NFL Week Six: Who You Should Root For

Obviously we're a little late to tell you who you should have been rooting for on Thursday, but that's okay because they won anyway. The Titans over the Steelers is the kind of game where we hope, but don't actually have any expectation of getting what we want. We did get it, though, and that's worthy of celebration.

Oakland Raiders (1-3) at Atlanta Falcons (NFC)
The Raiders are trying to work their way out of contention early this year. A loss to the Falcons would help that along nicely. Go Falcons! (Importance: High)

Cincinnati Bengals (3-2) at Cleveland Browns (0-5)
As much as we'd all like to see another team go 0-16, it's better for the Chargers if the Bengals, one of four non-Chargers AFC teams with a winning record, lose. Go Browns! (Importance: Low)
[prepare for disappointment]

St. Louis Rams (NFC) at Miami Dolphins (2-3)
The Dolphins aren't necessarily the most dangerous team in the AFC, but they're at least in the AFC. Go Rams! (Importance: Low)

Indianapolis Colts (2-2) at New York Jets (2-3)
I wanted to write off the Jets before they played the Texans, but although they lost that game they reminded us that they're still contenders. The Colts got an emotional win against Green Bay, but I'm not ready to consider them a threat for the Wild Card. Go Colts! (Importance: Low)
[rooting for the Jets two weeks in a row probably causes cancer anyway]

Detroit Lions (NFC) at Philadelphia Eagles (NFC)
This game matters less than the rest. No need to root for Michael Vick, though. Go Lions! (Importance: None)

Kansas City Chiefs (1-4) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (NFC)
A division rival is playing an NFC team (and common opponent). They don't get much more obvious than this. Go Bucs! (Importance: High)

Dallas Cowboys (NFC) at Baltimore Ravens (4-1)
The Ravens are already looking like a lock for the AFC North (though in reality it's too early to say such things), but there's still the matter of HFA even if they're not a WC factor. Go Cowboys! (Importance: Moderate)

New England Patriots (3-2) at Seattle Seahawks (NFC)
The Patriots are in a division that looks like it won't offer a serious contender, but I'd still like to see them sink to 3-3. Go Seahawks! (Importance: Moderate)

Buffalo Bills (2-3) at Arizona Cardinals (NFC)
The Bills could theoretically turn things around enough to threaten for the Wild Card. That's reason enough to root against them. Go Cardinals! (Importance: Low)

New York Giants (NFC) at San Francisco 49ers (NFC)
This game has no impact on the Chargers' fortunes, but I still root against Eli Manning every chance I get. Go 49ers! (Importance: None)

Minnesota Vikings (NFC) at Washington Redskins (NFC)
The Chargers won't play either of these teams this year, so it doesn't matter who wins. I think I picked the Redskins to win, though, so um them I guess. Go Redskins! (Importance: None)

Green Bay Packers (NFC) at Houston Texans (5-0)
I'd feel a lot more comfortable if i saw the Texans lose sooner than later and the Packers are a non-entity. Go Pack! (Importance: Moderate)

Denver Broncos at San Diego Chargers
The other games matter a lot less if the Chargers can't win at home on Monday night. Go Chargers! (Importance: Highest)

If all goes well the Chargers will be sitting at 4-2 (3-0 in the division), two games up in the division and tied for the second best record in the AFC with Baltimore and one game behind Houston for Home Field Advantage.