Surprise Teams Could Take Big Steps In Week 6

The New Orleans Saints and the St. Louis Rams each have first-year coaches and both teams were predicted to be near the bottom in their respective divisions.

What a wacky NFL world we live in?

Instead, the Rams and the Saints find themselves at 4-1 and the surprise teams in the league during this early part of the season.

Many so-called experts predict that the warm and fuzzy feeling these clubs are giving off will soon die out once we get deeper and deeper into the season. Both squads could take giant steps toward legitimacy and prove the critics wrong with victories this Sunday.

The Rams host the 3-1 Seattle Seahawks, the defending NFC champions, in a battle for first place in the NFC West. A St. Louis win would give them a 1 1/2 game lead in the division heading into its bye week.

The Saints play host to the rejuvenated 4-1 Philadelphia Eagles and a victory by New Orleans would make everyone stand up and believe. Only time will tell.

There are plenty of excellent games on tap for any football connoisseur, so set back, grab your chips and dip, get your fantasy football sheets out and enjoy the games.

Here's the Corners predictions for week six in the NFL:

Seattle at St. Louis
The Rams have a much better defense under Jim Haslett and head coach Scott Linehan has preached protecting the ball at all times. The sermon has worked as the Rams lead the league with a plus-12 turnover margin. The Seahawks come in bruised and battered after the Chicago debacle and will be without Shawn Alexander and Bobby Engram. Marc Bulger is 22-4 at home as a St. Louis starter. Winner: Rams.

Kansas City at Pittsburgh
The Steelers will be without Kendall Simmons for this game and Bill Cowher is so worried about his teams lackluster play that Pittsburgh went and signed aging veteran Chad Brown, making his second stop in the Steel City. Pittsburgh is reeling, but being at Heinz Field this week should be enough to get it done. Winner: Steelers.

Carolina at Baltimore
Should be a tough defensive battle. The Panthers have won three straight since Steve Smith came back and DeShaun Foster is starting to run the ball with authority. The Ravens offense is sputtering once again, even with Steve McNair at QB. Jamal Lewis and Mike Anderson have been non-factors. Winner: Panthers.

Philadelphia at New Orleans
The Saints are motivated under Sean Payton and the home crowd should have the Superdome jumping. Donovan McNabb is playing his best football ever and the defensive line is the best in football right now. Winner: Eagles.

New York Giants at Atlanta
The Giants have a tough defense and will be able to shut down the Falcons and their run game. Atlanta can't throw the football, so if you force them to pass, you win. Also, the home team in this series has lost 10 straight games dating back to 1979. Winner: Giants.

Cincinnati at Tampa Bay
The Bengals have too much fire power for an aging Buc defense and the Tampa offense, although they looked good with Bruce Gradkowski, doesn't scare anyone. Winner: Bengals.

Tennessee at Washington
The Redskins look to get their offense back on track after last weeks ugliness in New York. The Titans played well against the Colts - don't expect it two games in a row. Winner: Redskins.

Houston at Dallas
At least in this game T.O will shut his big mouth. Or maybe not? Winner: Cowboys.

Miami at New York Jets
The Jets were blistered by Jacksonville last week and look to get back on the winning track. Division rival Miami rolls into town but the Dolphins have put Daunte Culpepper on the shelf to heal and Joey Harrington steps in as starting quarterback. Is it my imagination or is Nick Saban looking older and older? Winner: Jets.

San Diego at San Francisco
The Niners play decent at home, but the Chargers have too much LaDainian and too much defense for San Fran to deal with. Winner: Chargers.

Buffalo at Detroit
If there was ever a game for J.P. Losman to break out on, this is it. The Lions are 30th against the pass and the offense turns the ball over way too much. Hey! Mike Martz must be coaching in Detroit. Winner: Bills.

Oakland at Denver (Sunday night)
NBC executives are kicking themselves over scheduling this one. The Broncos face an Oakland squad that would have trouble against a good college team. Winner: Broncos.

Chicago at Arizona (Monday night)
Be afraid Matt Leinart. Be very, very afraid. Winner: Bears.

Last week: 14-0 (Yes!)
Overall: 49-9


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