NFL Picks: Which team is going to win its first game of the season?
by Nancy Allen
updated October 13, 2006 2:12 pm
It’s the sixth week of the season and there still remain four teams who have yet to secure their first win.
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Representing the AFC are Tennessee and Oakland, from the NFC, Detroit and Tampa Bay. Can any of these teams put one in the win column this weekend? Of the four, the least likely candidate for ending its losing streak is Oakland.
The Raiders head into Denver and have about as much chance of winning there as I have of being invited to whistle Dixie on “The Tonight Show.”
Let’s face it, Oakland stinks. Shut out the first game of the season 27-0 by San Diego, the only good week the Raiders have had was Week 3 when they didn’t play. The closest to a win they’ve come was week 4 against Cleveland where they lost a 24-21 contest and gave the lowly Browns their only win. It’s going to be a tough year on the black and silver and the trip to Colorado isn’t going to make it any better. Raider fans might want to get a second eye patch so they don’t have to look. … BRONCOS.
Tennessee at Washington: While Washington’s defense was less than stellar last week against the Giants, the test this week won’t be so difficult. Tennessee has scored only 60 points and allowed 135 - the most in the AFC and the fourth most in the league. …WASHINGTON.
Buffalo at Detroit: The Lions have had fourth-quarter leads in their last two games, only to blow it in the end. Buffalo was demoralized by Chicago last Sunday - a game defined by the Bills’ many mistakes. While the Lions are 0-5, they have had some close calls and some chances to win. Finally, they break into the win column… LIONS.
Cincinnati at Tampa Bay: At the start of the season, not many would have guessed that by week 6 Tampa would still be seeking its first win. The Bengals are coming off a bye week where they likely tried to iron out the problems that caused a 38-13 home loss to New England the week before. The Bucs suffered a tough 24-21 loss to New Orleans, but perhaps had their spirits brightened by QB Bruce Gradkowski who started for an injured Chris Simms. Gradkowski threw for 225 yards and a pair of TDs in the losing effort, but gave Tampa some hope. … BUCS.
Sunday's other games
Houston at Dallas
N.Y. Giants at Atlanta
Seattle at St. Louis
Carolina at Baltimore
Philadelphia at New Orleans
Miami at N.Y. Jets
Kansas City at Pittsburgh
San Diego at San Francisco
Monday's game
Chicago at Arizona
Last week: 10-4; overall: 44-30.
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