Week Eight Picks
I’ve been busy enough this week that I’m probably in worse shape for picking games than usual, which is a tough thing to do if you’re me. Then again, I managed to peg the exact margin of victory for the Panthers on Thursday night. Maybe knowing you don’t know anything is better than not knowing anything and thinking you know something. Let’s see how it goes. Here’s what not to expect.
Jacksonville (+15) vs. San Francisco at Wembley Stadium, London
Roger Goodell plans to play even more games in London going forward. After this, British fans may well ask him to send fewer. Niners by three or four touchdowns.
Dallas (+3) at Detroit
Last week’s results are fine and all, but I’m not buying the notion that the Cowboys have grown a defense until I see them succeed against at team with an actual NFL offense. For this week, what I see is a matchup between two teams with decent Os and lousy Ds. I’m taking the one that isn’t playing its second consecutive road game. Lions straight up. It’s a push with the points.
NY Giants (+5.5) at Philadelphia
Haven’t you heard? Having managed to beat a team with a starting quarterback who’d been around long enough to learn like half a dozen plays, the Giants are on their way to winning out and storming through the playoffs. Or, you know, quite possibly not. The Eagles are going nowhere, too, but at least they’re going nowhere at home in this game. So let’s figure Philly “wins” it by a field goal.
Cleveland (+7.5) at Kansas City
That’s right, Browns fans. That’s Jason Campbell lining up behind center. That’s gotta feel pretty good, huh? Chiefs by 13.
Buffalo (+11) at New Orleans
Yeah, the Bills have a solid defense. And, yeah, likely having to play without Jimmy Graham will make overcoming that D tougher for the Saints. But spending most of the game on the field will wear down that D eventually. Which means the Saints should be able to pull away late. New Orleans by 10.
Miami (+6) at New England
Six, oddly enough, also is the over/under on sacks of Ryan Tannehill in this game. OK, I made that up. But if it were real, I’d not only give the points but bet the over. Patriots by 10.
NY Jets (+5) at Cincinnati
The Jets have been feeling pretty good about themselves ever since the Patriots (not the refs, mind you, the Patriots) handed them a victory last weekend. That’s nice and all, but let’s keep in mind that they’re still the Jets. This game should clear up any lingering confusion on that point. Bengals by a touchdown.
Pittsburgh (-2.5) at Oakland
The simple fact that you’ve won two straight (after losing your first four) paired with the notion that you should be better than you are simply because you’re usually better than you are, doesn’t mean you are better than you are. I’m talking about you, Pittsburgh. Raiders by two takeaways and six points.
Washington (+11.5) at Denver
Over/under on this game is nearly 60 points. Bet the over. Broncos get one more offensive possession than the Racists and take the game by seven.
Atlanta (+2.5) at Arizona
I’m one of those idiots who still believes the Falcons can’t really be that bad. So, yeah. Atlanta by a point.
Green Bay (-8.5) at Minnesota
You know what you have when it’s week eight and you’re starting a quarterback you’d previously benched (and who is exactly that good)? Well, two things, actually. One is a giant, ugly mess. The other is a long road to the off-season. Packers by two touchdowns.
Seattle (-11) at St. Louis
On Monday night, no less. People might actually choose to watch the baseball game being played a couple miles away over this bloodbath. Seahawks by 28.
