Week 8 NFL Projections
What a marvelous slate of games the schedule makers have put together this week.
At Tennessee -3 Houston 41.5
The Tejanos head east to Nashville looking to win their second straight. The Titans are coming off a bye. This is not exactly a clash of juggernauts, but Vince Young is improving and David Carr is playing quite well. Both clubs languish near the bottom on the Total offense and defense rankings. This game is basically a pick ‘em with Tennessee getting the points as a home field advantage.
Projected Final Score: Tennessee 27, Houston 20
At Philadelphia -6 Jacksonville 42.5
Philly’s offense averages 100+ total offense/gm than the Jags. Their total defense numbers are pretty much the same. Both teams were upset last week and each need a win, but on the “desperation scale”, the Eagles are a 10 and Jacksonville is an 8. If the Jaguars’ offense fired blanks at Houston, it’s difficult to forecast that they would reverse the trend against a more competitive team. This is a must win game for the Eagles, thus it shall be.
Projected Final Score: Philadelphia 33, Jacksonville 24
At Cincinnati -4.5 Atlanta 43.5
The Bengals escaped last week’s tilt with Carolina by the hairs of their chinny-chin-chins, while the Falcons outlasted Pittsburgh in a marathon. Both teams can score points, and Atlanta’s total defense numbers are better than Cincy’s but their pass defense ranks near the bottom. However, Atlanta’s lack of a balanced offense attack remains troubling (#1 in rushing, #32 in passing). In their last three games, the Bengals’ offense has been good for around 14 points, not good enough for a team picked to contend. Which Michael Vick will show up on Sunday, the runner or the passer? Having enjoyed great success throwing the ball last week, look for Vick to continue wingin’ it and the Falcons to pull off the upset.
Projected Final Score: Atlanta 27, Cincinnati 24.
At NY Giants -9 Tampa Bay 41
The Bucs have won their last two, so they will travel to the Meadowlands lean, mean and hungry. Meanwhile, the G-Men are coming off of an emphatic win at Big D on Monday. It has all the makings of a trap game. Arrington’s done for the season, so the Giants will need to fill that gaping hole on the defense in a hurry. So far the Giants’ defense has been great and Tampa Bay’s offense has been lousy. The Giants are going to with the game, but the -9 seems a little too rich given the injuries and one fewer day to prepare.
Projected Final Score: NY Giants 21, Tampa Bay 13.
At Chicago -16.5 San Francisco 42
Pity the ‘Niners, coming into Chicago for a date with the Monsters of The Midway. The Bears are undefeated, and by day’s end will remain so. The only question is the margin. 16 ½ appears to be a little too much. A spread that high indicates not simply victory, but a dominant humiliation in the process. This is Week 8, and there’s really no incentive for the Bears to play beyond the boundaries of consistent, steady ball.
Projected Final Score: Chicago 27, San Francisco 13.
At Green Bay -3.5 Arizona 44
Will this be the week that Matt Leinart pulls in his first win? After losing last week at Oakland, he will get another crack at a lousy team (sorry, Coach Lombardi).The Pack haven’t won at home and the Cards are winless on the road…somethin’s gotta give. The Pack gave their faithful something to cheer about last week by winning on the road in Miami, but whether that was an aberration or signs of trending upward is difficult to say. I’m going upset here but for no other reason than the Dennis Green Era will come to a sudden and abrupt end should Arizona fail to prevail. One team wants to win, the other positively, absolutely must win.
Projected Final Score: Arizona 24, Green Bay 21.
At Kansas City -6.5 Seattle 39
Oh boy, try to figure this one: Hasslebeck and Alexander are definitely out, and now comes the news that KC’s backup may not be ready to go, so it looks like the scrubs vs. the JV’s at Arrowhead. Notwithstanding the injuries at QB, these defenses are pretty well matched. KC is always tough at home, but at 6 ½ , I’m not so certain, so maybe it’s best to go conservative, only because the possibility of a third stringer calling the shots against a good defense. Heck, this one’s a crapshoot…
Projected Final Score: Kansas City 23, Seattle 17.
At New Orleans -2 Baltimore 36.5
The ‘Aint’s ain’t no more. Under Coach Payton, they’re the most pleasant surprise in the league. McNair is back after a concussion and the Ravens go into the cauldron down in the Bayou. The Ravens’ offense has historically been poor, and this year, they’ve played pretty much to form. So, it will pretty much come down to whether a very good defense can stop a very good offense on the road. More often than not, a good defense will stop a good offense, but not this week.
Projected Final Score: New Orleans 17, Ravens 13.
At San Diego -9 St. Louis 45
Your fearless prognosticator admits to underestimating the Rams so far this year. They have a good offense and a fair defense. This week they head for Paradise to face the Chargers, who really intend to put a hurting on. Against poor defenses, San Diego generally fares well, and this is a game they really need to have.
