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Week 6 NFL picks

Last week: 8-6
Season: 38-36

Ravens at Vikings

This is the early CBS game in the Philadelphia area, and it should be a good one. The Vikings are one of only five remaining undefeated teams. If you're a frequent reader, you know I say it all the time, but here's another example of how quickly things can change in the NFL. Brad Childress was the punch line of many jokes in the preseason, and now a headline on the Minneapolis Star Tribune's Web site reads: Childress contract extension will happen soon. The Ravens have suffered tough back-to-back defeats against the Patriots and Bengals, but I like them to get back on track here.

The pick: Ravens (+3)

Giants at Saints

The matchup of the week, although those of us without the NFL package in the Philadelphia area do not get to see it. Two of three undefeated teams in the NFC square off in New Orleans. For the Giants, running back Brandon Jacobs said earlier this week that he's getting frustrated after starting the season averaging 3.6 yards per carry. Last year and in 2007, Jacobs averaged 5 yards per carry. "Ahmad [Bradshaw] is more, he can bounce around in those little creaks and cracks that he gets and make a lot of big plays," Jacobs said on his radio show, per Newsday. "Do I have the ability to do that? Yes. But if I try to, I'm wrong if I try to make plays like that because I'm 265, 275 pound, I'm not supposed to be doing that. Hit it up in there, go in and hit somebody, that's what people want to see me do. If I don't do it, I get criticized, if I do do it, I get criticized. I can't win." I'm anxious to see how the Saints' defense performs here. There's a good chance New Orleans will only face a pair of playoff teams (New England, Atlanta) the rest of the way.

The pick: Giants (+3)

Chiefs at Redskins

Time for MC's Pick of the Week. MC's record on the season: 3-2. I'll be honest. MC sent me the reasoning for his pick, but I switched computers Friday and some e-mails accidentally got deleted. I remember what side he liked, but I'll make up the rest:

Jim Zorn is a lame duck, and the Redskins are awful. They shouldn't be giving six points to junior high teams at this point. Give me a break.

The pick: Chiefs (+6)

Eagles at Raiders

There is a football game this week, right? I'm most excited to see if JaMarcus Russell is as bad as his numbers indicate. The former No. 1 pick is completing 42 percent of his passes, has one touchdown and four interceptions. On the Eagles' side, I'm watching for improved special teams, less penalties and more success on the ground. Not asking for too much, right? I get the whole "On any given Sunday" thing, but I can't wait for these games to get a little more exciting in a couple weeks.

The pick: Eagles (-14)

Broncos at Chargers

Interesting stat: Kyle Orton has the best fourth-quarter QB rating in the AFC at 138.7. The Broncos showed something with a win over the Patriots last week, and it gets no easier. Eleven games left, and they've got the Chargers twice, the Ravens, the Colts, the Eagles, the Giants and the Steelers on the schedule.

The pick: Chargers (-3.5)

The rest of the picks:

TEXANS (+5.5) at Bengals
STEELERS (-14) vs. Browns
JAGUARS (-9.5) vs. Rams
BUCS (+3) vs. Panthers
PACKERS (-14) vs. Lions
CARDINALS (+3) vs. Seahawks
BILLS (+9.5) at Jets
PATRIOTS (-9) vs. Titans
FALCONS (-3) vs. Bears