Week 8—almost halfway through the regular season already, can you believe it? We STILL have an NFL record FIVE 6-0 teams heading into this week, and they’re all in action. The clear game of the week (and possibly of the year) is a showdown between two of them…
GAME OF THE WEEK – Green Bay Packers (6-0) at Denver Broncos (6-0), GB by 3 – This has to smart for the Broncos. Three point underdogs in their own home, on primetime, while they’re undefeated with Peyton Manning at QB? That’s gotta be a first. Regardless, it makes sense. The Broncos have had a pathetic display of offense, and they’re facing a Packers defense that, though it got shredded by the Chargers’ aerial assault, is the best in the league when it comes to points allowed. The Packers also have one of the league’s best pass rushes, which doesn’t bode well for Manning, who has fared poorly against the blitz this season. The real money matchup is the Packers’ offense vs. the Broncos’ incredible defense. While the Packers had a bye to get their important offensive players healthy (Lacy and Cobb very banged up, Adams and Montgomery have been out, etc), will it be enough to get by this ridiculous Denver defense? It’s going to be a hard-fought game, but I think the Packers make it through to a second-consecutive undefeated showdown with the Panthers. Packers 24, Broncos 20
THURSDAY NIGHT – Miami Dolphins (3-3) at New England Patriots (6-0), NE by 7.5 – If this game was being played in Miami, I’d absolutely take the Dolphins on a short week. They’ve been on fire the last couple weeks, with some outstanding defense and some excellent receiver play. The Patriots struggled a bit at home against the Jets, who also play excellent defense and don’t have as good of an offense. Again, if this was in Miami, I’d take the Dolphins, but the Patriots Revenge Tour is too powerful for me to pick against them right now at home. Patriots 30, Dolphins 20
Kansas City Chiefs (2-5) vs. Detroit Lions (1-6) in London, KC by 6 – If this Lions lose, will Jim Caldwell come home as the team’s coach? We’ve seen a couple other coaches get fired after London trips in the last couple years, so it’d be kind of funny to see that trend continue. They already fired their offensive coordinator heading into this week. Both of these teams are underperforming, but at least the Chiefs have more of a sense of stability. I’ll take them to win. Chiefs 23, Lions 13
Minnesota Vikings (4-2) at Chicago Bears (2-4), MIN by 2 – NFC North divisional games are almost always hard fought, and Vikings/Bears games are no different. The Bears play much better offense than the Vikings do, which I think is going to be the difference here. Though the Bears are giving up more points than anyone else, they’re playing at home in a divisional rivalry against a team that can’t score. UPSET! – Bears 27, Vikings 17
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-4) at Atlanta Falcons (6-1), ATL by 7 – Not much to say here. Despite their near gaffe in Tennessee, the Falcons are significantly better. Falcons 30, Buccaneers 17
New York Giants (4-3) at New Orleans Saints (3-4), NO by 3.5 – Don’t look now, but the Saints are pulling themselves back to .500. The Giants could barely beat an injury-riddled Cowboys team at home starting Matt Cassel. They’re a really tough team to figure out right now. Playing at home, I trust the Saints more. Saints 26, Giants 21
San Francisco 49ers (2-5) at St. Louis Rams (3-3), STL by 8.5 – The 49ers are a complete mess, and the Rams play their best against divisional opponents. With Gurley running wild, this one might wind up getting ugly. Rams 27, 49ers 10
Arizona Cardinals (5-2) at Cleveland Browns (2-5), ARZ by 4.5 – The Browns can give the Cardinals a fight, but there’s no way I’m picking them against this Cardinals team, even playing at home. Cardinals 24, Browns 13
Cincinnati Bengals (6-0) at Pittsburgh Steelers (4-3), BETS OFF – All bets are off in this one until they find out if Big Ben will be playing. If he does, this game suddenly becomes fascinating. I’m going to take the Bengals for now until hearing his status. Bengals 30, Steelers 20
San Diego Chargers (2-5) at Baltimore Ravens (1-6), BAL by 3 – Two extremely underperforming teams come to a head this week. The Chargers nearly got blown out by Oakland this week, but have shown some fight. The Ravens have had their losses all come in close games. I’ll take Baltimore, being the home team. Ravens 23, Chargers 20
Tennessee Titans (1-5) at Houston Texans (2-5), BETS OFF – Bets are off in this one until the status of Marcus Mariota is determined. But man, either way I’m not so sure who I’ll pick. The Titans have been awful, but the Texans have been almost laughably bad. I’ll take the Titans, who just limited the high-powered Falcons to 10 points (albeit in a loss). Titans 24, Texans 17
New York Jets (4-2) at Oakland Raiders (3-3), NYJ by 1.5 – Really looking forward to this one. Two up-and-coming teams that play very different styles of ball. The Jets have impressed, especially on defense, but I’m going to drink the Raiders koolaid this week and call the minor upset. UPSET! – Raiders 27, Jets 24
Seattle Seahawks (3-4) at Dallas Cowboys (2-4), SEA by 6 – The Seahawks get lucky again, as the Cowboys without Romo and Bryant aren’t winning a single game. Seahawks 20, Cowboys 10
Indianapolis Colts (3-4) at Carolina Panthers (6-0), CAR by 6.5 – The Panthers need to be careful not to underestimate the Colts. That being said, the Colts have looked like straight ass, and I fully expect them to drop another game this week, setting up an undefeated NFC showdown with Green Bay next week. Panthers 23, Colts 16
BYES: Buffalo Bills, Jacksonville Jaguars, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins
