Week 8 Picks
Going to jump right in to my predictions this week.
I'm hoping for a quality week this week with my picks. It has not been a good season for predictions and with only 13 games this week, I'd love to go 10-3, but I doubt it'll happen.
Week 8 kickoffs with another snoozer on Thursday night, Jaguars-Titans. Not exactly must much watch television, but good news for the NFL is that the World Series has a travel day on Thursday, so ratings may not be too bad.
Things get started early on Sunday again this week as the final game in London kickoffs at 9:30 a.m. ET between the Redskins and Bengals. Going to have to get up early again this Sunday to watch the Bengals. Can they make it two in a row? Predictions are next.
Week 8 Picks (Home team in CAPS)
TENNESSEE over Jacksonville (Thursday, 8:25 p.m. ET, NFLN): I really thought the Jaguars would have a good team this season, and they still could turn things around, but I don't see it happening. I had the Jaguars making the playoffs before the season started and if QB Blake Bortles continues to play poorly the Jaguars will have a top 10 pick in the draft yet alone a playoff spot. Bottles is completing just 59.7 percent of his passes and he's thrown 9 TD and 9 INT. Not exactly a winning formula. Also, the Jaguars have zero running game. Their 76.7 YPG on the ground ranks 30th in the NFL. The Titans aren't a juggernaut either, so the Jaguars have a chance Thursday night, but with the game in Nashville and Bortles playing poorly, I like the Titans.
CINCINNATI over Washington (Sunday, 9:30 a.m. ET, FOX, from London): Can the Bengals finally get on a winning streak? Well, the answer to that is pretty simple. When WR A.J. Green gets the ball the Bengals win. It's that simple. In the Bengals three wins this season Green has 30 receptions for 522-yards and 3 TD. In the Bengals four losses, Green has 20 receptions for 253-yards and 0 TD. Night and day difference and I like his chances Sunday in London against the Redskins. CB Josh Norman is in the concussion protocol and his status is uncertain for Sunday's game. The Redskins other cornerback, Bashaud Breeland, is also questionable with an ankle injury. If Norman doesn't play the Redskins have no one on their roster who can cover A.J. Green. Breeland won't matchup well with Green either. Even if Norman plays, he won't be able to keep Green blanketed for the entire game. Get A.J. Green the football and good things will happen. Bengals win behind another monster game from Green and the passing attack of QB Andy Dalton.
Kansas City over INDIANAPOLIS (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS): For as bad as the Colts have looked this season, it's a miracle they're only a game out of first place in the AFC South at 3-4. Well, it also helps that they're in the AFC South, which is arguably the worst division in football. Kansas City has a lot of good players on both sides of the ball and I believe they're more talented than Indianapolis. Look for RB Jamaal Charles to get more carries as he continues his comeback from a knee injury as the Chiefs get the win.
CAROLINA over Arizona (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, FOX): The time is now for the Panthers. At 1-5, the Panthers have to win games and they have to win them now. Getting the Cardinals at home won't be easy though. The Panthers had a bye week to get healthy and fix some of the problems they've had, especially on defense, and I think they'll play well Sunday. Arizona managed six messily points against Seattle last week, leading to the first tie in the NFL since the Bengals and ironically, the Panthers, tied in October 2014. With the Cardinals flying to the East Coast for a 1 p.m. ET kickoff and failing to score a touchdown last week, I like the Panthers to stay alive -- if there is even any hope left at all for their season -- and get the win.
Oakland over TAMPA BAY (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS): If the Raiders are on the road, pick them to win. That's my motto for the rest of the season. Oakland is averaging 28.3 PPG on the road and have yet to lose a game. They've won in New Orleans, Nashville, Baltimore and Jacksonville already this season. The Raiders stayed in Florida this week as they prepare to take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and I think they'll win their fifth straight road game. Also, can't forget to mention that this all pirate matchup on Sunday takes place a day before Halloween. Coincidence, I would like to think not.
Seattle over NEW ORLEANS (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, FOX): As bad and boring as the Seattle offense was to watch in Sunday night's tie, the Seattle defense played lights out. They were on the field for 46:21 and only gave up six points. Now, I expect Drew Brees and the Saints to put up more than six points at home this Sunday, but the Seattle defense will get enough stops and force some key turnovers to get the win.
