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The New Orleans Saints, odds on preseason favorites to be in the NFC Championship game via first round bye, find themselves in a little trouble as they enter their Bye week. If there is any good news, the division leading Panthers are only one game ahead, and will go on the road to face a Cincinnati Bengals team that was embarrassed last week on the road vs. the Patriots. Look for the Bengals to emerge victorious, leaving the Panthers with a 3-3 mark, and the Saints (2-3) only a mere half-game out next week in Week 7. But as we all know, we have to take care of our own business, and let the chips fall where they may. In the meantime, let’s examine games that are of importance in the hunt for NFC playoff spots.

Week 6 Bye teams: Chiefs, Saints.


Thursday October 9th

Week 6, Game 1: Colts (4-2) @ Texans (3-3)

Game already played. Colts overcame early deficit, and beat the Texans: 33-28.

Vegas odds on that were on this game: Colts by 3.


Sunday October 12th


Week 6, Game 2: Patriots (3-2) @ Bills (3-2)

N/A: AFC opponents. However, this should be a good game. Bills have been a tough opponent for the Patriots in recent years. This is NOT a clear win for New England. The Bills will be ready!

Vegas odds on this game: Patriots by 2- ½.


Week 6, Game 3: Panthers (3-2) @ Bengals (3-1)

a. Why it is important: Panthers are an NFC South rival. Despite a very slow start, the Saints are just a game behind Carolina. The Bengals are very tough at home, and they should bounce back after their disappointing loss to the Patriots last week.

b. Desired outcome: Interconference game; pull for the Bengals.

c. Confidence factor for a good outcome: 6 of 10.

d. Vegas odds on this game: Bengals by 7.


Week 6 Game 4: Steelers Bills (3-2) @ Browns (2-2))

N/A: AFC opponents. This is an intriguing game. Going into this game, each team in the AFC North was at .500 or better.

Vegas odds on this game: Browns by 1.


Week 6, Game 5: Packers (3-2) @ Dolphins (1-4)

a. Why it is important: Packers are an NFC rival. Green Bay must be careful to not overlook the scrappy Dolphins (who are capable of beating anyone on their home turf). Packers are also near the bottom of the NFL in rushing yards (<90 yds.) per game. Without adequate protection, Aaron Rodgers will struggle.

b. Desired outcome: Interconference game; pull for the ‘Phins.

c. Confidence factor for a good outcome: 4 of 10.

d. Vegas odds on this game: Packers by 3.


Week 6, Game 6: Lions (3-2) @ Vikings (2-3)

a. Why it is important: Both teams are NFC rivals. Lions sit atop the NFC North, tied with the Packers. Minnesota is looking to pull of a mild upset in this one. Latest news (before the game) announced that both Megatron and Reggie Bush will not see action in this game. That will make things a bit more “interesting” for Matt Stafford.

b. Desired outcome: Pull for the Vikings.

c. Confidence factor for a good outcome: 4.5 of 10.

d. Vegas odds on this game: Vikings by 2.


Week 6, Game 7: Broncos (3-1) @ Jets (1-4)

N/A: AFC opponents. Rob Ryan’s brother (Rex) is fighting for his job. A blowout by the Broncos will probably seal his fate (and possible mid-season exit in the Big Apple).

Vegas odds on this game: Broncos by 9- ½.


Week 6, Game 8: Ravens (3-2) @ Buccaneers (1-4)

a. Why it is important: Tampa is an NFC South rival. Ravens are playing their second consecutive road game (following a loss at Indianapolis last week). They are in a dog fight with the rest of the AFC North, and will be UP for this game. Tampa lost a heartbreaker at New Orleans last week, and given their opponent (Baltimore), this may be an ugly loss at home for Lovie Smith and his team.

b. Desired outcome: Pull for the Ravens.

c. Confidence factor for a good outcome: 6 out of 10

d. Vegas odds on this game: Ravens by 3- ½.


Week 6: Game 9: Jaguars (0-5) @ Titans (1-4)

N/A: AFC opponents.

Vegas odds on this game: Titans by 4.


Week 6, Game 10: Chargers (4-1) @ Raiders (0-4)

N/A: AFC opponents.

Vegas odds on this game: Chargers by 7.


Week 6, Game 11: Redskins (1-4) @ Cardinals (3-1)

a. Why it is important: Both teams are NFC rivals. Redskins are in a freefall; the Cardinals are gaining confidence each week. Despite their loss last week at Denver, they are expected to bounce back in a big way (at home). The Redskins are in trouble in this one!

b. Desired outcome: Pull for the upset of the week, but there’s a better chance of Deuce coming out of retirement than the Redskins having a much of a chance in this one. All kidding aside, it will take a +2 or better turnover differential for the Redskins to emerge victorious. Cardinals will likely drop a 40+ burger on Washington in this game.

c. Confidence factor for a good outcome: 2.5 of 10.

d. Vegas odds on this game: Cardinals by 3- ½ (…likely to be double digits).


