Week 8 Picks
Are you over that Bengals loss yet, Cincinnati? Yeah, me neither.
The season goes on and the Bengals have an important game this weekend against division rival Baltimore.
Can they turn things around and beat the Ravens for a second time this season? My prediction on that game and the rest of the games in Week 8 are below.
Week 8 Picks (Home team in CAPS)
DENVER over San Diego: A short week to prepare and coming off of a loss at home to the Chiefs does not bold well for San Diego. Peyton Manning will have the Broncos prepared and they will increase their lead in the AFC West with a win over the Chargers.
Detroit over ATLANTA (in London): The Lions have struggled offensively without wide receiver Calvin Johnson, but their defense has kept them atop the NFC North. Detroit has the number one defense in the NFL, allowing less than 300 total yards a game and less than 75-yards on the ground. The Lions need Johnson back, but if the defense continues to play like it has for the first seven weeks, Detroit will win a lot more football games.
KANSAS CITY over St. Louis: The Battle of the Show-Me State may be quite a battle. The Chiefs are coming off of win in San Diego against the Chargers and the Rams are coming off a very surprising win against the Seahawks. I think it will be hard fought, close game and I like the Chiefs to get the win at Arrowhead.
Houston over TENNESSEE: With it being a short week and the Texans going on the road for a second straight game, one would think that the Titans have the advantage here. Well, if you thought that you would be wrong. The Titans have not been playing well this season -- they will start their third quarterback of the season on Sunday in rookie Zach Mettenberger -- and the Texans should bounce back with a win on the road.
TAMPA BAY over Minnesota: These two teams are a combined 3-10 and neither one will making a run at the playoffs in 2014. Tampa Bay is at home and coming off of a bye, so I like the Buccaneers in this one.
Seattle over CAROLINA: Hard to believe that the defending Super Bowl champs have lost two straight games, but I think they will turn things around in Carolina on Sunday. The Panthers have a terrible defense and have given up 75 points in the last two games. Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson has rushed for 240-yards in his last three games including two 100-yard games. He will make some plays on offense and help Seattle get a much needed win.
Miami over JACKSONVILLE: The Jaguars may be coming off of their first win, but the Dolphins looked very good against the Bears last week and they won't have to travel to far to play this one. I expect Jacksonville to keep it close, but for Miami to get the win.
NEW ENGLAND over Chicago: The Bears are a mess and going up to New England to take on a streaking Patriots team will not help things in the Windy City. Patriots by at least a touchdown.
Buffalo over NY JETS: The addition of Percy Harvin will give quarterback Geno Smith a weapon to get the ball too, but there are some many problems with the Jets that Harvin won't make a difference in their miserable season. Bills will win this one behind Kyle Orton, can't believe I just said that.
ARIZONA over Philadelphia: Tough game to pick and possibly the game of the week. This battle of the birds should be a very good game. Arizona has the number one rushing defense in the league, but ranks 31st when it comes to stopping the passing game. Look for the Eagles to try and throw the ball early and then to get the running game going, but in the end I like the Cardinals.
CLEVELAND over Oakland: The Raiders are the NFL's only remaining winless team and I like their chance's to get their first win of the season on Sunday. Cleveland is coming off of a very disappointing loss to the previously winless Jaguars and quarterback Brian Hoyer did not play well going 16 of 41 for 215-yards and an interception. If the Browns are going to make a run they need to win the next two weeks against Oakland and Tampa Bay. The game is in Cleveland and I think Hoyer will play better, so I'll take the Browns.
Indianapolis over PITTSBURGH: Not only do the Colts lead in the league in total offense, but they also lead the league in time of possession with holding the ball for an average 36:55. Andrew Luck is having a great season and if he can continue to hold the ball and keep the Indianapolis defense rested on the sidelines, the Colts are going to be tough to beat the rest of the season. With that being said, I like the Colts to win in Pittsburgh.
Green Bay over NEW ORLEANS: What was I thinking picking the Saints to win the Super Bowl? "C'mon Man!" New Orleans does not look like the team I thought could go to the Super Bowl and with that terrible defense, they will be lucky to win eight games. Good news is that the NFC South is terrible, so the Saints still have a shot. Bad news is Aaron Rodgers and the Packers visit the Superdome on Sunday night. The Saints are very good at home -- 2-0 at home and 0-4 on the road this season -- but their defense isn't good enough to stop the Packers offense. Packers in a shootout.
DALLAS over Washington: Dallas has the best rushing attack in the league and the best record in the NFL. Need I say more. Cowboys win big on Monday night.
BENGALS over Ravens: My, my, my, what a mess. The Bengals were in every shape and form, outplayed last week in Indianapolis. Watching that game you had to wonder if the Bengals even practiced leading up to the game. The offense didn't get a first down until the second half, at one point the Colts had 404-yards of offense to the Bengals 47 and the defense has yet to figure out a way to cover tight ends and running backs.
What once seemed like a Super Bowl contender now looks like a team destined to finish the season watching the playoffs from home. The Bengals are still in the thick of things in the AFC North despite their recent struggles and they seem to play better at home than they do on the road. If the Bengals can take control of the ball, convert first downs and keep their defense off the field, I think they have a chance in this one. At least be competitive unlike last week and act like you've been there before. It will be a close game and I like the Bengals to get the win. Bengals 24, Ravens 21.
