NFL Predictions: Week Eight

Week Eight will be coming up this week with a lot of good match-ups this Sunday.

A re-match of the student vs. teacher matchup will be the featured contest of this week.

The Colts, Broncos and Saints all remain undefeated after Week Seven. The Vikings finally took their first loss of the season after a tough game with the Steelers.

The Titans, Rams and Buccaneers are all still win-less at 0-6 and 0-7 and are desperate for wins.

Tampa Bay is on a bye week, so they will have to wait for that day to come, but the Titans are making a change at quarterback, benching Kerry Collins and starting Vince Young.

As for St. Louis, they're bad, there is no other way around it.

Last week, I was 11-2 in Week Seven's games, losing the Giants game to the Cardinals and losing the Panthers game to the Bills. Overall for the 2009 Season, I am 75-28 and having a good season so far.

Lets take a look at the schedule for Week Eight of the NFL.

New York Giants @ Philadelphia Eagles

The Giants are on a two-game losing streak and looking for a win to stay on top of the NFC East division.

They are a little banged up this week, but Ahmad Bradshaw is expected to play with the foot injury, as is Mario Manningham, who has a shoulder injury.

The Eagles are also coming in with some key injuries. During the Monday Night Football game, Brian Westbrook took a shot to the head from a knee and suffered a concussion. His status for the game is listed as questionable. Kevin Curtis has been held out of Eagles practice and is out for the game.

Some say the Giants are riped for the picking going into Philadelphia for this game. But they actually have won their last couple meetings in Lincoln Financial Field and because the Giants will be a desperate team looking to avoid a three game losing streak, I look for Big Blue to get the win here in a very physical game.

Final Score: Giants 35, Eagles 28

Miami Dolphins @ New York Jets

What's the best medicine for losing a home overtime game? Beating up on the Raiders 38-0 on the road. That's exactly what the Jets needed to get some confidence back after losing three straight.

Unfortunately for the Jets, they lost running back Leon Washington for the season with a foot injury that was hard to watch on TV. The injury means Thomas Jones' bulk load increases and Shonn Greene's playing time increases.

The last time these two met was a couple weeks ago on Monday Night Football, and the Wildcat Offense featuring Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown ran all over the Jets defense, while Chad Henne had a breakout game.

The Jets should be looking more for the Wildcat, but can they stop Brown and Williams? Rex Ryan prepares his defenses a lot, so expect the Jets to rebound.

The last time Miami came into the Meadowlands, they ended the Jets 2008 season. Don't expect that same type of Cinderella magic to happen again.

Final Score: Jets 27, Dolphins 21

San Francisco 49ers @ Indianapolis Colts

The 49ers have lost two games in a row and are reeling after taking an early lead in the NFC West.

They are now starting Alex Smith over Shaun Hill because Smith has a stronger arm to get the ball downfield to newly signed rookie receiver Michael Crabtree, who looked good in his first game.

However, the 49ers are going into the house of the best team in the NFL and are up against the best quarterback in the NFL in Peyton Manning.

Manning and company are 6-0, they are scoring tons of touchdowns (179 points scored) while the Colts defense has been very good so far (77 points allowed).

Until someone can beat the Colts, it's hard to pick against them. I don't see the 49ers having a chance in stopping Manning and that offense.

Final Score: Colts 38, 49ers 21

Seattle Seahawks @ Dallas Cowboys

For a while, it looked like the Seahawks were getting back on track with Matt Hasselbeck back at quarterback. At 2-4, Seattle isn't exactly exploding in the NFC scene like they used to.

Their running game at times has been shut down with Julius Jones and Edgerrin James, and the passing game has had a tough time getting going, which is why they are in 3rd place in the NFC West.

After two straight wins, the Cowboys look rejuvenated. Tony Romo has found a new target in Miles Austin, who has had two breakout games and over 400 yards receiving in those games. Austin is picking up the slack of Roy Williams and Patrick Crayton, who haven't produced for Dallas.

