Week Six: Hunker Down

It seems that much has changed since we started this thing, but there's a long road still ahead. Some teams have come to find this out already, while others are using it to their advantage and building up some steady comebacks to get back into the thick of the hunt. It's usually at this point of the season where the favorites start sticking their necks out, but up until now only a few of those teams are still in that same position and even those teams don't exude confidence. There's no point in being flashy any longer, as the only goal should be to hunker down and win. And while that plan isn't always so easy, it remains good news for the 49ers, whose bye week assures them that they'll stay out of the loss column for the first time in four weeks.

1:00 Games

Buffalo (3-2) at Kansas City (2-3)

The Chiefs returned to an Okoye-heavy offense, as he took 9 rushes for 80 yards and a score. Buffalo answered with a Thurman-heavy offense, however, as he took the ball for 106 yards and scored a touchdown in the 4th quarter to go ahead for good. Buffalo may have won, but their stats didn't tell the story of a dominant team. Fortunately for them, dominance won't be a requirement to beat the Colts next week; keeping Jeff George in the game, however, will be.

Final Score: Bills 17, Chiefs 13

Indianapolis (2-3) at Pittsburgh (1-3)

For those of you who enjoy segues, Indianapolis and Jeff George played down to their abilities here, with only 76 passing yards and 4 interceptions. Bubby Brister didn't have to be spectacular, but his 250 yards and no picks did give Steelers fans hopes that their season may not be a bust quite yet. On that same token, the Colts did win two games to start the season, but you'd have to be a fool or Clarence Verdin to think they'd continue that streak.

Final Score: Steelers 27, Colts 14

Miami (3-2) at New England (1-4)

The Dolphins needed a win here to pull in line with Buffalo, but apparently they thought they needed two as they drubbed the hapless Patriots with 52 points. Perhaps inspired by the return of Mark Clayton, Miami and Dan Marino put up 337 passing yards and 19 first downs. Steve Grogan, on the other hand, put his resume up on Monster.com after throwing 3 picks and barely cracking 100 yards passing. The Dolphins are showing the confidence and poise that the Bills are lacking now, which is saying a lot for a bunch of pixelated computer icons.

Final Score: Dolphins 52, Patriots 7

Detroit (1-4) at Minnesota (4-1)

In this highly touted NFC Central showdown, the Lions took Minnesota to the wire looking for their second win. Rodney Peete passed for a modest 184 yards but tossed up two touchdowns to one interception, while Barry Sanders ran around the field for 95 yards. Unfortunately for them, they're the Lions, and even more unfortunate is the fact that the Vikings have been on the lucky end of some questionable scores. They take the NFC Central lead for the time being here, and nobody is more surprised than coach Jerry Burns and Herschel Walker's agent.

Final Score: Vikings 17, Lions 14

Cincinnati (2-2) at Seattle (4-1)

Boomer Esiason weaved together a tale filled with such precise detail and inveterate quality that even the most critical of literary scholars had to take a step back and acknowledge his ability to tell a story with the sort of grace and stylistic perfection that only he is capable of, with his 90% completion rate and 265 yards to no interceptions. Unfortunately for those who follow him on Twitter, this type of lyrical accomplishment is nowhere to be found in his actual writing abilities.

Final Score: Bengals 30, Seahawks 10

Houston (4-0) at Denver (3-2)

The Oilers came off their bye with their undefeated streak in tow, but immediately ran into a white-hot Denver team that pulled within a half-game of first place in a tight win at home. As predicted, Warren Moon and John Elway played very similar games, but it was the defense of Denver that made the difference in this game, only allowing Lorenzo White to rush for 20 yds. David Treadwell also made a difference with his three field goals (including the game-winner), but we've been told by his mother that she's the only one allowed to heap praise upon her baby boy.

Final Score: Broncos 16, Oilers 14

New York Giants (2-3) at Phoenix (1-4)

The Giants marched into the desert of Phoenix with a shot at getting back to .500 after an 0-3 start, and just barely clutched the win from the jaws of defeat with a blocked Al Del Greco extra point. Johnny Johnson ran wild again for around 100 yards while Timm Rosenbach outplayed Phil Simms with 190 yards passing and a few scores. Needless to say, Del Greco was in need of a new wardrobe after discovering a few presents in his locker after the game.

Final Score: Giants 28, Cardinals 27

4:00 Games

L.A. Raiders (2-3) at San Diego (4-1)

It may be said that San Diego's cause never had a chance, when Marion Butts went out in the first quarter and still finished with the team lead in rushing yards. L.A. somehow finds themselves back in the race after a big day from Jay Schroeder, who tossed an unfathomable 83% completion rate. The Raiders showed their power on the ground as well with a combined 122 yards rushing from their two-headed demon, and suddenly the 'Black Hole' is no longer being used as a reference to the Raiders' postseason chances at this time each year.

Final Score: Raiders 31, Chargers 13

New York Jets (1-4) at Cleveland (2-2)

The Jets are quietly having a horrible season, and the Browns smartly took advantage of that here with a convincing win at home. QB Browns kept Mike Pagel's pager quiet with 264 passing yards and no picks, while Webster Slaughter's 122 receiving yards killed the Jets' chances at making any headway in their incredibly difficult division. Ken O.Brien has to be hoping that their futility remains to go unnoticed, but his 69 yards passing to 3 interceptions speaks about as loudly as the Jets' namesake over old Shea stadium.

Final Score: Browns 34, Jets 14

Philadelphia (4-1) at Tampa Bay (2-3)

The Eagles had a chance to stay tied with Minnesota among the league's best records with what seemed like a walk-through here, but Tampa Bay put up 14 points in the fourth quarter to pull it out and continue to be the league's nagging pests. Nobody is more upset than Keith Byars, who could have walked away a winner despite his team-leading 39 rushing yards. With the loss, however, the disappearance of QB Eagles in the rushing game once again becomes a factor to be discussed ad nauseum on Sportscenter.

Final Score: Buccaneers 21, Eagles 17

Washington (3-2) at Chicago (4-1)

Despite being up against a Redskins' defense that was ranked 26th against the run, Chicago couldn't score a touchdown. Neal Anderson was either abducted by aliens or missed his cab, as Jim Harbaugh led the team in rushing with just one 23-yard sprint. Mark Rypien kept his non-interception-less streak going with another pick here, and while this saddens us to no end, it appears the rest of Washington is content with his otherwise effective play as he led his team to victory and a share in the NFC East lead.

Final Score: Redskins 20, Bears 6

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Tomorrow night we return to Green Bay for their second featured game of the season. Before you accuse us of small-town midwestern bias, please be assured that this was the only scenario that would allow us to feature a new team while also not subjecting you to a coma-inducing meaningless mid-season contest (not to point any fingers, Freeman McNiel). Dallas watched both Philadelphia lose and Washington win, and with the Giants hot on their tails need a win here to pull into a three-way tie. While we don't think that Troy Aikman is necessarily scared of Don Majkowski and his hair-preference, we do think that Bob Nelson provides him with enough nightmares that not only must he sleep with a nightlight, but also with a den of trained Dobermans circling his bed.