NFL Week 8 Predictions
Well, another 9-5 week last week, and now seven weeks into the 2008 NFL season, one thing is becoming more and more clear: the term “Any Given Sunday” definitely applies. Last season, several teams fell into the “sure thing” category, but this season is very different and I can’t think of one team aside from maybe the Titans who might fit into that column.
So what happened? Well, the Colts are suffering from several injuries and are just playing bad football, the Patriots lost Tom Brady in week 1, and the Cowboys are underachieving. The Packers are adjusting to life without Brett Favre, San Diego has (as is typical for them recently) started the season with a big helping of inconsistency, and even the Super Bowl champs inexplicibly lost to the then 1-3 Cleveland Browns. Each of these teams were expected to be better.
All of that adds up to a very unpredictable season so far, which unfortunately means that my predictions have been a little less than hoped for in recent weeks. This week might (and that’s a big might) provide a bit more stability though. Looking at the schedule for week 8 will show that in most games, there is a marginally clear favourite… and I’m hoping that translates well for my picks. Here they are:
| Away | Home | Comments | Pick | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Note: the Bears, Broncos, Packers and Vikings have a bye this week. | ||||
| Last week: 9-5 (64.3%), Season total: 69-33 (67.6%) | ||||
 Falcons(4-2) |
 Eagles(3-3) |
With the Cowboys regressing as of late, the time is now for the Eagles to move up in the NFC East. | |
|
 Cardinals(4-2) |
 Panthers(5-2) |
The Cardinals have played well this year, but I have to take the Panthers at home in what I think will be a high-scoring game. | |
|
 Bills(5-1) |
 Dolphins(2-4) |
The Bills have been consistent so far this season and as I said at the beginning of the year, Buffalo finally has a solid #1 QB in Trent Edwards. | |
|
 Buccaneers(5-2) |
 Cowboys(4-3) |
The Cowboys have some big issues now and the injuries are really piling up. | |
|
 Raiders(2-4) |
 Ravens(3-3) |
The Ravens should be able to handle the Raiders at home this week. | |
|
 Redskins(5-2) |
 Lions(0-6) |
As long as the ‘Skins don’t overlook the Lions like they did the Rams two weeks ago, they should win easily. | |
|
 Rams(2-4) |
 Patriots(4-2) |
Matt Cassel just removed the doubt in my mind, and even though he still holds onto the ball too long, the Patriots looked scary last night. | |
|
 Chiefs(1-5) |
 Jets(3-3) |
Plain and simple: the Jets need this win to stay in the hunt, especially if the Pats can keep it going. | |
|
 Browns(2-4) |
 Jaguars(3-3) |
I still think the Browns win over the Giants in week 6 was a fluke. Take the Jaguars. | |
|
 Bengals(0-7) |
 Texans(2-4) |
Seriously, what is Cincinnati doing? | |
|
 Seahawks(1-5) |
 49ers(2-5) |
With injuries and a defense you can carve through with a putty knife, the Seahawks won’t be winning too many games this season — which is sad for Mike Holmgren’s swan song. | |
|
 Giants(5-1) |
 Steelers(5-1) |
I think the Giants should give Plaxico Burress the “Jeremy Shockey” treatment — they’re better off without him. | |
|
 Chargers(3-4) |
 Saints(3-4) |
Drew Brees is having one of the best seasons in his career, but without Reggie Bush this offense lacks 1 or 2 game-changing plays per game, and that might be the biggest difference for the Saints. | |
|
 Colts(3-3) |
 Titans(6-0) |
These are not the same Colts as we’ve been seeing for the past few years. Coincidentally, these aren’t the same Titans either. | |
|
And there you go… my picks for week 8! Check out ESPN’s Expert Picks, and let me know what you think!
Comments // rss // add your 2¢
MIchael // #
Oct 23, 2008 // 12:00 am
I agree about the Giants and Plaxico…but really, Giants over Steelers? I think New York will leave Heinz Stadium with another one chalked in the “L” column.
And one more thing, you mentioned Arizona and Carolina being a high scoring game. Let me remind you that the Panthers have the 5th best defense in the League and were able to stifle the high-scoring Saints last week. I believe that the Cardinals will have a hard time seeing the end-zone against the Panthers defense.
Jonathan Eckmier // #
Oct 23, 2008 // 11:02 am
@Michael: Thanks for the comment! First, I think you could be right about the Steelers/Giants game. This game was probably the hardest one to pick for me this week because both of these teams are very good and the fact that it’s at Heinz Field only gives the Steelers more of an advantage. Both of these teams are in the top 5 in defense, but statistically, the Giants have the better offense… so we’ll see. Either way, I think it will be very close.
The Cardinals/Panthers game is very intriguing. Arizona has the 2nd best passing attack in the league and they’re going up against the 2nd ranked pass defense in Carolina. Usually defense wins out in these cases - and I think the Panthers will be able to get to Kurt Warner. Maybe it won’t be high-scoring like I said, but I think we both agree on what we think the outcome will be… a Panthers win.
Ryan // #
Oct 23, 2008 // 1:50 pm
I’m taking the Falcons, Cardinals, Raiders and Steelers, opposite your picks.
I still think the NFC south is the best division in football right now. Any one of the winning teams in that div. against the lowest in any other spells trouble for the Santa haters.
Cardinals over Panthers. The Panthers surrender the fourth fewest points per yard allowed, but the Cardinals score the fourth most points per yard gained. Should be a good matchup but I think this is the year of the Cardinal, kinda.
I’m only picking the raiders because they finally have clear leadership again. That is to say, everyone is doing whatever the %&#! Al Davis wants them to do. Javon Walker could potentially be the difference maker here.
Steelers, what Mike said.
Jonathan Eckmier // #
Oct 23, 2008 // 4:20 pm
@Ryan: I’d be more inclined to go with the Falcons if they were at home, but they aren’t. Philly is one of the tougher places to win on the road and if the Eagles beat the Steelers at the Linc’ (week 3), they should be able to defeat the Falcons as well. Philadelphia’s only home loss this season was at the hands of the “better than we thought they’d be” Redskins.
The Raiders I think are a risky pick… so we’ll have to agree to disagree on that one.
osylvestre // #
Oct 25, 2008 // 11:51 am
He!
I check your picks every week to give myself an extra check! Thanks for that.
I have all the same pick as you this week. Hopefully it will be a little less volatile!!
I love Carolina and Arizona this year, can’t wait to see that game. I think the Giants will steal it this week. Hopefully.
Cheers!
Blake // #
Oct 25, 2008 // 12:24 pm
The Giants better off without Burress? That guy was a warrior last year, and he had every right to be pissed off about that personal foul call last Sunday. I do not, however, agree with how he reacted and cost his team, but that seemed to me to be a bit of an abberation - on the field at least I can’t even believe I am sticking up for a New York player!
Your Giants over Steelers pick is the only one I have any true hesitation in agreeing with, but I think - as has been the case so many times this season - we’ll have a few surprises tomorrow. Dolphins over Bills, anyone?
Jonathan Eckmier // #
Oct 26, 2008 // 7:56 pm
@Blake: I agree that Burress was great last season, and he was a big piece of the Giants Super Bowl puzzle. This year though, Burress seems to be a bit of a distraction, and that’s why I think the Giants are better off without him.
Nice call on the Dolphins!