Ryan’s NFL Predictions for Week Six

It's been a wild first five weeks in the NFL with teams we thought would play well, not playing well (Saints, Falcons, and Patriots, I'm looking at you), and teams we thought would falter, playing surprisingly well (Bills, Cowboys, and the Chargers to name a few). Here's how I see week six playing out.

Indianapolis Colts vs. Houston Texans

There were a ton of questions about the ability of the Colts' offensive line to keep Andrew Luck upright coming into the season. However, they've done a decent job so far as Luck has only been sacked six times all season, three of which took place in the week one loss to Denver.

They'll have their work cut out for them Thursday night as they face arguably their toughest task to date when they try and keep Texans defensive end J.J. Watt at bay. I think Watt will get at least one sack on Luck, but despite the short week, and the game being in Houston, I give the Colts the edge thanks to Luck's wide array of offensive weapons, and I'm not confident that Ryan Fitzpatrick can be relied on if the Texans find themselves down.

Winner: Indianapolis Colts

Carolina Panthers at Cincinnati Bengals

This is an interesting game due to the questions surrounding both teams. Many considered the Bengals one of the best teams in the AFC, if not the entire league, but after being embarrassed by the Patriots on Monday night, you have to wonder if some weaknesses were exposed. A.J. Green will more than likely be out for this game after re-aggravating a toe injury at practice earlier in the week leaving Andy Dalton without his go-to guy.

With that said, I like Cincinnati in this game because it's at home where they've won 11 straight, and because the Panthers have been an up and down team all season. They're rushing game ranks 30th in the NFL, and Cincinnati will look to prove last week's loss to the Patriots was just a bad game.

Winner: Cincinnati Bengals

Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns

This has the potential to be a really good game. Despite being 8th in the league in both rushing and passing offense, Pittsburgh has been one of those teams where you're not sure which team is going to show up week in and week out. Will it be the team that lost to Tampa Bay two weeks ago, or the one who put a sound whoopin' on Carolina in week three.

The last time these two teams met in week one, Pittsburgh was able to squeak out a 30-27 win. The Browns are scrappy, and they're playing to prove a point. Bryan Hoyer is making the most out of his opportunity as the starter, throwing for over 1,000 yards so far with only one interception. The game is in Cleveland this time around and I think the Browns pull it off in front of what will no doubt be a raucous Dawg Pound.

Winner: Cleveland Browns

New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills

After their big win of the Bengals Sunday night, many people seem to think the Patriots have fixed whatever ailed them. I'm not quite there yet, but I do think they get the win over the Bills on Sunday. The Bills have been a surprise this year, but of their three wins so far this season, only one of them was by more than three points. Their defense ranks 2nd in the league against the run, but Cincinnati was also pretty good at stopping the rush until the Patriots ran all over them in week 5. I like New England here.

Winner: New England Patriots

Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings

Teddy Bridgewater will return this week after missing last Thursday's game against the Packers due an ankle injury, and I have to think the Vikings couldn't be more relieved. Christian Ponder was awful against Green Bay, proving that if Minnesota has any prayer of staying competitive in the NFC North, they need Teddy Bridgewater on the field.

He'll have his work cut out for him Sunday when they meet a Detroit Lions team that currently ranks 1st in the league in total defense. They're Achilles Heel however is that offensive line which has allowed Matthew Stafford to hit the turf a league-high 17 times this season. Factor in the notion that Calvin Johnson more than likely won't be available due to an ankle injury, and you have a Detroit Lions team that is vulnerable. However, Golden Tate has emerged as a reliable target for Stafford, and I think they'll be playing with a chip on their shoulder after a last second loss to the Bills in week five.

Winner: Detroit Lions

Denver Broncos at New York Jets

The Jets are a mess, and Denver has Peyton Manning who I think will get the five touchdowns he needs to tie Brett Favre's career touchdown record. This one is easy.

Winner: Denver Broncos

Baltimore Ravens at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Baltimore is a better team than they showed against the Colts last week, and Tampa Bay, despite the last second win against the Steelers a couple of weeks ago, are not as good as people thought they were going to be coming into the season. They're 30th in the league against the pass, and I think Joe Flacco and Steve Smith are primed for a comeback game against a weak Buccaneer secondary after Smith was held to just 34 yards against the Colts.

