The Office Pool: Week Six

by Rick Rockwell

Here's a big clenched fist jutting skyward. Last week, this column had one of its best outings of the season. Like some teams, maybe your semi-friendly prognosticator has the season turned around.

Last Week: .786
This Season: .635

Game of the Week: Chiefs at Steelers

One of these teams will sink into mediocrity after this game. The other will challenge for its division lead. And this will be the weekend both look back upon as the turning point. But which one triumphs? Both of these teams are more equally matched than it may appear and the Chiefs have found a bit more defense than usual. But the World Champs have the edge. Go with the Steelers.

Dolphins at Jets

The loser of this one cycles into oblivion for the season. The Dolphins are rudderless and the Jets have shown improvement and promise. Go with Gang Green. The Dolphins end up as the most over-hyped team of the year.

Panthers at Ravens

Usually, the American Football Conference (AFC) is the dominant conference. Not this time. The Ravens continue to struggle to get their offense in gear. The Panthers are past that point of the season and should win by at least a field goal.

Seahawks at Rams

This game will be tighter than Seattle fans would like. Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck has thrown more interceptions than usual and last year’s top running back Shaun Alexander is out, injured. The Rams have prospered on a diet of weak teams. The Seahawks have enough to take the win. Barely.

Giants at Falcons

Is this a tune-up game for a possible post-season match-up? Both teams have that potential. But both remain inconsistent. In a close contest, the New Yorkers win on the road.

Monday Night: Bears at Cardinals

Well, perhaps we underestimated those Bears. They should stay undefeated while crushing the Cardinals, who still don’t have an offensive line to protect rookie quarterback Matt Leinart.

Eagles at Saints

The Saints certainly have a certain kind of voodoo at home in the Super Dome. However, the Eagles showed their real punch last week. Quarterback Donovan McNabb is on a tear. Pick the Eagles.

Texans at Cowboys

Well, here we have the Battle for Tejas, but the Cowboys are still on a different level than the struggling Texans. Stuff all the talk about benching quarterback Drew Bledsoe. He'll have a big day in a win over the Texans.

Bills at Lions

The Lions are likely the worst team in the league. However, it is very difficult for even the worst team to go winless. Normally, I'd say the Bills have this one, but something in the wind says this is the Upset Special of the week. The Lions finally get their W.

Titans at Washington

The Titans are another of those winless teams, and they go up against one of those inconsistent teams in the unpredictable National Football Conference (NFC) East. But you can't surprise Washington at home. Running back Clinton Portis is due to romp.

Chargers at 49ers

The Chargers defense, one of the best in the league, will be too much for the rebuilding 49ers. This won't be close, with San Diego rolling easily to a win.

Bengals at Buccaneers

The Bengals have had two weeks to prepare for the struggling Bucs, with the taste of a big defeat against the Patriots still lingering. If the Bengals want to play with the big boys this year, they will flatten the Bucs without mercy. Count on it.

Sunday Night: Raiders at Broncos

The Broncos keep demonstrating they are among the top five teams in the league, but they get no respect. The winless Raiders seem to have no self-respect this year. This game will be over by the half, with the Broncos cruising.

With a third of the season gone, it seems teams are beginning to sort themselves out. Enjoy the viewing this weekend!

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