I can justify betting on a game of Risk -- especially if I get Kamchatka -- or a pick up game of hoops, because I know the odds are in my favor with the ball in my hands. How can I justify throwing down cash when the ball is in Tom Brady's hands, or even worse Curtis Painter's! Yet every Sunday night I'm scratching my head or bombarding my friends with gloating texts depending on how well Houston man-handles Tennessee or Baltimore inexplicably losing to the basement dwelling Jaguars.
Regardless I will put my dollars down in hopes of hitting it big because it's another week full of action, gladiator sized men shortening their odds of living past 60, and scoreboard operators keeping up with touchdown's coming from every which direction. Without further adieu here are my picks for week 8 in the NFL.
Week 7 results: 10/13 -- misses: SD over NYJ, Detroit over Atlanta, and like 100% of Americans Baltimore over Jacksonville.
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WEEK 8 Picks:
1:00 Games
Arizona @ Baltimore: There is no way that Ray Lewis doesn't have his defense ready to go against an atrocious Arizona offense -- but can Joe Flacco and Cam Cameron jump start an offense that didn't record its first, first down until 5:20 left in the third quarter?? You betchya.
Baltimore 28-10
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| Newton should have a big Sunday against Minnesota |
Minnesota @ Carolina: Christian Ponder came up huge in his professional debut, making Aaron Rodgers and the Packers sweat out a victory for the first time this year. Ponder is talented but he's the QB of the future, not today. Minnesota has historically struggled against Carolina, I'm looking for Cam Newton and that high powered offense to have some fun against the NFL's most lackluster secondary.
Carolina 28 - 24
Jacksonville @ Houston: Can Jacksonville keep up their winning ways after a Monday night win over Baltimore? Doubtful. Arian Foster pulled a hat trick against Tennessee last weekend in what was Houston's most decisive victory this season. The Texans offense is of Cadillac caliber compared to Jacksonville which runs more like a hand me down moped.
Houston 35 - 17
Miami @ New York Giants: Miami sucks (and not just for Luck) they are giving up more fantasy points to quarterbacks than any other team. Coming off a bye week with a healthy backfield Eli Manning is poised for another big week. Despite any guarantees Brandon Marshall is making Big Blue will keep Miami winless.
NYG 27-13
New Orleans @ St. Louis: New Orleans scored 62 points last week. St. Louis gave up 253 rushing yards to Dallas rookie DeMarco Murray. The Saints are very talented in all facets of the game, the Rams are the exact opposite.
New Orleans 101-0....ok ok, how about 45-14
Indianapolis @ Tennessee: The AFC South is statistically the worst division in football (a combined 9-18) through the first seven weeks. If there was ever a chance for Chris Johnson to bounce back into elite form this is the showdown. I would like to pick the Colts bouncing back in the upset, but I would also like a personal masseuse -- at least we can always keep dreaming!
Tennessee 23-13
4:00 Games
Washington @ Buffalo: The Bills have allowed the fewest sacks (7) through the first seven weeks, while the Redskins have more sacks (21) than any other franchise -- and something will have to give this Sunday in Toronto....yes, they're playing a professional game in CANADA. Washington is not made to play in a shootout which doesn't bode well in a game against one of the leagues top offensive attacks.
Buffalo 35-19
Detroit @ Denver: Are you Tebowing? In his first game at home Tim Tebow will have quite a challenge against a hungry Detroit team coming off back-to-back losses for the first time since last season. If Denver falls behind a Calvin Johnson led offense early, don't look for any replays of last weeks miracle comeback. Detroit gets back in the win column.
Detroit 27-17
New England @ Pittsburgh: A showdown of perennial AFC powerhouses has all the makings of another classic showdown. Pittsburgh has become a pass first team in recent years, and they'll need to keep it that way to keep up with Tom Brady, who has 16 touchdown passes through six games. Look for the Patriots to all but abandon the running game against that stingy Steelers-D and use Wes Welker and pick-a-tight end in the short throwing attack. Pittsburgh has struggled by their own standards this season, and despite home field advantage I like the Pats by just a little to hit the road and put another tally mark in the win column.
New England 31-29
Cincinnati @ Seattle: In a game that 1% of NFL fans care about the surprisingly successful Bengals head out West to take on the Charlie Whitehurst led Seahawks. Plain and simple if Seattle could only muster three points against Cleveland last week how well can you expect them to do against the leagues fourth ranked defense?
Cincinnati 17-9
Cleveland @ San Francisco: Two weeks removed from the games most notorious post-game handshake, and one week off a by the resurgent 49ers are poised to keep things rolling. Cleveland couldn't get into the end zone last weekend against Seattle -- this week they get a defense yet to give up a rushing score all season. It is all up to Colt McCoy here, and that should all but sum this one up.
San Francisco: 24-10
Sunday Night Showdown
Dallas @ Philadelphia: The "Dream Team" or the "All-Hype Team" depends on how you look at it, but the bad blood between these two historic franchises hasn't gotten any friendlier with Rob Ryan and DeSean Jackson sparring words at one another all week. The Eagles are once again in a must win situation and will look to their hot secondary that picked off Rex Grossman four times before they had a bye week to keep them in this game-- and they'll get plenty of chances with Tony Romo throwing the rock around. I like Philly's chances to keep their season alive, at least for another week.
Philadelphia 27-23
Monday Night Football
San Diego @ Kansas City: Todd Haley hasn't shaved since the Chiefs slipped by the Vikings back in week 4 -- the pay off -- three straight victories. With a win over the shockingly sluggish San Diego Chargers and the Chiefs find themselves in a tie for first in the AFC West. I like the Chiefs to use the Arrowhead advantage and continue on the right track.
KC 26-17
