My Week 6 Picks: NFC Championship Rematch

Well I'm going to have to say that the game of the week this week is the New York Giants at the San Francisco 49ers.  Not just because I'm a fan, but because these two teams met in the NFC Championship last year and the winner of that match up went on to win the Superbowl.  Two #1 overall drafted Quarterbacks face off for only the 3rd time in their careers.  Even though this is Eli's 9th year and Alex's 8th year in the league last year was the first time they played each other.  Eli faced Cody Pickett's 49ers in 2005, Trent Dilfer's 49ers in 2007, and J.T. O'Sullivan's 49ers in 2008, he beat all three versions of the attempting to rebuild team as Alex was dealing with injuries and between getting benched by various coaches.  The Alex vs Eli match up is tied up 1-1, both games were played in San Francisco last season, the first game the 49ers won 27-20 and lost in the NFC Championship 17-20 in overtime after two dropped kick returns.  Most 49ers fans feel cheated, however I feel like it was a necessary evil to help the 49ers to address some of their weaknesses and to help them play with more of a chip on their shoulder.  This will be the 3rd New York opponent for the 49ers in a row but most would argue that those other two teams weren't really an opponent at all beating them by a total score of 79 points to 3.  Regardless of those scores no one in their right mind would think that this game will be a blowout for either team.

As a 49ers fan I'm picking the San Francisco 49ers to win this game by 7.  As a fan of football I am also selecting the San Francisco 49ers to win based on their improved offensive and defensive lines. 

The 49ers Offensive line will have to play to a perfection to fight off the Giants fierce Defensive line and pass rushers. 

On the other side of the ball the Giants Offensive line hasn't looked too strong this year and with the 49ers Defensive Line and Pass Rushers playing very well its likely that Eli will be getting reintroduced to the Candlestick grass.

I do expect this to be a dog fight, the best defensive stand will lead to the winner in this game.  The 49ers can win this game as long as they play focused and aren't focused on revenge.

Ok so here's the rest of my picks.

Steelers over Titans - The Titans haven't been able to get anything going yet this year.  Maybe if they rush the ball 30 times and get CJ going this will be competitive other than that, I can't see the Titans winning this one.

Buccs over Chiefs - I just think that Tampa should be able to pull this one off at home.

Ravens over Cowboys - Both of these teams have alter egos but I think the Cowboys alter ego is the worse of the two, the Cowboys would have to win this game on the ground to open up for the passing game, other than that Romo will have another rough game.

Falcons over Raiders - The Falcons will keep rolling with their undefeated record, last week was probably the best chance for them to lose one.  The Falcons do have a weakness against the run, but I haven't noticed McFadden having any stellar games lately.

Eagles over Lions - The Lions seem like they are missing something and the Eagles have been able to pull out wins at home this year.

Bengals over Browns - Bengals are just a better team.

Colts over Jets - The Colts look good, the Jets look bad, easy pick if you ask me.

Cardinals over Bills - The Bills look really bad right about now, and the Cardinals still have a pretty good defense.  The Cardinals should be able to bounce back from that road loss with a win at home this week.

Seahawks over Patriots - This is my underdog pick of the week.  I'm going with the 12th man and the defense to show up against the Patriots this weekend.  The Patriots have been able to play better when they can get the running game going, against the Seahawks defense I think that running game will suffer.

The San Francisco 49ers over GiAints - I explained this above.

Vikings over the Redskins -  I went back and forth with this one.  The Skins usually win when I pick against them and lose when I pick them so who knows what will happen.  The Vikings have looked like they have a good offense and the defense has also showed up lately, where as the Skins have way more offense than they do defense right now so I'm going with the more balanced team.

Texans over Packers - You would think the Packers would bounce back this week, but they have a tough match up against a team that knows how to play solid defense, get to the QB, and run the ball effectively to set up for the play action pass so I think they will have to wait a game or two for that bounce back.  The Texans still look like the complete package even after a not so impressive game against the Jets.  Texans stay undefeated for another week.

