NFL - Week Eight predictions

Another tumultuous week for Dallas finds the Cowboys falling at the hands of the Rams, who have now knocked off two NFC East powers in a row. Brett Favre has been accused of telling the Lions how to beat the Packers. Well, it didn't help them if he did. But the main stories coming into week eight are injuries. The Patriots lost two starters and the Saints lost a star running back. On a positive note, the Eagles get back Bryan Westbrook this week.

As for our experts, Kevin's lead just seems to keep on growing. An astounding 12-2 week finds him up by eight picks heading into week eight. Anshul has pulled slightly ahead of Sean, but we have yet to reach the halfway point in the season. Kevin is on a hot streak right now. Can Anshul or Sean cool him off or will he continue to burn?

Standings:

	This week	Season total
Anshul	10-4	61-41
Kevin	12-2	69-33
Sean	8-6	59-43

Sunday October 26, 2008

Oakland Raiders (2-4) at Baltimore Ravens (3-3)

Anshul	Kevin	Sean
Baltimore	Baltimore	Baltimore

Anshul says:
The Ravens look to be on the rise. Joe Flacco is cutting down on his turnovers and it's helping put points on the board to support the Ravens' defense.

Kevin says:
The Raiders got lucky last week against the unfortunate Jets. The Ravens are getting better after a pretty lousy start. I feel that the winner of this game will be the team that wants it more.

Sean says:
The Ravens are making me look bad whenever I pick against them. Harrumph.

Arizona Cardinals (4-2) at Carolina Panthers (5-2)

Anshul	Kevin	Sean
Arizona	Carolina	Carolina

Anshul says:
Both these teams are looking strong this season. But with Kurt Warner playing some amazing football and the Cardinals beating the Cowboys recently, I think I'll hop aboard the Cardinal Express.

Kevin says:
The Panthers completely blew out the Saints last week and should easily dispose of the overrated Cardinals. Steve Smith is beast.

Sean says:
The Panthers are a beast team that no one thinks much about; hopefully a string of wins in their favor will change this.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-2) at Dallas Cowboys (4-3)

Anshul	Kevin	Sean
Tampa Bay	Tampa Bay	Dallas

Anshul says:
I talked to the Football Gods yesterday. They told me there is a shift in power in the NFC East. Dallas is like a soap opera - too much drama, no success.

Kevin says:
It would be a shocker if the Cowboys, coming off two straight losses, end up with an even .500 record. But life needs some thrills, and the Buccaneers look like the ones who will give them (not the improbable Rams).

Sean says:
I also talked to the Football Gods yesterday and they said that they punished Dallas for not getting Texas Stadium built fast enough. The Rams had Divine Intervention, the Buccaneers do not. DALLAS. ALL DAY, EVERYDAY.

Washington Redskins (5-2) at Detroit Lions (0-6)

Anshul	Kevin	Sean
Washington	Washington	Detroit

Anshul says:
If the Skins don't do what they did against the Rams, they should be fine.

Kevin says:
The Redskins need to step up on offense and not punt so many times. The Lions are terrible. BLOWOUT OF THE WEEK.

Sean says:
If the Rams can do it, why not Detroit?

Buffalo Bills (5-1) at Miami Dolphins (2-4)

Anshul	Kevin	Sean
Buffalo	Buffalo	Buffalo

Anshul says:
The Bills keep rolling and the Dolphins - well, they're better than last season, at least. But Buffalo is possibly the most well-balanced team in the NFL right now and that is why they are so successful.

Kevin says:
The Dolphins have been playing slightly better over the past few games, but the Bills should be able to easily put them away. I'm liking this 5-1 Bills team under J.P. Losman.

Sean says:
I bet against the Bills at least five times. Since this season's theme seems to be inconsistency, I'll put my money on Buffalo.

St. Louis Rams (2-4) at New England Patriots (4-2)

Anshul	Kevin	Sean
St. Louis	St. Louis	St. Louis

Anshul says:
Are the Rams for real? The Patriots and Sammy Morris showed they don't need Laurence Maroney. But with safety Rodney Harrison out for possibly the rest of his career, I have to bet on the Rams here.

Kevin says:
We've seen a vast improvement of the Rams team in the past two weeks. Steven Jackson is getting back to his prime. However, the Patriots just crushed the Chargers in a true blowout. I predict an upset.

Sean says:
The Rams and the Browns are turning into the most variable teams in the league. The Patriots are well on their way to hitting rock bottom.