Projected Final Score: San Diego 31, St. Louis 17.
Pittsburgh -9 At Oakland 39
Do you remember the glory days of the ‘70’s when Noll, Bradshaw, Franco and the Steel Curtain would go to the Zoo for a tilt with Madden, Stabler, Hendricks and Tatum? Do you remember? Yeah? If you want to relive the excitement of a great rivalry, then look to see if you can find an old replay on tape or DVD, ‘cause those days are long gone for the “Pride & Poise Boys”.
Projected Final Score: Pittsburgh 24, Oakland 13.
At Cleveland -1.5 NY Jets 38.5
In a rematch of the first-ever MNF game in ’70, “Broadway Joe” returns to Cleveland…wait a minute, that’s the wrong script. Where the hell is Howard? He certainly had an uncanny knack of interjecting himself into a story. Too bad he won’t be in the broadcast booth this week, because he’d be all over the NY Jets like white on rice. So, in honor of Howard, we’ll just have to “tell it like it is”. Roll tape…In 3…2…1: The Jets have surpassed everyone’s expectations this year, and right now, they’re playing with the house’s coin, there’s absolutely no pressure on them to go out and do anything but kick ass and have some fun. Still, their pass defense is deficient and they’ve been giving up a lot of fourth quarter points. Meanwhile, while New Englanders hold Coach Crennel in high regard, he hasn’t shown that he’s the next Paul Brown on the Cleveland sideline. They can’t run the ball, and other than beating the pitiful Raiders (doesn’t that phrase sound just perfect), they’ve been awful. The gut says, “Go Brownies!” The head says:
Projected Final Score: NY Jets 23, Cleveland 17.
At Denver -2.5 Indianapolis 39.5
Unstoppable Indy goes to Mile High to meet the Immovable Broncs. Should be the marquee match up for the day. The numbers don’t mean much, it is a matter of whether Indy can win on the road against a very tough defense. If they can’t the result will be far more telling than any score. What say you?
Projected Final Score: Indianapolis 24, Denver 20.
At Carolina -5.5 Dallas 41
Spare the drama, Romo or Bledsoe, it won’t matter a great deal. Dallas O-Line is aptly considered as the “Swiss Cheese Guard”. Peppers and the Carolina D just can’t wait.
Projected Final Score: Carolina 27, Dallas 21.
What a marvelous slate of games the schedule makers have put together this week.
At Tennessee -3 Houston 41.5
The Tejanos head east to Nashville looking to win their second straight. The Titans are coming off a bye. This is not exactly a clash of juggernauts, but Vince Young is improving and David Carr is playing quite well. Both clubs languish near the bottom on the Total offense and defense rankings. This game is basically a pick ‘em with Tennessee getting the points as a home field advantage.
Projected Final Score: Tennessee 27, Houston 20
At Philadelphia -6 Jacksonville 42.5
Philly’s offense averages 100+ total offense/gm than the Jags. Their total defense numbers are pretty much the same. Both teams were upset last week and each need a win, but on the “desperation scale”, the Eagles are a 10 and Jacksonville is an 8. If the Jaguars’ offense fired blanks at Houston, it’s difficult to forecast that they would reverse the trend against a more competitive team. This is a must win game for the Eagles, thus it shall be.
Projected Final Score: Philadelphia 33, Jacksonville 24
At Cincinnati -4.5 Atlanta 43.5
The Bengals escaped last week’s tilt with Carolina by the hairs of their chinny-chin-chins, while the Falcons outlasted Pittsburgh in a marathon. Both teams can score points, and Atlanta’s total defense numbers are better than Cincy’s but their pass defense ranks near the bottom. However, Atlanta’s lack of a balanced offense attack remains troubling (#1 in rushing, #32 in passing). In their last three games, the Bengals’ offense has been good for around 14 points, not good enough for a team picked to contend. Which Michael Vick will show up on Sunday, the runner or the passer? Having enjoyed great success throwing the ball last week, look for Vick to continue wingin’ it and the Falcons to pull off the upset.
Projected Final Score: Atlanta 27, Cincinnati 24.
At NY Giants -9 Tampa Bay 41
The Bucs have won their last two, so they will travel to the Meadowlands lean, mean and hungry. Meanwhile, the G-Men are coming off of an emphatic win at Big D on Monday. It has all the makings of a trap game. Arrington’s done for the season, so the Giants will need to fill that gaping hole on the defense in a hurry. So far the Giants’ defense has been great and Tampa Bay’s offense has been lousy. The Giants are going to with the game, but the -9 seems a little too rich given the injuries and one fewer day to prepare.
Projected Final Score: NY Giants 21, Tampa Bay 13.
