2011 NFL Predictions: Week 6

Big Game of the Week:
Philadelphia Eagles (1-4) at Washington Redskins (3-1)
Pick: Philadelphia 27, Washington 21

Upset Pick of the Week # 1:
Indianapolis Colts (0-5) at Cincinnati Bengals (3-2)
Curtis Painter is playing like a seasoned veteran, and eventually he might get his due. Unfortunately, only people in the Indianapolis market will get to see this game.
Pick: Indianapolis 28, Cincinnati 20

Biggest Game of the Week/Upset Pick of the Week # 2:
San Francisco 49ers (4-1) at Detroit Lions (5-0)
The Lions are 5-0 for the first time since 1956, and in 1956, they got to 6-0 by beating the San Francisco 49ers? Can karma strike 55 years later? Um, after the whipping the 49ers gave Tampa Bay- their most lopsided win since Super Bowl XXIV, it's apparent that the 49ers of old have been resurrected from the dead.
Pick: San Francisco 38, Detroit 28

Sunday Early Games:
Carolina Panthers (1-4) at Atlanta Falcons (2-3)
Pick: Atlanta 31, Carolina 27

St. Louis Rams (0-4) at Green Bay Packers (5-0)
Pick: Green Bay 42, St. Louis 0

Buffalo Bills (4-1) at New York Giants (3-2)- "Super Bowl XXV: 20 Years Later"
Both of their games were decided by deflected interceptions (NYG: Eli Manning's pass intended for Victor Cruz was tipped into the hands of Canadian football player and Seahawk Brandon Browner for a 94-yard touchdown return). The Bills are the surprise of the NFL (other than the Lions). Can they keep it up?
Pick: Buffalo 35, NY Giants 31

Jacksonville Jaguars (1-4) at Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2)
The Jags, after catching the Bengals secondary nap, took a 20-16 lead, only to surrender that lead, following a 22-yard punt, which led to a Bernard Scott 3-yard run and a 23-20 lead. Then rookie Jags QB Blaine Gabbert looked away from the football, causing a fumbled snap, which Bengals corner Nate Clements recovered. Bengals defensive lineman Geno Atkins put the final nail in the coffin, recovering a lateral fumble for a touchdown at time expired. In other words, expect Ben Roethlisberger to pick up where he left off against the Tennessee Titans, as the Steelers face their fourth (and final) AFC South opponent in a row.
Pick: Pittsburgh 35, Jacksonville 3

Late Games:
Cleveland Browns (2-2) at Oakland Raiders (3-2)
The Raiders, won an emotional game at the end in Houston, one day after the death of team owner Al Davis, one of the most influential leaders in professional sports history. The Raiders have an easier task this week, as the well-rested Browns fly into the Bay Area...to get beat. WBNS 10TV in Columbus, Ohio will be wishing that they picked the Colts-Bengals game instead of this snoozefest.
Pick: Oakland 35, Cleveland 17

Houston Texans (3-2) at Baltimore Ravens (4-1)
Pick: Baltimore 41, Houston 14

Dallas Cowboys (3-1) at New England Patriots (4-1)
Pick: New England 31, Dallas 16

New Orleans Saints (4-1) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-2)
Last week, the 49ers schooled the Bucs. It gets worse as Drew Brees comes to town.
Pick: New Orleans 37, Tampa Bay 17

Sunday Night Football:
Minnesota Vikings (1-4) at Chicago Bears (2-3)
Pick: Chicago 20, Minnesota 10

Monday Night Football (or Tony Sparano: The End?):
Miami Dolphins (0-4) at New York Jets (2-3)
Tony Sparano's job seems safe, but will it be on Tuesday morning? Jets end their three-game schneid.
Pick: NY Jets 33, Miami 14

Bye Weeks: Arizona Cardinals (1-4), Seattle Seahawks (2-3), Tennessee Titans (3-2), San Diego Chargers (4-1), Denver Broncos (1-4), and Kansas City Chiefs (2-3)