Week 8 Predictions

Last week was a better week for your girl finishing with a 9-5 record. Let's see if we can improve upon that this week..let's get started.

Buffalo Bills (0-6) vs Kansas City Chiefs (4-2)

Bills are a terrible team who lost a close one last week against the Ravens in Baltimore. Surprisingly for as bad as they are their QB Ryan Fitzgerald has played fantastic. His overall passer rating so far this season is 102.2% with 11 TDs and only 4 INTs. His go to WR Steve Johnson has 372 yds and 5 TDs and WR Lee Evans has 286 yds and 4 TDs so far. They lack a great running game with RB Fred Jackson only having rushed for 1 TD and rookie RB C.J. Spiller having none thus far. Bills defense tends to let them down late in games. Bills will need to address their defense problems to get wins this season. Chiefs come in off a smack down of the Jaguars at home. They are atop the terrible AFC West divison. This is largely due to the play of QB Matt Cassel. Last week Cassel finished with a 144.0% passer rating by completing 13 of 18 for 193 yds and 2 TDs with WR Dwayne Bowe receiving both of them. RB Jamaal Charles rushed 15 times for 71 yds and 1 TD. The Chiefs have been suprisingly efficient on defense. While I expect Bills to win 1 in the near future with Chiefs playing as well as they are right now, I dont think this will be that week. Prediction: Chiefs

Carolina Panthers (1-5) vs St. Louis Rams (3-4)

Panthers got their 1st win of the season last week by beating the 49ers at home. QB Matt Moore finished with 308 yds, 2 TDs and 1 INT with WR David Gettis catching both of his TDs. Panthers have a decent defense it has been their offense that has been struggling with unreliable QBs and unhealthy WRs. They will need to address these issues to finish with a .500 season. Rams lost a close one last week to the Bucs in Tampa Bay. Despite this loss, QB Sam Bradford played well finishing with 126 yds and 2 TDs with WR Danny Amendola receiving 1 of them. RB Steven Jackson finished with 110 yds on 22 carries. The Rams defense have not had a big breakout game this season. They may have the potential for that this week against a weak Panthers offense. Prediction: Rams

Denver Broncos (2-5) vs San Francisco 49ers (1-6)

Broncos suffered an embarassing beat down at home to the Raiders last week. QB Kyle Orton completed just 12 of 29 for 198 yds, 2 TDs and 1 INT. He was the lone bright spot in the debacle. Broncos defense has been disappointing and pathetic. If they do not turn around things fast they will finish last in the weak AFC West division. 49ers come in off a loss last week to the then winless Panthers. This week they are starting QB Troy Smith in place of the injured Alex Smith. Troy hasnt played since week 15 of the '09 season for the Ravens. 49ers will need to rely heavily on their running game behind RB Frank Gore who rushed for 102 yds last week. 49ers defense has late game breakdowns and may be the undoing of head coach Singletary if they dont play more proficient. Both of these teams are utter disappointments and I dont expect a great game. Prediction: Broncos

Washington Redskins (4-3) vs Detroit Lions (1-5)

Redskins come in off a shocking win against the Bears at home last week. Despite the win the offense looked stagnant. It was the defense behind the 4 INTs of CB DeAngelo Hall that stepped up big for them and got them the W. In the game QB Donovan McNabb threw for only 200 yds 1 TD and 2 INTs. RB Ryan Torain rushed for 125 yds but also fumbled the ball twice (1 for a turnover). Redskins need their offense to score more points or it's going to be another disappointing ending to their season. Lions come in off their bye last week. This week they look to have QB Matthew Stafford back from a shoulder injury in the season opener. There is also hope for the return of RB Jahvid Best and WRs Calvin and Brian Johnson who have been hampered with injuries as well. Lions have a terrible secondary but a strong D line. Giving up the deep passes has been their biggest problem. Redskins will need to exploit this weakness with long passes from McNabb if they want to win this game. Prediction: Redskins

Green Bay Packers (4-3) vs New York Jets (5-1)