Bye: NY Giants, San Francisco
Last Week: 9-6
Overall: 72-33-1
The season goes on and the Bengals have an important game this weekend against division rival Baltimore.
Can they turn things around and beat the Ravens for a second time this season? My prediction on that game and the rest of the games in Week 8 are below.
Week 8 Picks (Home team in CAPS)
DENVER over San Diego: A short week to prepare and coming off of a loss at home to the Chiefs does not bold well for San Diego. Peyton Manning will have the Broncos prepared and they will increase their lead in the AFC West with a win over the Chargers.
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| Drew Brees and the Saints found out last week why the Lions have the best defense in the NFL. (Michael DeMocker, NOLA.com/The Times-Picayune) |
KANSAS CITY over St. Louis: The Battle of the Show-Me State may be quite a battle. The Chiefs are coming off of win in San Diego against the Chargers and the Rams are coming off a very surprising win against the Seahawks. I think it will be hard fought, close game and I like the Chiefs to get the win at Arrowhead.
Houston over TENNESSEE: With it being a short week and the Texans going on the road for a second straight game, one would think that the Titans have the advantage here. Well, if you thought that you would be wrong. The Titans have not been playing well this season -- they will start their third quarterback of the season on Sunday in rookie Zach Mettenberger -- and the Texans should bounce back with a win on the road.
TAMPA BAY over Minnesota: These two teams are a combined 3-10 and neither one will making a run at the playoffs in 2014. Tampa Bay is at home and coming off of a bye, so I like the Buccaneers in this one.
Seattle over CAROLINA: Hard to believe that the defending Super Bowl champs have lost two straight games, but I think they will turn things around in Carolina on Sunday. The Panthers have a terrible defense and have given up 75 points in the last two games. Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson has rushed for 240-yards in his last three games including two 100-yard games. He will make some plays on offense and help Seattle get a much needed win.
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| Ryan Tannehill has the Dolphins in the hunt in the AFC East after defeating the Bears in Chicago last week. (Nam Y. Huh/AP) |
NEW ENGLAND over Chicago: The Bears are a mess and going up to New England to take on a streaking Patriots team will not help things in the Windy City. Patriots by at least a touchdown.
Buffalo over NY JETS: The addition of Percy Harvin will give quarterback Geno Smith a weapon to get the ball too, but there are some many problems with the Jets that Harvin won't make a difference in their miserable season. Bills will win this one behind Kyle Orton, can't believe I just said that.
ARIZONA over Philadelphia: Tough game to pick and possibly the game of the week. This battle of the birds should be a very good game. Arizona has the number one rushing defense in the league, but ranks 31st when it comes to stopping the passing game. Look for the Eagles to try and throw the ball early and then to get the running game going, but in the end I like the Cardinals.
CLEVELAND over Oakland: The Raiders are the NFL's only remaining winless team and I like their chance's to get their first win of the season on Sunday. Cleveland is coming off of a very disappointing loss to the previously winless Jaguars and quarterback Brian Hoyer did not play well going 16 of 41 for 215-yards and an interception. If the Browns are going to make a run they need to win the next two weeks against Oakland and Tampa Bay. The game is in Cleveland and I think Hoyer will play better, so I'll take the Browns.
Indianapolis over PITTSBURGH: Not only do the Colts lead in the league in total offense, but they also lead the league in time of possession with holding the ball for an average 36:55. Andrew Luck is having a great season and if he can continue to hold the ball and keep the Indianapolis defense rested on the sidelines, the Colts are going to be tough to beat the rest of the season. With that being said, I like the Colts to win in Pittsburgh.
Green Bay over NEW ORLEANS: What was I thinking picking the Saints to win the Super Bowl? "C'mon Man!" New Orleans does not look like the team I thought could go to the Super Bowl and with that terrible defense, they will be lucky to win eight games. Good news is that the NFC South is terrible, so the Saints still have a shot. Bad news is Aaron Rodgers and the Packers visit the Superdome on Sunday night. The Saints are very good at home -- 2-0 at home and 0-4 on the road this season -- but their defense isn't good enough to stop the Packers offense. Packers in a shootout.
DALLAS over Washington: Dallas has the best rushing attack in the league and the best record in the NFL. Need I say more. Cowboys win big on Monday night.
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| Giovani Bernard and the Bengals were hit hard by the Colts last week and failed to score a single point in a 27-0 Colts win. (Getty Images) |
What once seemed like a Super Bowl contender now looks like a team destined to finish the season watching the playoffs from home. The Bengals are still in the thick of things in the AFC North despite their recent struggles and they seem to play better at home than they do on the road. If the Bengals can take control of the ball, convert first downs and keep their defense off the field, I think they have a chance in this one. At least be competitive unlike last week and act like you've been there before. It will be a close game and I like the Bengals to get the win. Bengals 24, Ravens 21.
Bye: NY Giants, San Francisco
Last Week: 9-6
Overall: 72-33-1
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