HOUSTON over Detroit (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, FOX): This is a toss-up and I struggled in deciding on a winner in this one, predicting a tie crossed my mind, but in the end, I'm going with Houston. The Texans are 4-0 at home this season and have been awful on the road going 0-3. Detroit is 1-2 on the road, while going 3-1 at home. So, if those records hold up, the Texans will continue to win at home and the Lions will continue to lose on the road, including this Sunday.
New England over BUFFALO (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS): The only blemish on the Patriots record this season is a loss to the Buffalo Bills four weeks ago. The Bills shutout the Patriots, 16-0, and rushed for 134-yards. That was a different Patriots team though, one that did not include QB Tom Brady. With Brady back and playing flawlessly -- 1,004-yards passing, 8 TD, 0 INT -- I think the Patriots will avenge their only loss and beat the Bills on Sunday.
NY Jets over CLEVELAND (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS): Cavs won the NBA Finals, Indians are in the World Series, life is good in Cleveland. Except for the Browns. The Browns continue to struggle and may be forced to start yet another quarterback this season. Cody Kessler suffered a concussion last week against the Bengals, so rookie Kevin Hogan would most likely have started at quarterback. QB Josh McCown looks like he is healthy enough to play Sunday, but he is injury prone. If Hogan does start somewhere down the line would be the fifth different starter for the Browns this season, not to mention Charlie Whitehurst and WR Terrelle Pryor have also thrown passes for Cleveland this season. Hogan was impressive rushing for 104-yards and a touchdown last week, but his two interceptions derailed the Browns chances of coming back. The Jets have had their own struggles at QB as well with Ryan Fitzpatrick throwing costly interceptions and Geno Smith, who replaced the benched Fitzpatrick, tearing his ACL last Sunday and is out for the season. Both these teams desperately need a good quarterback and the real "winner" in this one will be the loser. By that I mean the loser will end up being higher in the draft order and have an opportunity to take someone like Clemson QB Deshaun Watson with the first overall pick. That team will be the Browns as the Jets get the win on the scoreboard.
DENVER over San Diego (Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET, CBS): This one will be closer than the experts think. The Chargers may be 3-4, but they've beaten the Falcons and Sunday's opponent, the Broncos, each of the last two weeks. No one wants to play the Chargers right now and if Denver doesn't play better than they did two weeks ago out in San Diego, they'll lose. Denver will have the advantage being at home and they'll make some plays on defense to seal the win. Close game though.
ATLANTA over Green Bay (Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX): I could see either team winning this one on Sunday, but I'm going with the Falcons. Atlanta has the number one offense in the NFL and I don't think the Packers defense will be able to keep them under 30 points. Problem is, the Atlanta defense is one of the worst in the league and they might give up 30 points to Aaron Rodgers and the Packers. Green Bay has struggled to get things going this season and maybe a game against a bad Falcons defense will help them finally get in sync. I don't have much faith in their defense though and I like the Falcons to score 35+ to seal the victory.
DALLAS over Philadelphia (Sunday, 8:30 p.m. ET, NBC): Eagles-Cowboys games are always entertaining and this one Sunday night should be no different. Dallas has been one of the best stories in the NFL with a rookie QB, Dak Prescott, and a rookie RB, Ezekiel Elliott, leading the Cowboys to a 5-1 record and being one of the best teams in the NFL. Philadelphia has a rookie QB of their own in Carson Wentz, but after a hot start, Wentz has cooled off. He's thrown three INT in the last three games and the Eagles are 1-2. If Wentz plays mistake free football, then the Eagles have a chance. Dallas is coming off a bye and Prescott and Elliott have looked so good this season that I have to take the Cowboys here.
Minnesota over CHICAGO (Monday, 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN): As bad as the Vikings looked last week in Philadelphia, I still think they have one of the best teams in football. But make no mistake about it, QB Sam Bradford has to play better. Bradford had two lost fumbles, an interception and was sacked six times last week against his old team the Philadelphia Eagles. The Bears will have Jay Cutler back at QB on Monday night -- QB Brian Hoyer broke his arm last week and will be out for at least 6-8 weeks -- but that won't be enough for the Bears to upset the Vikings.
