Mattie T’s Week 6 NFL Predictions

Ok, so i finally suffered my first Justice League loss thanks to a self-inflicted move. Had i started Philadelphia’s defense (18 points) over Dallas’ defense (6 points), i would have squeaked past Champ Ty with a 61-59 win.

I would have also been tied for the league lead in scoring, but it’s all good ’cause i’m right where i need to be!

I will face off Sunday against another 4-1 team, Monsters of Midway & am a 9-point favorite. If it’s close, i have Chris Johnson going Monday Night so i hope he’ll be the difference-maker! 🙂

Week 5: 7-7

Overall: 43-33 (.566)

Falcons/Eagles:

Atlanta knows they’ll have to step up their play on Sunday, as they have squeaked past the 49ers & Browns (combined 1-6 record) thanks to a couple of key defensive plays.

Despite Philadelphia’s shuffling quarterback controversy, they are still ranked 8th in total offense & will get a second straight start from Kevin Kolb.

If this game were being played in the Georgia Dome, i’d go with the Falcons…but two numbers tell the tale of the tape. Mike Smith is just 9-10 in his career in road games as head coach, while Matt Ryan only has a 79.0 passer rating in 19 road starts. Close game, but i’m going with the Eagles.

Mattie T’s Pick: Philadelphia

Browns/Steelers:

Sunday will mark the season debut of Ben Roethlisberger, who has been pretty good career-wise against Cleveland with 14 touchdowns & 8 interceptions in 11 starts with 221.3 passing yards per game.

Meanwhile, Colt McCoy will make his NFL debut against a stingy Pittsburgh defense that’s only giving up 12.5 points per game so far.

Both teams should have moderate-to-big success throwing the ball, but look for Rashard Mendenhall to have a big day as the Steelers will give Roethlisberger a win in his 2010 debut.

Mattie T’s Pick: Pittsburgh

Seahawks/Bears:

Jay Cutler is set to return to the Bears’ starting lineup on Sunday & looks to have his 2nd straight strong game against Seattle.

Last season during Week 3, Cutler completed 21 of 27 passes for 247 yards & threw for 3 touchdowns (season-high 126.4 rating) during the Bears’ 25-19 win, which included a 36-yard game winner to Devin Hester with 1:52 remaining to seal the win.

Marshawn Lynch will make his Seahawks debut in Week 6 & hopes to boost the team’s 29th ranked run offense.

The Bears’ defense should have a field day against a Seattle team that has been outscored 51-17 in their two road losses this season.

Mattie T’s Pick: Chicago

Dolphins/Packers:

Just one week after suffering a concussion, Aaron Rodgers looks ready to go on Sunday against a rested Miami team that’s coming off a Week 5 bye.

Green Bay hopes they can fix their shaky play, as they have looked mediocre in the past 3 weeks with disappointing close losses to both Chicago & Washington while barely squeaking past Detroit.

The Packers’ linebacking corps could be in big trouble, as both Nick Barnett (wrist, out for season) & Clay Matthews (hamstring) will be out for Sunday’s game.

To make matters worse, tight end Jermichael Finley (knee) could miss the rest of the season after being injured during their Week 5 loss to Washington.

I like for the Dolphins to pull off a mild Lambeau upset here.

Mattie T’s Pick: Miami

Lions/Giants:

Hakeem Nicks has had quite an impressive 2010 NFL season so far, and it could very well continue on Sunday against Detroit’s 26th ranked pass defense.

Even with Jahvid Best’s fast start (leads NFL rookies with 495 yards from scrimmage), he’ll most likely have a tough time going up against the Giants’ top-ranked defense.

Osi Umenyiora & Justin Tuck have both looked dominant in the past two weeks against Jay Cutler/Matt Schaub, and look for that trend to continue against Shaun Hill on Sunday afternoon from the Meadowlands.

Mattie T’s Pick: N.Y. Giants

Saints/Buccaneers:

A stunned Saints team will look to bounce back from a surprising 30-20 loss to Arizona in Week 5, as they will be without Pierre Thomas (ankle) for the 3rd straight week.

Drew Brees has had good career numbers (18 touchdowns, 7 interceptions with 68% completion rate in 9 starts) against the Buccaneers & will most likely target Marques Colston & Devery Henderson, who have both done well career-wise vs Tampa.

I think the Buccaneers will keep this game close, but look for the Saints to get a much-needed road win on Sunday.

