NFL Week 8 Picks

Another week has come and another week has gone. Fortunately, my picks improved, but unfortunately, my Broncos look as if they are self destructing week after week as they seem determined to give the ball away.

But we must move on, and I’ll make this intro short and sweet. Last week my picks finished 11-3 straight up and 10-4 against the spread. This was the improvement I’ve been looking for to boost my season record which now sits at 60-42 or 60 of 102 (.588) on the straight picks and 55-45-2 (.539) against the spread. So lets get to this weeks picks and see if I can’t pull off back-to-back good weeks.

----Picks against the spread in red----

ALL TIMES ARE EASTERN

Open Date: Chicago Bears, Denver Broncos, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings

Sunday, October 26^th, 2008

Oakland Raiders(2-4) at Baltimore Ravens(3-3) 1:00PM

The Raiders managed to come out on top in overtime last week as they upset Brett Farve and the Jets. Unfortunately for them this week, they won’t have home field advantage.

Ravens win in a low scoring match up

(Raiders +7)

Arizona Cardinals(4-2) at Carolina Panthers(5-2) 1:00PM

Cardinals will hope to add Anquan Boldin back to the line up this week and increase their receiving arsenal. Of course, the Panthers have an arsenal of their own and will be looking to hold their place along side the Buccaneers at the top of the NFC South. This should prove to be a high powered match up full of hard hits and big plays.

Cardinals finish one step ahead to steal out of Carolina with a win

(Cardinals +4.5)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers(5-2) at Dallas Cowboys(4-3) 1:00PM

The Buccaneers are playing strong as they’ve been holding their own week after week. The Cowboys, however, are battered, broken, and beaten. Without Tony Romo, the Cowboy passing game is suffering, and how much longer do you think Terrell Owens will put up with a lack of receptions before he sets out to destroy yet another locker room?

Buccaneers add more woes to the Cowboys season

(Buccaneers No Line)

Washington Redskins(5-2) at Detroit Lions(0-6) 1:00PM

After beating the Saints, topping the Cardinals, upsetting the Cowboys, and stunning the Eagles, the Redskins have gone flat. This team won’t be able to ride the shoulders of Clinton Portis and his run game alone. This game could shape up to be another upset by an winless team if the Redskins don’t find the drive they had in weeks 2, 3, 4, and 5.

Redskins win and avoid going 0-2 to winless teams this season.

(Lions +8)

St. Louis Rams(2-4) at New England Patriots(4-2) 1:00PM

Do we have new hope in the Patriots after their 41-7 rout of the Broncos? No, not really. What was displayed on Monday Night was more of a self destructing of a Denver team than a coming out party for the Patriots. Did they score 41 points? Yes, but everyone scores on Denver. Let’s not forget FIVE turnovers! Patriots still aren’t the same without Brady, and I’m going to stick my neck out for the Rams for one more shocking week. Could I be too late to jump this train? Guess we’ll find out.

Rams continue to shock the NFL

(Rams No Line)

Atlanta Falcons(4-2) at Philadelphia Eagles(3-3) 1:00PM

Who would have thought this would be a tough call at the beginning of the season? After all the Falcons have been through with Vick, there has to be a small sigh of relief in Atlanta this season as rookie Matt Ryan has been able to manage games well enough to get them this far with a winning record. But will it be enough to take them through Philadelphia on the winning end?

Falcons win and give Philadelphia fans a reason to Boo.

(Atlanta +9)

Kansas City Chiefs(1-5) at New York Jets(3-3) 1:00PM

The Chiefs have struggled all season. Team leaders aren’t leading the team. L.J. has been dealing with problems off the field that have…well,…kept him off the field and Gonzalez made an unsuccessful attempt to leave the team. Now they will have to go on the road to face Favre and the Jets on their home turf as the Jets will be looking to get back off a tough OT loss in Oakland.

J. E. T. S., Brett, Brett, Brett!!!

(Jets -13)

San Diego Chargers(3-4) at New Orleans Saints(3-4) 1:00PM

Although the long trip can take it’s toll on the traveling team, the travel has been shared by both teams this week. That simply leaves two teams battling it out for a win. As much as both these teams want this win, only one can take it, and the loss of Reggie Bush just might be the deciding factor.

Chargers win the battle off of a foreign shore

(Chargers -3)

Buffalo Bills(5-1) at Miami Dolphins(2-4) 1:00PM

This game should be all Buffalo, but Miami has a way of winning the games they shouldn’t and losing the games they should win. Go figure. So will the Bills fall in South Florida? Or will their defense hold against the Miami trickery as their offense finds their own way to move on the Dolphin defense?

Bills continue to show why they lead the AFC East

(Bills -2)

Cincinnati Bengals(0-7) at Houston Texans(2-4) 4:05PM

The Bengals should be due for a win about now and what better team to get it from than a team below .500. However, as the Bengals must continue to play without Palmer, I wouldn’t hold my breath for that win. Texans have home field advantage and Andre Johnson has found his stride.

Texans punish the already hurting Bengals

(Texans -10)

Cleveland Browns(2-4) at Jacksonville Jaguars(3-3) 4:05PM

The Browns have had moments, moments where you thought, hmm, maybe. The Jaguars have had their own moments that have left you scratching your head and saying “what”? But make no mistake, the Jaguars are still a strong team and coming off a bye week to play at home will all work toward their advantage.

Jaguars win at home to advance above .500

(Jaguars -7)

Seattle Seahawks(1-5) at San Francisco 49ers(2-5) 4:15PM

News is in, 49ers have a new coach. So if it works out for them at all like it has seemed to be working for the Rams then this game should be all 49ers. Actually, if the Seahawks keep playing like they have been lately it should be all 49ers anyway. So let’s just say…

49ers take advantage of a home game and take the win

(49ers -5)

New York Giants(5-1) at Pittsburgh Steelers(5-1) 4:15PM

Now we’re talkin’! Now we’ve got ourselves a game. Although the Giants might have recently stumbled, they are far from fallen as they make the short trip into Pittsburgh to play a little smash mouth with the Steelers. And while the Steelers may have a few nicks and scraps that may or may not bring back Willie Parker, Mewelde Moore has shown he is willing to shoulder the load.

Giants bounce back to upset the Steelers at Heinz Field

(Giants +3)

Monday, October 27^th, 2008, Monday Night Football

Indianapolis Colts(3-3) at Tennessee Titans(6-0) 8:30PM

The undefeated Titans will defend not only their home field this week, but also their sole undefeated record as the Colts gallop into town and I don’t think anyone would be to surprised to see the Colts end that record this Monday Night. However, with the Colts showing signs of inconsistency and the Titans showing an unwillingness to participate in the NFL’s “Any Given Sunday”…err…”Monday” rule, who knows for sure which way this game will go. Personally, I think that the…

Titans continue to shock everyone with a 7-0 start

(Titans -4)

And there we have it, another week of picks in the bag. Here’s wishing all your teams well, even though someone’s got to loss, and this week it’s my week to guarantee my team. The Denver Broncos are GUARANTEED not to loss this week! See if you can’t find someone willing to take a bet on that.