Byes: Baltimore, Los Angeles, Miami, NY Giants, Pittsburgh, San Francisco
Last Week: 8-7 (counted that SEA-ARI tie as a loss, it was an incorrect prediction after all)
Overall: 59-48 (.551)
I'm hoping for a quality week this week with my picks. It has not been a good season for predictions and with only 13 games this week, I'd love to go 10-3, but I doubt it'll happen.
Week 8 kickoffs with another snoozer on Thursday night, Jaguars-Titans. Not exactly must much watch television, but good news for the NFL is that the World Series has a travel day on Thursday, so ratings may not be too bad.
Things get started early on Sunday again this week as the final game in London kickoffs at 9:30 a.m. ET between the Redskins and Bengals. Going to have to get up early again this Sunday to watch the Bengals. Can they make it two in a row? Predictions are next.
Week 8 Picks (Home team in CAPS)
TENNESSEE over Jacksonville (Thursday, 8:25 p.m. ET, NFLN): I really thought the Jaguars would have a good team this season, and they still could turn things around, but I don't see it happening. I had the Jaguars making the playoffs before the season started and if QB Blake Bortles continues to play poorly the Jaguars will have a top 10 pick in the draft yet alone a playoff spot. Bottles is completing just 59.7 percent of his passes and he's thrown 9 TD and 9 INT. Not exactly a winning formula. Also, the Jaguars have zero running game. Their 76.7 YPG on the ground ranks 30th in the NFL. The Titans aren't a juggernaut either, so the Jaguars have a chance Thursday night, but with the game in Nashville and Bortles playing poorly, I like the Titans.
CINCINNATI over Washington (Sunday, 9:30 a.m. ET, FOX, from London): Can the Bengals finally get on a winning streak? Well, the answer to that is pretty simple. When WR A.J. Green gets the ball the Bengals win. It's that simple. In the Bengals three wins this season Green has 30 receptions for 522-yards and 3 TD. In the Bengals four losses, Green has 20 receptions for 253-yards and 0 TD. Night and day difference and I like his chances Sunday in London against the Redskins. CB Josh Norman is in the concussion protocol and his status is uncertain for Sunday's game. The Redskins other cornerback, Bashaud Breeland, is also questionable with an ankle injury. If Norman doesn't play the Redskins have no one on their roster who can cover A.J. Green. Breeland won't matchup well with Green either. Even if Norman plays, he won't be able to keep Green blanketed for the entire game. Get A.J. Green the football and good things will happen. Bengals win behind another monster game from Green and the passing attack of QB Andy Dalton.
Kansas City over INDIANAPOLIS (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS): For as bad as the Colts have looked this season, it's a miracle they're only a game out of first place in the AFC South at 3-4. Well, it also helps that they're in the AFC South, which is arguably the worst division in football. Kansas City has a lot of good players on both sides of the ball and I believe they're more talented than Indianapolis. Look for RB Jamaal Charles to get more carries as he continues his comeback from a knee injury as the Chiefs get the win.
CAROLINA over Arizona (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, FOX): The time is now for the Panthers. At 1-5, the Panthers have to win games and they have to win them now. Getting the Cardinals at home won't be easy though. The Panthers had a bye week to get healthy and fix some of the problems they've had, especially on defense, and I think they'll play well Sunday. Arizona managed six messily points against Seattle last week, leading to the first tie in the NFL since the Bengals and ironically, the Panthers, tied in October 2014. With the Cardinals flying to the East Coast for a 1 p.m. ET kickoff and failing to score a touchdown last week, I like the Panthers to stay alive -- if there is even any hope left at all for their season -- and get the win.
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| QB Derek Carr (left) and head coach Jack Del Rio have found much success playing on the road this season. (Phelan Ebenhack/AP Photo) |
Seattle over NEW ORLEANS (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, FOX): As bad and boring as the Seattle offense was to watch in Sunday night's tie, the Seattle defense played lights out. They were on the field for 46:21 and only gave up six points. Now, I expect Drew Brees and the Saints to put up more than six points at home this Sunday, but the Seattle defense will get enough stops and force some key turnovers to get the win.