The Cowboys have played well at home in their new stadium (2-1). Seattle is not a good team on the road and I don't expect them to play any better in Cowboys Stadium.

Final Score: Cowboys 31, Seahawks 17

St. Louis Rams @ Detroit Lions

There is no other way to say this nicely, so I'll just say it. The Rams suck.

They are 0-7. They've only scored 66 points on offense and given up 211 on defense, which is nothing short of dreadful.

I know Steve Spagnuolo deserved to be an NFL head coach, but this is just an awful situation to be put in.

Their opponents know a few things about win-less seasons, and they don't have to worry about that in 2009.

Matthew Stafford should be back for this game, which is needed for this team, because Daunte Culpepper hasn't been very good starting in his place.

The Lions are still far away from being good. But they're at least good enough to beat the Rams on Sunday.

Final Score: Lions 24, Rams 6

Denver Broncos @ Baltimore Ravens

This is an interesting match-up on the schedule and could turn into a very physical, defensive game.

The Broncos are 6-0 and have been shocking the world each week with every win. I picked Denver to be no better than 6-10, and they've already won six games and are almost a lock for the AFC West division.

They've only given up 66 points on defense, which is unbelievable under defensive coordinator Mike Nolan. This week, they will be up to the test.

After starting out 3-0 and very good early on, the Ravens have lost three in a row and are falling in the AFC North, so the Ravens will be desperate for a win.

They had last week to rest and collect their wind and get an undefeated team at home. It's so hard to pick against Denver, while the Ravens look like they can beat them. I can see this coming down to a last minute field goal.

Final Score: Broncos 23, Ravens 20

Houston Texans @ Buffalo Bills

The Texans are getting better as the schedule goes on after having a rough start to the season.

At 4-3, Matt Schaub is throwing the football better and leading Houston on their two-game winning streak.

The only thing Houston needs to improve on is their defense. They give up as many points as they score.

The Bills have been a major disappointment. They sign Terrell Owens to spark-jump the offense and he's been bad. In games where they expected him to break out, he barely even caught the ball. So far, the T.O. in Buffalo experiment has been a bust.

The Bills haven't been a good team this year and they're playing a team who can air out the football on them. This might be a long day for the Buffalo fans.

Final Score: Texans 35, Bills 14

Cleveland Browns @ Chicago Bears

How the Browns have a win this season is beyond me, because Eric Mangini has become a horrible head coach, their offense is awful, and their defense can't stop anybody.

Yet, they have a win.

That offense I referred to. Yeah, Brady Quinn was benched and probably will find a way to get out. Derek Anderson isn't playing any better and he'd probably love to leave as well. There is no fun on this team, just ask Mangini. He doesn't allow fun.

The Bears lost a rough one to the Bengals last week, so they would love nothing more than to come home and pound the hell out of the Browns.

This could be a game where Jay Cutler slashes the Cleveland defense up through the air. He threw three interceptions last week, so Cutler is looking for a rebound game.

If Chicago can't win this game, they have no hope in 2009.

Final Score: Bears 28, Browns 10

Jacksonville Jaguars @ Tennessee Titans

The Jaguars haven't been that good in 2009. Yet, they are 3-3. They have in fact given up more points on defense than they have scored, and yet, they are a .500 team.

Maurice Jones-Drew has been the only real positive on this team. It's really not been that good in Jacksonville after being a Super Bowl contender two seasons ago.

After weeks of speculation, the Titans will finally put Kerry Collins on the bench and start Vince Young this week. Jeff Fisher is desperate for a win and also had a lot of heat coming from the Tennessee management.

Nobody expected the Titans to be 0-6 after finishing 13-3 and having the best record in the league.

With Young in the offense, I expect Tennessee to be rejuvenated and play harder. I'm going with an upset this week.

