Week 7 is in the books and unlike previous weeks there was a certain measure of predictability to the games. The only game that could have been considered as an upset was the Tennessee Titans knocking off the Buffalo Bills.
This week is shaping up to be a different story. There are seven games this week that have a spread of three points or less. Basically the betting experts feel that seven games on the schedule will be decided by a field goal or less. Needless to say, there will be some discrepancies in your office pool this week.
Last week my upset of the week lost, as the Seattle Seahawks couldn’t get anything rolling offensively against that tough San Francisco defense. My lock pick of the week was the Oakland Raiders and they eked out an overtime victory against Jacksonville.
Last week’s record was 11-2, which pushes the overall record to 64-40. With all the upset potential this week, I’d be ecstatic to get 11 wins again. Here we go, my picks for week 8 in the NFL:
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Minnesota Vikings
Tampa Bay is coming off a tough home loss to the New Orleans Saints in a game that sw them post over 500 yards of total offense. Josh Freeman had a great game as he threw for 420 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. The Vikings did not have a good game against the Arizona Cardinals last week; however, solid doses of Adrian Peterson were enough to secure a victory. Christian Ponder is going to have to play better this week for the Vikings to have a chance, going 8-17 with 58 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions doesn’t usually get you a win. Go with the hot team here. PICK: VIKINGS
Miami Dolphins at NY Jets
The Dolphins enter Week 8 rested after their bye and with an even 3-3 record. They travel to NY to play the Jets, who are fresh off their overtime loss to the New England Patriots. It seems that the Jets are finally starting to play some football. Mark Sanchez is throwing the ball well and making some decent decisions in the pocket. The running game, while not great, is coming around and the defense is making plays when it needs to. These Dolphins v. Jets AFC East divisional games are usually very close. Dolphins are riding a two game win streak into the contest by beating the Cincinnati Bengals and the St Louis Rams. This is a re-match of week 3 in which the Jets won 23-20 on the road in Miami. I see a similar result here. PICK: JETS
San Diego Chargers at Cleveland Browns
The Chargers got an extra week off to stew after their second-half collapse against the Denver Broncos on Monday Night Football. The Bolts enter the week at 3-3; however, their wins are against week opponents in the Raiders, Titans and the Chiefs. Thankfully they get to play the Browns followed by the Chiefs again next week. The Browns dropped their road game to the Indianapolis Colts last week, as they failed in their bid for consecutive wins. Chargers rebound and take this road game. PICK: CHARGERS
Indianapolis Colts at Tennessee Titans
Andrew Luck and the Colts have surpassed their 2011 win total already as they beat the Cleveland Browns last week for their third victory on the season. It wasn’t a great game for Luck who struggled at times throwing the ball but he did manage to run in for two scores. The Titans pulled out a road win in Buffalo as Matt Hasselbeck took care of the football and Chris Johnson decided this was the week to break out. If CJ2K can have another game like last week then Titans will win. PICK: TITANS
New England Patriots at St Louis Rams
The Patriots had a close shave at Gillette Stadium as the NY Jets took the game into overtime before a field goal clinched the Patriots victory. It has been the tale of the fourth quarter for the Patriots this season as the defense has allowed opponents to get back into games. Both teams are travelling here as the game is being played in London, I don’t see any real advantage to either team. The Rams didn’t play too badly against the Green Bay Packers last week; the Packers and Aaron Rodgers were simply a better football team. I see the same problem this week as the Patriots are simply better. PICK: PATRIOTS
Jacksonville Jaguars at Green Bay Packers
The Jaguars pushed the Oakland Riders into overtime before finally succumbing on a 40 yard Sebastian Janikowski field goal. The Raiders played poorly in a mistake filled contest that led to the Jaguars being able to hang around. The Packers on the other hand look to be gaining momentum as the season progresses. Aaron Rodgers is looking like the best QB in the league again, Randall Cobb is playing like a man possessed and the Packer defense is actually getting stops. The Packers at home are a tough game for anyone, especially tough if you are a NFL bottom feeder like the Jaguars. PICK: PACKERS
Atlanta Falcons at Philadelphia Eagles
