The lyrics of an old song went: "Seems like yesterday, but it was long ago." Apologies to Bob Seger, but those words surely ring true to a lot of football fans. On September 8, I was in a sports bar, watching ecstatic Redskin fans, shouting and fist-bumping as their team diced up a division rival, the Eagles. For the first half, those fans were dead sure that they were watching their team storm onto the NFL's main stage. But the Eagles overtook the Redskins, who lost the next four games as well — and just fired HC Jay Gruden.

Meanwhile, back in Week One, the 49ers looked impressive against the high-scoring Buccaneers in a game few thought had much significance — after all, both teams had missed the playoffs for several years.  Little did anyone suspect that the 49ers would be the NFC's last remaining unbeaten team, destroying every pundit's rankings and throwing a monkey wrench into the NFC West division.  

Those two teams epitomize the dizzying merry-go-round that is the NFL today. A prior post of mine was entitled: "No Team Is Safe". That edict is still true and all crystal balls are murky. Last weekend, my W-L picks tallied a mere 6-9 (for the second week in a row). But I do find a few high-percentage bets. By last week, I knew better than to bet against the 49ers (playing at home after bye), and I also knew better than to bet on the Redskins to upset the Patriots. Again this weekend, I find a few high-percentage bets, but predicting the rest of the schedule involves educated guesses.

Fans of intense NFL drama should already be checking their supply of nerve-soothing munchies and beer. Thursday night, that "resurgent" bunch from New York (and there is only one such team in New York) will try to play Patriot-killer.  It has been a decade since the Giants broke the hearts of Patriot fans by felling their unbeaten heroes. Can a rag-tag Giant team work another miracle?

On Sunday, three division rivalries grab center stage. Who would have guessed that, after five games, the Rams would have a winning record but occupy third place in their division? The unbeaten 49ers will pay visit to those shocked Rams, while, in the NFC South, the underrated Panthers and Bucs battle to stay alive behind the Saints. Monday night, the Packers will host those feisty Lions, who could easily have been 5-0 at this point, if the pigskin had bounced just a little differently in three very close games.  

Here is the Week Six slate:

Away               Home              My Pick

Giants             Patriots           Patriots
Redskins         Dolphins         Dolphins
Panthers         Buccaneers    Buccaneers
Eagles             Vikings            Vikings
Texans            Chiefs             Texans
Saints              Jaguars           Jaguars
Seahawks       Browns           Browns
Bengals           Ravens            Ravens
49ers              Rams               Rams
Falcons           Cardinals        Falcons
Cowboys         Jets                Cowboys
Titans              Broncos          Titans
Steelers          Chargers        Chargers
Lions               Packers           Lions

Ready with the beer and snacks? Check your supply of antacids!