Final Score: Titans 24, Jaguars 20

Oakland Raiders @ San Diego Chargers

The Raiders are another awful team. Yet, they have two wins. They give up 38 points and got shutout on offense at home, yet they have two wins. How?

JaMarcus Russell is horrible and needs to be cut. Tom Cable is not the answer at head coach and needs to be let go, or at least be put back as offensive line coach. Al Davis needs to sell the team or die, because he can't run an NFL team anymore. His drafting of Russell and Darrius Heyward-Bey is reason enough why.

The Chargers haven't been a great team in 2009 after being dubbed a contender in the preseason. Yet, because the AFC is wide open, the Chargers are in the mix.

This game is the perfect time for Philip Rivers to air the ball all over the field on the Raiders, who can't cover anyone and stop anyone.

I'd say LaDanian Tomlinson could even have a good game because the Raiders can't stop the run, but I can't remember the last time LT had a decent game.

Final Score: Chargers 35, Raiders 10

Carolina Panthers @ Arizona Cardinals

The Panthers looked like they were on the verge of getting back on track. But then they pull a stinker of a game against the Bills.

The Panthers have been a tremendous disappointment in 2009 after being the second best team in the NFC last year, and John Fox is still on the verge of losing his job and taking Jake Delhomme with him.

The Cardinals won an important game last week against the Giants and it was because of their defense.

If they can get the same type of production from their defense every week, they will be a scary team to stop in the NFC, especially if their offense plays like expected.

Last year, the Cardinals shocked the Panthers in the playoffs. This week, it won't be a shock when the Cardinals win.

Final Score: Cardinals 34, Panthers 17

Minnesota Vikings @ Green Bay Packers

THE RETURN OF BRETT FAVRE TO LAMBEAU FIELD!

Favre will be returning to the place he called home for 15 years. He's played well so far in 2009, leading the Vikings to a 6-1 start. They suffered their first defeat to the Steelers on the road last week and are looking for a rebound week.

The Packers lost the last game they played on Monday Night Football and would love nothing more than to beat Minnesota and Favre in their building.

The only problem is, Favre and the offense has been good. While the Packers have had trouble blocking for Aaron Rodgers. In the last game, Jared Allen had 4 1/2 sacks on Rodgers.

Most will probably root for the Packers to beat Favre. But Minnesota is still an elite team in the NFC and they should play like it in enemy territory.

Final Score: Vikings 30, Packers 24

Monday Night Football: Atlanta Falcons @ New Orleans Saints

This is a must-win game for the Falcons if they want to keep up in the NFC South division.

They have been up and down in 2009 and are 4-2. They have the making of a playoff team, but they also give up a lot of points and lost a tough game to the Cowboys last week.

Now, they will be on national TV again against a divisional rival.

The Saints are 6-0 and had to fight to stay at 6-0 against the Dolphins. They showed guts and the capability of a comeback on the road when down.

The Saints are showing they are a force to be dealt with in the NFC and if they can beat the Falcons at home, the NFC South is practically theirs to have already to 7-0.

The Saints are not only good on offense, but are even good on defense, which is where they stop Atlanta on the big stage.

Final Score: Saints 41, Falcons 24

Bye Week: Cincinnati Bengals, Kansas City Chiefs, Pittsburgh Steelers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Washington Redskins, New England Patriots

That covers the picks for Week Eight of the NFL schedule. With the World Series going on, there is no Sunday Night Football game, just a Monday night game.

Because of the World Series being played in Philadelphia Sunday night, the Giants-Eagles game was originally a 4:15 p.m. game, but got moved to 1 p.m.

Some have also wondered if the World Series has taken away some of the luster of the Favre vs Packers game, because it hasn't been as talked about like the Fall Classic has been.

In Green Bay, the town will be shut down and in anticipation, like the rest of the fans who love good football games. Happy Halloween to everyone, hope everyone has a good weekend and enjoys their football weekend of Week Eight.