Week 8 Picks

Before I breakout with a verse of "ewww that smell" I'll vent slightly. The Cards should just start giving back the money to their ticket holders after the two most pathetic showing that an alleged football team could have. I know my colleague has dubbed the Niners as the team that offiically sucks, but I disagree. If my daughter the incredibly loyal Princess Katie who lives in Arizona, has sworn them off (and has smartly become a Vikings fan) you know things are bad. I nominate the Cards as the team that officially sucks. Even the sorry Raid-uhs can sneer at them Do you think that now the Raid-uhs are off the winless schneid that members of the last two teams to go winless The '82 Baltimore Colts (0-8-1) and the '76 Buccaneers (0-14) are popping some MD 20/20 or Wild Irish Rose??? But I digress... In any case your humble scribe will attempt bounce back from his first losing week of the season, submitted for your review and approval are my picks for week 8 Not like anyone will really miss them but Buffalo (2-5); Detroit (1-6); Miami (1-6); Washington (2-5) have a bye this week

Sunday, October 29

Cardinals (1-6) @ Packers (2-4)
Lambeau Field, Green Bay WI-1:00 (FOX)
Favorite- Packers by 3
Its A Fact-These teams have played each other 68 times in their histories
Needless to say the Packers are catching the shuffled Cards at the right time, and while are not a world beater they have juuust enough to beat the Cards who can't catch a break right now. Larry Fitzgerald's health is a key factor. If he's healthy he gives Matt Lineart another option in picking on the Pack's very weak secondary. If Fitz can't go. Anquan Boldin might struggle. As much as a detest the Pack I can't seem them losing at home in the frozen tundra.
Pick-Green Bay

Falcons (4-2) @ Bengals (4-2)
Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati-1:00 (FOX)
Favorite-Bengals by 4.5
Just The Facts- The Bengals have won 9 straight at home vs NFC opponents. The Falcons play their first outdoor game since week 1 at Carolina.
The Bengals may have picked themselves off the mat with their gritty, gutty win over the Panthers, I doubt that the Falcons can drop 41 on them, but the Bengals had better be prepared to stop the Falcons top notch run game or Michael Vick and Warrick Dunn will make life miserable for the Bengals faithful. I'm betting that Chad Johnson will eschew the SI cover jinx that has already stung the Bengals once theis season and have a breakout game.
Pick-Cincinnati

Ravens (4-2) @ Saints (5-1)
Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans-1:00 (CBS)
Favorite-Saints by 2.5
Its A Fact- The Saints are giving up 4.9 yards a carry
The Ravens will bring a tough D to face the Saints who seem to have an answer for everything. I'm still not a believer but if the Saints can keep it close, funny things can happen. As long as the Ravens make big plays on D and keep the rowdy Superdome crowd out of it, they should be okay, but thats a big if...
Pick-Baltimore

Texans (2-4) @ Titans (1-5)
LP Field, Nashville-1:00 (CBS)
Favorite Titans by 3
Its A Fact-The schedule makers must not like the Texans 5 of their next 6 games including this first of the next three are on the road.
Both teams are looking for rare back to back wins and both are looking to build off of stunning upsets of '05 playoff teams. The maturity of Vince Young has surprised many with the exception of this humble scribe. I want to pick the plucky Texans who startled the Jags with an impressive showing, but I can't see 'em doing the deed on the road.
Pick-Tennessee

Jaguars (3-3) @ Eagles (4-3)
Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia-1:00 (CBS)
Favorite-Eagles by 6
Just the Facts-This the Jags first trip to Philly. The Eagles are 15-6 vs the AFC since 2000
Both teams are coming off of stinging road losses, and both need a win in light of their respective brutal 2nd half schedules. The Jags need to establish their running game early to slow the Eagles, who are averaging 31 points per game at home. If the redoubtable Donavan McNabb is able to stand tall in the pocket, a real possible given the Jags depleted pass rush. He could bolster his league leading passing stats.
Pick- Philadelphia

Seahawks (4-2) @ Chiefs (3-3)
Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City-1:00 (FOX) Favorite -No LineIts A Fact The Seahawks are 8-8 vs the AFC since being switched to the NFC in 2002This game might resemble a MASH unit with the Seahawks missing Matt Hasseleck and Shaun Alexander and the Chiefs still without Trent Green. Seneca Wallace has some skills but to ask him to make his 1st career start against the Chiefs in the delirium that is Arrowhead is asking way too much. As long as the Chiefs avoid sloppy turnovers and establish the running game, they will have their way
Pick-Kansas City

49ers (2-4) @ Bears (6-0)
Soldier Field, Chicago-1:00 (FOX)
Favorite-Bears by 15.5
Its A Fact-The Niners have allowed 10+ points in their last 47 consecutive games Both teams are well rested after a bye week, but the Bears have all the answers and won't let a team sneak up and punch them in the mouth like the Cards did for the better part of 3 quarters in week 6. I'm not ready to fully believe in Rex Grossman, but he won't have as many problems as he did against the Cards. The Niners are woeful on the road and this is the last team that a bad road team needs to go against.
Pick-Chicago

