Giant Steps - Week 5 Thoughts and Look Ahead to Week 6

What else do you need to say about a game where your favorite team gains 600+ yards, totaling 300+ each through the ground game and passing game (a first in NFL history), while your team allows only 3 points?

I felt guilty for not writing this blog on Sunday night when I normally do, but an ass-beating that bad doesn't really require much analysis or thought.

San Fran looked like a Super Bowl caliber team - the Bills looked like they belonged in Canada (and I don't mean as Toronto's NFL team like Goodell wants them to be - I mean as a Canadian football team like the Roughriders).

As great as they've looked the last 2 weeks, it's only as good as next week looks. An NFC Championship rematch with the New York Giants awaits.

The Vegas perspective: Niners opened as a six-point favorite, but have been bet down to 4.5. I think part of it is how well the Giants have played on the road. I also think it's partly due to how the Niners might be due for a let-down (after all, how can a team maintain a dominance displayed in a two-game stretch of the Jets and Bills where we win by a combined 79-3?).

Niners are still second favorites to win the Super Bowl behind the Texans, although in my mind I would be most worried about the Patriots, especially if they maintain their well-rounded running and passing attack. With Steven Ridley and Brandon Bolden, this is as good of a running attack as New England has had in a long time. Brady with a legit running game is a scary thought.

I just hope the Niners can continue expanding the passing game, perhaps keeping Kaep involved in the game plan for 5-10 plays per game, and maintain their solid offense. Their defense is something I'll never question - it's the offense I worry about. This year, they haven't really given much for us to worry about, but I think most of us fans want to see a downfield passing game that can make the running game even more dangerous.

My prediction for Week 6 - Niners win a close game and hold off the Giants 27-24. I just hope "revenge" doesn't get the best of the Niners. As much as last year's ending stung, you still have to forget about it and worry about the task at hand and not lose focus on the now.

Other NFC West predictions:

Arizona 20, Buffalo 17
Miami 24, St Louis 20
Seattle 27, New England 24