Out on a Limb
Fantasy Football Predictions

Indy 500

The views represented in this column are in no way an aggregate feeling of all of our correspondents, nor should they be used for gambling purposes.

Indy 500

As we enter Week Six of the NFL season, four unbeaten teams remain. The fact that none of these four teams were predicted by the countless so-called experts to be serious preseason favorites is a tribute to the parity that the league has had in recent seasons. Both the Colts and Panthers survived their biggest scares against the defending Super Bowl Champion Bucs, and now they'll meet as the ranks of the unbeaten will at least be cut to three.

In Week Two, Carolina led all the way, only to see Tampa Bay score what looked to be a game-winning touchdown on the final play of the game. The Panthers, though, had something else in mind. On the final play of regulation, Carolina blocked their third kick of the game on a chip shot game-winning extra point to send it to overtime, where they would win it on their second possession.

The Colts had their showdown with the Super Bowl Champs last week in Tampa Bay, and much was made about Tony Dungy's return to Tampa. After getting thrashed for about 55 minutes, they staged what was possibly the greatest comeback in NFL history last Monday. Down 35-14 with just under 5 minutes remaining, the Colts scored three late touchdowns to send it to overtime. Although Place Kicker/Coach & QB critic Mike Vanderjagt missed in his first attempt to complete the comeback in overtime, he was given a reprieve by a bizarre NFL rule which penalized Simeon Rice for landing on his own player as he attempted to block the kick. Vanderjagt still struggled with the 29 yard attempt on his reprieve, but bounced it through the uprights as the Colts scurried out of Tampa with a 38-35 overtime win.

Among the other remaining unbeaten teams, the Chiefs will take the Dante Hall show (will somebody please learn to kick it as far away from him as possible) to Lambeau Field, where the tundra is starting to freeze a bit. For the second straight week last week, the Chiefs burned us in the Game of the Week, thanks to Hall and his amazing 97 yard return! Randy Moss and the Vikings will head into Week Seven 5-0, and should have their starting quarterback, Daunte Culpepper, back under center next week after a bye.

Game of the Week: Carolina at Indianapolis

When the Colts have the ball: The Colts want to make this game a track meet. Peyton Manning has been just plain unbelievable in the past two weeks, shredding the Saints and Bucs for 700 yards and 8 touchdowns combined. Forget T.O. Forget Randy Moss. Marvin Harrison is hands down the top receiver in the league right now, and he'll find ways to burn one of the better pass defenses in the league. Manning will need to use his Marino-like release, and the offensive line will have to find ways to keep him on his feet. He could shred this defense if they give him time. It appears that Edgerrin James will still be a game-time decision on Sunday, so expect Ricky Williams and Dominic Rhodes to share the brunt of the workload. Neither is a healthy Edge, and the Colts are going to need one of them to step up so that they can create a more balanced attack.

When the Panthers have the ball: The Panthers will want to give the Colts a steady dose of Stephen Davis. There's no reason to think that he won't get at least 30 touches in this one, and half of his goal will be to keep the Colts weapons at bay by keeping them off the field. Jake Delhomme is coming into his own a bit more as the Panthers starter, and he has a couple of decent options split out wide in Muhsin Muhammad and Steve Smith, but they won't be able to play catch-up against a Colts team that's capable of putting a lot of points on the board. Expect a lot of running between the tackles from Davis, and to a lesser extent, Deshaun Foster. Indy's acchiles heel the past two seasons has been against the run, although they are excellent at stripping the ball. This should be a key matchup, as the Panthers need to keep their defense off the field. For Carolina to win, they'll need to control the time of possession at least 40/20.

Special Teams: Vanderjagt is a Pro Bowl kicker, but he doesn't know when to keep his mouth shut. Despite the miscues in overtime last Monday, he's 13/13 on field goals this season. The Panthers' John Kasay is also perfect on the year at 10/10. Both kickers are accurate and solid from long range. The Panthers have had one of the top return teams in the league, thanks to Steve Smith and Rod Smart. Brad Pyatt's been solid for the Colts, too, but the edge has to go to the Panthers.

Coaching/Intangibles: John Fox has turned the Panthers around quickly, but Tony Dungy has the experience factor in his favor. Both teams should have nothing but positives from the eoaching staff, but the home field favors the Colts. While both teams have a lot of momentum going into this game as they're still undefeated, the Colts have to be flying high after their comeback last week.

