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Time flies by, as we're already up to Week 6 in the NFL. The Cowboys, coming out of their bye week, are playing in one of the marquee matchups this week, as they head to Foxboro to take on Tom Brady, Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots. Other highlights include New Orleans/Tampa Bay, Buffalo/New York and Philadelphia/Washington.
As always, the staff at SB Nation Dallas picks each and every game.
Carolina (1-4) at Atlanta (2-3) - Coming into this season, this would have been considered one of the joke games of the week, but Carolina has played some pretty solid football this season thanks to Cam Newton. The Falcons, on the other hand, have been miserable this year, and as mediocre as their 2-3 record indicates.
- Charley Code: Falcons
- KD Drummond: Falcons - The Falcons don't lose at home with Matt Ryan, just ask Green Bay. Wait, what?
- Liam Ponting: Falcons - This one will be entertaining, but Carolina isn't ready to win these types of games on the road.
- Maurice London: Falcons - The Falcons need this if they want to salvage their season.
- Brett Perryman: Falcons - Atlanta really needs this game, but these two have actually been basically the same so far.
- JP Starkey: Falcons - If this were in Carolina, I'd probably take the Panthers. But it's not, so...
Indianapolis (0-5) at Cincinnati (3-2) - Ha, the Colts are really 0-5 and the Bengals are really 3-2? This is real? Ok, it's half real because the Colts don't have Peyton Manning, but still. It just looks bizarre.
- Code: Bengals
- Drummond: Bengals - Solid D defeats the Pierre Garcons
- Ponting: Bengals - Colts owner says he'd consider Luck...he knows what's coming this season.
- London: Bengals - The Bengals are 3-2 and could easily be 5-0. Think Palmer regrets his off-season antics?
- Perryman: Bengals - If it doesn't happen this week, Jacksonville and Carolina may be the Colts' only two good chances.
- Starkey: Bengals - You're my starting quarterback this week in fantasy, Andy Dalton. Don't let me down.
San Francisco (4-1) at Detroit (5-0) - Who knew that the 49ers would only have one loss at this point in time, and that that loss would be thanks to the Cowboys? Likewise, who knew the Lions would be 5-0? Lots of questions, but we'll see how good the 49ers are in this game as they travel to Detroit.
- Code: Lions
- Drummond: 49ers - Probably just still bitter, but I'm not buying what Jim Schwartz is selling.
- Ponting: Lions - SF has the luxury of being a mediocre team in an absolutely awful division. Detroit is legitimately good.
- London: Lions - Stafford to Megatron. Always and forever.
- Perryman: Lions - The Lions are more legit than the 49ers.
- Starkey: Lions - Megatron.
St. Louis (0-4) at Green Bay (5-0) - Missouri and Wisconsin meet twice on Sunday, how about that? In the NFL version, the Packers are clearly favorites and will likely take Sam Bradford and the Rams to the woodshed.
- Code: Packers
- Drummond: Packers - St. Louis is more worried about being demoted from the Premiere League. Wait, what?
- Ponting: Packers - This will be ugly.
- London: Packers - Yuck.
- Perryman: Packers - Mantequilla couldn't lead these Rams to a win in Wisconsin. Still, viva Los Carneros! Olé!
- Starkey: Packers - St. Louis will win in the matchup that counts more. I hope.
Buffalo (4-1) at New York (3-2) - Two teams that call "New York" home are above .500. And they're both somehow playing in this game. The Bills are a surprise at 4-1, the Giants are about right at 3-2, and the Jets, well, they're 2-3. Greatness.
- Code: Bills
- Drummond: Bills - I've been calling the GMen frauds since training camp, would love to see them take a second consecutive home loss.
- Ponting: Giants - Short trip for Buffalo, but this is a toss-up that goes to the Giants.
- London: Bills - Fitzpatrick and Fred will prove to be too much.
- Perryman: Giants - A Bills win really helps the Cowboys.
- Starkey: Giants - I'm still not buying the Bills. +11 turnover, I know, but still.
Jacksonville (1-4) at Pittsburgh (3-2) - It's tough to come up with reasons to watch this game. In fact, there aren't really any. If you care about watching Blaine Gabbert struggle, or Big Ben shooting fish in a barrel, then this game is for you. If not, move along.
- Code: Steelers
- Drummond: Steelers - Hines Ward is back with an AARP card and a bad attitude.
- Ponting: Steelers - The Jaguars are pretty bad, and regardless of how many injuries the Steelers have, they shouldn't lose here.
- London: Steelers - Poor Blaine Gabbert.
- Perryman: Steelers - I think the Steelers' offensive performance last week was a fluke, but the Jags are pretty bad.
- Starkey: Steelers - The Jaguars are really terrible.
Philadelphia (1-4) at Washington (3-1) - This is sort of fun, with every week being a must-win for the Eagles from here on out. The self proclaimed Dream Team heads to Washington to take on the... division leading Redskins? Or the Redskins are a duck, whatever, screw you, you'll watch it anyway.