Broncos over Chargers - Tough pick, I flipped a coin.  Plus Peyton is more dependable than Phillip.

Week 6 NFL Picks

Its two games that I'm going to spotlight for two different reasons.  The Eagles vs The Redskins and The 49ers vs The Lions.

The Eagles are 1-4 and look pretty down and out, this game is important for them to get back on track and for Andy Reid to keep his job, not to mention its a divisional matchup.  Vick had great success on this field last year on MNF, I'm sure most of you remember that.  For that reason this game is important to the Skins, their defense has looked strong this year and this rematch will feel more like revenge for exposing them to be weak last year.  For the defense this will be a proving moment.  For the whole team this is what is needed to hold down the top of the division.  I'm picking Washington over Philly at home.

Next up, 49ers in Detroit against the Lions. This game is important for both teams, the Lions need to win to keep that battle in the NFC North alive especially since the Packers should win their game today.  But a loss doesn't hurt them too much.  The 49ers need this win for recognition.  They are still under the radar, the teams that they have beaten aren't highly rated teams, also this is the first of a few tough games they will have (Washington, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, NYG). For confidence reasons to keep rolling this is a needed win.  I am picking the San Francisco 49ers over Detroit, why because that's my team and they have proved a lot to me so far this year, I believe they can keep that rolling into the bye week.

Atlanta over Carolina - I'm giving ATL this only because they are at home, I think they will get beat when they go to Carolina.

Cincy over Indy - Cincy's is at home and their defense is looking good on the low.  I think they keep this a low scoring game.

Green Bay over St. Louis - Why would I pick any differently?

Buffalo over NYG - I think the Bills will prove that they are New Yorks team this year. Better defense and a more consistent offense wins the game.

Pittsburgh over Jacksonville - The Steelers better win this game, this should be a gimmie.

Oakland over Cleveland - The Browns haven't proven to be good enough to really compete this year and the Raiders have a lot of talent, they should win this game at home.

Baltimore over Houston - The Texans are a little banged up and the Ravens have fresh legs after the bye, I think they can pull this one out at home.

New England over Dallas - If this were in Dallas I think I would pick them for the upset after their bye, but I don't see them beating Brady and the Pats at home.

New Orleans over Tampa Bay - The Buccs need this to bounce back but the Saints look like they are gaining a lot of momentum, I think they will keep that running today in Sunny Florida.

Chicago over Minnesota - I don't think this will be an easy win, despite the Viks record they have played good games just not finished them.  But I think the Bears will make this much needed divisional win happen at home.

NJY over Miami - Neither team really has an identity this year but I think the Jets are still the better of the two and they are at home.

My NFL Week 6 Picks

Berger Week

The Steelers did good but not great without their star QB Ben Roethlisberger but now he's back, hide your college daughters gone wild Cleavage, I mean Cleveland will be his attempt to bounce back from his suspension.  I'm picking the Steelers, with or without Ben they are better than Cleveland. This should be an easy comeback game for Berger.

Seattle @ Chicago: I pick Chicago they are the better team, Seattle is a roller coaster team and they really only look good at home, and a lot of that goes to the acoustics of their stadium and their unreal loud fans.  Seattle will look horrible today against the Bears in Chicago.

Miami @ Greenbay: I originally picked Miami with Aaron Rodgers possibly being out of the game and the Greenbay defense looking very poor this year.  With Rodgers back at the helm I'm going with the Packers.

San Diego @ St. Louis: I'm taking St. Louis at home. The Chargers have looked confused this year as if they don't have an identity.  The Rams on the other hand have looked a bit brand new behind Sam Bradford.  If my 49ers can't get it together, the Rams should win the division without a problem down the stretch.

