NFL Week 6 Predictions

Atlanta Falcons 4-1 (2-1 Away) at Philadelphia Eagles (0-2 Home) 1:00PM Lincoln Financial Field
A week after the Eagles narrowly escaped Candlestick Park with a win they are at home taking on the NFC South leading Atlanta Falcons. The Dirty Birds are riding a 4 game winning streak and are looking to avenge last years 34-7 loss to the Eagles. Michael Vick returns to the city he started his career with but he is still nursing his ribs and will likely see little or no action. With the return of wide receiver Michael Jenkins to the line up, the Falcons will be looking to put that passing offense on high gear, but that will be an arduous task against the NFL's 8th ranked pass defense and a defense which is also ranked 4th in receiving opposing quarterbacks' passes. The Eagles'  defensive blitz scheme will look to rattle Matt Ryan as it did Alex Smith the previous week. The Falcons have lost 3 straight against Philly and are looking to buck the trend this Sunday and I believe they will.
My Pick: Atlanta Falcons
Players to watch: ATL Jordan Babineaux, Michael Jenkins
                             PHI Kevin Kolb, Lesean McCoy

Cleveland Browns 1-4 (0-2 Away) at Pittsburgh Steelers 3-1 (1-1 Home) 1:00PM Heinz Field
Led by Eric Mangini, the Cleveland Browns travel to Heinz Field to take on the 3-1 Steelers. The injury bug has bitten the Browns and have given them no choice but to start former Texas quarterback Colt McCoy. It will be a daunting task for McCoy to move the ball against the Steel Curtain, especially when they rank 1st against the rush and 4th in total defense. Ben Roethlisberger makes his season debut after serving league suspension. Rashard Mendenhall, who averages 102.8 yards/game on the ground, will have a field day against the Browns defense and that will make Big Ben's return easy.
My Pick:Pittsburgh Steelers
Players to watch: CLE Colt McCoy, Josh Cribbs
                              PIT  Ben Roethlisberger, Rashard Mendenhall, Lawerance Timmons

Detroit Lions 1-4(0-3 Away) at New York Giants 3-2(2-1 Home) 1:00PM New Meadowlands Stadium
Detroit rides into New Meadowlands Stadium on an enormous high after there 44-6 rout of St. Louis. The Giants come home to New Jersey after a 34-10 dismantling of the Houston Texans. Detroit is win less on the road. Ahmad Bradshaw leads the league with 7 runs over 20 yards and that spells big plays for the G Men on Sunday because the Lions allow 133.2 yards/game on the ground. The league's top ranked defense, led by Osi Umenyiora (6 sacks and 5 forced fumbles), should have no trouble stopping the Lions.
My Pick:New York Giants
Players to watch: NYG Osi Umenyiora, Justin Tuck, Ahmad Bradshaw
                                        Hakeem Nicks, Eli Manning

Baltimore Ravens 4-1 (2-1 Away) at New England Patriots 3-1 (2-0 Home) 1:00PM Gillette Stadium
The AFC North Division leading Baltimore Ravens travel to Gillette Stadium to take on Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. The Patriots are looking for revenge after a 33-14 Wild card loss to the Ravens in past season's playoffs. The Patriots traded away Randy Moss last week and traded for Ex-Pat Deion Branch this week to try and maintain the level of excellence the New England offense which is averaging 26.2 points/games. If the Ravens are to have a chance to upset the Pats they will have to stop Tom Brady on third down(124.4 QB Rating, 5 TDs, 70.6 completion percentage), and with the return of Ed Reed I think Ravens are up to the task.
My Pick:Baltimore Ravens
Players to watch: BAL Ray Rice, Ed Reed, Ray Lewis, Anquan Boldin
                             NE   Tom Brady, Wes Welker, Aaron Hernandez

San Diego Chargers 2-3 (0-3 Away) at St. Louis Rams 2-3 (2-1) 1:00PM Edward Jones Stadium
In this AFC vs NFC battle the San Diego Chargers take on the Rams. San Diego is win less on the road ans the Rams' only 2 wins came at home. Last week the Rams looked less than stellar in a 44-6 loss to the Oakland Raiders, which means the Chargers have a great chance of reversing their misfortunes on the road. St. Louis lose Mark Clayton to a patella injury, possibly season-ending, and this an anemic offense will be even more ineffective this week when they take on the NFL's 5th ranked defense. The return offensive lineman of Marcus McNeil should aid Phillip Rivers who is the league's passing leader (351.8 passing yards/game, 11TDs). With only Steven Jackson as the bright on the Rams' roster this game could get ugly early.
My Pick:San Diego Chargers
Players to watch: SD Phillip Rivers, Antonio Gates
                             STL Steven Jackson