Buccaneers (2-4) @ Giants (4-2)
Giants Stadium; East Rutherford, NJ-1:00 (FOX)
Favorite-Giants by 9 I
ts A Fact-This is the Bucs first trip to Giants Stadium since 1997, the only time they have won there
The G-Men are looking like the team to beat in the NFC East after their dismantling of Dallas last Monday, but the loss of Lavar Arrington to a season ending Achilles tear will be costly. The Bucs are trying to salvage their season after a horrid start, but the miracle endings stop in the Jersey swamplands. The over under on bad Tiki/Ronde Barber confrontation comments is 5.
Pick-New York Giants

Rams (4-2) @ Chargers (4-2)
Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego-4:05 (FOX)
Favorite-Chargers by 8.5 Its A Fact-Both teams once played in Los Angeles at the Coliseum. The Rams played there much longer (1946-79) before moving to Anaheim then St. Louis but the Chargers also played there one season (1960) before fleeing south to San Diego.
The Chargers are looking to rebound after a tough road loss at Kansas City. The Rams on paper look to be a formidable opponent offensively and their best chance to win is to try to make it an offensive shootout and make the Chargers throw the ball more. But to be honest that is becoming less and less a viable option as Philip Rivers is rapidly gaining Marty Schottenheimer's trust as a bona fide field general. If the Rams make a mistake and the Chargers get a lead, forget it. LT and Marty ball will pound a weak Rams D.
Pick-San Diego

Colts (6-0) @ Broncos (5-1)
Invesco Field @ Mile High, Denver-4:15 (CBS)
Favorite-Broncos by 2.5
Its A Fact-The Broncos are 6-1 vs the Colts at home
The weeks best matchup by far, the Colts electric offense against the Broncos super stingy defense. Both teams are on long winning streaks and have imposed their will against their previous opponents. But critics have knocked them for beating on weak competition. If the Colts defense can force Jake Plummer, who is playing behind a revamped O-line, into mistakes they will get more chances to crack the formidable Bronco D. Given enough chances Peyton Manning will get his. But if the Broncos can control the clock via the run, Manning will have fewer chances. Despite manning's success against them, its just so hard to pick against the Broncos at home.
Pick-Denver

Jets (4-3) @ Browns (1-5) Browns Stadium, Cleveland-4:15 (CBS)
Favorite- Browns by 1.5
Its A Fact-The Browns and Jets played the 1st Monday Night game in 1970
Somebody tell me why the sad sack Browns keep getting late day games??? Enough with the rants, the Jets while not flashy have beaten the teams they need to and sport a winning record. The Browns have a decent enough defense their offense has been abysmal. The Jets need only to establish their running game, which has come on strong as of late, and wait for the Browns to tire.Pick-New York Jets

Steelers (2-4) @ Raiders (1-5)
McAfee Coliseum, Oakland-4:15 (CBS)
Favorite-Steelers by 9
Its A Fact- This is the Steelers first trip to Oakland since 1995
Remember when this was a marquee AFC matchup? Now its just another matchup between weak teams, the Rai-duhs despite getting off the winless island are still a mess. The Steelers have more questions than a Dateline NBC reporter, but regardless of who starts at QB they have more than enough to throttle the hapless team in the East Bay. Let the Steelers are back chants resume.
Pick-Pittsburgh-(lock of the week)

Cowboys (3-3) @ Panthers (4-2)
Bank Of America Stadium, Charlotte-8:15 (NBC)
Favorite- Panthers by 3
Its A Fact- The Cowboys are 5-1 vs Panthers in the regular season while the Panthers have won both postseason meetings.The Pokes are self-destructing and its not even TO's doing. The Tuna has finally grown impatient with Drew Bledsoe and has decided to bank on Tony Romo. Too bad the kid has to face a Panthers D, angry over a late loss in Cincy. With the Cowboys porous offense line getting beat down by the Giants, Julius Peppers and Mike Rucker have to be drooling. Hopefully, Romo has learned how to duck.
Pick-Carolina

Monday, October 23
Patriots (5-1) @ Vikings (4-2)
HHH Metrodome, Minneapolis- 8:30 ESPN
Favorite-Patriots by 2.5 Its A Fact- The Vikings have yet to give up 20 points in any game, the Pats have scored 20 or more points in all but one of their wins scoring 19 in that win.
The Vikes solid defense will get a real test against the hard charging running game that the Patriots bring. The key is the Vikings ability to move the ball themeselves. Whichever team can establish their offensive will, controls the game. Against my better judgement, I give the home team the slightest of edges.
Pick-Minnesota

Last Week 5-8 (Yeesh)
Overall-64-36