The Verdict: Carolina should be able to hang with the Colts for a half, but I just can't see them controlling the clock as much as they'll have to in order to pull this one out. Manning and Harrison should connect for at least one touchdown in this one, and Manning's jersey should stay fairly clean. Colts 27, Panthers 16

Lock of the Week: Baltimore over Arizona The jinx is back, as we lost our lock last week when the Steelers decided not to suit up against the Browns. Arizona's defense has been just plain awful so far this season, and their attendance should be pitiful now that they've lost Emmitt "Side Show" Smith. While this actually means they'll have a better running game, nobody will show up to watch it. With no support, this team has no hope of doing a whole lot against a solid defensive team like the Ravens, and they had no hope with or without the crowd of stopping Jamal Lewis. Look for Kyle Boller to get on track a little in this, as he's facing one of the worst secondaries in the league, but Lewis will still be the key as he pounds away at Arizona's inexperienced defense. Ravens 30, Dead Red 13

Upset Special: Philadelphia over Dallas - Honestly, I don't really like any of the dogs this week, but I have to throw in the upset special. While I don't really feel like this fits the bill, the Cowboys are very mild favorites over the Eagles. The Cowboys got up for what could have been their biggest (non-Redskins) game of the year a few weeks ago against the Giants, but beating the Jets and the Cardinals isn't really saying anything. The Eagles got off to a horrid start, but Andy Reid has started to right the ship, and they just have too much talent for the Cowboys to keep their modest three game win streak going. The Cowboys are on the way up, and they're much better than it sounds like I'm giving them credit for, but the Eagles are still the best the NFC East has to offer. Eagles 23, Cowboys 15

And now, it's time to make like a tree and get outta here.

Oakland at Cleveland - One of two things will happen here. Either the Raiders will realize that they just somehow lost to the Bears last week and they'll start ripping apart opponents left and right or Al Davis will start scouring for nursing homes where he can put the rest of his team. Bank on the former. Raiders 27, Browns 23

Kansas City at Green Bay - It looked like the Packers realized that they have to start winning last week, regardless of how solid their opponents may be. Look for them to keep the ball away from Hall (!) and knock off an unbeaten foe for the second straight week as Ahman Green does the Lambeau Leap. Cheeseheads 27, Chiefs 24

Houston at Tennessee - This should be a great rivalry soon, but not yet. The Freak will be putting David Carr on his back all day, and the Texans just can't move the ball without him. Expect the Titans to hang tough as they chase the Colts in the AFC South. Oilers 30, Texans 10

New York Giants at New England - It still just doesn't get any easier for those Pats. This one should go down to the wire between two of the best 3-2 teams in the league. Give Bill Belichik the slight edge as he faces off against one of his former employers. Patriots 27, Giants 24

Chicago at New Orleans - Games like this are why they invented the snooze button on your alarm clock. Despite Kordell's comeback against the Raiders last week, it's time to give Grossman a chance. The A-Train seems to be up and running again, but Duce will find a way to beat Da Bears. Saints 13, Bears 6

Tampa Bay at Washington - After their collapse last week against the Colts, expect Derrick Brooks, Warren Sapp and the boys to be gunning for Patrick Ramsey on Sunday. Look for Steve Spurrier's team to put up about as many points as the Bucs typically did when he was their first quarterback in 1976.... that topped off at 20. Bucs 27, Redskins 10

Miami at Jacksonville - The future is now for the Jaguars, and Byron Leftwich has looked fantastic in his first couple of games. He should suffer some growing pains this week, though, as one of the toughest defenses in the league takes a trip up the Florida Coast to Jacksonville. Dolphins 23, Jaguars 9

Pittsburgh at Denver - The Steelers really needed to show up against the Browns last week because their next three games could be nasty on them. There's no reason to think that Jake Plummer should have any trouble against a secondary that got manhandled like the Steelers did last week, and Clinton Portis should have a big day as well. Broncos 34, Steelers 16

Buffalo at New York Jets - Chad Pennington threw during practice this week, but the Jets probably won't get on the board until he's ready to play in a game. The Bills just have too many weapons not to put more than two touchdowns on the board, and the Jets aren't capable of scoring more than twice right now against anyone. Bills 27, J-E-T-S 10

San Francisco at Seattle - For the second straight week, the Seahawks are involved in a homecoming for a coach. Look for them to have little trouble putting down a 49ers team that appears ready to implode. There won't be a Sharpie incident this time in Seattle. Seahawks 31, 49ers 20

Atlanta at St. Louis - The Falcons just don't have the weapons without Vick to face a team like the Lambs, and Marc Bulger should have a huge night against a porous secondary. As long as Mike Martz doesn't screw this one up, St. Louis could find themselves right back in the thick of the NFC West hunt. Expect Madden and Michaels to have a tough time saving this one for ABC by the time it's over. Lambs 34, Doug's Duds 10

(Last Week in Parentheses)
On the Year: 40-18 (7-7)
Game(s) of the Week: 3-3 (0-1)
Lock of the Week: 2-2 (0-1)
Upset Special: 1-3 (0-1)

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