ShareThisCapsule previews for Week 6 around the NFL. All times Eastern.
SUNDAY:
Cleveland Browns (1-4) at Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2), 1 p.m.
The Browns have lost 11 consecutive games to the Steelers and 17 of 18 overall. The only more numbing stat is this: They have not scored an offensive TD in nine of their past 11 games.
Prediction: Steelers, 30-6.
Baltimore Ravens (3-2) at Minnesota Vikings (5-0), 1.
The Ravens lost to the Bengals the same way the Steelers did -- giving up a late TD pass from Carson Palmer to Andre Caldwell. Can they soil the Vikings' record before the Steelers do?
Prediction: Vikings, 24-20
Houston Texans (2-3) at Cincinnati Bengals (4-1), 1.
Were it not for a fluke tipped pass vs. Denver in the final seconds, the Bengals could be 5-0. Of course, if weren't for a pair of last-second TDs vs. the Steelers and Ravens and an OT field goal vs. the Browns, they could be 1-4.
Prediction: Bengals, 23-16
New York Giants (5-0) at New Orleans Saints (4-0), 1.
These are the NFL's top two offenses for a reason: Both can run, both can throw. But the Giants can come after Drew Brees better than the Saints can get Eli Manning.
Prediction: Giants, 31-28
Detroit Lions (1-4) at Green Bay Packers (2-2), 1.
The Packers needed a bye week after the emotional trauma surrounding their game against Brett Favre. Of course, the Lions could use a week off just to ensure they do not lose another game.
Prediction: Packers, 27-17
St. Louis Rams (0-5) at Jacksonville Jaguars (2-3), 1.
Everyone knows the Rams might be the worst team in the NFL. But the Jaguars can certainly qualify as most embarrassing after scoring 68 points in the previous two games and then getting shut out in Seattle, 41-0.
Prediction: Jaguars, 11-4
Carolina Panthers (1-3) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-5), 1.
OK, maybe the Rams aren't the worst team in the NFL; maybe Tampa Bay is. But Carolina is right up there, too. Only the Rams have scored fewer points than the Panthers (57).
Prediction: Panthers, 19-12.
Kansas City Chiefs (0-5) at Washington Redskins (2-3), 1.
And you thought the previous two games were horrid? Try as they might, the poor Chiefs are 2-28 in their past 30 games. But three of their losses this season are to last year's playoff teams.
Prediction: Chiefs, 20-17
Philadelphia Eagles (4-1) at Oakland Raiders (1-4), 4:05 p.m.
Only the New Orleans Saints average more points per game than the Eagles (31.7). That's three touchdowns more per game than the Raiders, who average a league-low 9.8 points.
Prediction: Eagles, 31-10
Arizona Cardinals (2-2) at Seattle Seahawks (2-3), 4:05.
There was nothing to suggest the Seahawks could beat any team, let alone the Jaguars, by the score of 41-0. The only thing more shocking would be if they beat the Cardinals.
Prediction: Cardinals, 27-20
Tennessee Titans (0-5) at New England Patriots (3-2), 4:15.
The Titans and the Broncos are the biggest surprises so far in the AFC for opposite reasons. After holding the Steelers to 13 points, Tennessee's last four opponents have averaged 31.5.
Prediction: Patriots, 31-20
Buffalo Bills (1-4) at New York Jets (3-2), 4:15.
Imagine holding a team without a TD and the opposing QB to two completions for 23 yards and losing? That's what the Bills did vs. Cleveland. They won't have to worry about such stats here.
Prediction: Jets, 28-9
Chicago Bears (3-1) at Atlanta Falcons (3-1), 8:20 p.m.
Among the most impressive performances this season was the Falcons going to San Francisco and stomping the 49ers, 45-10. That beats the heck out of what Chicago has done.
Prediction: Falcons, 31-21
MONDAY NIGHT
Denver Broncos (5-0) at San Diego Chargers (2-2), 8:30.
The first of three consecutive games against '08 playoff teams for the Broncos, who have allowed a league-low 43 points. Of course, the Chargers got in the playoffs because of Denver's collapse.
Prediction: Chargers, 24-20
(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, www.scrippsnews.com.)
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