NFL Week 6 Preview
With 5 weeks in the books, clear divisions are beginning to be made between teams. The ones with 4-5 wins have established themselves as big time contenders that appear destined for the postseason. Teams with 0-1 wins are all but dead in the water, waiting for next year. It's the teams in the middle that are the most interesting. Anyone with 2-3 wins on the board could easily go either way. They need to win some more games quickly to stay in the mix before it's too late.
Every win is important in the NFL, but for those teams in the middle, they are a necessity. With only 16 games in the whole season, that small hole that some teams will fall into will turn into a grave real quick. All 4 of my featured games include at least one of those middle of the road teams. I'll start off with the game that has 2 of them.
Eagles vs Vikings
Both Philadelphia and Minnesota need a win this Sunday. After a couple losses from Dallas, the Eagles have found themselves in a tie with the Cowboys at the top of the East. They need to capitalize on this Dallas slump and keep their momentum going because the Cowboys could go on a tear at any moment. The Vikings, on the hand, are sitting in a tie for last place in the North despite their 3-2 record. If they want any shot at winning their division, they are going to need every win they can get. Only one team can get that important W this Sunday though. Games like these show who really has the drive and determination that it takes to win in this league.
Minnesota's sketchy offense has kept this team from ascending to the next level. Dalvin Cook has done a great job out of the backfield, but the passing game has held them back. With the Eagles' top notch run defense, they will need that passing attack to pick up the pace. Kirk Cousins has his moments, but he has also gained a reputation for faltering against good competition. However, he has not suffered the same fate against the Eagles. In his time with both the Redskins and the Vikings, Cousins is 5-3 with 17 TD's and 5 INT's, a passer rating of 101.2, and his team's have averaged 26.6 points per game. If those trends continue, with a strong defense behind them, they shouldn't have a problem taking a win over Philly.
Vikings win, 26-20
Texans vs Chiefs
Contrary to popular belief, Patrick Mahomes is human and the Chiefs are beatable. Last Sunday's 13 points scored was the fewest Kansas City had put up since the young gunslinger took over, the previous lowest score being 26. As a result, Mahomes lost just his 3rd game at Arrowhead in his 12th appearance. Meanwhile, their week 6 opponent, the Texans, are coming off a stellar 53-point performance. This matchup has now gotten even more enticing than it already was with this shift in momentum for both teams.
Everyone is expecting Mahomes and Watson to be the stars of the show this coming Sunday. They are two of the brightest young stars that the league has to offer, and no less should be expected of them in this type of game. However, the biggest difference maker will be versatility. You don't get real far in this league being one-dimensional. So while the Chiefs have had an incredible aerial attack, their struggles to gain yards on the ground, as well as preventing their opponent to do the same, is a major concern. Houston is about 1 one yard per carry better running the ball, as well as stopping the run. That might not seem like much, but that can often make the difference in the game. I see the Texans moving the ball well for all 60 minutes, while the Chiefs could sputter a bit in the early stages. They could be playing catch up all day long.
Texans win, 41-35
49ers vs Rams
The NFC West title race is shaping up to be a thriller. Every game that the 49ers, Rams, and Seahawks play against each other will carry huge weight. The Rams already lost one in Seattle last week, and another loss this week to put them back at .500 would be devastating. While San Francisco has a little more room for error, they don't want to let a division rival kill their undefeated streak and potentially push them out of 1st place.
So far in the young season, San Francisco has looked great. They've been firing on all cylinders each week, and that has earned them a 4-0 record. But they've done that while exclusively playing sub-par competition. I want to believe that the 49ers are really this good, but I have a hard time seeing them as such until they are really tested. Every year there are teams that look great against inferior opponents, but they crumble as soon a challenge arrives. I don't know yet if the 49ers are one of those teams or not. The L.A. Rams were tested plenty last season, and they proved that they were for real. They've continued to do that by blowing out New Orleans and putting up a strong fight in Seattle this year. That's why I trust them to come through again this week.
Rams win, 30-24
Lions vs Packers
Through the first 5 weeks, it has become clear that the NFC North is the best division in football. It's not often that you see all 4 teams in a division above .500 at any point during the season. The Packers are looking to claim a win over all 3 of their rivals through just 6 weeks, while the Lions are trying to put up a W in the first division game of their season. It should be a great NFC North battle this Monday night.
The Lions have played to the level of their competition all year long. Whether it was against a bottom feeder like the Cardinals, a top tier contender like the Chiefs, or a middle of the road team like the Eagles, they play within striking distance. I expect the same this week with another good performance. However, the fact is that the Packers have a better QB, a better defense, and an equally good run game. I don't see Detroit overcoming that to get this win in Lambeau.
Packers win, 28-27
