Now Calling Week 6

As we get closer to the halfway point things are starting to look interesting in the NFL. There are some interesting matchups this week. Without further ado, here is this week's schedule and predictions:

Houston at Cincinnati (Houston)
Detroit at Green Bay (Green Bay)
St. Louis at Jacksonville (Jacksonville)
Baltimore at Minnesota (Minnesota)
New York Giants at New Orleans (New Orleans)
Cleveland at Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh)
Carolina at Tampa Bay (Tampa Bay)
Kansas City at Washington (Kansas City)
Philadelphia at Oakland (Philadelphia)
Arizona at Seattle (Seattle)
Tennessee at New England (New England)
Buffalo at New York Jets (New York Jets)
Chicago at Atlanta (Atlanta)

Monday Night:
Denver at San Diego (San Diego 28-21)

I'm really hoping that half-time at Arizona last week was the turning point for the Houston defense. They helped to nearly pull the game away from an Arizona team that was looking to run away with it early. We're going to need more of that 2nd half defense this week as Cincinnati has been showing a flair for the dramatic. Both teams feature a passing attack that rivals any of the league's elite teams, but here Houston has a better ranked pass defense. The front 4 should get good pressure on Carson Palmer. Houston has had 2 good games at run defense. Houston has even lifted themselves from the 32nd ranked run defense to the 26th ranked run defense. If Houston can slow Cedric Benson and force them to attack through the air, they should be able to pull out this win.

I'm really surprised that the bookmakers have Baltimore over Minnesota at +3. The Baltimore defense has been better than their record indicates. The unfortunate thing for Baltimore is that Minnesota has been expert in picking apart defenses. And when Minnesota has been faced with a worthy challenger, they found a way to win. Joe Flacco appears to be in a sophomore slump as his stats aren't quite as impressive as they were last year. They say defense wins games, but the potent offense still scores more points, and that's how the winner is determined. Adrian Peterson has not been running up to his billing, but he is still the explosive threat. Brett Favre is playing well beyond any expectations many had for him this season. Let's not forget about the Minnesota defensive line, which has been spectacular in disrupting offenses this season. Look for Minnesota to pull out the win and go to 6-0.

New Orleans is hosting the New York Giants this week at the Superdome. Both teams sport offenses that are just amazing. The question mark for New York will be their pass rush against Drew Brees, who is a very smart player. If anything, home field advantage goes to New Orleans. Detroit, whatever strides have been made, remains the NFC North whipping boy and goes up against a rested and hungry Green Bay that wants to blank that loss against Minnesota 2 weeks ago. Jacksonville will capitalize on home-field advantage against St. Louis. The loss of Aaron Smith shouldn't affect the Pittsburgh against Cleveland. Troy Polamalu participated fully in practice today, which is a welcome sign for Pittsburgh. Tennessee is imploding and chances are the players are starting to give up on 2009. I look for New England to pick apart a defense in total disarray. Kansas City at Washington and Carolina at Tampa Bay were coin tosses. Atlanta's offense is going to keep Chicago's defense busy all night on Sunday night. Philadelphia at Oakland - nothing more can be said about that one. I look for a rested and regrouped San Diego offense to hold off Denver, but given the injuries and weaknesses on the San Diego defense, I look for this to be a high scoring affair.

Bye weeks continue this week. Dallas, San Francisco, Miami, and the New York Jets are all resting after playing some hard football so far this season.

For Sunday's menu I'm looking at grilled New York Strip steaks marinated in rosemary-infused olive oil along with poblano roasted potatoes and a salad that remains as yet undecided.

What does Mardi think of all this football goodness?