San Diego Chargers (3-4) at New Orleans Saints (3-4)

Anshul	Kevin	Sean
San Diego	New Orleans	San Diego

Anshul says:
Without Reggie Bush in the backfield, it'll take a miracle for the Saints to win this one.

Kevin says:
There are some major problems in both of these teams. They need to learn how to obtain early leads and close out their opponents. Without Bush, the Saints are going to have to make some changes to their offense. But Drew Brees should be able to crush.

Sean says:
Saintliness can't stop L.T.

Kansas City Chiefs (1-5) at New York Jets (3-3)

Anshul	Kevin	Sean
New York	New York	New York

Anshul says:
The Chiefs have no bright spots in their season. The Jets, well at least they get more publicity now.

Kevin says:
I feel sorry for the fans of the Chiefs, as their team is pretty terrible. The Chiefs are not quite as bad as last year's Dolphins, but they're going to have difficulties salvaging an 8-8 final record against a pretty tough schedule. Brett Favre needs to retire after this regular season because they won't make the playoffs.

Sean says:
Blowout of the week.

Atlanta Falcons (4-2) at Philadelphia Eagles (3-3)

Anshul	Kevin	Sean
Philadelphia	Philadelphia	Atlanta

Anshul says:
Brian Westbrook is coming back this week and what does that mean for the Falcons? Bad news for the Falcons.

Kevin says:
I'm surprised that the Eagles have an even record. The Falcons have been improving, but nevertheless still not as good as Donovan McNabb. The Eagles should win it at home.

Sean says:
The battle for the skies, minus the Seahawks and Cardinals. This game would've been great if Michael Vick were still here. But the Falcons have been playing very well without their QB (unlike the Patriots or even the Cow - never mind).

Cleveland Browns (2-4) at Jacksonville Jaguars (3-3)

Anshul	Kevin	Sean
Jacksonville	Jacksonville	Jacksonville

Anshul says:
I had a bit of faith in Cleveland for a while, but not over the Jags.

Kevin says:
After an embarrassing loss to the Redskins, the Browns will likely suffer. The Jaguars can definitely play better if they learn how to be consistent. I hope this is some sort of turning point for both teams to make things interesting.

Sean says:
Is it just me or is Jacksonville an incredibly boring team? They'll win, no question, but they're amazingly boring.

Cincinnati Bengals (0-7) at Houston Texans (2-4)

Anshul	Kevin	Sean
Houston	Houston	Houston

Anshul says:
The Bengals keep on waiting (waiting), waiting for the season to end.

Kevin says:
Andre Johnson is good, no doubt. Too bad the Bengals are terrible. This game might be really one-sided or boring.

Sean says:
The Bengals remind me of Kevin Teng's social graces.

New York Giants (5-1) at Pittsburgh Steelers (5-1)

Anshul	Kevin	Sean
Pittsburgh	New York	New York

Anshul says:
Two stellar defenses. Two great quarterbacks. Two great teams. The Redskins fan in me wants the Giants to lose here.

Kevin says:
Really excellent game here. I hope to see the Giants win, because that would make the division interesting.

Sean says:
The Steelers have been winning games by inches and the Giants by leaps and bounds. Though the Giants had a mind numbing loss to the Browns, they aren't as bad as this game would make them appear.

Seattle Seahawks (1-5) at San Francisco 49ers (2-5)

Anshul	Kevin	Sean
Seattle	San Francisco	Seattle

Anshul says:
I don't even know here; both teams have been disappointing. I'll give it to the Seahawks on the road because I have faith in their defense.

Kevin says:
The Seahawks are okay, but not good. It's the same story with the Niners. The Niners have improved so far this year even though the Seahawks have not.

Sean says:
Where'd you go? They miss you so. It's like it's been forever that you've been gone. Please come back to the west coast, Zorn.

Monday October 27, 2008

Indianapolis Colts (3-3) at Tennessee Titans (6-0)

Anshul	Kevin	Sean
Tennessee	Tennessee	Tennessee

Anshul says:
Even last season, this match-up was really intriguing, with both teams pretty even. Now, though, the Titans have the edge. When LenDale White and Chris Johnson both have 100-yards rushing in the same game, you know the Titans are for real.

Kevin says:
The Titans are incredible this year and the Colts are incredibly inconsistent. I'd like to see Lendale White tear the Colts' defense a new hole.

Sean says:
The Titans are quite clearly the beast team this year. The Colts are still getting into a groove.