HOUSTON over Detroit (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, FOX): This is a toss-up and I struggled in deciding on a winner in this one, predicting a tie crossed my mind, but in the end, I'm going with Houston. The Texans are 4-0 at home this season and have been awful on the road going 0-3. Detroit is 1-2 on the road, while going 3-1 at home. So, if those records hold up, the Texans will continue to win at home and the Lions will continue to lose on the road, including this Sunday.
New England over BUFFALO (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS): The only blemish on the Patriots record this season is a loss to the Buffalo Bills four weeks ago. The Bills shutout the Patriots, 16-0, and rushed for 134-yards. That was a different Patriots team though, one that did not include QB Tom Brady. With Brady back and playing flawlessly -- 1,004-yards passing, 8 TD, 0 INT -- I think the Patriots will avenge their only loss and beat the Bills on Sunday.
NY Jets over CLEVELAND (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS): Cavs won the NBA Finals, Indians are in the World Series, life is good in Cleveland. Except for the Browns. The Browns continue to struggle and may be forced to start yet another quarterback this season. Cody Kessler suffered a concussion last week against the Bengals, so rookie Kevin Hogan would most likely have started at quarterback. QB Josh McCown looks like he is healthy enough to play Sunday, but he is injury prone. If Hogan does start somewhere down the line would be the fifth different starter for the Browns this season, not to mention Charlie Whitehurst and WR Terrelle Pryor have also thrown passes for Cleveland this season. Hogan was impressive rushing for 104-yards and a touchdown last week, but his two interceptions derailed the Browns chances of coming back. The Jets have had their own struggles at QB as well with Ryan Fitzpatrick throwing costly interceptions and Geno Smith, who replaced the benched Fitzpatrick, tearing his ACL last Sunday and is out for the season. Both these teams desperately need a good quarterback and the real "winner" in this one will be the loser. By that I mean the loser will end up being higher in the draft order and have an opportunity to take someone like Clemson QB Deshaun Watson with the first overall pick. That team will be the Browns as the Jets get the win on the scoreboard.
DENVER over San Diego (Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET, CBS): This one will be closer than the experts think. The Chargers may be 3-4, but they've beaten the Falcons and Sunday's opponent, the Broncos, each of the last two weeks. No one wants to play the Chargers right now and if Denver doesn't play better than they did two weeks ago out in San Diego, they'll lose. Denver will have the advantage being at home and they'll make some plays on defense to seal the win. Close game though.
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| The Packers will have a tough time stopping WR Julio Jones on Sunday. (Photo Courtesy of USA TODAY Sports) |
DALLAS over Philadelphia (Sunday, 8:30 p.m. ET, NBC): Eagles-Cowboys games are always entertaining and this one Sunday night should be no different. Dallas has been one of the best stories in the NFL with a rookie QB, Dak Prescott, and a rookie RB, Ezekiel Elliott, leading the Cowboys to a 5-1 record and being one of the best teams in the NFL. Philadelphia has a rookie QB of their own in Carson Wentz, but after a hot start, Wentz has cooled off. He's thrown three INT in the last three games and the Eagles are 1-2. If Wentz plays mistake free football, then the Eagles have a chance. Dallas is coming off a bye and Prescott and Elliott have looked so good this season that I have to take the Cowboys here.
Minnesota over CHICAGO (Monday, 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN): As bad as the Vikings looked last week in Philadelphia, I still think they have one of the best teams in football. But make no mistake about it, QB Sam Bradford has to play better. Bradford had two lost fumbles, an interception and was sacked six times last week against his old team the Philadelphia Eagles. The Bears will have Jay Cutler back at QB on Monday night -- QB Brian Hoyer broke his arm last week and will be out for at least 6-8 weeks -- but that won't be enough for the Bears to upset the Vikings.
Byes: Baltimore, Los Angeles, Miami, NY Giants, Pittsburgh, San Francisco
Last Week: 8-7 (counted that SEA-ARI tie as a loss, it was an incorrect prediction after all)
Overall: 59-48 (.551)
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