If it ain't broke, don't fix it. For our Week 6 defensive unit rankings, we're using this mantra and applying it to anyone who plays the Raiders. Oakland averages just 191 yards per game and is coming off a total meltdown last week against the Giants. JaMarcus Russell continues to have terrible vision, blatantly missing both his receivers and the pass rush (on the front side no less), and the running game remains non-existent. Alternatively, the Eagles look great against the pass, giving up just under 172 yards per game, which is the league's fourth best. This game will quickly become another Raiders blunder.
The remainder of the top five for the week includes some new names, but essentially follows the same logic. We target the teams facing the Rams, Browns and Lions, all of of which provide good spot-starts -- and one may be available on waivers. Jacksonville hosting the Rams looks like a redemption game where St. Louis will serve as the tackling dummy. Green Bay at Lambeau against the Lions looks mighty tasty as well, and the Steelers at home against the Browns should be a layup since Cleveland almost never finds the end zone.
The other play I really like this week would be the Jets, bouncing back against Buffalo. Marshawn Lynch should come back with a heavy load this weekend for the Bills, but this Jets team needs a win as the division suddenly got mighty crowded after two straight losses -- combined with the streaking Dolphins winning two in a row. Watch for Darrelle Revis to make his presence felt as he did in those first two games this season.
1. Eagles, PHI @ OAK
2. Jaguars, JAX vs. STL
3. Steelers, PIT vs. CLE
4. Jets, NYJ vs. BUF
5. Packers, GB vs. DET
6. Ravens, BAL @ MIN
7. Giants, NYG @ NO
8. Broncos, DEN @ SD
9. Panthers, CAR @ TB
10. Patriots, NE vs. TEN
11. Bengals, CIN vs. HOU
12. Bears, CHI @ ATL
13. Buccaneers, TB vs.CAR
14. Bills, BUF @ NYJ
15. Saints, NO vs. NYG
16. Seahawks, SEA vs. ARI
17. Cardinals, ARI @ SEA
18. Chargers, SD vs. DEN
19. Texans, TEN @ NE
20. Redskins, WAS vs. KC
21. Raiders, OAK vs. PHI
22. Vikings, MIN vs. BAL
23. Browns, CLE @ PIT
24. Titans, TEN @ NE
25. Falcons, ATL vs. CHI
26. Chiefs, KC @ WAS
27. Lions, DET @ GB
28. Rams, STL @ JAX
• One of the more interesting half-court shots this weekend comes via the Seahawks defense. Was last week a fluke (like we've been saying all week) or does this unit deserve a major upgrade? Kurt Warner and the heavy pass attack should prove as good a test as any, so keep a close eye on this one.
• For the first time this season the Giants fall out of the top five, but not by much. Facing the top point and third-highest yardage producing offense at New Orleans should prove a tough task, but the fact remains: this defensive unit goes down in history with that other Giants unit or the '85 Bears. Dominant. Some pundits put the G-Men much lower in this week's ranks, but the Giants are as close to a weekly D/ST start as it gets, in my book.
• One last recommended play this week would be the Patriots at home. If Thursday's weather is any indication in the Northeast (it's snowing), this should be an ugly game. It's obviously too early to really tell anything about the weather, but at this point the forecast calls for low-40s temperatures, wind and rain. This, coupled with the fact that the Titans stink, bodes well for the Pats.
