Gerry Dulac's NFL Forecast: Week 6
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Steelers (2-2) at Tennessee Titans (1-4), 8:20 p.m., Thursday
The Skinny: The musical climate that surrounds LP Field in Nashville has never produced many sweet chords for the Steelers. They are 2-7 in Tennessee (including playoffs) since the Titans franchise moved from Houston. However, the Titans have been playing like a bad country song, giving up more points (181) than any team in the NFL. And what has ever happened to Chris Jonson? He hasn't been the same since the Steelers roughed him up a couple years ago.
Prediction: Steelers, 27-13
Dallas Cowboys (2-2) at Baltimore Ravens (4-1), 1 p.m., Sunday
The Skinny: The Ravens struggled each of the past two weeks with the Browns and Chiefs, two of the league's bottom-feeders. But the Cowboys should get their attention, especially at home. Dallas needed a bye to let the stink clear from their embarrassing loss to the Bears.
Prediction: Ravens, 17-13
Oakland Raiders (1-3) at Atlanta Falcons (5-0), 1 p.m., Sunday
The Skinny: One of the great early-season mysteries is how the Raiders managed to score 34 points against the Steelers when they've managed just 33 in the other three. But there should be no mystery here: The unbeaten Falcons are tough to beat at home.
Prediction: Falcons, 31-9
Cincinnati Bengals (3-2) at Cleveland Browns (0-5), 1 p.m., Sunday
The Skinny: If the Steelers will look back and kick themselves for losing at Oakland, the Bengals will most certainly do the same about losing to the Dolphins at home. Meantime, the Browns would be advised not to ever look back because they won't like what they see.
Prediction: Bengals, 23-17
St. Louis Rams (3-2) at Miami Dolphins (2-3), 1 p.m., Sunday
The Skinny: I've said it before and I'll say it again -- keep an eye on the Rams. They've already exceeded last year's victory total (2) and could quadruple it by the time the season is over. But don't discount the Dolphins. Just ask the Bengals.
Prediction: Rams, 24-23
Indianapolis Colts (2-2) at New York Jets (2-3), 1 p.m., Sunday
The Skinny: The Colts had an emotional victory against the Packers, coming back from a 21-3 deficit for their ailing head coach. After facing the 49ers and Texans in back-to-back weeks, the Jets will appreciate facing an average defense.
Prediction: Jets, 24-17
Detroit Lions (1-3) at Philadelphia Eagles (3-2), 1 p.m., Sunday
The Skinny: Some people who shall remain nameless thought the Lions had the making of a division winner and possible Super Bowl contender. Well, they haven't shown any of that, and they may not start against the Eagles.
Prediction: Eagles, 20-16
Kansas City Chiefs (1-4) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-3), 1 p.m., Sunday
The Skinny: The Bucs have lost three in a row after surprising the nxxxxxx in the opener. Maybe it's time for "High School Harry" Schiano to have a bonfire the night before the game. At least the Chiefs won't have to worry about what happens in the victory formation.
Prediction: Buccaneers, 16-13
New York Giants (3-2) at San Francisco 49ers (4-1), 4:05 p.m., Sunday
The Skinny: This is a rematch of the NFC Championship game, won by the Giants. It is also a matchup of the NFC's highest scoring team (NYG, 152 points) against the league's stingiest defense (49ers, 68 points). The 49ers haven't allowed a touchdown in eight quarters and have outscored their opponent, 79-3, in the past two games.
Prediction: 49ers, 28-23
Buffalo Bills (2-3) at Arizona Cardinals (4-1), 4:25 p.m., Sunday
The Skinny: It has not been a good start for the Bills defense and coordinator Dave Wannstedt: They have allowed at least 45 points in all three of their defeats. The Cardinals have allowed just slightly more than that (55) in all four victories.
Prediction: Cardinals, 27-16
New England Patriots (3-2) at Seattle Seahawks (3-2), 4:05 p.m., Sunday
The Skinny: Quick, name the only division to have four winning teams? Wrong -- it's the NFC West, the league's most surprising division. The Patriots, though, have rebounded with back-to-back victories by averaging 38 points per game.
Prediction: Patriots, 30-20
Minnesota Vikings (4-1) at Washington Redskins (2-3), 4:15 p.m., Sunday
The Skinny: The Vikings qualify as the NFL's most surprising team for any number of reasons, none more eye-popping than this: They already have a two-game lead on the Packers. The Redskins have yet to win at home.
Prediction: Vikings, 24-23
Green Bay Packers (2-3) at Houston Texans (5-0), 8:20 p.m., Sunday
The Skinny: The Packers have already lost two more games than they did last year in the regular season. What's more, their offense has looked rather ordinary. There has been nothing ordinary about the Texans, who look like the best team in the AFC.
Prediction: Texans, 24-20
Denver Broncos (2-3) at San Diego Chargers (3-2), 8:30 p.m., Monday
The Skinny: Since beating the Steelers in the season opener, the Broncos have lost three of their past four games. Part of it could be that their defense is accustomed to having to blend with a Peyton Manning-style game.
Prediction: Chargers, 28-24
First Published October 11, 2012 12:00 am
