NFL Round-up: Week 6...

Who Rocked?
The Eagles of Philadelphia are an impressive side and should, if my estimations are correct, find themselves as a Wild Card team along with the Saints when both teams finish as runners-up in their divisions to the Giants and Falcons respectively. Michael Vick at starting QB may sound strange to those who are yet to adjust to his reinstatement, but he’s damn effective and getting the most out this offence. They nudged the Falcons this week and despite a rough division, should continue to impress.

The Saints got back on track by throttling the Bucs, who were exposed as pretenders. Their record is good despite their weaknesses all over the field, quite in contrast to that of their conquerors, but I think the Bucs will continue to play erratically until the season’s close.

The Texans bounced back by making hard work of beating the sliding Chiefs. It was a must-win game and kudos to the unit for making-up for last week’s tough loss to the Giants.


Whose chances were knocked?
Green Bay – my pre-season Superbowl pick – just can’t do anything right at the moment. After losing an agonising overtime game to the Redskins last week, they fell again to the Dolphins – a side a team with SB aspirations should be brushing aside with ease. Harsh as it is to the young and talented team from Miami, they shouldn’t have the muscle to push-around GB’s vaunted defence. If Green Bay don’t get a wriggle on Chicago could be the surprise winners in the North or, rather unpalatably for the Lambeau faithful, the Vikes could put-in a late season surge and steal it from under their noses.

The Chargers are officially a disappointment. As with every year in the AFC West, a late-season surge can still reverse the fortunes of a team that has squandered its talent for years, but they look truly woeful. Their fellow perennial challengers, the Denver Broncos, are equally inept this season and the Raiders – NFL.com’s Vic Carrucci’s choice for the Playoffs – could well make it to the postseason.


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