Week Eight NFL Lines: The Quick Read

By Louis “King of Roncesvalles” Pisano

The big favourites keep covering the double digit spreads and Vegas is getting killed by them. The star quarterbacks are living up to their expectations and getting it done while the injuries pile up on every team and are always a huge component when looking at which side comes out victorious on game day.

There have never been this many undefeated teams this late in the season and some may continue down that road and some may be stopped dead in their tracks.

Broncos @ Ravens -3 O/U 41.5

The Broncos are one of three undefeated teams left and they are taking on a Ravens team that has not been the defensive juggernaut of the past with only their rush defence ranking in the top 10 yet all four offensive categories rank in the top 10 overall, somewhat a reversal of roles that is not faring well for this team.

They say defence wins championships, well the Bronco’s are first over points allowed and rank in the top ten in the other three categories. Earlier in the year I just couldn’t buy into this Denver team and each week they prove me wrong with their athletic defence and second half surges.

As the Ravens at 3-3 fall further behind the division leading Steelers and the surprising Bengals who both have records of 5-2, their playoff hopes begin to dwindle and must feel backed into a corner. For these two teams, health doesn’t seem to be an issue, as all injured players had full participation in practice aside from Ravens T Jared Gaither.

Baltimore may be backed into a corner, but can they fight their way out it?

Ravens Win 21-20

Browns @ Bears -13 O/U 40.5

After two straight road losses the Bears return to the friendly confines of Soldier field to face a Browns team that continues to head further down the wrong road no matter which way they are going. The Bears get back on track against an injured team who is just terrible.

Bears win 38-10

Texans @ Bills +3 O/U 41

Both these teams have won two in a row yet both face numerous injuries to their starters but the Texans seem to be the healthier team with almost all having full participation in practice while the Bills are still missing starters QB Trent Edwards, SS Donte Whitner, T Jonathan Scott, and DT Kyle Williams who are listed as out for this game.

Houston wins 24-13

Vikings @ Packers -3 O/U47

Brett Farve returns to the stadium he played in for most of his career and this should bring up many emotions for him, but with his 6-1 team, he is there to take care of business. Aaron Rogers the heir apparent has lead his team to a 4-2 record and would like nothing more than to beat his old mentor and his team has only given up three points in their last two wins mind you that was against the Detroit and Cleveland.

Both sides face some key injuries Vikings WR Percy Harvin (illness) will most likely be a game-time decision and CB Antoine Winfield in out, for Green Bay C Jason Spitz and S Derrick Martin are both doubtful.

Vikings win 34-24

49ers @ Colts -13 O/U 44.5

The Colts are another one of the undefeated teams at 6-0, with Peyton Manning making an early bid for league MVP and look to stay that way facing a 49ers team that hasn’t been great as of late.

The 49ers will be starting Alex Smith after they pulled Shaun Hill last week when down 21-0 to the Texans and as we saw Smith came in and looked great, though there was no pressure as there is when starting a game. The 49ers are in tight against a very good Colts team and will fall short of the mark.

Colts win 28- 13

Dolphins @ Jets -3.5 O/U 40.5

This divisional matchup pits the No. 1 and 2 rushing teams against each other with the Jets averaging 184.9 yards per game on the ground and Miami averaging 170.3 rushing yards per game. The Jets' rush defence is ranked 22nd against the run and Miami’s D is ranked fourth.

The Dolphins are the healthier team. Neither team throws the ball exceptionally well, but if Miami’s receivers can make a few catches and their pass defence can limit the Jets' passing yards, Miami should get the upset.

Miami win 24-20

Rams @ Lions -4 O/U 43.5

This game has it all, two great teams battling for top spots in each of their respective...oh wait a minute this is the Rams Lions game bahahahahaha...yeah both these teams are still horrid and as to who wins it’s anybody’s guess so I will throw it out there.

The Rams get their first win of the season against an injured Lions team, this scary because the Rams offence is terrible and Detroit’s hasn’t been that bad.

Rams win 17-13

Seahawks @ Cowboys -9.5 O/U 46

The Boys had a good showing last week beating a pretty good Atlanta team while the Seahawks lost at home to Arizona 27-3. The healthy Cowboys should roll against a team missing their leader on defence LB Lofa Tatupu who is out with a torn pectoral muscle.

The Cowboys defence has been getting better each week and Tony Romo is rounding into form, if wide receiver Roy Williams could be productive this Cowboys team could really go on a roll but Miles Austin has really stepped up and been great the last two games and if he can keep it up the secondary of the Seahawks may have a tough day.

Cowboys win 34-13

Raiders @ Chargers -16.5 O/U 41.5

The Chargers who haven’t had much success to say the least running the ball this year may turn things around on the ground against a 30th ranked rush defence of the Raiders, but with the lack of the run the Chargers have gone to the air with much prosperity ranking fourth overall in passing yards.

The Raiders' pass defence isn’t that bad sitting 12th overall but they may not be able to put enough points on the board on the offensive side of the ball for anything else to make a difference.

Chargers win 38-10

Jaguars @ Titans -3 O/U 44.5

Both these teams have talent yet have been inept on both sides of the ball, the Titans are winless at 0-6 and are going to start QB Vince Young a once thought future of the franchise.

The Jaguars are 3-3 and have been very unpredictable though in the first meeting at home against this divisional rival won 37-17, if they can repeat feat who knows. The Titans coach Jeff Fisher is a never say die kind of guy and should motivate his team to get a W in the win column but if they can produce is another story.

Jaguars win 27- 24

Panthers @ Cardinals -10 O/U 41.5

The Cardinals 4-2 have three wins in a row and face a Panthers team that are 2-4 beating Tampa and Washington yet who lost last week at home to the Bills 20-9. With the travel across the country for the Panthers and last year’s playoff loss to this Arizona team this is a tough spot for them.

Arizona has steadily improved and should continue along that road though they are facing the number one pass defence and their bread and butter is the pass where as their rushing sits last in the league and may improve against a Carolina team that ranks 26th against the rush.

Cardinals win 23-10

Giants @ Eagles +1.5 O/U 44.5

This is an extremely important game within the NFC east division and could leave one standing alone atop the pile. With all the injuries the Eagles sustained last week including a key one to their main offensive weapon Brian Westbrook not to mention all the others the eagles will be in tough.

The Giants have looked horrid in the last couple weeks and should rebound this week albeit on the road where we know how good Eli Manning has been. Too many injuries for the Eagles should lead to a Giants romp.

Giants win 34-24

Falcons @ Saints -11 O/U 55

This Monday night game should be an offensive thriller with the high flying Saints hosting the Falcons who boast a number of weapons including future hall of fame TE Tony Gonzales.

The injuries to Falcons, which have left many of their players as game time decisions where as the injuries to the Saints who are all mostly probable leave the question of how many points do the Saints win by more or less.

Saints win 45-28

Should be a great weekend of football as it always is enjoy the games and all the best!