If there is one thing I know for sure that will not happen in week six of the NFL, it is this: the Bengals will not lose.
Neither will Detroit, Minnesota or San Diego because they are all idle.
Oakland, however, will head to Cleveland to take on the Browns, who surprisingly spanked the Steelers on Sunday night, 33-13. If Tim Couch starts and plays like he did against the Steelers, the Browns should have no trouble against the struggling, aging Raiders who lost to the lowly Chicago Bears Sunday.
I think Cleveland’s defense will shut down the Raiders predictable offense, and Tim Couch, if he starts, will have a big game. I like the Browns, 24-14.
The Steelers will try to bounce back from an embarrassing loss to the Browns Sunday night, but will have their hands full with the Denver Broncos in one of Sunday’s late games. The key for the Steelers is its passing game.
If Maddox can limit his mistakes and make a couple of big plays in the passing game, the Steelers have a good chance on the road.
The Broncos, on the other hand, must give the ball to Clinton Portis at least 25 times if they want to penetrate that tough Steelers run defense. I like the Broncos at home against my Steelers, 31-23.
Monday night’s battle between the Atlanta Falcons and the St. Louis Rams should be fairly even, considering both teams are missing its star players. Atlanta is still without starting quarterback Mike Vick, and St. Louis will be without running back Marshall Faulk.
I think the Rams can win without Faulk, but Atlanta has shown that backup QB Doug Johnson doesn’t have what it takes to lead the Falcons to victories.
The Rams led by QB Marc Bulger, and receivers Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt win big, 31-16.
The Carolina Panthers have been one of the surprising teams this season, having gone undefeated thus far.
I think they get a reality check this week however, as they head to Indianapolis to take on the high-powered Colts offense.
Colts quarterback Peyton Manning has been on a tear this season.
He threw six touchdown passes in the Colts Sunday night win last week against the New Orleans Saints. I like the Colts in a tight one, 17-9.
Last, but not least, the Buffalo Bills head to the Meadowlands to take on the lousy New York Jets.
Sure Buffalo had to go to overtime to beat the Bengals, but the Bengals are better than the Jets. Yes, I did say the Bengals are better than the Jets.
New York quarterback Vinny Testaverde is too old and too inconsistent to lead the Jets past the Bills.
If Chad Pennington were starting, I’d give the edge to the Jets at home. He’s not, so the Bills will win 24-10.