Smashmouth Football League Articles

Week 5 of the 2006 SFL season is in the books! After five weeks we are beginning to get a feel for just who each team is. Still plenty of time for teams to turn their season around, or fade away, but things are a getting a little clearer. A better week last week at 10-4, bringing the total for the season to 47-27 (.635). So, based off nothing more than my gut feeling this evening, here is how I see week six playing out (just thirteen games this week):

New York Giants 21 @ Atlanta Falcons 33
I predicted before the season began that the Giants may struggle to match their win total from 2005, for a few reasons. Last year the Giants were 10-2 in one possession games. Thus far the Giants have yet to have a one-possession game. Granted, Matt Schaub has played better than expected and the Giants schedule has been tough, but it doesn't get much easier this week against the Falcons.

Carolina Panthers 29 @ Baltimore Ravens 34
Wow, if you like defense...turn the channel. The Panthers and Ravens are ranked 31st and 32nd in nearly every yardage and points category, as well as turnover differential. Take the over on 60 points in this one, and I think the Ravens prevail.

Houston Texans 21 @ Dallas Cowboys 26
Hard to have a true gut feeling about this game until I see what's happening with the Cowboys' quarterback situation. Word right now is Dallas has shelled out at least one 1st round pick for somebody. For now, we'll assume not much of a drop off between Ben and the new guy which means the Cowboys should come out on top here.

Buffalo Bills 28 @ Detroit Lions 31
I've been both a big Bills' fan and very hard on the Lions this season, so this is truly a gut feeling here. I think Vick returns and gives Detroit a big boost and they pull this one out at home.

Philadelphia Eagles 19 @ New Orleans Saints 25
Speaking of fans, I'm all in on the Saints bandwagon right now. I love defense and the Saints' Defense continues to lead the league. To their credit, the Eagles are right behind them with the #2 ranked defense, but I also love running the ball and the Saints are #1 in that as well. Saints move to 5-1 on the year.

Seattle Seahawks 21 @ St. Louis Rams 30
Owner Paul Allen has already made it clear, it's pretty much playoffs or bust for GM Rock Hewko this year. Yet, week five saw Hewko go MIA and Center Gennaro DiNapoli was suspended for violating the league's substance abuse policy. You get the feeling Hewko may have lost control of the team, and he moves one step closer to the door this week with a loss to the rival Rams who are playing at a very high level.

Cincinnati Bengals 28 @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20
The Bengals are the last undefeated team in the AFC and are really rolling, coming off a dominating win against the Patriots that they got to enjoy over their bye week. The Bucs are still playing hard but are likely to see more morale victories than wins this season with rookie quarterback Matt Leinart.

Tennessee Titans 23 @ Washington Redskins 33
These two teams have also tracked as predicted thus far. Titans are really missing Urlacher and Boulware as their scoring defense has dropped to 27th. Redskins sit at 4-1 with a four-game winning streak and are slowly regaining their championship form.

Miami Dolphins 28 @ New York Jets 26
Two teams that will be trying to bounce back this week. The Dolphins blew a 23-0 halftime lead in losing to the rival Patriots in overtime, while the Jets find a different way to look awful each week. Jets' Offense may have hit rock bottom against the Jaguars last week, managing just a pair of field goals. Miami has played much better overall and will get back on track this week in New York.

Kansas City Chiefs 24 @ Pittsburgh Steelers 33
Prior to this week I had this as a toss up, but Priest Holmes is the straw that stirs the Chief offense. Leftwich has played very well thus far, but I don't think he is ready to put the team on his back and carry them.

San Diego Chargers 27 @ San Francisco 49ers 28
With Kerry Collins returning from suspension, the Chargers would seem to have the edge here. But thus far, if San Diego doesn't score 30+ points they don't win. So at 27 points against the 49ers this week, I have a gut feeling the Niners pull off a minor upset here.

Oakland Raiders 29 @ Denver Broncos 22
The Broncos have actually surprised me with how well they have played thus far with Sorgi under center. I didn't have them at 2-2 at this point in the season. But I think the Raiders will be playing with a chip on their shoulder, looking for revenge from their week 16 loss to the Broncos last season that eliminated them from playoff contention.

Chicago Bears 24 @ Arizona Cardinals 28
Battle of two teams sitting at 1-4, and both probably expected more from their teams through five games. This is a critical game for both teams, as the loser will likely fall 4+ games back in their division, already with 0-3 division record. At 2-4 there is a glimmer of hope for wild card, but 1-5 screams "throw in the towel."