I knew it was a bad idea to start competing with my fellow writers. Newcomer Cal Setar crushed us all last week and went 15-0 in his first go around, while Jordan, Brandon and I each went 11-4. But it's a new week and we're determined to out-pick Cal.
Week 6 will kick off tonight when the Colts visit the Texans for a division matchup on Thursday Night Football. And we all happened to have picked the Colts - no surprise there.
Colts at Texans, Thursday @ 8:25 p.m.
The Colts are on a three-game winning streak and it looks as if they found their groove after losing Weeks 1 and 2 against the Broncos and Eagles. Andrew Luck has beaten the Texans in the team's last three matchups, and I think that continues tonight, especially since we've seen Houston struggle against the only two solid offensive teams they faced so far (Giants and Cowboys).
Tom: Colts 30, Texans 17
Jordan: Colts 24, Texans 10
Brandon: Colts 31, Texans 21
Cal: Colts 34, Texans 20
Patriots at Bills, Sunday @ 1:00 p.m.
The Patriots rebounded last week after a horrifying performance in Week 4 against the Chiefs on Monday Night Football. They handily defeated the Bengals, which was an impressive victory, but now they'll travel to Buffalo, a division opponent, and New England has shown their vulnerability on the road this season. I think the Bill's defense matches up well with the Patriots, and now with Kyle Orton under center, the offense has a bit more experience.
Tom: Bills 20, Patriots 17
Jordan: Patriots 28, Bills 7
Brandon: Patriots 27, Bills 20
Cal: Patriots 24, Bills 20
Panthers at Bengals, Sunday @ 1:00 p.m.
Without a miracle punt return on Sunday, it's a whole different ball game for the Panthers. They ultimately defeated the Bears 31-24, but Carolina is the only team at .500 or above this season that has been outscored by their opponents (120-104). Cincinnati hasn't lost a home game since Week 14 of the 2012 season, and I expect that winning streak to continue.
Tom: Bengals 24, Panthers 16
Jordan: Bengals 20, Panthers 14
Brandon: Bengals 24, Carolina 20
Cal: Bengals 27, Panthers 20
Steelers at Browns, Sunday @ 1:00 p.m.
This is the second matchup between these two teams already this season. The Browns lost 30-27 in Week 1 on a last second field goal, but they'll know better this time than to go down 27-0 to start the game. I think Brian Hoyer will continue his success and lead the Browns to another late-game victory, as he did against the Titans last week and the Saints in Week 2.
Tom: Browns 27, Steelers 23
Jordan: Steelers 28, Browns 10
Brandon: Browns 26, Steelers 17
Cal: Browns 20, Steelers 17
Packers at Dolphins, Sunday @ 1:00 p.m.
Green Bay is on 10 days rest while the Dolphins are coming off of their bye week after smashing the Raiders in London. Dolphins head coach Joe Philbin will face his former team, but I don't think the reunion will go so well for him. After struggling the first few weeks, the Packers have scored 80 points in their past two games and Aaron Rodgers is heaving the ball down field, which is a good sign for Green Bay fans. The Dolphins could rekindle a QB controversy if Tannehill doesn't perform well.
Tom: Packers 34, Dolphins 24
Jordan: Packers 30, Dolphins 10
Brandon: Packers 28, Dolphins 21
Cal: Packers 30, Dolphins 14
Lions at Vikings, Sunday @ 1:00 p.m.
The Lions appear a bit inconsistent, and if Calvin Johnson isn't at full force, or even misses the game, then that's a problem for the offense. The Detroit defense has been outstanding, but with Teddy Bridgewater under center for Minnesota I think they'll have a tough time containing him and his ability to scramble. The Vikings have also won three out of the last four matchups against the Lions, and I think they'll win a close one.
Tom: Vikings 24, Lions 23
Jordan: Lions 17, Vikings 7
Brandon: Vikings 21, Lions 19
Cal: Lions 37, Vikings 35
Broncos at Jets, Sunday @ 1:00 p.m.
Is this the week Rex Ryan gets canned? If it's another blowout loss, the Jets head coach could be sent packing. And that's what all of us are predicting.
Tom: Broncos 38, Jets 14
Jordan: Broncos 35, Jets 7
Brandon: Broncos 34, Jets 16
Cal: Broncos 7,000, Jets 0
Ravens at Buccaneers, Sunday @ 1:00 p.m.