Mattie T’s Pick: New Orleans

Chargers/Rams:

San Diego could be facing St. Louis at the right time, as the Rams are coming off an embarassing 44-6 loss to Detroit & will be without leading receiver Mark Clayton (knee) for the rest of the season.

Philip Rivers has been on an absolute tear, as his 1,759 passing yards is the fifth-best all-time total through the first five games of the season.

Antonio Gates is a big reason for Rivers’ success, as he has a receiving touchdown in 9 straight games & leads the NFL with 7 touchdown receptions.

I look for the Chargers’ offense to have a big day on Sunday en route to a blowout win in the show-me state.

Mattie T’s Pick: San Diego

Chiefs/Texans:

With two poor secondaries & strong run offenses squaring off, this game has shootout written all over it.

Andre Johnson is getting closer to full strength & can tie Jerry Rice with another 10 catch, 100 yard game on Sunday. (15th of career)

Should be a great battle between the Chiefs’ O-line (3 sacks allowed) against Houston’s Mario Williams, who is ranked 6th in the NFL in 5 sacks.

Close and high-scoring game here, but i like for the Texans to win this one.

Mattie T’s Pick: Houston

Ravens/Patriots:

Life without Randy Moss begins Sunday for New England, as top-rated passer Tom Brady & the Patriots offense will try to keep things going against a very strong 3rd ranked Ravens defense.

Despite becoming the first team ever in NFL history to score touchdowns on a blocked punt, kickoff return & interception, the Patriots are still ranked 29th overall defensively & will have trouble stopping Joe Flacco & the Ravens’ offense.

Mattie T’s Pick: Baltimore

Raiders/49ers:

Despite the team’s stunning 0-5 start, 49ers owner Jed York still thinks San Francisco can have a nice turnaround & win the division.

The first step towards that would be a critical win on Sunday over Oakland, as Frank Gore & the 49ers’ 30th ranked run offense should have a big day against the Raiders’ 31st ranked run defense.

Close game here, but look for Mike Singletary’s 49ers to notch their first win of the 2010 season.

Mattie T’s Pick: San Francisco

Jets/Broncos:

Jets will try for their fifth straight win on Sunday without Darrelle Revis, who hurt his hamstring during their Week 5 win over Minnesota.

Kyle Orton could wind up having his 5th straight 300-yard passing game for Denver, but the defensive injuries (3 starters have already been ruled out) will catch up to them as the “Orange Crush” won’t be enough to deliver them a big home win.

Mattie T’s Pick: N.Y. Jets

Cowboys/Vikings:

Rematch of last January’s NFC Divisional Playoff Matchup, as the loser of this one faces a longshot of returning to the postseason.

The Vikings have some big-time health issues, as Brett Favre’s 290th consecutive start could be in jeopardy following elbow tenditis during their Monday Night loss to the Jets.

In addition to that, cornerback Cedric Griffin (knee) will miss the rest of the regular season which will weaken Minnesota’s secondary.

Dallas may have struggled up to this point, but when their season is on the line (see last season against New Orleans & Week 3 vs. Houston), they will respond with a strong game.

I look for the Cowboys to get some revenge from their playoff loss with a big road win on Sunday against the Vikings.

Mattie T’s Pick: Dallas

Colts/Redskins:

Redskins will shoot for 3rd straight win on Sunday night, but their 30th ranked secondary will have to figure out to try & stop Peyton Manning, who is tied for the NFL lead with 11 touchdown passes.

Indianapolis will look to win a game at Washington for the first time on Sunday night since 1967, when Johnny Unitas led them to a 17-13 win.

Unless Ryan Torain can exploit the Colts’ 29th ranked run defense, then i see Indianapolis squeaking out a close road win here.

Mattie T’s Pick: Indianapolis

Titans/Jaguars:

Get ready for an offensive explosion on Monday night, as this game will feature Chris Johnson (seven straight 100-yard rushing games on road) & Maurice Jones-Drew (rushed for career-high 177 yards in last game vs. Titans).

Vince Young has fared well career-wise against Jacksonville (4-2 record) & will look for Nate Washington through the air, who has caught a touchdown in each of his last 4 games against the Jaguars.

This game could easily turn into a shootout, but Rob Bironas will emerge as a late-game hero to lift the Titans to a late win.

Mattie T’s Pick: Tennessee