last Sunday night with a win at archnemesis Green Bay. Da Bears make it two in a row. Pick: Chicago

St. Louis at Baltimore: The injury-wracked Rams visit Crab City, where the Ravens’ defense awaits. Good luck with all that. Pick: Balmer

Philadelphia at New York Jets: The Eagles had such a hard time in their last appearance at the Meadowlands, they needed a week off. Now they head back up the turnpike to take on the Jets. The Jets aren’t nearly as good as the Giants, and they proved that last week. It’s a long year for the New York Football Jets. Pick: Philly

Miami at Cleveland: The woeful Dolphins visit CLE to take on the no-longer-horrible Browns. The Dolphins are now being led by quarterback Cleo (Real) Lemon as a result of last week’s possible career-ending injury to QB Trent Green. A skunk by any other name still stinks, though, and the Dolphins stink. Pick: Cleveland

Washington at Green Bay: The Packers are reeling after last week’s home loss to Da Bears. The Redskins come off of a whipping of Detroit. Packers bounce back. Pick: Green Bay

Kansas City at Cincinnati: Bengals are coming off a bye, but did they find a defense on that week off? Carson Palmer, Ocho Cinco and company should be able to outscore the Chiefs. Pick: Cincy

Tennessee at Tampa Bay: The Fighting Vince Youngs go on the road to the city by the Bay. Tampa Bay, that is. Bucs got spanked last week in Indy, but lots of teams would get spanked in Indy. Bucs bounce back at home. Pick: Tampa Bay

Houston at Jacksonville: The Texans are in last place in the AFC South with a winning record at 3-2. The Jags find ways to win, whether they look good or not. When in doubt, pick the home team. Pick: Jacksonville

Carolina at Arizona: Quarterback problems continue in Charlotte. Jake Delhomme is out for the year. David Carr has a back injury. So, the Panthers signed Vinny Testaverde this week from the St. Aloysius Home for the Aged. The Panthers will start either Vinny or ex-Cowboy training camp star Matt Moore. Meanwhile, Kurt Warner is regaining his magic in Arizona. If Testaverde is the starter, the combined age of the two quarterbacks in this game will be 80. Pick: Arizona

Oakland at San Diego: Winner will be in first place in the very mediocre AFC West. Chargers exploded back onto the scene with a 41-3 win last week in Denver. Think they’d like to have the first four weeks of the season back? Chargers coach Norv Turner formerly coached the Raiders. Pick: Chargers

New Orleans at Seattle: The Saints have been awful this year. Their task doesn’t get any easier with a long trip to the Northwest. I’m sure NBC is really looking forward to this one now. Pick: Seattle

New York Giants at Atlanta: If the schedule makers had known that the Michael Vick fiasco would happen, this game wouldn’t smell Monday night. So, ESPN gets stuck with a real dud this week. The Giants are looking pretty good. Strange things can happen on the road in the NFL. However, the Giants are better than the Falcons. Pick: New York

Bye: Buffalo, Indianapolis, Pittsburgh, Denver, Detroit, San Francisco