NFL Picks - Week 8

Week 7 Results (8-4) – Overall (62-35)

Fared pretty well last week in what I thought was a card littered with tough matchups.  It wasn’t a highlight week for one of my projected Top Performers as MJD went down with a foot injury that will sideline him for a while.  On a positive note RGIII shined in a loss to the Giants, and Jared Allen sacked John Skelton twice.  On to the next one…

Panthers @ Bears

Things aren’t looking good for the Panthers.  Cam’s a head case, and they have no offensive identity.  They’re reportedly going back to featuring the power running game with James Stewart, but I’m not sure this is the best week to rely on that.  

Chargers @ Browns

The Chargers have a couple of things going against them this week.  First, they’re heading east, which is often difficult, but they also have had two weeks to think about that MNF collapse against the Broncos.  This looks like Cleveland’s best chance at a win for a while, and I think their defense comes up big in the victory. 

Seahawks @ Lions

I’ve got to go with the more disciplined football team in this one.  Detroit has problems in multiple areas, and Seattle isn’t a defense you try to get back on track against.  Look for Matt Stafford to struggle in this one and Marshawn Lynch to control things for Seattle.

Jaguars @ Packers

Charles Woodson has been lost for at least a month with a broken collarbone, and Greg Jennings is still sidelined with a groin injury.  I don’t think the Jags could beat them even with a full roster, and not having MJD makes the upset all the more unlikely. 

Colts @ Titans

The key to this game will be how well the Colts can corral Chris Johnson.  I don’t think they prove to be successful in that area.  The Titans have scored 44, 26, and 35 in their three wins, and I’ll say they tally 31 against the Colts. 

Patriots @ Rams

Aaron Hernandez didn’t make the trip to London for this one, which shorts the somewhat shaky Patriots offensively.  Yes they’re winning, but something is missing.  I think the Patriots win, but watch out for Chris Givens.  The Patriots are susceptible to the deep ball, and that’s Givens’ specialty.

Dolphins @ Jets

Yeah I’m taking the road team in this one.  This is a matchup of two crap teams, but I expect Reggie Bush set the tone for the Dolphins.  Mark Sanchez will be forced to throw, and I don’t think he’ll have enough bullets in his gun. 

Falcons @ Eagles

The Falcons, a traditionally (recently) strong home team has won three games on their turf by a combined 11 points.  Their three road wins were by a total of 47 points.  I still think the Eagles are a fraud, and I expect the Falcons to leave town with their spotless record intact. 

Redskins @ Steelers

Each of Washington’s four road games has been close, entertaining contests.  I don’t expect that to be any different this week as they head to Pittsburgh.  The Steelers are 31^st in the league in 3^rd down defense, and that’s a recipe for disaster against the electric RGIII.  Pittsburgh drops below .500. 

Raiders @ Chiefs

Something’s got to give in this one.  The Raiders are 0-3 on the road, and the Chiefs are 0-3 at home.  Brady Quinn isn’t much of an upgrade over Matt Cassel, if at all, but Jamaal Charles will be the key in this one.  Kansas City will stifle Darren McFadden and do just enough offensively to get their first home win of the year.

Giants @ Cowboys

Eli Manning has a tough matchup against an improved Dallas defense, but they took a pretty big hit when LB Sean Lee was placed on IR this week.  Look for the Giants to pick on his replacement, Dan Connor in the intermediate area with TE Martellus Bennett and RB Ahmad Bradshaw. 

Saints @ Broncos

There should be no shortage of points in this one with Drew Brees and Peyton Manning slinging the ball around the field all night.  Brees was on fire last week at Tampa, and while I expect him to do his part, Manning will get to attack one of the league’s worst defenses.  The Broncos win an entertaining game at home and score 40 for the first time this season. 

49ers @ Cardinals

I think the 49ers keep this one simple.  They’ll force John Skelton to beat them with his arm, and when that doesn’t work out too well for the Cardinals, expect to see a lot of Frank Gore and Kendall Hunter.  This probably won’t be the most entertaining MNF game of the season as the Niners look to reassert their position as the class of the division. 

Biggest winners (highest margin to lowest) –

1) Packers

2) 49ers

3) Giants

4) Broncos

5) Titans

Closest calls (lowest margin to highest) –

1) Falcons

2) Dolphins

3) Chiefs

4) Redskins

5) Seahawks

Top Performers –

QB – Peyton Manning v. Saints

RB – Jamaal Charles v. Raiders

WR – Roddy White @ Eagles

Defense – Chandler Jones v. Rams