You wouldn't know it here in the northeast, but there is another professional sport playing meaningful games right now besides Major League Baseball. I'm not talking about the WNBA because their season just ended and I'm not talking about the NBA because they're in the preseason. And I'm definitely not talking about the National Hockey League because they may not play until the next presidential election. I'm talking about the National Football League which just finished week six out of 17. And since most people have greatly ignored it until this point in the effort to "reverse the curse " (would Boston and Chicago please stand up?), I'm going to review the first six weeks of the NFL and predict the next 11.

The most exciting match up between Boston and New York teams (well, technically, New England and New Jersey, but who's counting) may well come next week in Foxboro as the 5-0 New York Jets face the 5-0 New England Patriots. New England has won 20 straight games and hopes to continue that against the Jets. When the world thought the Patriots couldn't get better, they seem to have done so with Corey Dillon running the ball and a Mariano Rivera-esque defense at the end of games saving the nail-biters for them.

With two of the worst teams in the AFC residing in the East in the form of Buffalo and Miami, it seems pretty likely that both of these teams may make the playoffs. But this game may have something more at stake as the Patriots are looking to extend this amazing winning streak and also take a shot at football immortality in the form of an undefeated season. It's possible that there could be an undefeated team and a winless team in this division but that's a long way away. My prediction is that New England wins this weekend and, within two wins of an undefeated regular season, loses to the Jets in Week 16. The Jets and the Patriots both make the playoffs and Miami finds some way to win a game against either San Fran or Arizona.

The only other undefeated team is in the NFC East where Philadelphia continues its mastery of the entire NFL. The Eagles have dominated their first five games, outscoring their opponents 137-63. Terrell Owens has been a huge addition to this team as Donovan McNabb has been one of the leading MVP candidates this season. Another one of those candidates is Tiki Barber, the New York Giants running back who has helped them to a very surprising 4-1 record. After a 4-12 record last year, the Giants figured they were in rebuilding mode with Eli Manning as the cornerstone. Instead, Kurt Warner has shown flashes of his MVP form and offensive line that had been so bad last season, has come through for Big Blue so far. But the biggest surprise of all is Tiki Barber who has led the NFL in fumbles the past four years and has been more of a hindrance at times than a help. This year, he has had no fumbles in five games and has broken more big runs than ever before.

Dallas and Washington have both shown flashes of being good, but in the end it seems that flashes are all that they'll get. If Tiki Barber can find a flu shot, and avoid coughing up the ball, the Giants should grab a wild card birth with Eli Manning sitting the entire season. The same week that the Patriots finally lose, so will the Eagles, as Phili will lose to St. Louis en route to another NFC East crown.

While the two East divisions may contain some of the NFL's best teams, the two North divisions show what people mean when they say "parity in the NFL." Mediocre describes every team in the AFC North. The best of those teams so far has been the Pittsburgh Steelers led by the emergence of rookie quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger. After starting the season 1-1, they have won the next four games going into their bye week. If the Pittsburgh defense can step it up (an average of 19 points given up per game so far) for the rest of this season, they should have enough offense to get them into the playoffs.

The NFC North may not be much better to the naked eye, but they do have some good teams. Minnesota is off to a 4-1 start on the arm of quarterback Daunte Culpepper. While the Vikings defense isn't stellar, their quarterback may have more touchdowns by the end of the season than the entire Ravens team.

Green Bay and Detroit make up the middle of the division with negative point differentials. Brett Favre said it was Superbowl or bust this year, but he's been the only spark on a listless Packers team.

Detriot has been led by the emergence of Joey Harrington to rookie Roy Williams as a pass catching tandem. If Charles Rogers had not gone on the injured reserve, this offense may have been explosive enough to have Detroit challenge for a playoff spot. This division should be won by Minnesota with Detroit and Green Bay battling for a wild card birth. The Lions seem to be a little short, but Green Bay may have the strength to make it to the playoffs on Favre's arm. If they do, watch out.

So far it's been a wild and wacky NFL season which could end with two undefeated teams and a winless team. Like the presidential race, it's too close to call. If you root for any of these 16 teams, you should still believe that your team still has a chance. Until next week, keep the faith.