Packers come in off a win against division rival Vikings at home last week. QB Aaron Rodgers had a rough game completing 21 of 34 for 295 yds and 2 TDs but also 2 INTs. WR Greg Jennings had 6 receptions for 74 yds and RB Brandon Jackson had 13 rushes for 58 yds and 1 TD. Packers D plays well against the pass but they are weak against the run. Whether the eventual return of CBs Atari Bigby and Al Harris will help in that area remains a question with no answer. Jets come in off their bye last week. Their last game was a win in Denver in which QB Mark Sanchez struggled. He completed just 17 of 30 for 198 yds, 1 TD and 2 INTs. RB LaDainian Tomlinson rushed 16 times for 55 yds and 2 TDs. Jets defense has played extremely solid with CB Antonio Cromartie playing superb while CB Darrelle Revis has been plagued with a hamstring injury. This will be a big challenge for them this week. Prediction: Jets

Miami Dolphins (3-3) vs Cincinnati Bengals (2-4)

Dolphins come in off a last minute controversial loss to the Steelers last week at home. QB Chad Henne finished with a 94.3% passer rating by completing 23 of 36 for 257 yds and 1 TD with WR Davone Bess catching the lone TD. Dolphins pass defense is subpar but their run defense is superb. Dolphins are winless at home and undefeated on the road. They need to work out this problem quickly. Bengals are a team big on talent and low on wins. They are coming in off a loss last week to the Falcons in Atlanta. Despite this QB Carson Palmer had 1 of his best games of the season so far completing 36 of 50 for 412 yds and 3 TDs. WRs Chad Ochocinco had 10 catches for 108 yds and 1 TD and Terrell Owens had 9 catches for 88 yds and 1 TD too. They need more play from their running game; RB Cedric Benson has only 2 TDs so far this season. Bengals defense is mediocre and playing with an inconsistency that is hurting them tremendously. This may be a good test for them this week. Prediction: Dolphins

Jacksonville Jaguars (3-4) vs Dallas Cowboys (1-5)

Jaguars come in off a crushing loss against the Chiefs in Kansas City. They are expecting the return of QB David Garrard who was recovering from a concussion suffered in week 5. He will need his RB Maurice Jones-Drew to produce; Drew has only scored 1 TD so far this season. Jags defense is terrible. This team is not playing well on either side of the ball and may potentially finish dead last in the AFC South division. Cowboys come in off a loss to the Giants at home last week. To make matters worse they lost their starting QB Tony Romo for 8 weeks with a broken left clavicle. This means they will be starting the veteran QB Jon Kitna. WR Dez Bryant had a breakout game last week scoring 2 receiving TDs and 1 punt return TD, but how he will fair with Kitna has yet to be determined. They have a running back by committee system with Barber, Jones, and Choice that has not had a breakout game. Their defense has not been able to save them from the mistakes on offense. On paper this is 1 of the most impressive teams in the league but the reality is they are not playing up to the high expectations put on them in preseason. There is no cohesiveness and they lack discipline which has cost them dearly in penalties. With Romo gone this season may be a wash for them. Prediction: Jaguars

Tennessee Titans (5-2) vs San Diego Chargers (2-5)

Titans come in off an impressive win against the Eagles last week at home. With QB Vince Young out, QB Kerry Collins stepped in and had a big game finishing with 276 yds, 3 TDs and 2 INTs. WR Kenny Britt had his breakout game finishing with 7 receptions for 225 yds and all 3 of Collins' TDs. RB Chris Johnson was held under 70 yds for the game. Titans defense has played well in their 5 wins and need a big game this week if they hope to win. Chargers are off to their ususal slow start. They are coming in off a loss last week to the Patriots at home. QB Phillip Rivers completed 34 of 50 for 336 yds, 1 TD and 1 INT with TE Antonio Gates catching his only TD pass. RB Mike Tolbert rushed for 1 additional TD. Chargers run defense will need a big game to stop Chris Johnson. With Young questionable for this game Johnson may be relied on more heavily. Prediction: Chargers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-2) vs Arizona Cardinals (3-3)

Bucs come in off a close win against the Rams last week. QB Josh Freeman completed 23 of 40 for 212 yds and 1 TD. His running game behind RB LeGarrette Blount is making improvements each week. Bucs defense is 31st against the run so need to make vast improvements to stay a half game behind the Falcons in the NFC South. Cardinals are coming in off a loss to the Seahawks last week in Seattle. QB Max Hall is expected to return this week after being out last week recovering from a concussion. His back-up Derek Anderson managed just 96 yds of passing. Cardinals run defense is ranked 29th so this is a battle of 2 teams who will need to air it out to win. Prediction: Buccaneers

