NFL Week 8 Preview

Welcome to my Week 8 Preview Post! I’ll be providing a short rundown of the games, why I think this or that team will win, and my pick.

At this point in the season my record for picking stands at 69-34, which is 66.9%.

One more thing. * means this is my “Game of the Week”. ** means upset pick alert!

New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles*

The Giants’ pass coverage has been called into question the past few weeks. Last week, though, it was their punting that was a main factor in their loss. If Jeff Feagles can get back to his old self, the Giants might be able to get by Donovan McNabb, DeSean Jackson, and Jeremy Maclin. Pick: Giants

Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints*

This week I have two “Games of the Week.” This is a battle for supremacy in the NFC South. The Saints, however, will continue their domination and push themselves to 7-0 using Drew Brees’ arm and their talented receivers to a tough but fulfilling win. Pick: Saints

Denver Broncos at Baltimore Ravens

I like the Broncos here, mostly because they have shown that they are a strong team that can compete. Baltimore’s offense has been questionable of late and the defense is no longer the strong stopper the team has been able to rely on. Pick: Broncos

Houston Texans at Buffalo Bills

The Texans’ offense has been able to put up large amounts of points, and the Bills’ defense is nowhere near good. The Texans will burn the Bills and their defense will stop a comparably weak Bills offense. Pick: Texans

Cleveland Browns at Chicago Bears

The Browns have not been able to find an offense to lead them to the end zone, and their defense isn’t much better. The Bears should use this as a bounce back from their horrifying loss to the Bengals last week. Pick: Bears

Seattle Seahawks at Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys have been rolling of late on a two-game winning streak and will ride their running game and new found hero Miles Austin to a win over a bad Seattle defense. Pick: Cowboys

St. Louis Rams at Detroit Lions

Seriously, who’s going to watch this game? In a matchup of two of the worst teams this year, the only bright spot is the up-and-comers on the Lions and Steven Jackson of the Rams. If St. Louis can control the ball and avoid turnovers, they should ride Jackson’s strong running game to their first win in a little over a year. Pick: Rams

Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers

This is a tough one to call. However, the Vikings lost for the first time last week and the Packers were undoubtedly watching the film all week. They should use the knowledge to play better against Adrian Peterson and Brett Favre. Pick: Packers

San Fransisco 49ers at Indianapolis Colts

Peyton Manning and his team should have another field day with a dying 49ers pass defense and controversial quarterback situation in San Fransisco. Pick: Colts

Miami Dolphins at New York Jets

The Dolphins are doing well right now and almost beat the Saints last week. The Jets’ offense is not as good as the Saints and neither is their defense. The Dolphins will use their Wildcat formation to roll over the Jets. Pick: Dolphins

Oakland Raiders at San Diego Chargers

The Chargers have not played well at all this year. However, this should be a game they use to get back on track. A good division win at home will set them up for the Giants next week. Pick: Chargers

Jacksonville Jaguars at Tennessee Titans

The Jaguars have failed as well.  They have used Maurice Jones-Drew to win a few games, but David Garrard and his receivers haven’t lived up to this year’s expectations. Again, they can use this game as a bounce-back against a transitioning Titans team. Pick: Jaguars.

Carolina Panthers at Arizona Cardinals

Coming off an upset victory over the Giants last week, the Cardinals are pumped and ready for another win against a less than stellar Panthers team. Pick: Cardinals

 

There you are! On Tuesday I’ll give my weekly recap and Wednesday I’ll release my Power Rankings.