NFL Week Six Preview: Superbowl Champs Need A Giant Performance

There is only one place to start when looking at the NFL this week. Congratulations to Drew Brees. The New Orleans Saints QB became the all time passing yards leader in last weeks win against the Washington Redskins, overtaking NFL legend Peyton Manning. It is an incredible feat and when you look at his story in the NFL it only gets better. He has taken the franchise on his shoulders and came in at a time when the city of New Orleans was suffering as a whole. He has been incredible and I still don’t understand why he is constantly overlooked in the GOAT conversation.

So many careers were dependent on his success. I honestly don’t think that we would have had the joy of watching Russell Wilson or Baker Mayfield had Brees not defied the stats. He is undeniably the standard bearer for ‘short’ QBs, by short I mean around six foot.

Eagles @ Giants

What a crucial match this is for both teams. They both have losing records and are facing a tough task to save the season already, despite this only being week six. The Giants stand at 1-4 and the Eagles at 2-3. Not the start either team were expecting.

Now the pressure is on the defending Superbowl champions more than it is on the Giants. I say this as things look like they are starting to click for this new look Giants offense. With pressure on Eli Manning they decided that with the second overall to take a running back instead of a Quarterback for the future. Whilst it may have raised a few eyebrows amongst pundits at the time it is hard to say that they haven’t been proven right to do so.

Saquon Barkley has scored five touchdowns in his five games this season. He has also gained over a hundred yards from scrimmage in each of those five games too, should he replicate this against the Eagles then he will be one game shy of equalling the record for a debut season.

For the Eagles the loss of another key player through injury, this time Jay What I has been ruled out for the season. Injuries occurred last season as they lost key players in their run to Super bowl glory, but this time round something feels different. There is no momentum to carry them, but more importantly they rebelled in the underdog tag last season. They seem to be crumbling under the pressure of being one of the favourites.

The Giants have won only five of 21 against Philadelphia in the last decade, however I feel the time is now right to possibly end the Eagles Super bowl defence in week 6.

Tips:

Saquon Barkley to score a touchdown 

Giants to win

Eagles to score every quarter

Chargers @ Browns

I honestly don’t know who is happier right now. LA Rams fans or Cleveland Brown fans. The Rams have looked mightily impressive on their way to 5-0. But this was expected. Even after an incredibly productive off-season where the Browns certainly added talent, still nothing was expected from them. I mean it’s the Browns, they find a way to lose.

However, the good times are rolling in Cleveland this season and although their record is an impressive 2-2-1 it could have been so much better. All of their games this season have been decided by four points or less which shows they have come on leaps and bounds from their 0-16 season last year. Much of this has been due to the stout selections in this years NFL draft.

Many tipped the Chargers to achieve something this season as they do have strength in every department. However they seem to have an automatic mode to start the season poorly and end like a train. Which is why I think Baker and co will be relishing this game.

I think what helps the rookie is this home crowd and should they triumph once more this week then I can see Browns fans facing a new prospect -expecting to win.

Tips:

Browns to win By 1-6  

Carlos Hyde to score a touchdown  

Steelers @ Bengals

I didn’t think that at the start of the season I would be here writing that the Cincinnati Bengals would be the more dangerous team heading into this match. I can’t even use the Le’Veon Bell situation as a reason for this as James Conner has filled in superbly.

Andy Dalton is having a stellar season and AJ Green is doing what AJ Green does. One of the best Wide Receivers but hardly ever given the credit. He has been dominant in this ascension alongside their RB Joe Mixon. The most notable thing the Bengals did last season was beat the Ravens with a let minute touchdown to gift Buffalo a playoff spot.

But Pittsburgh have struggled this season and as such this could be a crucial game for both as they start to thing about playoff ramifications. So far this season I have tended to favour the Steelers when they are at home but have not been confident when they travel. But I think this might be the game to spur them on and put them back into people’s consideration for Super Bowl challengers. As Miami demonstrated last week, the Bengals do have a soft underbelly and Big Ben is more adept to exploit this than Tannehill was for the Dolphins.

Tips:

Steelers/Steelers HT/FT 

Steelers to score every quarter

Buccaneers @ Falcons

A strange start for both of these teams. One thing is for sure though, Fitz’Magic’ is over. Jameis Winston is back and proved that this was a flash in the pan for his back up QB. It will be a struggle for them though to recapture the level of performance they gave in the first two weeks when they were able to catch teams unaware. I think the season from here on out will be a struggle For the Buccaneers.

The Falcons ranks have been depleted and they will struggle defensively as a result. With this fact known I think they will play to their strengths and go all about offense. Calvin Ridley is leading the league for receiving touchdowns and he will have a part to play again. The rookie is proving to be a great acquisition and will have a prosperous career in Atlanta.

Matt Ryan has had an up and down season so far but he has been connecting with his targets. The Falcons red zone woes seem to be behind them but I only really feel confident in them when they are at home. But I fancy them to pick apart a wounded Buccs team and this could get ugly for Tampa.

Tips:

Calvin Ridley to score a touchdown

Julio Jones to score a touchdown

Falcons to win By 7-12 points