Minnesota Vikings (2-4) vs New England Patriots (5-1)

Vikings come in off a loss last week to the Packers in Green Bay. QB Brett Favre is questionable for this game suffering from a fractured ankle and heel bone on his left foot. Last week he looked horrible completing just 16 of 29 for 212 yds with 1 TD and 3 INTs. He has been hampered by injuries and plagued by poor throwing decisions. If he is unable to start QB Tavaris Jackson will get the start. Jackson hasnt played since last season. Meanwhile RB Adrian Peterson has been a bright spot for the struggling Vikes. Last week he rushed 28 times for 131 yds and 1 TD. Their defense is much better than their record indicates. Patriots come in off a win last week against the Chargers in San Diego. QB Tom Brady finished with a 82.7% passer rating by completing 19 of 32 for 159 yds and 1 TD. RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis rushed for 1 additional TD. Patriots only weakness on defense is leaving receivers wide open in the middle of the field which if they arent careful will cost them dearly with WR Randy Moss looking to avenge his trade. This should be a good game. Prediction: Patriots

Seattle Seahawks (4-2) vs Oakland Raiders (3-4)

Seahawks come in off a good win against division rival Cardinals at home last week. QB Matt Hasselback is a mid-level quarterback who is good but not great. His 75.0% QB rating means his numbers are not overwhelming but he does enough to get the W most weeks. Last week he completed 20 of 38 for 192 yds and 1 TD with WR Mike Williams catching the lone TD. Their running game has improved with the addition of RB Marshawn Lynch to compliment Justin Forsett. Seattle needs to improve their run defense but otherwise have been pretty good. Raiders are coming in off an absolute smackdown butt kicking of division rival Broncos in Denver last week. QB Jason Campbell finished with his highest passer rating of the season so far at 127.9% by completing 12 of 20 for 204 yds and 2 TDs with TE Zach Miller receiving 3 passes for 65 yds and 1 of Campbell's TDs. RB Darren McFadden had an outstanding game rushing for 165 yds on 16 carries and 3 TDs. Raiders defense has looked good the last 2 weeks so need to step up to stay in 2nd in the AFC West division. Prediction: Seahawks

Pittsburgh Steelers (5-1) vs New Orleans Saints (4-3)

Steelers are coming in off a controversial close win against the Dolphins in Miami last week. QB Ben Roethlisberger finished with a qb rating of 132.0% by completing 19 of 27 for 302 yds and 2 TDs. WR Mike Wallace had 2 receptions for 53 yds and 1 TD and WR Hines Ward had 7 receptions for 131 yds and another TD. Steelers have the #4 rated defense in the league and have looked unstoppable each week. Saints are coming in off an embarassing loss to the then winless Browns. QB Drew Brees finished with his worst qb rating of the season so far at 65.8% by throwing just 2 TDs and 4 INTs with WR Marques Colston receiving 10 catches for 112 yds and 1 of those TDs. Saints are in hopes of the return of RB Reggie Bush this week. The running game has been sorely missed. Saints defense need a big game if they hope to win this one. Prediction: Steelers

Houston Texans (4-2) vs Indianapolis Colts (4-2)

Texans are coming in off a bye last week. Last game out was a win against the Chiefs at home. In that game QB Matt Schaub completed 25 of 33 for 305 yds and 2 TDs. WR Andre Johnson had 8 receptions for 138 yds and 1 TD and RB Arian Foster had 18 rushes for 71 yds and 2 TDs. Texans defense plays best against the run but will need to really have a big game this week against the pass. Colts are coming in off a bye last week as well. Their last game out was a win against the Redskins in Washington. In that game QB Peyton Manning completed 25 of 38 for 307 yds and 2 TDs with WR Austin Collie catching 1 of those. RB Joseph Addai had 17 rushes for 128 yds and 1 TD. Colts defense has played well even with the loss of all but 1 of their starters in the secondary. They will be tested this week with the running game of the Texans. This will be a great AFC South battle but hard to pick against the Colts at home. Prediction: Colts