Baltimore @ New England: this is a tough one, especially with the Randy Moss trade, but I'm picking New England. I feel like they have something to prove, most people have counted them out now that superstar Randy "Straight Cash Homie" Moss is gone.  Brady won 3 SuperBowls with average WRs and just spreading the ball, I think they are going to get back to that.  The Ravens are the better team in this match up but I'm sticking with the Patriots at home.  Random fact: Today's Tickets for this game have Randy Moss as the featured player on them.

Detroit @ New York (Giants): The Giants hands down.  Their defense has show up as of recently. The Lions have a high powered offense behind Shaun Hill but I believe that only works against average defenses.  I don't see them getting lose against the Giants, unless rookie Jahvid Best goes nuts like he did at the beginning of the season before getting injured, but I doubt it.

Atlanta @ Philly: I'm going with the Falcons 100% even picked them as my Streak for the Cash entry.  Even though the Falcons almost lost the Saints and almost lost to the winless 49ers, I think the Falcons are probably the best team in the NFC (with Michael Vick being sidelined).  I wish Vick was healthy for this match up, I would love to see him torch his old team.  Kolb isn't going to get it done. They will probably use this game to help shop him for a trade pending Vick being healthy enough to play again.

New Orleans @ Tampa Bay: I'm going with the Buccs. They haven't figured out their running game but their young QB Josh Freeman has looked great this year.  New Orleans has a Madden curse looming over their head and all the black magic and voodoo in the NO can't compete with Madden.  This will be an interesting game but the Saints aren't who they were last year.

Kansas City @ Houston: The Houston team confuses me, I'm not sure if they are good or bad, however Kansas City has been surprising this year, maybe they had an easy schedule or played teams that underestimated them, who knows.  Matt Cassel is a talented QB, I think he will lead them to a win in this game.  KC just has to stop Arian Foster. The Chiefs

New York (Jets) @ Denver: Denver has looked decent at times and Orton has looked surprising and so had Brandon "former Niners & Skins failure" Llyod.  But the Jets hands down will win this game, they have one of the best defenses and I don't think Denver will even look as decent as they did in their 17 to 31 loss against the Ravens. The Jets should be able to stop them and run all over them all day.

The Battle of the Bay aka Oakland @ San Francisco: Two great NFL franchises that haven't been trying to get it together since the mid part of the last decade.  The Raiders won a big game last week in thei division. The 49ers are 0-5 and having internal battles and implosions that have all been made public.  I think the 49ers will win this game, they have more on the line.  Alex Smith should play like he did in that 4th quarter after his teammates stood behind him and told the coach they wanted him in the game and he told the coach that he wasn't coming out of the game.  He's fighting for something...his career, but he has the respect and belief from the captains of his team that he can get it done.  The 49ers will win this game and celebrate like just clinched the division.  As long as the rest of the team plays their roles and the confused people in this pictures below can get it together, this should be a win that won't go down to the wire.

Dallas @ Minnesota: The Vikes should rip Dallas a new one, but it will be a game won in the 4th Quarter.  This game will have a lot of offense, but I think it will be won on defense.  I only say that because Bret Favre is a gunner and Tony Romo makes mistakes.  A fumble, interception, or holding call will win the game for the Vikings today.

SNF

Indianapolis @ Washington: I've been impressed with the Redskins, their defense has played tough and McNabb has made some great passes, recently the running game has gotten a new face.  If Washington can run for 120+ yards they could win this game.  But Peyton Manning is a drill sergeant and I don't think he's going to lose this game, so he won't make it easy for the Redskins.  I'm not a believer in Indy's defense but I will say it is better than the defense of the teams the Skins have beaten so far.  I'm taking the Colts for the win but pulling for the Skins.  I think this will be a very interesting game, possibly the highest rated of all the games this week.

MNF

Tennessee @ Jacksonville: Tennessee without a doubt.  Both QBs are average with semi-explosive moments to me, but this game will be won on the ground and the Titans have the best ground game in this match up.  Chris Johnson should have 100+ yards and a couple of TDs in this game.  This might not even be a game I would watch all the way through, unless a fantasy win depends on it.