NFL - Week 8 picks.....

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Week 8 Picks: (home team in CAPS)

RAVENS (-3 1/2) over Broncos
Yes, I wrote about how this is a wonderful turnaround by the Broncos, but I never said they would go undefeated. The Ravens are a desperate team at 3-3, and can't afford another loss, especially a home loss, with both the Steelers and Bengals ahead of them at 5-2. Both teams coming off their bye weeks, and I'm sure the Ravens defensive veterans, lead by Ray Lewis & Ed Reed, worked on tightening up that once feared group, and that proud defense will step up enough to hand the Broncos their first loss of the season.

BEARS (-13 1/2) over Browns
This is more of how bad the Browns are, as compared to how good this Bears team is in 2009. Losing to the Bengals is one thing, but 45-10 and it not looking that close raises questions. Matt Forte's and the running game's poor performance is putting pressure on Jay Cutler, who seems to be struggling, but in reality, shows how poor the Bear WRs are playing. Derek Anderson starts for Cleveland. Enough said.

Texans (-3 1/2) over BILLS
Houston jumped to a 21-0 lead and held on 24-21 over the 49ers to get over .500 for the season. Even with the 2nd half collapse, this could be the start of a roll for the Texans. The Bills are coming off a 20-9 over Carolina, but were out gained 425 - 167 and only were able to get 9 first downs. A win over the Bills will put the Texans at 5-3, and into the middle of the AFC playoff hunt. Steve Slaton still has not broken out this year, and Andre Johnson is day-to-day with a lung contusion, but the Texans will have too much offense for the Bills to handle.

PACKERS (-3) over Vikings
Yes, Brett Favre is returning to Green Bay. After the first 5 minutes of play, this will be forgotten on the fild (except for the fans who will boo his every movement), and the top two teams in the NFC North will be trying to get a hold on the division lead. Four weeks ago, inside the dome in Minnesota, the Viking defense was able to sack Aaron Rodgers eight times. That shouldn't happen again this time because the game is in Green Bay, and the Packer offensive line is more stable then it was last month. The Vikings #1 priority will be to make sure Adrian Peterson rushes the ball more then the 18 times he did last week in the loss to Pittsburgh. Otherwise, that means Favre will again be attempting more then 40 passes, which is not the game plan for a Vikings win.

49ers (+12) over COLTS
While the Colts and Peyton Manning look unbeatable, and should beat the 49ers to stay undefeated for the year. Alex Smith will start for the 49ers, and this will be Michael Crabtree's second game after his holdout. Vernon Davis must love the attention Crabtree received from the Texans as he caught three 2nd half TDs from Smith in their comeback that came up just short last week in Houston. San Francisco should keep it close, especially if Reggie Wayne is out or just bothered by his injured groin, which should slow Manning and the Colts' offense, but Indianapolis will win the game.

Dolphins (+3 1/2) over JETS
Less then three weeks ago, Miami beat the Jets in a terrific Monday Night game, while compiling 413 yards of offense, including 151 on the ground that came mostly from the Wildcat formation. Miami is coming off a tough loss to New Orleans, while the Jets routed the Raiders last week in Oakland. With Leon Washington out for the year, Thomas Jones will carry the load of the rushing for New York. Expect the Dolphins to crowd the line and challenge the struggling Mark Sanchez to play like he did in his first three games of the season in order to beat them.

LIONS (-5 1/2) over Rams
Besides friends and family, who else has any interest in this game? Seems fitting to be on Halloween weekend. The one win Detroit Lions, who have one win in their last 24 games are favorites over the Rams, who have lost their last 17 games in a row. The Lions are bad, but the Rams are worse. In seven games this season, the Rams have 60 points. The Patriots scored 59 against the Titans two Sundays ago.

COWBOYS (-9 1/2) over Seahawks
The Cowboys come into the game only 1/2 game behind the Giants and tied with the Eagles, while those two will tangle in Philadelphia. Two weeks ago, this didn't seem possible. While not perfect, the offense seems to be starting to hit a stride with the emergence of Miles Austin and the solid running game. Last week the defense got pressure against Atlanta's Matt Ryan, and I expect the same this week against this Seahawk team that just lost its best offensive lineman, Walter Jones, to the IR for the remainder of the season. Add in the loss of Lofa Tatupu to the defense, and it suddenly looks like a long year for Seattle.

CHARGERS (-16 1/2) over Raiders
OK, I tried the Raiders last week, and I got burned. How in the world did they beat the Eagles two weeks ago? Meanwhile the Chargers are looking to right the ship and win its second in a row. Last week in Kansas City, Philip Rivers and the Charger offense got on track scoring 38, while the defense held the Chiefs to one touchdown. I expect better performances by each Charger unit this week, as this one should be over by halftime.

TITANS (-3) over Jaguars
Somewhere in Vegas there was a line maker who fell asleep while recording this point spread. The winless Titans, who gave up 59 points to the Patriots in their last game, are favorites over a 3-3 Jaguar team who beat them 37-17 four weeks ago in Jacksonville. OK, I'll bite and say the Titans get on track with Vince Young under center, and record their first victory of the year. For this to happen, look for a big game from Chris Johnson to help Young and open up the passing game. Also look for the maligned Titans' defense to slow down David Garrard and the Jags offense.

CARDINALS (-10) over Panthers
This is usually the week the Cardinals take a step back from the two or three they have gone forward, but not this time. The Arizona defense is solid and leads the league in defending the run, which means Kurt Warner's offense does not have to outscore everyone. Carolina travels west after a dismal performance at home against Buffalo where they out gained the Bills 425 - 167, but Jake Delhomme's three interceptions kept the Panthers from winning the game. Unfortunately for the Panthers, they have no other quarterback options, so Delhomme gets the start against the team that started his personal downfall last year in the divisional playoff round.

Giants (+2) over EAGLES
How would you like to be a Philadelphia sports fan on Sunday? Giants/Eagles at 1pm, then across the parking lot, Yankees/Phillies Game 4 at 8pm. The Giants have lost their last two, including last week's home loss to Arizona, when New York gave up a second half lead and committed four turnovers, three of which were Eli Manning interceptions. The Eagles could be without Brian Westbrook (concussion), which means Andy Reid will have Donovan McNabb putting the ball up plenty against the Giant defense. I think the Giants will toughen up against their division foe, getting back to Giant football, and will leave Philadelphia with a tough NFC East victory.

Falcons (+10) over SAINTS
The Falcons are still having problems running the ball all season, but they seemed to start getting it going a little in last week's loss to Dallas. They will have to control the ball to keep this explosive Saints offense off the field, so I expect a large dose of Michael Turner. If they are able to run Turner successfully, Matt Ryan will have an easier time finding Tony Gonzalez and Roddy White through the air, and those first downs will keep Drew Brees and the offense on the bench. I think Atlanta is desperate enough, and has the weapons, especially if it can get Turner going, to keep it close, and could even pull off the upset on Monday night.

Week 7 Record (7-5-1)
2009 Season (7-5-1)