NFL Bold Predictions: Week 6

With 5 weeks of the season in the books it has become increasingly difficult to make predictions. There has been no dominate team and every week it seems an upset is forcing us to think twice before picking our winners. But I will do the best that I can with my week 6 predictions:

Dallas Cowboys vs. Minnesota Vikings: Never before has two 1-3 teams received so much attention. But these two underachieving franchises are the game to watch for many reasons. The Cowboys had a miserable preseason and followed up with a horrible start to the season. The 1-3 record has forced many around the league to speculate about Coach Wade Phillips job stability. Rookie WR Dez Bryant is has yet to have a breakout game while battling injuries (ankle and ribs) and it is to be determined if he will play against Minnesota. The Vikings 1-3 start has caused many in Minnesota to worry about making the playoffs this season. And with the newest controversy surrounding QB Brett Favre a complete collapse of the Vikings is on the horizon if they don’t win this weekend.  Favre said this week he may sit out against the Cowboys and Packers due to elbow tendinitis. While Favre availability is up in the air the Vikings may have to start Tavaris Jackson in his place. Rookie RB Toby Gerhart is having a rough start to his first NFL season. Coming into the season it was believed he would have a prominent role in the offense taking some pressure off star RB Adrian Peterson. As each week has passed Gerhart’s carries have decreased so much against the SaJets he had only 2 carries for 7-yards. With his carries diminishing he will need to make the most of his opportunities. The Cowboys will beat the Vikings 20-7 as Bryant will rise to the occasion and have his first 100-yard game. Gerhart will not be as lucky as he will have 4 carries for 20 yards and a fumble.

Check out the rest of the Bold Predictions written by new writer Jesse Zamarripa.  You can also see a lot of Jesse’s work at his website Sports Reality.

San Diego Chargers vs. St. Louis Rams: Quarterback Sam Bradford has quickly made a huge impact on the Rams organization. The perennial losers have a new sense of optimism heading into week 6 and they while in a division race for the first time since 2004. But reality will be at their doorstep in the form of an angry Charger team this Sunday. The Chargers are coming off another close loss on the road and will take all road frustrations out on the Rams. Charger rookie RB Ryan Mathews has been hampered by a high ankle sprain since game two. They have limited his carries since the injury but look for the Chargers to set him free against the Rams. The Chargers will win 34-16 as Mathews rushes for over 100-yards as Bradford has a tough day with 185-yards 2 interceptions and no touchdowns.

Oakland Raiders at San Francisco 49ers:  The Raiders are coming off a dramatic win against the San Diego Chargers. Starting QB Bruce Gradkowski had to be removed early in the game due to a shoulder injury after completing just 1-7 passes. Back-up QB Jason Campbell had his best game so far this season completing 13 of 18 passes for 158-yards and 1 touchdown. It appears likely Campbell will start against the Niners on Sunday due to the unavailability of Gradkowski(shoulder). In San Francisco the pressure in on former number one draft pick Alex Smith to produce after another rough game. In his 6^th NFL season Smith has shown signs of greatness but has been plagued with turnovers (9 interceptions this season). Coach Mike Singletary has insisted Smith is not in danger of losing his starting job but he too is under scrutiny after the Niners 0-5 start. The Raiders will add to the Niners misery and beat them 17-3 as Campbell throws for 225-yards and 2 touchdowns. Smith will have another bad day at the office with 185-yards and 2 interceptions.

Washington Redskins vs. Indianapolis Colts: The Redskins get no time to celebrate after beating Green Bay in week 5 as they will now face Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts. But I’m sure the Redskins would rather face the Colts with the security of a 3-2 versus a 2-3 record. QB Donovan McNabb has provided stability for a previously unstable franchise in the locker room and in the huddle. The Colts are 3-2 which is unfamiliar territory in the Manning era causing many in Indy to panic. While as most teams would relish a 3-2 record the Colts view it as a disappointment. Their defense has been inconsistent and hampered by injuries all season long. If the Colts are freaking out with a 3-2 record they will be jumping off bridges after the Redskins beat them 35-32 Sunday. McNabb will have 335-yards and 3 touchdowns while Manning will have 303-yards and 3 touchdowns. This is sure to be a shootout but in the end McNabb will get the victory.