NFL Week 6 preview

Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers
Roethlisberger makes his first start after missing the first four games for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy. The Steelers fared well without him, going 3-1, but aside from one game (a 38-point outburst vs. Tampa Bay) the offense hasn’t scored more than 19 points. And they’ve only tossed three touchdown passes. So Roethlisberger has been missed, even if the record doesn’t reflect that. And he gets a relatively easy first start against 1-4 Cleveland, which has rookie Colt McCoy making his first start. — John Keim

 STORYLINES

1. Mediocre NFC » Is there even a Super Bowl worthy team in the NFC? Granted, it’s only Week 6, but it’s surprising how few good teams have emerged. The Vikings (1-3) and Cowboys (1-3), both playoff teams in 2009 and expected contenders, are off to terrible starts. The Packers (3-2) and Saints (3-2), popular preseason choices and with the conference’s top two quarterbacks, are injury-riddled. What are we to make of the surprising starts of the Bears (4-1) and Buccaneers (3-1)? In the over-rated NFC East the Giants (3-2), Eagles (3-2), and Redskins (3-2) have major flaws. The best bet in the conference? Maybe it’s the Falcons (4-1). — Kevin Dunleavy

2. High mileage checkup » Out of the top-five single-season passing performances, three won their conference but no one has won it all. Dan Marino is king in this category with 5,084 yards for the Dolphins in 1984. Enter 2010, where three teams have struggled — the Colts (3-2), Chargers (2-3) and Broncos (2-3) — but their quarterbacks are on pace to break Marino’s single season passing yards record. Peyton Manning has  1,609 yards (which projects to 5,148 over 16 games). AFC West rivals Kyle Orton (1,733; 5,546) and Philip Rivers (1,759; 5,629) are the NFL’s top passers and their teams’ lack of rushing will cause them to carry their teams — if they are to make the playoffs. — Leon Saffelle

3. Just call it the Panic Bowl » When Minnesota and Dallas meet Sunday at the Metrodome, somebody’s playoff hopes will be in serious jeopardy. That’s a shocking development for two NFC teams tabbed as Super Bowl contenders before the season. The Vikings are 1-3 and quarterback Brett Favre is listed as questionable with tendonitis in his right elbow. Favre is also still dealing with the fallout from the Deadspin story that he texted lewd photos of himself to television personality Jenn Sterger when both were employed by the New York Jets in 2008. Meanwhile, the Cowboys are in last place in the NFC East at 1-3. Dallas has played a been close in it’s three losses though. — Brian McNally

UPSET SPECIAL

Seahawks over the Bears
The Seahawks are coming off a bye. The Bears, meanwhile, are coming off an ugly 23-6 win over the Carolina Panthers in which quarterbacks Todd Collins and Caleb Hanie combined to throw eight completions for 51 yards and four interceptions in a victory. Jay Cutler (concussion) is expected to play and Matt Forte is coming off a monster game vs. Carolina, but Chicago has been spotty in pass protection and Seattle — quietly — is giving up an NFC-low 72.8 rushing yards per game. — James Irwin
 

FANTASY WATCH

Five to start
1. QB Jay Cutler » The Bears are glad he’s back from a concussion and Cutler is glad he’s playing the Seahawks and their second-worst pass defense.
2. RB Ryan Torain » If the Redskins are going to have any chance against the Colts, they’ll need to establish a strong running game with Torain.
3. RB Jamaal Charles » The one real question about Charles: Why don’t the Chiefs give him the ball more? He’s averaging 6.5 yards a carry.
4. WR Anquan Boldin » The Ravens receiver has been far from consistent, but expect good Boldin against New England’s poor pass defense.
5. WR Mike Wallace » Fantasy owners of Wallace have been waiting for this all season: Big Ben is finally back. Wallace will start producing now.

Five to sit
1. QB Mark Sanchez » He still hasn’t thrown an interception, but also failed to throw a touchdown last week for the second time this season.
2. RB Marion Barber » With Felix Jones’ increased role in the Cowboys’ backfield — 19 touches last week — expect Barber’s numbers to suffer.
3. RB Mike Tolbert » After rushing for 100 yards against the Cardinals, the Chargers back had 11 yards on 12 carries last week.
4. WR Wes Welker » Without Randy Moss, the Patriots need someone to step up, but it’s not a good matchup against the Ravens’ second-best pass defense.
5. WR Marques Colston » The Saints receiver has not scored a touchdown this season and is averaging just 57.4 yards a game.
— Jeffrey Tomik

GAME OF THE WEEK

Ravens at Patriots, 1 p.m., CBS
Save for one game — a road loss at Cincinnati — the Ravens have been the best team in the AFC. The defense, as usual, has led the way as no one has scored more than 17 points. Meanwhile, the Patriots have scored at least 38 points in three of their four games. However, they’ll also be playing their first game minus receiver Randy Moss. Last January, Baltimore hounded Patriots quarterback Tom Brady in the playoffs, sacking him three times and intercepting three passes in a 33-14 win. — John Keim

WASHINGTON EXAMINER POWER RANKINGS

— Craig Stouffer