Exciting Week 6 in NFL: Big Ben Returns, Ravens Return to Gillette and Cowboys-Vikings Look for Salvation

Let’s waste no time. Week 6 picks:

ATLANTA AT PHILADELPHIA: A good matchup between two playoff-caliber teams. The Falcons haven’t lost since Week 1, and Philly is 0-2 at home this season. Sounds like a recipe for a Falcons victory, does it not? But I’m going the other way. I think Kevin Kolb impresses in his second straight start and ignites a quarterback controversy in the City of Brotherly Love. PICK: EAGLES

KANSAS CITY AT HOUSTON: Ah, it would’ve been oh-so gratifying to see the undefeated Chiefs drop the Colts to a sub-.500 record. Oh, well. The Texans really screwed the pooch at home against the G-Men, who exposed how vulnerable Houston’s defense really is. I was impressed with the Chiefs’ defense last week, but I don’t think Matt Cassel and the offense has enough manpower to out-sling Matt Schaub. PICK: TEXANS

NEW ORLEANS AT TAMBA BAY: If you picked the Cardinals to beat the Saints last week, say “I.” Well, I think you’re lying. The defending Super Bowl champs are a loss away from being two games out of first place in the NFC South. Not a “must win” for New Orleans, but pretty close. You don’t want to be looking up at two teams in your division as November approaches. PICK: SAINTS

MIAMI AT GREEN BAY: We’re going to learn a lot about these two teams on Sunday. The Packers haven’t looked good the last three weeks, dropping both of their road games and barely squeaking by the Lions at home. The Dolphins got their clocks cleaned on Monday Night Football on Oct. 4, and they’ve had two long weeks to mull it over. Aaron Rodgers has been cleared to play, which is good news for Packers fans, but I think a well-rested Miami team pulls it out. PICK: DOLPHINS

SAN DIEGO AT ST. LOUIS:  If an 8-8 team ends up winning AFC West again - and the Patriots are left out of the postseason with a 10- or 11- win season like in 2008, I’ll be rooting for a lockout in 2011! OK, I don’t mean that. But my point is that the AFC West is weak. The Chargers are 0-3 on the road. Something’s got to give. PICK: CHARGERS

BALTIMORE AT NEW ENGLAND: Right now, the Ravens and the Jets are the two toughest teams in the AFC. But I like the Patriots coming off a bye, especially with a chip on their shoulder from last year’s humiliating playoff loss to Baltimore. PICK: PATS

DETROIT AT N.Y. GIANTS: The Lions got off the snide last week, leaving the Panthers, Bills and 49ers as the only winless teams in football. But the Giants should win with ease this week. PICK: GIANTS

CLEVELAND AT PITTSBURGH: Barstool Ben returns to the Steelers this week. Pittsburgh’s defense is so good that it really doesn’t matter who plays QB against the lowly Browns. PICK: STEELERS

SEATTLE AT CHICAGO: Seahawks have struggled on the road. PICK: BEARS

NEW YORK JETS AT DENVER: With all the mania surrounding Randy Moss and Brett Favre last week, the Jets were sort of the forgotten team on Monday night. As much as I hate seeing the Jets win, I was impressed. I still think their lack of discipline will catch up to them down the stretch. New York is behind only the Titans, Raiders and Lions for most flags this season. That being said … PICK: JETS

OAKLAND AT SANFRANCISCO: Quarterback Alex Smith showed some mettle last week against the Eagles. Imagine walking off the field while the entire stadium, filled with “your fans,” is calling for our replacement, who in this case was backup QB David Carr. Smith goes back into the huddle and marches his team right down the field for a touchdown. It ultimately ended up in another loss for San Fran, but that resiliency was something to see. Maybe the 49ers fans should openly root against him for the rest of the season. It could help. PICK: 49ERS

DALLAS AT MINNESOTA: Favre looked like garbage on Monday night. Sure, he was slinging it when his team was behind, but I think the Jets’ D had softened up a bit. And once the defense got tighter? A pick-6 to ice the win for New York. This is a must win for both of these teams who are looking to avoid a 1-4 start. PICK: VIKINGS

INDIANAPOLIS AT WASHINGTON: The Colts have something to prove. Plus, they need to keep pace in an ultra-competitive AFC South. PICK: COLTS

TENNESSEE AT JACKSONVILLE: All four teams in the AFC South enter Week 6 at 3-2. The Jags are the weakest of the bunch. PICK: TITANS

Last week: 7-7

Season record: 43-33