NFL Office Pool Picks - Week 6

Presented by Dale Sims

The Crystal Ball

Last week went better as most teams cooperated with me by winning games that they were suppose to win; so I came in at 12 – 2 straight up for the week 49 – 25 on the season so far.  Also managed to come in 8 – 6 against the spread and 37 – 34, against the spread.

I have my own views and pick the games independent from anyone associated with Football Forecasters.  These picks are used as my preliminary selections for a pick’em league I participate in but this is the early week version; I make changes based on injury reports and other information that comes out after this is submitted, late Tuesdays usually.  Anyone even thinking of using this for other than entertainment is being foolish, no warranty expressed or implied.

Week 6

Buffalo at Detroit – Detroit has been playing just well enough to lose games closer; the game last week left them nicked up.  Buffalo was beaten up in Chicago on the scoreboard last week and stays in the same division; but they are better than that, Bills win 24 – 21.

Carolina at Baltimore – A still wounded Carolina team travels to Baltimore, not a pleasant trip.  The issue for Baltimore will be to protect against the big play potential that Carolina has while finding a way to generate some offense of their own, Ravens win 20 – 17.

Cincinnati at Tampa Bay – Cincinnati travels to Tampa Bay off their bye week; Tampa still has problems on their offensive line and is starting a rookie quarterback.  Cincinnati has as much offensive potential as any team in the NFL, Bengals win 28 – 14.

Houston at Dallas – Houston goes to face a very unhappy Dallas team.  This probably is not the best time to be taking this trip though there would not seem to be a good time for this from Houston’s view, the Cowboys win 28 – 17.

N.Y. Giants at Atlanta – The Giants come off a big home win and travel to Atlanta who had a bye last week and gets Abrahams back for this one.  The Giant defense finally asserted itself last week holding Washington to just a field goal; this should be a close game, Falcons win 21 – 20.

Philadelphia at New Orleans – New Orleans had a narrow escape last week at home against a less challenging opponent; Philadelphia is coming off an emotional win.  This can be a difficult place to play but if healthy, the Eagles win 28 – 24.

Seattle at St. Louis – Seattle does not travel well but has had two weeks to prepare off their bye; St Louis won on the road last week and has a half game lead in the division.  It depends upon which Seattle team shows up but given their road history; Rams win 24 – 21.

Tennessee at Washington – Tennessee came up just short in Indianapolis and now travels to Washington.  While the Titans were able to exploit the weak run defense of the Colts, they have no such advantage this week, Redskins win 28 – 17.

Kansas City at Pittsburgh – Kansas City has played well without their starting quarterback winning their last two games; Pittsburgh has lost three in a row.  This week though Pittsburgh is clearly the better team, Steelers win 24 – 17.

Miami at N.Y. Jets – Both teams are coming off road losses; Miami played a solid game while the Jets were trounced.  Miami might be well advised to let Culpepper have another week of rest; the Dolphins offensive line has no such option though, Jets win 21 – 17.

San Diego at San Francisco – San Diego opened up the playbook last week, calling more pass plays that runs for the first time this season.  San Francisco is playing better than expected overall but that is not saying much, Chargers win 24 – 14.

Oakland at Denver – Oakland is going to Denver in continuation of a long-standing rivalry.  They are playing at a level that is not likely to make this installment a very game to watch.  Denver is playing great defense at this point, Broncos win 28 – 10.

Chicago at Arizona – Chicago has been playing lights out.  While they will likely come down to earth at some point, a bad offensive line and a rookie quarterback do not seem like the right combination to make that happen, Bears win 28 – 14.