- Code: Eagles
- Drummond: Eagles - I guess I do hate the Redskins more.
- Ponting: Eagles - The turnaround begins here.
- London: Eagles - 8-8 might win the NFC East.
- Perryman: Eagles - The Eagles are one of just two road teams I've picked this week - probably a dumb choice, too.
- Starkey: Redskins - This will be a dumb pick, but I like the Redskins coming off a bye week while Vick is in full panic mode.
Cleveland (2-2) at Oakland (3-2) - Colt McCoy leads the Browns into Oakland, in what is sort-of-almost-but-not-quite a must win for both teams. The Browns probably aren't going anywhere, but going into Oakland and winning there could give them some momentum. The Raiders, meanwhile, have to win this type of game if they want to be playing in January.
- Code: Raiders
- Drummond: Raiders - Another one for Al.
- Ponting: Raiders - Browns get McFaddened to death.
- London: Raiders - Could be a let down game after the passing of Al Davis, but I think they'll be ready.
- Perryman: Raiders - It's the battle of former Rob Ryan defenses!
- Starkey: Raiders - The autumn wind is a pirate.
Houston (3-2) at Baltimore (3-1) - Well, this is certainly a test for the Texans. Already without Andre Johnson, the Texans will be without Mario Williams for the rest of the season. If they can go into Baltimore and even play well, then I might start believing in them.
- Code: Texans
- Drummond: Ravens - No Andre? No Mario? No mas.
- Ponting: Ravens - Texans could really use Andre Johnson this game.
- London: Ravens - The Texans will fall to 3-3 after this loss. Have to pick the pace up if they want to finish 9-7.
- Perryman: Ravens - Mario gone, AJ out this week. That's pretty tough to overcome against a good team.
- Starkey: Ravens - Houston just isn't that good. And they're especially not good without their two best players.
Dallas (2-2) at New England (4-1) - Dallas will finally be pretty healthy, and at the right time as they come off their bye week and head to Foxboro to take on the Pats. New England has about 85 of their players listed as questionable, but they should be plenty prepared regardless. We'll see if the Cowboys can score enough to keep up with Brady's offense.
- Code: Patriots
- Drummond: Cowboys - see Simpson, Homer.
- Ponting: Patriots - This could end up being a scorefest.
- London: Cowboys - Why not? Oh, right.. that Brady guy against the secondary. Oh well.
- Perryman: Patriots - This could be a fun, high scoring game or a New England blowout. Either way, Pats probably win.
- Starkey: Patriots - The Pats just don't lose at home. In the regular season, anyway.
New Orleans (4-1) at Tampa Bay (3-2) - It seems like all the great games are the late games on Sunday. A win by the Bucs would really make the NFC South interesting, but a Saints win could mean that the division might be wrapped up around Thanksgiving.
- Code: Saints
- Drummond: Saints - The Bucs just lost by 45 points to Alex Smith. Yes, that Alex Smith.
- Ponting: Saints - Freeman can't possibly be this bad.
- London: Saints - I'm tempted to pick the Bucs but I won't.
- Perryman: Saints - The Saints are the other road team I've picked this week. Quick stat: both teams have allowed 125 points. NO has scored 157, TB 87.
- Starkey: Saints - I haven't believed in the Bucs, and I'm not about to start now.
Minnesota (1-4) at Chicago (2-3) - That this is the Sunday night game is a bit criminal. At least Adrian Peterson will be playing. The Bears, though, do need a win if they want to be taken seriously this year. Donovan McNabb might just be playing for pride at this point, as I doubt he wants to be benched for a second straight year on a different team.
- Code: Bears
- Drummond: Vikings - Dallas North (CHI) announced that they are benching both starting safeties. Maybe the Cowboys should trade them Alan Ball.
- Ponting: Bears - Neither team is particularly good...give me the home team.
- London: Bears - These prime time games have been awful.
- Perryman: Bears - Both teams are winless on the road? I don't know.
- Starkey: Bears - Jay Cutler does enough to win. Or maybe Donovan McNabb does enough to lose.
Miami (0-4) at New York (2-3) - ESPN really hates us this year, huh? Another Monday, another really lame Monday Night Football game. Miami traditionally plays the Jets pretty tough, but, this Miami team is particularly awful. Not that the Jets are very good, mind you, but... come on.
- Code: Jets
- Drummond: Jets - Dallas South (MIA) is starting Matt Moore this weekend. :: points and laughs ::
- Ponting: Jets - Dolphins trying to keep pace in the Andrew Luck sweepstakes.
- London: Jets - Really awful.
- Perryman: Jets - The Dolphins are not very good right now. < /Bill Parcells voice >
- Starkey: Jets - Rex Ryan will think he's awesome for beating a winless team. Great.