NFL Week 8 Preview

Week 8 Preview

Week 7 was average at best in terms of excitement and importance. The early games provided some spark, with the headline game being the battle between RGIII and the clutch machine that is Eli Manning. The nation witnessed a mighty effort from the Jets in New England during Sunday evening, but couldn’t hold off Tom Brady at the end to complete the huge potential upset against the Patriots. Besides that, we learned a little bit: the Bears defense is not going to be pushed around, by anyone; Houston is the unquestioned best team in the AFC right now; the Panthers, Bills, and Jaguars all stink. A lot of the top teams were on bye last week, but Week 8 sports some can’t miss action. Starting with...

TB vs MIN (-6.5) - The Buccaneers have shown some bright spots even though they are only 2-4; Vincent Jackson has been beastly the last few weeks. However, they are running into a Vikings team that is playing very well, and is a home team on Thursday Night. I think that this game follows the trend that its predecessors have left before it: a close, low-scoring game, with the home team coming out on top. Give me the Bucs and the points, but the Vikes win this one straight up. After the Tampa secondary got burned last week, look out for Percy Harvin. Tampa Bay 17, Minnesota 23.

CAR vs CHI (-7.5) - I thought Cam Newton would take the next step this season. I was wrong. The Panthers look horrible, and will probably be getting a top 7 draft pick next April. Meanwhile, I loved the Bears coming into this season, and that prediction is spot on. Chicago is playing as well as anyone in the NFL, and I think they roll in this one, easily. And Over on .5 defensive TDs. Carolina 14, Chicago 31.

SD vs CLE (+2.5) - I have made it well known that I think the Browns will have the number one pick in next year’s draft. However, Brandon Weeden has been a pleasant surprise. I’m not backing off my prediction, but I did call Cleveland’s first and only win of the season against the Bengals a couple of weeks ago. And I’m calling this one as well. Upset Special baby! The Chargers are in hibernation mode as far as I’m concerned; we’ve seen this script far too many times, and I’m jumping on tradition here. Win number two for the Browns, on a Dawson FG. 43 yards. San Diego 21, Cleveland 23.

SEA vs DET (-2.5) - Another pick I will give myself credit for: the fall of the Lions. They were embarrassed on Monday Night by the Chicago defense. Now, on short week, they face the gauntlet that is the Seahawk D. Even though Seattle is not as sharp away from home, I think that this team is legit enough to get a wild card spot, and I am taking them in this game as a “this team is superior but we don’t know if they are for real or not yet so they are technically the underdogs” upset. Seattle 20, Detroit 13.

JAC vs GB (-13.5) - Huge lines scare me. So even though the Pack will roll, I’m not putting money on two TDs (actually I’m not putting money on this either way if I were you). Rashad Jennings runs well enough to control the clock and the Jags score a garbage time TD and Rodgers takes it easy and coasts to the finish line. Give me the Jaguars and the points. Jacksonville 20, Green Bay 31.

IND vs TEN (-3.5) - I’m an Andrew Luck fan. However, the Colts aren’t the same team on the road, and the Titans are playing with momentum, finally looking like the team I picked to go 8-8. The Colts showed against the Jets that they cannot defend the run, and say what you want about Chris Johnson, but he’s coming off a 195 yard, 2 TD game. CJ2K returns to form in this one as well. And no, I’m not just saying that because he’s on my fantasy team. Indianapolis 24, Tennessee 30.

NE vs STL (+6.5) - The Rams play surprisingly well at home, but facing the Patriots’ offe......wait, this game is in London? The NFL hasn’t scrapped that yet? Really? Ok. So...I think the Pats can win by a touchdown, don’t you? Tough luck for the people of St. Louis, they could have used a good football game to get over the sting of their baseball team choking. New England 31, St. Louis 13.

MIA vs NYJ (-2.5) - The Dolphins are underrated and rested. The Jets missed an opportunity to grab this division by the balls up in New England and need this game going into the bye. 4-4 is much better than 3-5. I think they can get the job done. They showed some good signs last week. At least Tebowmania has died down so far for the most part, right? Miami 20, New York 23. Another possible OT game.

ATL vs PHI (-2.5) - Nothing like the only undefeated team in the NFL getting picked as underdogs against a collapsing, desperate team, right? Something has got to give in this game: the Falcons’ undefeated record, or Andy Reid’s 13-0 mark coming off a bye, which is still ridiculous. I don’t trust the Falcons, and if the Eagles can’t win this game, then they will not make the playoffs. There’s not more time for excuses for this team. FREE SHADY, Andy! Please! Atlanta 27, Philadelphia 31. Big time win.

WAS vs PIT (-5.5) - This is a very intriguing game. Nothing like an offensive juggernaut being led by the phenom going up against the historically intimidating Steeler D in a game which the loser could very well be knocked out of playoff contention. And you know what? I like RGIII in this game. Pittsburgh is not the same without Polamalu in the line-up, and I think that will cost them. If the Redskins defense can force a couple of turnovers, its game over. Upset Alert number two for this week (and I’m still not done!). Washington 27, Pittsburgh 23.

OAK vs KC (-1.5) - Brady Quinn. That’s what it’s come down to for the Chiefs that I thought would make the playoffs. They have just been absolutely atrocious this year. But you know what? Notre Dame is undefeated. Golden Tate was the face of the Fail Mary. Harrison Smith had a pick-6 last week for the Vikings. This might just be some crazy Notre Dame voodoo year or something where good things happen. And the Raiders were incredibly lucky that the Jaguars suck, because they should have lost last week. If the Chiefs can’t win this one, they should be excommunicated or something. Off a bye, I think Jamaal Charles is going to run wild. Oakland 20, Kansas City 26.

NYG vs DAL (+1.5) - The Giants have been waiting for this game for a long time. They know what Jerry Jones said before the season about kicking the Giants’ asses when they came to Big D. They know they lost at home to this team Week 1. They know that the Cowboys are beatable and self-destructive. They know that LB Sean Lee is out for the season, and DeMarco Murray will not be there to run the football. They know that they have NEVER LOST IN THIS STADIUM. And they know the whole country is going to be watching them because it will be the nationally broadcasted Sunday evening game on FOX. Hammers shall be dropped. I heard that there is a 20% chance of rain in Big D, with an 100% percent chance of salsa. New York 34, Dallas 19.

NO vs DEN (-6.5) - The Saints have won two in a row after their 0-4 start and get interim coach Joe Vitt back this game. But they are going into the lion’s den. Last time we saw Peyton Manning, he was wiping away 24 point leads on Monday Night Football, and has had a week of rest since then. You think he doesn’t know that it was the Saints who beat him in the Super Bowl a few years ago? You think he doesn’t know that Who Dat nation is in a world of hurt right now? You think he doesn’t know that this Saints defense has the chance to be the worst, ever? This game is first to 40. And I never bet against Peyton Manning. However, I also never bet that Drew Brees will be outscored by a full touchdown. New Orleans 35, Denver 41.

SF vs ARI (+6.5) - Time for my third Upset Special of Week 8! Yes, I do think that the 49ers are better than the Cardinals, and that they will make the playoffs while Arizona will not. However, crazy things happen between these two teams on Monday Night. The Cardinals have lost three in a row, and they need a win to keep their season from falling apart. They are at home. Against a division rival. In a must-win scenario. With a really good defense. On national television. Remember, John Skelton did go 7-2 down the stretch with this team last year. A touchdown line is way too high, no matter who you think is going to win this game. I think the Cards put up one final stand and keep their season alive. San Francisco 23, Arizona 24.