Week 6, Game 12: Bears (2-3) @ Falcons (2-3)

a. Why it is important: Bears are an NFC rival; Falcons are also an NFC South rival. We would all like to see the Bears emerge victorious. However, Devin Hester is likely to have a MONSTER game vs. his former team (that didn’t make a serious effort to re-sign him). Hester will likely have 200+ multi-purpose yards in this game. Falcons will be up for this one, to the chagrin of fans in the Windy City. I hope I’m off on this prediction.

b. Desired outcome: Pull for DA Bears to win. But for reasons I mentioned above, it ain’t likely to happen! It will take a +2 or better turnover differential for the Bears to pull off the upset!

c. Confidence factor for a good outcome: 3.5 of 10.

d. Vegas odds on this game: Falcons by 3.


Week 6, Game 13: Cowboys (4-1) @ Seahawks (3-1)

a. Why it is important: Both teams are NFC rivals. Cowboys own the tiebreaker vs. the Saints. This game will have more hype than usual, but the Seahawks will always have something to prove on national TV. Cowboys are overrated, in my opinion.

b. Desired outcome: Because the Cowboys own the tiebreaker (and I don’t like the Cowboys anyway), pull for the Seahawks. Seriously, there are good arguments on both sides when it comes to figuring out which team Saints fans should pull for. Jerry Jones put his foot in his mouth by giving the Seahawks poster board material when he said (earlier this week): “We will attack Richard Sherman.” What an arse! That, my friends, will seal the deal. Bank on a Seahawks win Sunday night.

c. Confidence factor for a Seahawks win: 7.5 of 10.

d. Vegas odds on this game: Seahawks by 8- 1/2.


(SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL)


Week 6, Game 14: Giants (3-2 @ Eagles (4-1)

a. Why it is important: Both teams are NFC rivals. Both Darren Sproles and Malcolm Jenkins are having Pro Bowl-esque seasons (so far). Giants have been coming on strong lately. This should be a very good game.

b. Desired outcome: Again, good arguments could be made for either team to win. But as of right now, pull for the team with the better W-L record to lose. Pull for the Giants.

c. Confidence factor for a Giants’ win: 5.5 of 10. Eagles are very good at home, but Tom Coughlin and Eli are even better on national TV.
Vegas odds on this game: Eagles by 2- ½.


Monday October 12th

(MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL)


Week 6, Game 15: 49’ers (3-2) @ Rams (1-3)

a. Why it is important: Both teams are NFC rivals. Controversy is swirling in San Francisco on whether or not head coach (Jim Harbaugh) will return next season. Sports analyst Deion Sanders speculated (on national TV) that Harbaugh has lost his locker room. Harbaugh fired back and blasted Sanders. This will be a major distraction for the 49’ers. Count on Rams’ head coach Jeff Fisher to take advantage of this, and have his team play a very inspired game. Rams have played the 49’ers tough for the past several years.

b. Desired outcome: Pull for the Rams. Upset special is possible, but it will take a near flawless game by the Rams to make that happen.

c. Confidence factor for a good outcome: 4.5 out of 10.

d. Vegas odds on this game: 49’ers by 3- ½.


News from Enemy Camps (Week 6):

Saints’ next opponent: (Lions): See below.


Division Leaders:

NFC North Leader (Lions 3-2; 1-0 in NFC North): Detroit Lions Rumors & News: Pro Sports Daily

NFC East Leader (Eagles 3-1; 1-0 in NFC East): Philadelphia Eagles Rumors & News: Pro Sports Daily

NFC South Leader (Panthers 3-2): Carolina Panthers Rumors & News: Pro Sports Daily

NFC West Leader (Cardinals 3-1; 1-0 in NFC West): Arizona Cardinals Rumors & News: Pro Sports Daily

foreverfan

Stealthman

Typo corrected, FF.

My faux pax.

saintsfan1976

You mean faux "paw"

Danno

Teams I'm pulling for...
Bills over Pats
Bengals over Panthers
Browns over Steelers
Dolphins over Packers
Vikes over Detroit
Jets over Broncos
Bucs over Ravens
Bears over Falcons
Skins over Cardinals
Cowpukes over Seahawks
Giants over Eagles
Rams over Niners

Stealthman

Why pull for the Bucs (...an NFC South rival)?

Danno

They aren't a threat to us