Both the Ravens and Bucs are coming off of tough losses on the road, and it looks like the Bucs have drastically improved with Mike Glennon as their quarterback. But the Ravens have been solid all season and their two losses against the Bengals and Colts were only one-possession games. I can't see John Harbaugh letting them drop one in Tampa Bay.
Tom: Ravens 27, Buccaneers 20
Jordan: Ravens 27, Buccaneers 7
Brandon: Ravens 24, Buccaneers 22
Cal: Ravens 17, Buccaneers 14
Jaguars at Titans, Sunday @ 1:00 p.m.
The Titans lost a heartbreaker last week after the Browns scored 19 straight points to take the 29-28 victory. They'll host the winless Jaguars, but Tennessee hasn't gotten a win since Week 1 against the Chiefs. This should be a close one, and I'm going with Tennessee because Jacksonville has let me down too many times this year.
Tom: Titans 22, Jaguars 17
Jordan: Jaguars 13, Titans 10
Brandon: Titans 18, Jaguars 14
Cal: Jaguars 12, Titans 7
Chargers at Raiders, Sunday @ 4:05 p.m.
New interim head coach Tony Sparano buried a football during one of the Raiders' practices this week to symbolize a new beginning for a terrible Oakland team. Unfortunately, I don't think any voodoo tricks will turn the team's season around.
Tom: Chargers 35, Raiders 17
Jordan: Chargers 28, Raiders 6
Brandon: Chargers 30, Raiders 10
Cal: Chargers 42, Raiders 10
Redskins at Cardinals, Sunday @ 4:25 p.m.
After hosting a West Coast team on Monday night, the Redskins will travel across the country to face the Cardinals. The referees gave Washington a chance to stay in the game with some questionable calls that negated three Percy Harvin touchdowns, but that won't be the case in Arizona, especially if Pierre Garcon and Trent Williams are still laughing about that 27-17 loss. The Cardinals have committed the second least penalties in the NFL this entire season (20) and have beaten the Chargers and 49ers at home. I like Arizona to win, especially if Carson Palmer or Drew Stanton can play.
Tom: Cardinals 20, Redskins 16
Jordan: Redskins 17, Cardinals 10
Brandon: Cardinals 27, Redskins 17
Cal: Cardinals 21, Redskins 20
Bears at Falcons, Sunday @ 4:25 p.m.
This is a matchup of perhaps two of the most talented teams in the NFL who have yet to unleash their full potential. Both are coming off of consecutive losses in which they've given up over 60 points. All I can do here is go with the home team, because the Falcons can seemingly only get wins at the Georgia Dome.
Tom: Falcons 28, Bears 24
Jordan: Bears 28, Falcons 27
Brandon: Falcons 30, Bears 23
Cal: Bears 28, Falcons 27
Cowboys at Seahawks, Sunday @ 4:25 p.m.
The fun will end in Seattle for the Cowboys. Their impressive offensive attack has only been tested against lesser defenses this season, with wins coming against the Titans, Rams, Saints and Texans. The 12th man will remind Tony Romo of his botched snap in 2007 that cost the Cowboys a playoff game.
Tom: Seahawks 33, Cowboys 23
Jordan: Seahawks 24, Cowboys 16
Brandon: Seahawks 28, Cowboys 27
Cal: Seahawks 27, Cowboys 20
Giants at Eagles, Sunday @ 8:30 p.m.
The Eagles have been struggling, but they're still 4-1. The Giants have been improving and are on a three game winning streak. However, despite New York's Thursday night victory over the Redskins in Week 4, they're a terrible primetime team and the Eagles give them trouble every year. Let's just hope it doesn't end with Eli Manning diving forward for a first down only to fumble the ball and squander a comeback (see 2010).
Tom: Eagles 24, Giants 23
Jordan: Giants 20, Eagles 17
Brandon: Giants 31, Eagles 24
Cal: Eagles 34, Giants 31
49ers at Rams, Monday @ 8:30 p.m.
The NFL can't be too happy with this Monday night matchup, but they'll have to deal. The Rams simply don't have enough to overcome a balanced 49ers team, who is 7-2-1 in the past 10 matchups. San Francisco will continue their win streak.
Tom: 49ers 28, Rams 16
Jordan: 49ers 20, Rams 10
Brandon: 49ers 24, Rams 14
Cal: 49ers 34, Rams 3
Feel free to comment below and let us know what you think about our selections.
