Week 8 - In the league where they play for pay...
New York Giants vs. Miami (London, England)
So does the AFC superiority over the NFC apply to this game too? I didn't think so. Let's pretend for a second that instead of the Dolphins, the Giants were playing an elite NFL team like the Colts, in London this week. Now lets also imagine that Peyton Manning, Bob Sanders, and Joseph Addai were all out with injuries AND that the Colts had just traded away Marvin Harrison. The Colts would probably have no chance right? Now imagine an 0-7 team that just lost its starting QB (Trent Green), franchise running back (Ronnie Brown), 2nd best defensive player (Zach Thomas) and traded away its #1 wide receiver (Chris Chambers). How in the world would an abysmal team be able to recover from 4 devastating personnel losses when a Super Bowl champion would have no chance? Since I'm not sure Miami will score 9.5 points I guess there's no way they can cover 9.5 points, unless they shut the Giants out. But who's going to tackle Brandon Jacobs with Zach Thomas on the sidelines? Prediction #1 about this game - Jason Taylor will celebrate after a garbage time defensive TD for the 2nd week in a row with his team down 21+ points. 2) Jeremey Shockey will celebrate after a garbage time First Down brings the Giants one step closer to going back up by 28... Giants (-9.5)
Indianapolis @ Carolina
Vinny Testaverde will make his 2nd start of the season for the Panthers. It should be interesting watching a 43 year old QB try to escape from the grasp of two of the fastest defensive ends in football in Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis. BUT the Colts certainly have more than a few factors working against them this weekend. After a playing a physical Jacksonville team last week on Monday Night Football, Indy must travel to Carolina on short rest and with a day less of preparation. Plus, the Panthers D-Line led by Julius Peppers, has the ability to be one of the most disruptive front-4's in all of football. If Peppers and company are on point, this may force Manning's new favorite safety valve Dallas Clark in to pass protection in obvious throwing downs. Then factor in a banged-up Marvin "Don't call me William Henry" Harrison, who has not looked like the future hall of famer we have grown accustomed to seeing, and Manning will potentially have two less open options to go to when the pocket is collapsing around him. Did I mention that Carolina is also coming off a Week 7 bye? And then there's always the look-ahead potential of playing the Patriots in Week 9. Panthers (+7)
Jacksonville @ Tampa Bay
You know things are bleak at the QB position for the Jaguars when their injured starter from East Carolina University is being replaced by a QB from Florida A&M who is being backed up by a QB from St. Cloud State. In other news, Jacksonville has just signed a Senior from a local high school as the emergency third string QB in case Quinn "You know if I'm starting things are" Gray and Todd Bouman are both hurt against Tampa. So, I'll take Garcia and Gruden with no running back and an injured Michael "Not the George Clooney Movie" Clayton at home, OVER the short rest, Division I-AA All-Star QB combo and the Jack Del Rio led Jaguar team. Buccaneers (-3.5)
Washington @ New England
How many times this week do you think 'skins safeties Sean "Don't call me Zachary" Taylor and LaRon "Don't call me Tom" Landry saw the highlights of Randy Moss catching 2 bombs over the Miami secondary? I wonder if they saw also saw Donte Stallworth and Wes Welker score touchdowns all on receiving yards after the catch? Something tells me the Washington secondary will have their collective minds on something other than aiding the Redskins' run defense. Expect a health Maroney to run wild, as the field opens up from the paranoia caused by the New England wideouts. And if all else fails: Joe Gibbs and Jason Campbell against Brady and Belichick. Pats (-16)
Buffalo @ New York Jets
I've picked the Jets to win or cover every week and I've been disappointed 6 weeks out of 7. So if I pick against them does my karma get reversed? Bills (+3)
Cleveland @ St. Louis
The Rams get stud running back Steven Jackson back but lose Pro Bowl defensive end Leonard "Officer, I only drank a.." Little to injury. This kills my fantasy DWI team but is a major plus for a solid Cleveland offensive attack that will probably be aided more by the St. Louis turf than harmed by the crowd noise. With the 2nd pick in 2008 NFL Draft, the St. Louis Rams select Jake Long, Offensive Tackle - University of Michigan. Browns (-3)
Green Bay @ Denver *Monday Night Football*
I know it's been 2 weeks since the Packers have played, but the way Brett Favre quarterbacked against the Redskins in the 4th quarter with the lead was totally irresponsible. He cannot be chucking passes across his body into coverage with the lead at the end of the game. I guess that's just Brett playing like a kid, right Chris Berman? With that said, when the Broncos play on Sunday or Monday night the result always seems to be the same - Jason Elam game winning field goal through the thin Rocky Mountain air as time expires. So with the line at 3 points I'm going to go against the odds and try to nail it exactly... (PUSH)
Detroit (-5) @ Chicago - The NFC's 2 Jeckyll & Hyde teams face off.
Oakland @ Tennessee (-7.5) - Oakland's 2.3 yds/carry vs KC = X vs Haynesworth.
Eagles @ Minnesota (+1.5) - Peterson gets more than 12 carries @ home.
Pittsburgh (-3.5) @ Cincinnati - Even the Jets scored 31 against Cincy!!
New Orleans (-2.5) @ San Francisco - 49ers have lost 4 straight after starting 2-0
Houston @ San Diego - I'll know when you know...
Last Week (5-9-0) - Season Total (50-44-9)
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