NFL 2013: Week 8 Predictions
| Mike Nugent's 54-yard field goal as time expired gave the Bengals their third straight win. (Tim Fuller/USA TODAY) |
I hope not, because I don't think my heart can take much more anxiety after the Bengals two last second wins. As long as the Bengals can win their fourth game in a row, that's all that matters.
My prediction for their battle with the Jets and the rest of the games in Week 8 are next.
Week 8 Picks (Home team in CAPS)
Carolina over TAMPA BAY: Which will come sooner, the Buccaneers first win of the season or the firing of head coach Greg Schiano? I'm going to say the firing of Schiano, because in all honesty, Tampa Bay may not win a game this season. Their best two opportunities will be Week 14 against Buffalo and Week 16 at St. Louis, but not Thursday night against Carolina.
Dallas over DETROIT: This could be a shootout. Both Matthew Stafford and Tony Romo love to throw the football and they have two of the best receivers in the NFL, Calvin Johnson and Dez Bryant, to throw too, respectively. I believe the Cowboys have a better defense and they will get just enough stops to beat the Lions in the bankrupt Motor City.
KANSAS CITY over Cleveland: The Browns have given up on Brandon Weeden, again. Jason Campbell will get the start at quarterback this week and he will face a tough test against a very good Kansas City Chiefs defense. I believe Campbell gives the Browns the chance to win, because Weeden is not an NFL quarterback. He still won't be able to beat the Chiefs at Arrowhead, however. Chiefs stay undefeated.
NEW ENGLAND over Miami: The Dolphins started the season an impressive 3-0, including a win at Indianapolis. That win looks really good now since the Colts have beaten three of the best teams in the league in the 49ers, Seahawks and Broncos. However, Miami is on a three game skid and Tom Brady and Bill Belichick rarely lose back-to-back games. Patriots in a close one.
NEW ORLEANS over Buffalo: TE Jimmy Graham hopefully used the bye week to recover from a foot injury, but his status is still uncertain for Sunday's game against the Bills. The Saints won five straight before losing to the Patriots two weeks ago and with or without Graham I think they will get back to their winning ways against the Bills.
PHILADELPHIA over NY Giants: The Eagles beat the Giants 36-21 three weeks ago in East Rutherford and not much has changed for both teams since then. The only thing that had changed is the Giants finally got their first win. Michael Vick is expected to return from a hamstring injury for Philadelphia and he'll be the difference in an Eagles win.
San Francisco over JACKSONVILLE (in London): The citizens of London will once again be graced with the presence of the NFL this weekend as the 49ers "visit" the Jaguars in Wembley Stadium. Earlier this season, the Steelers and Vikings came to the UK a combined 0-6 and now the 0-7 Jacksonville Jaguars come to London looking for their first win of the season. It's unfortunate for the NFL, as they try to build up the game overseas that three of the worst teams in football were sent over as "ambassadors" for the two London games. At least the people of London will get to see a good San Francisco 49ers team.
OAKLAND over Pittsburgh: This feels like a trap game for the Steelers even though they are 2-4. Oakland may be 2-4 as well, but playing in "The Black Hole" is one of the tougher tests in the NFL. Pittsburgh may have won their last two games, but I like Terrelle Pryor and the Raiders to pull the "upset."
DENVER over Washington: Despite losing last week to the Colts, the Broncos are still a very good football team and I still expect them to contend for the Super Bowl. However, through seven games we have seen that the mighty Broncos have a weakness and that is their defense. So far this season, Denver's defense has given up the fourth most points in the league at 197 and the rank dead last in passing defense, giving up 319.9-yards a game. Granted the passing numbers against them are high because teams have to pass to ball to keep up with Peyton and the high scoring Broncos offense, but you can't win a Super Bowl without a good defense. The Broncos defense must play better the rest of the season.
Atlanta over ARIZONA: When teams have played the Seattle Seahawks this season they have lost their next game every single time. If this pattern continues, then the Cardinals will lose on Sunday -- and I think they will.
Green Bay over MINNESOTA: Josh Freeman's performance Monday night against a winless Giants team was in one word, pathetic. Freeman was 20-53 (37.7% completion percentage) for 190-yards and an interception. Freeman also overthrew 16 receivers, the highest in the league this season and the highest by any quarterback since 2006. Vikings coach Leslie Frazier said he will stick for Freeman on Sunday, but that was before Freeman was diagnosed with a concussion. If Freeman can't go, which Vikings fans should hope for, then Christian Ponder will get the start. Since Aaron Rodgers is 1000x better than both Freeman and Ponder combined, I think I'll take the Packers.
Seattle over ST. LOUIS: Rams QB Sam Bradford is out for the year after tearing his ACL in last week's game against the Panthers. The Rams contacted Brett Favre -- that's not a typo -- to see if he was interested in coming back, but he said no. Apparently, a 44 year old Favre is better than any free agent quarterback available according to the Rams, even better than Tim Tebow. Unless backup Kellen Clemens plays like a young Brett Favre, the Rams don't have much of a chance against the Seahawks.
BENGALS over Jets: The last two games for the Bengals have come down to the wire and there is no reason this one won't be the same. The Jets may seem dysfunctional, but they're 4-3 and only one game back of the Patriots in the AFC East. New York has one of the best defenses in the league and Andy Dalton will have to play well today if the Bengals are to win. Dalton has thrown for 709-yards, six touchdowns and one interception the last two games, so hopefully his good play continues.
The Bengals defense must also get pressure on Jets' QB Geno Smith. With Smith being a rookie, he is prone to turning the football over. Pressure on Smith and good play from Andy Dalton equals a Bengals victory. Bengals 20, Jets 17.
Bye: Chicago, Tennessee, Indianapolis, San Diego, Baltimore, Houston
This Week: 1-0
Last Week: 9-6
Overall: 72-36
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