Both the Falcons and Eagles are entering this matchup as they come off their bye weeks. The week off was anything but restful for the Eagles as they fired their Defensive Coordinator. At 3-3 on the season, the Eagles had better start winning some games if they want a playoff spot. Unfortunately the Falcons are coming to own representing the sole remaining undefeated team in the league at 6-0. I see Matt Ryan and Co. keeping to their winning ways in this matchup. PICK: FALCONS
Washington Redskins at Pittsburgh Steelers
As good as Robert Griffin III and the Redskin’s offense has been, the defense has been awful. How many times must RGIII do the amazing and sacrifice himself for a play only to have his defense turn around and give the points right back. This game features the Redskin’s high powered, 4rth ranked offense against the physical smash-mouth 2nd ranked Pittsburgh defense. I like the home field and defensive advantages. PICK: PITTSBURGH
Seattle Seahawks at Detroit Lions
The Seahawks and Lions combined to score 13 points last week, as both teams lost their week 8 matchups. The Lions have a top-rated offense as they put up a lot of yards but not a lot of points, while their defense actually surrenders more points per game than they score. The Seahawks seem to be able to keep all their games close thanks to the defense; it’s the offense that can’t score with any consistency. I saw how the Lions looked against the Bears defense, it wasn’t pretty. This one promises to be a low scoring affair. PICK: SEAHAWKS
Carolina Panthers at Chicago Bears
The Panthers have not been playing good football. They are currently in the bottom third in both offense and defense and are giving up an average of seven points per game more than they are scoring. When your quarterback leads the team in rushing yards as well as rushing touchdowns; one realizes why Cam Newton and the offensive unit has been struggling. The Bears are looking very good so far, as their defense is the stingiest in the league for points allowed. Jay Cutler is playing well and aside from that week 2 glitch against the Green Bay Packers; he looks to have curbed that gunslinger mentality for the time being. PICK: BEARS
Oakland Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs
Ever since their week 5 bye, the Raiders have been playing some descent football. They lost on a last second field goal to Atlanta then they won on an OT field goal against Jacksonville. The Chiefs are basically free-falling in the AFC West standings and are currently in the cellar. It looks as if Brady Quinn is going to the team’s starting quarterback over a healthy Matt Cassell this week. As if the season couldn’t get any worse, a home loss against division rival Oakland should pretty much seal the deal. PICK: OAKLAND
NY Giants at Dallas Cowboys
The Giants offense is clicking this season as each week Eli Manning continues to put up huge numbers. For the first time in recent memory it is the Giants offense overshadowing the defense. At this point in the season there might not be a more complete team in the NFL. The Cowboys on the other hand are stumbling into this match up with a 3-3 record. Problem is you never know which Tony Romo will show up, the inconsistency is costing the Cowboys games. In week one the Cowboys marched onto the Giant’s turf and beat them. This week the Giants return the favour and drop the ‘Boys to 3-4. PICK: GIANTS
New Orleans Saints at Denver Broncos
After opening the season with four consecutive losses, the Saints have reeled off two wins in a row. Of concern to the Saints is the play of the team’s defense, as they are surrendering a league worst 465 yards of offense per game resulting in more than 30 points against per game. It must be a daunting task for Drew Brees knowing that he needs to get at least five touchdowns per game to have chance for the win. The Broncos had their bye week after the Monday night comeback against the Chargers, so they are entering this game rested and prepared. A prepared Manning is a dangerous Manning. PICK: BRONCOS
San Francisco 49ers at Arizona Cardinals
Teams are starting to expose weaknesses in the 49ers and those weaknesses are most glaring at the quarterback spot. No longer are the 49ers being viewed as the juggernaut everyone thought they would be. The defense is still outstanding; however, the offense is barely middle of the pack and it is sliding each week. Luckily for 49er fans, the Cardinals are fading fast as they too are battling their offensive woes. Like the 49ers, the Cardinals defense is excellent; however, their offense is pathetic. The Cardinals enter this game on a three game slide, let’s go ahead and make it four in a row. PICK: 49ers
LOCK PICK OF THE WEEK: GREEN BAY PACKERS
UPSET PICK OF THE WEEK: ATLANTA FALCONS, I know the Falcons schedule has been fairly weak so far, but I still see them winning this game on the road in Philadelphia. Its the Eagles who are favoured here by 2.5 points.