Winner: Baltimore Ravens

Jacksonville Jaguars at Tennessee Titans

Sorry Jaguar and Titans' fans, no one cares about this game, including me. With that said, I think Blake Bortles will be a very good quarterback in this league, and I think he leads Jacksonville to their first win of the season over the Titans.

Winner: Jacksonville Jaguars

Green Bay Packers at Miami Dolphins

The Packers have looked really good since Aaron Rodgers told everyone they needed to R-E-L-A-X. However, I feel like this could be a trap game for the Pack. The Dolphins' rushing attack ranks 5th in the league, and Green Bay defense against the rush is dead last. This one could be closer than Packers' fans prefer. But when you have Rodgers as your quarterback, you'll always have a chance to win.

Winner: Green Bay Packers

San Diego Chargers at Oakland Raiders

San Diego is good. Oakland is a dumpster fire.

Winner: San Diego Chargers

Dallas Cowboys at Seattle Seahawks

This is the game of the week. Dallas has been surprisingly good this season on both sides of the ball, but they'll get their toughest test of the season this week when they head northwest to face the Seahawks, who by the way have only lost one home game since Russell Wilson took over at quarterback. The match up between Richard Sherman and either Dez Bryant or Terrance Williams will be one to watch. If the Legion of Boom can shutdown either one, it could be a long day for Tony Romo. Although, the Cowboys do boast the league's top running back in Demarco Murray. If he can get rolling against the league's top rushing defense, the Cowboys will have a chance.

With that said, I can't go against Seattle at home. This one will be close.

Winner: Seattle Seahawks

Washington Redskins at Arizona Cardinals

Count me as on-board the Kirk Cousins bandwagon. Despite losing to the Seahawks on Monday, Cousins was 21-36 for 283 yards and two touchdowns. Truth be told, he would have had more completions if his receivers didn't drop what I thought were few catchable balls.

Arizona may be without Carson Palmer again this week despite some reportedly significant progress with the nerve issue in his throwing shoulder, and may have to start rookie Logan Thomas at QB. Washington is fifth in the league in sacks with 14. If they can pressure the rookie, I think they have a legit shot at winning this game.

Winner: Washington Redskins

Chicago Bears at Atlanta Falcons

Jay Cutler is eighth in the league in passing yards (1,295), second in touchdowns (12) behind Andrew Luck, and in a seven-way tie for first in interceptions (6), yet his team is 2-3 thanks to a defensive secondary that has had its fair share of issues against opposing receivers. It won't get any easier for them against a Falcons team that ranks second in passing offense thanks to Matt Ryan, Julio Jones, and Roddy White. However, the Cardinals offensive line is a mess, and they have their fair share of questions on the defensive side of the ball. This one has the potential to be a shootout.

Winner: Atlanta Falcons

New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles

The Giants, and particularly Eli Manning seem to be getting the hang of new Offensive Coordinator, Ben McAdoo, as they've rattled off three straight convincing wins after an ugly 0-2 start. The Eagles on the other hand, started strong, but have stumbled the past two weeks, losing to the 49ers in week four, and barely getting by a not-very-good Rams team last week. The high-octane Chip Kelley offense has struggled thanks to a shaky offensive line that has quarterback Nick Foles scrambling to avoid pressure, and not having the ability to step into his throws. I see the Giants riding their current momentum and getting the win on the road.

Winner: New York Giants

San Francisco 49ers at St. Louis Rams

I'm sure when the schedule makers put together this year's list of games, they, like everyone else, thought the Rams would be better than they have been. How else could this game be on Monday Night Football? This is a noon kick-off at best. The Rams are 1-3 and while they've not been "blown out" during any of those losses, the lack of a solid quarterback has hurt them.

The 49ers boast the third best rushing attack in the league while the Rams are 29th against the run. I expect San Francisco to lean on Frank Gore and Carlos Hyde early and ride them to a victory.

Winner: San Francisco 49ers

Remember to make your picks for this week's Lucy Bella's Pizzeria Pro Football Pick 'Em Challenge. Pick the most correct games and you could score a $50 gift card to an Evansville-area restaurant.