Bodog Week 6 NFL Picks

Sure, the Seahawks were on a bye, and St. Louis barely edged the woeful Packers 23-20 to get there. But when you consider that the Seahawks had been atop the division since Oct. 9, 2005 - the day they beat the Rams and embarked on a franchise-record 11-game winning streak - it certainly warrants mention.

And so, for the first time in a long time, Seattle heads into a division game playing an unfamiliar role. They've become the hunters, while the Rams are now the hunted.

This game will mark the return of Seattle's red-zone specialist, Jerramy Stevens. The 6-7 tight end had surgery in late April for torn meniscus cartilage in his left knee. He was held out of the first two weeks of training camp while recovering then sustained the same injury during a non-contact drill in his third day of practice. He went back under the knife and has been on the injured list until now. One of Matt Hasselbeck's favorite targets inside the opponents' 20-yard line, Stevens set career highs of 45 receptions and five TDs in 2005.

Will Stevens' return be enough to get Seattle back into top spot? We'll find out this Sunday.

PICKS AGAINST THE POINT SPREAD

QUICK HITS

Compiled by Bodog Nation Contributing Writers

The Lions blew it big time in Minnesota. Up 14 heading into the fourth quarter, the Vikings stole the game (and the cover) with 23 unanswered points. Rod Marinelli’s charges keep finding ways to lose and that should be a red flag for bettors. At least their opponents, the Bills, have sealed the deal a couple of times. As for that 40-7 loss to the Bears, was it really anything to be ashamed of? If you haven’t heard, Chicago is pretty good. - JB

Steve McNair couldn’t muster a third straight fourth-quarter comeback Monday in Denver. In fact, his three-interception performance was the worst of the Ravens’ season. Baltimore has been involved in three close, low-scoring games since dusting the Bucs and Raiders in the first two weeks. Meanwhile, the Panthers appear to have righted the ship with three straight victories, thanks in large part to the running of DeShaun Foster (293 yards in those last three games). - JB

Eli Manning will be in tough against the Falcons, who have allowed only 42 points in four games. Expect Tiki Barber to get his share of work early in order to set up the play action. Save for a stinker against New Orleans in Week 3, the Falcons have been dominant. They beat Carolina, Tampa Bay and Arizona by a combined score of 66-19. Also of note, the Falcons have won and covered two straight games coming off bye weeks. - JB

The battle for Texas bragging rights is a mismatch on paper. However, the Texans went into their bye week on a high. Their victory over the Dolphins in Week 5 featured their best performance of the year. Meanwhile, the Cowboys were manhandled by the Eagles last Sunday, surrendering seven sacks of Drew Bledsoe. The Terrell Owens' freak-out watch continues. - JB

The Titans scared the horseshoe off the Colts last week, but they’re playing back-to-back road games and facing a tougher defense than Indy. The Redskins, who are 2-0 against the AFC South, need a victory to rebound from a bad Week 5 loss to the Giants. Expect Vince Young to experience some of those growing pains rookie quarterbacks must endure in this one. -AB

The Bucs’ rookie QB, Bruce Gradkowski, fell short of delivering victory in New Orleans and now faces a more difficult test in the rested Bengals. He’s a kid with talent, but beating Carson Palmer might be too much to ask. During its bye week, Cincinnati saw all three AFC North opponents lose. They enter with a 12-1-1 record against the spread in their past 14 road games and motivation to rebound from an ugly 38-13 loss to New England two weeks ago. - AB

In a battle of NFC division leaders, the Eagles have history heavily on their side. Philly has won the past seven meetings, dating to 1992. Of course, these are the rejuvenated Saints and all records should be buried in the place where Billy Joe Hobert jerseys have gone to disintegrate. With all the hype of the Return of T.O. over with, the Eagles could be prone to a let down. Even if they’re not, this game figures to be a thriller. - AB

The Jets need to show they have some character after last week’s debacle in Jacksonville. Plus, Joey Harrington won’t be able to throw in blustery Giants Stadium. New York also hasn’t won a game at home, and not many opponents are as easy to scheme against than the floundering, one-dimensional Fish. - AB

Before the season started did you think the Chiefs would have a better record than the 2006 champion Steelers? That’s life in the parity-driven NFL, with the former champs struggling after a strong start and the Chiefs excelling after losing their starting quarterback. Even better for the Chiefs - super back Larry Johnson should be laced up and ready to run on the Steelers' suddenly faulty defense. The champs have given up an average of 24 points in their last two contests. -CR

The most interesting part about this game? Whether or not the Chargers will be wearing those sweet powder blue uniforms. How can you lose wearing such tight colors? Oddsmakers don’t expect them to, making the Niners double-digit underdogs at home. The Chargers' record of 12-3-1 against the spread in their last 16 on the road says they have a good shot at covering. - CR

Ugh. We were already tortured by the Raiders on Monday Night Football in Week 1. Showing them on national television again is just cruel and unusual punishment. Forget the storied Raiders-Broncos rivalry - the Silver and Black have played like the walking dead the past four games. The F-aiders are 0-4 ATS this season, which screams they’re due for a cover. Of course, fortunes have been lost on that train of thought before. - CR

QB Matt Leinart is going to get beat up, that’s gonna happen regardless if his Cardinals win or lose against Chicago. They can only hope he stays upright so they won’t have to insert Kurt Warner, a man suffering from severe fumbilitis. Keeping it within the double-digit spread will be what gains Leinart respect, as the Bears have been blowing away teams by an average of 24 points per game. - CR

PHOTO: Matt Hasselbeck is fired up for a big NFC West game in St. Louis. (AP Photo)

Note: All times above Eastern; all NFL lines subject to change

Note: All NFL lines subject to change.

More Bodog.com Press...