The Picks - Week 8
Raiders at Ravens (-7.5): Ravens -7.5
The Ravens are allowing under 70 rushing yards per game and that's one of the Raiders' very few strengths. If Russell et. al. feel like airing it out, Baltimore's pretty stellar there, as well: their pass D is ranked 4th in the league according to yards allowed per game (176.7).
Chargers (-3) at Saints (in London): Saints +3
Last year's across-the-pond-game was predictably sloppy as the "pitch" (little soccer reference for ya) was absolutely drenched. This one could end up being surprisingly similar, but that doesn't necessarily favor the Chargers even with Reggie Bush is out. Brees, who's leading the league with over 300 yards per game, beats up his former team here.
Chiefs at Jets (-14): Jets -14
Know who gets to face the hopeless Chiefs defense this week? That's right, the Jets. Thomas Jones' Jets career has been less then superb, but he should find a way to shred KC this week. Old man Favre might even have a big game with a bum elbow, as well.
Bills (-1.5) at Dolphins: Bills -1.5
As much as it pains me to admit it, the Bills are legit. That defense looks better than it has in years, they have an excellent every-down back in Marshawn Lynch, and a legitimate big-play threat in Lee Evans. Seems they'd be challenging the Pats for AFC East supremacy even if Brady was fully healthy.
Buccaneers at Cowboys (-1.5): Bucs +1.5
Week 2 of the Brad Johnson era goes just as Week 1 did. If the Rams were able to drop 34 on that battered Dallas secondary, the Bucs should be able to do similar damage, as well. Oh, and those same Rams held the Cowboys to 14 points, and if you weren't quite certain, Tampa's defense is far superior to St. Louis'.
Falcons at Eagles (-9): Eagles -9
McNabb has all his weapons (Westbrook and Kevin Curtis are back from injuries) for the first time all season, and that Eagles D is better than people give them credit for. The wildly inconsistent Michael Turner will find that out firsthand.
Rams at Patriots (-7.5): Patriots -7.5
The line opened at -4.5 just a couple days ago… everyone’s been jumping on the Pats and for good reason – they held one of the league’s most potent offenses to just 7 points last week, and although the Rams have looked solid the past two weeks, they can’t keep up with NE at home.
Cardinals at Panthers (-4): Cardinals +4
Q is back after breaking his face several weeks ago and his return will provide a noticeable lift to the NFL's second best passing team.
Redskins (-7.5) at Detroit Lions: Redskins -7.5
Two words: Clinton Portis. Eight more words: Could possibly have 200 rushing yards this week.
Browns at Jaguars (-7): Browns +7
Definitely my reach pick here. The Jags D is banged up, and Cleveland's capable of putting serious points on the board, even with Kellen Winslow and his swollen marbles riding the pine this week.
Giants at Steelers (-3): Steelers -3
Couple big time defense going up against each other this week... Fast Willie's looking like a scratch again, but Mewelde Moore is a more-than-capable backup. It'll be a close one, but Eli's struggles will continue.
Seahawks at 49ers (-5): 49ers -5
My, how times have changed. A year ago, if you’d have been able to get this exact line, you’d have wagered every dime you have on the Seahawks, and rightfully so. This week, Hasselbeck’s out, Seattle’s ground game is unreliable, and Frank Gore will look to have a huge game after being held to just 11 yards on the ground against the G-Men last week.
Bengals at Texans (-9): Texans -9
Andre Johnson: This season's Randy Moss?... Steve Slaton: This season Adrian Peterson?... Okay, maybe those statements are a bit over-exaggerated, but the Texans' offense is just scary, and so is the Bengals', except in a bad way.
Colts at Titans (-4): Colts +4
This is clearly not your father’s Peyton Manning (or perhaps more appropriately, your big brother’s – who’s only a year or two older than you – Peyton Manning), but he's historically great against Tennessee, and the Colts aren't as bad as they've been playing lately.
The Ravens are allowing under 70 rushing yards per game and that's one of the Raiders' very few strengths. If Russell et. al. feel like airing it out, Baltimore's pretty stellar there, as well: their pass D is ranked 4th in the league according to yards allowed per game (176.7).
Chargers (-3) at Saints (in London): Saints +3
Last year's across-the-pond-game was predictably sloppy as the "pitch" (little soccer reference for ya) was absolutely drenched. This one could end up being surprisingly similar, but that doesn't necessarily favor the Chargers even with Reggie Bush is out. Brees, who's leading the league with over 300 yards per game, beats up his former team here.
Chiefs at Jets (-14): Jets -14
Know who gets to face the hopeless Chiefs defense this week? That's right, the Jets. Thomas Jones' Jets career has been less then superb, but he should find a way to shred KC this week. Old man Favre might even have a big game with a bum elbow, as well.
Bills (-1.5) at Dolphins: Bills -1.5
As much as it pains me to admit it, the Bills are legit. That defense looks better than it has in years, they have an excellent every-down back in Marshawn Lynch, and a legitimate big-play threat in Lee Evans. Seems they'd be challenging the Pats for AFC East supremacy even if Brady was fully healthy.
Buccaneers at Cowboys (-1.5): Bucs +1.5
Week 2 of the Brad Johnson era goes just as Week 1 did. If the Rams were able to drop 34 on that battered Dallas secondary, the Bucs should be able to do similar damage, as well. Oh, and those same Rams held the Cowboys to 14 points, and if you weren't quite certain, Tampa's defense is far superior to St. Louis'.
Falcons at Eagles (-9): Eagles -9
McNabb has all his weapons (Westbrook and Kevin Curtis are back from injuries) for the first time all season, and that Eagles D is better than people give them credit for. The wildly inconsistent Michael Turner will find that out firsthand.
Rams at Patriots (-7.5): Patriots -7.5
The line opened at -4.5 just a couple days ago… everyone’s been jumping on the Pats and for good reason – they held one of the league’s most potent offenses to just 7 points last week, and although the Rams have looked solid the past two weeks, they can’t keep up with NE at home.
Cardinals at Panthers (-4): Cardinals +4
Q is back after breaking his face several weeks ago and his return will provide a noticeable lift to the NFL's second best passing team.
Redskins (-7.5) at Detroit Lions: Redskins -7.5
Two words: Clinton Portis. Eight more words: Could possibly have 200 rushing yards this week.
Browns at Jaguars (-7): Browns +7
Definitely my reach pick here. The Jags D is banged up, and Cleveland's capable of putting serious points on the board, even with Kellen Winslow and his swollen marbles riding the pine this week.
Giants at Steelers (-3): Steelers -3
Couple big time defense going up against each other this week... Fast Willie's looking like a scratch again, but Mewelde Moore is a more-than-capable backup. It'll be a close one, but Eli's struggles will continue.
Seahawks at 49ers (-5): 49ers -5
My, how times have changed. A year ago, if you’d have been able to get this exact line, you’d have wagered every dime you have on the Seahawks, and rightfully so. This week, Hasselbeck’s out, Seattle’s ground game is unreliable, and Frank Gore will look to have a huge game after being held to just 11 yards on the ground against the G-Men last week.
Bengals at Texans (-9): Texans -9
Andre Johnson: This season's Randy Moss?... Steve Slaton: This season Adrian Peterson?... Okay, maybe those statements are a bit over-exaggerated, but the Texans' offense is just scary, and so is the Bengals', except in a bad way.
Colts at Titans (-4): Colts +4
This is clearly not your father’s Peyton Manning (or perhaps more appropriately, your big brother’s – who’s only a year or two older than you – Peyton Manning), but he's historically great against Tennessee, and the Colts aren't as bad as they've been playing lately.
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