At Chicago -16.5 San Francisco 42
Pity the ‘Niners, coming into Chicago for a date with the Monsters of The Midway. The Bears are undefeated, and by day’s end will remain so. The only question is the margin. 16 ½ appears to be a little too much. A spread that high indicates not simply victory, but a dominant humiliation in the process. This is Week 8, and there’s really no incentive for the Bears to play beyond the boundaries of consistent, steady ball.
Projected Final Score: Chicago 27, San Francisco 13.
At Green Bay -3.5 Arizona 44
Will this be the week that Matt Leinart pulls in his first win? After losing last week at Oakland, he will get another crack at a lousy team (sorry, Coach Lombardi).The Pack haven’t won at home and the Cards are winless on the road…somethin’s gotta give. The Pack gave their faithful something to cheer about last week by winning on the road in Miami, but whether that was an aberration or signs of trending upward is difficult to say. I’m going upset here but for no other reason than the Dennis Green Era will come to a sudden and abrupt end should Arizona fail to prevail. One team wants to win, the other positively, absolutely must win.
Projected Final Score: Arizona 24, Green Bay 21.
At Kansas City -6.5 Seattle 39
Oh boy, try to figure this one: Hasslebeck and Alexander are definitely out, and now comes the news that KC’s backup may not be ready to go, so it looks like the scrubs vs. the JV’s at Arrowhead. Notwithstanding the injuries at QB, these defenses are pretty well matched. KC is always tough at home, but at 6 ½ , I’m not so certain, so maybe it’s best to go conservative, only because the possibility of a third stringer calling the shots against a good defense. Heck, this one’s a crapshoot…
Projected Final Score: Kansas City 23, Seattle 17.
At New Orleans -2 Baltimore 36.5
The ‘Aint’s ain’t no more. Under Coach Payton, they’re the most pleasant surprise in the league. McNair is back after a concussion and the Ravens go into the cauldron down in the Bayou. The Ravens’ offense has historically been poor, and this year, they’ve played pretty much to form. So, it will pretty much come down to whether a very good defense can stop a very good offense on the road. More often than not, a good defense will stop a good offense, but not this week.
Projected Final Score: New Orleans 17, Ravens 13.
At San Diego -9 St. Louis 45
Your fearless prognosticator admits to underestimating the Rams so far this year. They have a good offense and a fair defense. This week they head for Paradise to face the Chargers, who really intend to put a hurting on. Against poor defenses, San Diego generally fares well, and this is a game they really need to have.
Projected Final Score: San Diego 31, St. Louis 17.
Pittsburgh -9 At Oakland 39
Do you remember the glory days of the ‘70’s when Noll, Bradshaw, Franco and the Steel Curtain would go to the Zoo for a tilt with Madden, Stabler, Hendricks and Tatum? Do you remember? Yeah? If you want to relive the excitement of a great rivalry, then look to see if you can find an old replay on tape or DVD, ‘cause those days are long gone for the “Pride & Poise Boys”.
Projected Final Score: Pittsburgh 24, Oakland 13.
At Cleveland -1.5 NY Jets 38.5
In a rematch of the first-ever MNF game in ’70, “Broadway Joe” returns to Cleveland…wait a minute, that’s the wrong script. Where the hell is Howard? He certainly had an uncanny knack of interjecting himself into a story. Too bad he won’t be in the broadcast booth this week, because he’d be all over the NY Jets like white on rice. So, in honor of Howard, we’ll just have to “tell it like it is”. Roll tape…In 3…2…1: The Jets have surpassed everyone’s expectations this year, and right now, they’re playing with the house’s coin, there’s absolutely no pressure on them to go out and do anything but kick ass and have some fun. Still, their pass defense is deficient and they’ve been giving up a lot of fourth quarter points. Meanwhile, while New Englanders hold Coach Crennel in high regard, he hasn’t shown that he’s the next Paul Brown on the Cleveland sideline. They can’t run the ball, and other than beating the pitiful Raiders (doesn’t that phrase sound just perfect), they’ve been awful. The gut says, “Go Brownies!” The head says:
Projected Final Score: NY Jets 23, Cleveland 17.
At Denver -2.5 Indianapolis 39.5
Unstoppable Indy goes to Mile High to meet the Immovable Broncs. Should be the marquee match up for the day. The numbers don’t mean much, it is a matter of whether Indy can win on the road against a very tough defense. If they can’t the result will be far more telling than any score. What say you?
Projected Final Score: Indianapolis 24, Denver 20.
At Carolina -5.5 Dallas 41
Spare the drama, Romo or Bledsoe, it won’t matter a great deal. Dallas O-Line is aptly considered as the “Swiss Cheese Guard”. Peppers and the Carolina D just can’t wait.
Projected Final Score: Carolina 27, Dallas 21.
posted by Richard | 2:22 PM
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