Week 7 Recap/Week 8 Preview:

For the Week/Season:
vs. W/L: (8-5)/(75-28)
vs. ATS: (7-6)/(62-41)
vs. Aggregate: (6-7)/(46-57)

ATS Vs. “The Sportsline Experts”:
PFN: 62-41-0
Richard 59-44-0
Judge 58-45-0
Harmon 57-46-0
Urbano 52-51-0
Prisco 49-54-0
Madden 48-55-0

W/L vs. “USA Today Experts”:
Pete O'Brien 76-27
PFN: 75-28
Nate Davis 73-30
Sean Leahy 72-31
Gary Mihoces 69-34
Tom Pedulla 67-36
Jarrett Bell 66-37
Jim Corbett 65-38
Skip Wood 62-41

Week 8 Preview:

At Ravens -3.5 Denver 42

The undefeated Broncos are coming off a bye and will face a stiff test coming east to face the Ravens. This is a game that the Ravens absolutely need to win to stay in the AFC North race, because if they falter here, they’ll fall to 3-4 and that’ll make for tough sledding moving forward. Both defenses are very good, especially against the run but the Ravens are desperate for a victory and therein lies the difference.

Projected Final Score: Ravens 24, Denver 20
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At Chicago -13.5 Cleveland 40

This is the sort of game that makes prognosticators wretch. The Bears were totally smoked last week in Cincinnati, so what gives anyone any confidence this week? Look, the Browns stink; they lost by four touchdowns at home last week. The 13 ½ is really rich for a team that has issues on both sides of the ball, but, without Jackson in the lineup, the Browns don’t have much of a defense left.

Projected Final Score: Chicago 27, Cleveland 10

Houston -3.5 At Buffalo 41.5

The Bills return home looking to rebound to .500 in a tough matchup with the Texans, who went out to a big lead against the ‘Niners only to win by a field goal. The Bills have some momentum going, having won two in a row and Ryan Fitzpatrick looks quite comfortable at the controls. The Texans’ Andre Johnson suffered a nasty injury last week and is status for this week is unclear. All things considered, going with the home team appears to be the more prudent strategy.

Projected Final Score: Buffalo 23, Houston 21

At Green Bay -3 Minnesota 47.5

This is the game that Packers’ fans have awaited ever since Favre decided to join the Vikings in August. Favre will face the wrath of the Lambeau Faithful who will treat him like a carpetbagging villain, but that probably won’t faze him all that much. The Pack had an easy tune up in Cleveland last week while the Vikes suffered their first loss of the year in Pittsburgh. It was a game that Minnesota could’ve won but turnovers killed them at the end.

Projected Final Score: Green Bay 28, Minnesota 24

At Indianapolis -12.5 San Francisco 44

Alex Smith gets his first start in ages after coming off the bench last week and almost pulling off a win in Houston. It’s too bad that Smith has to try to make a good impression against Manning and undefeated Indianapolis. While the ‘Niners D is tough against the run, Manning will simply torch the weak pass defense. Coach Singletary’s crew really doesn’t have much of a chance here.

Projected Final Score: Indianapolis 34, San Francisco 13

At NY Jets -3 Miami 40.5

The Jets return home after a smashing engagement on the Left Coast as they look to keep rolling against a Dolphin team that raced out to a big lead against the Saints only to get totally overwhelmed and blown out in the second half. But the Jets lost the dependable Leon Washington last week and that’s a crippling blow to the offense. Miami runs the ball well but the Jets are learning to cope without Kris Jenkins. This might be a long day for the Jets.

Projected Final Score: Miami 23, NY Jets 17

At Detroit -3.5 St. Louis 44

OK, so this may be the singularly worst game on the schedule this week, if not this millennium. The Lions are actually favorites to win a football game here…stop and let that thought sink in for a moment. The Lions’ coaching staff might keep the injured Matt Stafford on the bench again this week as this is a game that they could actually win even with Culpepper behind center.

Projected Final Score: Detroit 23, St. Louis 10

At Dallas -9.5 Seattle 46

Give Romo and the Cowboys credit, as they took it to the Falcons last week and look to keep rolling against an eminently beatable (and wildly inconsistent) Seahawks team, who are coming off of a bye. The question is still whether the Cowboys are capable of putting forth a consistent effort in successive weeks.

Projected Final Score: Dallas 24, Seattle 17

At San Diego -16.5 Oakland 41.5

When these teams met in Week 1 the Raiders played very well, but that seems like years ago. Coach Cable finally benched Russell. Rivers likes to throw the ball but the Raiders do have a pretty fair secondary. After their annual preseason swoon, the Chargers are making their predictable return to form…but given San Diego’s track record the 16 ½ seems to be a bit over the top.

Projected Final Score: San Diego 28, Oakland 13

At Tennessee -2.5 Jacksonville 44.5

Who will be the (0-7!) Titans’ quarterback this week? The owner has basically forced Coach Fisher’s hand to start Vince Young but the Coach hasn’t said who’ll be the man this week. At this point, it wouldn’t hurt the team to figure out whether VY can actually play quarterback in the big leagues. At a certain point the Titans have to win a game. This week is the time. Where’s the pride, guys?

Projected Final Score: Tennessee 21, Jacksonville 17

At Arizona -9.5 Carolina 41

The Cardinals are coming off a big win in the Meadowlands and are looking to put a stranglehold on the NFC West. They have the good fortune of greeting the downright awful Panthers this week. Carolina also has quarterback issues as the football gods have frowned on Delhomme and a change may be in the offing.

Projected Final Score: Arizona 28, Carolina 13

At Philadelphia -2 NY Giants 44

The Eagles return home after Monday night’s win in Washington to face a Giants’ team that has lost two in a row and Coach Coughlin’s head is probably ready to explode. The Eagles lost Brian Westbrook early on with a concussion and his availability on Sunday may be a question mark. Against the Redskins his absence wasn’t much of a problem, but McNabb needs all the weapons he can muster against the G-Men.

Projected Final Score: NY Giants 21, Philadelphia 20