Here is our weekly look at the NFL games. We are in week 8 now and the season is really starting to shape up a bit more. We were only 8-6 last week, but that brings our record to 60-44 on the season. We continue to get burned by strange games. But that is the beauty of this game, it is so hard to predict.
Denver at San Francisco (Wembley Stadium): Congrats London, you get two of the worst teams in the NFL this week. Frankly, you can have them. The 49ers skip over 2nd string QB David Carr to start former Heisman winner Troy Smith (Ohio St.) against the Broncos due to Alex Smith’s shoulder injury. The Broncos, coming off a 59-14 defeat to the Raiders of all teams and should look to put that game behind them. This game has a very “Who Cares?” feel to it. It is planning on being a wet and messy game in London, so we will take the safe pick of the team that can run the ball better and that is the 49ers.
Miami at Cincinnati: If the Bengals could play like they did in the second half versus Atlanta, they would be nearly unstoppable. Are they finally getting on track or was that just desperation setting in? Miami is coming off a tough loss to the Steelers in a game they should have won, if it hadn’t been for the officials. Miami needs to win this game to keep some pace with the other teams in their division. We are giving this one to the Dolphins.
Washington at Detroit: The Redskins are coming off a less than impressive win against the Bears. Of course you should win the game when you get four interceptions gift wrapped to you. The Lions are coming off their bye and get top QB Matt Stafford back from his shoulder injury. Donavan McNabb has been playing a little reckless the last few weeks, but you can tell this team has benefited from his leadership. Detroit is still going to struggle at times. We think that will continue with the Redskins picking up the win.
Carolina at St. Louis: The Panthers picked up their first win of the season by putting down the 49ers last week in the final seconds, but a win is a win. The Rams let one get away in Tampa last week. The Rams continue to be a bright spot in this season as you can tell they come to play each and every week. They play so much better at home and get Carolina at a good time. The Panthers looked good in the second half last week as they erased a couple deficits to get the win. Starter Matt Moore still will hurt them with turnovers though. We think this game goes to Rams.
Green Bay at New York Jets: The Packers have just been ravished by injuries this year. At last count they have ten players on IR. The Jets are rested and coming off at bye. Look out. Jets win this one, but it will be close.
Buffalo at Kansas City: Now that is how to win one Chiefs. Get a lead in the first half, and then pull away in the second. Are the Bills starting to show some life? They took a very talented Ravens team to overtime last week. This is one of those potential trap games for Kansas City. Will they show their youth and regress or will they continue to pull away from their division? We think the Chiefs will handle business though.
Jacksonville at Dallas: RIP Dallas. Your season is done. Although you could pick up an easy one against a bad Jaguars team. How will losing Tony Romo affect the team? The Jags get their starting quarterback back this week, which will help. This is another one of those games that unless you are a fan, you don’t really care about too much. Let’s go with Dallas since they are at home.
Tennessee at San Diego: The Titans showed that if you want to beat them, you have to put them away. They hung around and ending up throttling the Eagles in the second half last week. The Chargers continue to beat themselves with mistakes and lost a game they could have won against the Patriots last week. The Chargers have one of the best offenses in the league, but can’t get out of their own way long enough to win a game. If the Chargers want to have any chance of catching Kansas City, they have to have this game. Too bad they won’t. The Titans win.
Minnesota at New England: Quietly, the Patriots are up there with best record in the league. Their defense is playing just good enough to help them win games. The offense is still solid. The Vikings proved that they should have moved forward from Favre after last season. This has every indication that Favre should not play due to two fractures to his ankle. But Favre is selfish and he will probably start this game, throw 3 picks and lose the game. This has potential trap for New England written all over it, but we still think they will win even though the Vikings need to get it going if they want a shot at a wild card.
Tampa Bay at Arizona: Josh Freeman showed that he can bring a team back in the fourth quarter by squeaking out a win against the Rams last week. The Buccaneers have quietly built a 4-2 record and are sitting in second place. Max Hall of the Cardinals found out that not all of your starts will go as easy as his first, after getting knocked out of the game against the Seahawks last week. We feel the Bucs will come in and steal one in Arizona.
Seattle at Oakland: We bet Al Davis is feeling pretty good about himself this week after his Raiders put up 59 points. Don’t get too used to it Raiders fans. The Raiders are making strides and getting better. But the organization is just so dysfunctional it is hard to pick them. The Seahawks are playing hard and are quietly putting together a great season. They have a chance to put some distance in the division. We think that Seattle should win this one.
Pittsburgh at New Orleans: Seriously Saints? Losing that bad to the Browns? Look out, because a real defense is coming to town. The Steelers are starting to have some questions though. Their defensive line is banged up bad and lack of pass rush is never a good thing against Drew Brees. Getting big Ben back has only helped the Steelers even if they got a bit lucky last week. Hard to pick against the Steelers at this point of the season, especially with how bad the Saints have been playing lately.
Houston at Indianapolis: In the rematch of week one, the Texans bring in their show to Indianapolis to face a banged up Colts team. Will the Texans follow the same recipe for success that worked in week one or will the Colts key on the run and force Houston to beat them in the passing game? The Colts have been winning close games, but their team looks like an infirmary ward. One person that is feeling fine is Peyton Manning and that is always a good thing. The Colts need to pick up a division win, and we think they get it here.
Byes: Falcons, Ravens, Bears, Browns, Giants, Eagles
