Week Six of the NFL

The Bears and the Colts are the only two undefeated teams in the NFL after five weeks and not coincidentally, both teams play in notoriously weak divisions. The Colts did this already last season and look where it got them. Not the Super Bowl. There are six teams left in the AFC with less than two losses - along with the Colts there's the Patriots, Ravens, Bengals, Broncos and Chargers. Of those teams, the Chargers have the best balance of offence and defence. And even though my Colts against the Eagles Super Bowl prediction is still valid, at this point anyway, I'd say the Chargers are my favourites to make it from the AFC.

In the NFC, there are also six teams left with less than two losses - along with the Bears there's the Eagles, Saints, Falcons, Rams and Seahawks. The Bears are by far the most dominating offensively and defensively, have momentum and might well get homefield advantage through the playoffs which would be crucial given Chicago weather in the winter.

But I'm still going with the Eagles.

Thus I rate the Top Five in the NFL:

1. Eagles
2. Chargers
3. Bears
4. Patriots
5. Rams

This week's picks:

DETROIT (-1½) vs. Buffalo - There are four winless teams left in the NFL and Detroit is one of them. Rod Marinelli thinks there is one major reason his Detroit Lions are 0-5. Discipline. "After having a chance to view the tape, a theme throughout our team is not doing our jobs, understanding our jobs and doing what we are coached to do," he said. "It's glaring to me. We have to be a more disciplined football team." So will they make a trip to a local dominatrix? Pick: Buffalo

BALTIMORE (-3) vs. Carolina - The Baltimore Ravens ' team plane made an unscheduled landing early Oct. 10 in Pittsburgh so cornerback Corey Ivy could go to a hospital to treat a kidney injury. No stops scheduled to treat a mediocre offence against a very tough defence. Pick: Carolina

Cincinnati (-6) vs. TAMPA BAY - Tampa have lost every game they've played this season to date. "We are struggling," coach Jon Gruden said. "If I could put my finger on it, I'd probably tell you what it was. ... well, I sure hope you wouldn't keep the secret to yourself. Pick: Cincinnati

DALLAS (-11½) vs. Houston - The last and only time these two teams met, the Texans won the battle of Texas, 19-10. Of course, that was their first season in the NFL and they've got 3 more seasons of experience so imagine what the advantage they'll have now. Pick: Houston

ATLANTA (-3) vs. N.Y. Giants - The Falcons (3-1) own the NFL's best rushing attack, averaging 234.3 yards per game. Running backs Warrick Dunn and Jerious Norwood have combined to rush for 582 yards, while quarterback Michael Vick has run for 333. The Giants don't play well in loud stadiums. Pick: Atlanta

Philadelphia (-3) vs. NEW ORLEANS - Now that the MNF hoopla of the first game back in the Dome has receded, a group of Eagles fans who call themselves The Green Legion teamed up with a number of Saints fans this week to help clean up some of the battered areas in New Orleans. Meanwhile, the battered areas of Philly remain, well, battered. Pick: Philadelphia

Seattle (-3) vs. ST. LOUIS - Battle of the NFC West and the Seahawks won't play it at home. The Seahawks are 1-3 in St. Louis since joining the NFC West in 2002. Pick: St Louis

WASHINGTON (-9½) vs. Tennessee - The Titans are another of the NFL's winless dregs. The last time Vince Young visited the city of Washington, the University of Texas Longhorns were celebrating a national championship at the White House. Pick: Tennessee

PITTSBURGH (-6½) vs. Kansas City - After posting a 27-4 record in his first two years as the Steelers' starting quarterback, Roethlisberger has lost all three of his starts this season while posting the NFL's second-lowest quarterback rating (41.7). Pick: Kansas City

N.Y. JETS (-3) vs. Miami - For those of you who imagine having Joey Harrington as your starting QB is bad enough, imagine this: Cleo Lemon is the Dolphins' backup quarterback if Harrington goes down. Pick: NY Jets

San Diego (-8½) vs. SAN FRANCISCO - The Chargers haven't won in San Francisco since 1982 which is pretty bad considering how bad the 49ers have been over the last few years. Pick: San Francisco

DENVER (-15) vs. Oakland - The Raiders are everyone's favourite NFL punching bags. No matter what team you root for, you can always think hell, we're not THAT bad. Just look at the Raiders. The Just Win, Baby motto of Al Davis is now more like a desperate plea. Pick: Denver

Monday night

Chicago (-10) vs. ARIZONA - A columnist expressed outrage at the way Bears players chase the media out of the locker room each day at 1 p.m. before practice starts by flashing the light on and off and making siren noises. The columnist said he felt threatened by the practice, which has been going on for 2½ years. So go cover the stinkin' Cubs then. Pick: Chicago

Last week 5-7-2
Season 37-33-3