NFL Week 8 Picks: Which Games Will Come Down To the Wire?
Looking at this week's slate of games, there are a lot of pretty even matchups.
There are some very big games, like the Indianapolis Colts against the Houston Texans and the Pittsburgh Steelers vs. the New Orleans Saints.
Then, there are games that aren't quite as big, but still have the potential to be close, like the San Francisco 49ers game against the Denver Broncos and the Jacksonville Jaguars game against the Dallas Cowboys.
But, as always, there will be some unexpected blowouts, such as the Oakland Raiders demolishing the Denver Broncos last week.
With that being said, let's take a look at which games have the biggest blowout potential, and which ones have the potential to be instant classics.
(Rankings go from least likely to be a close game to most likely.)
13. Kansas City Chiefs Over Buffalo Bills
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The Buffalo Bills are coming off a very tough overtime loss to the Baltimore Ravens, and now find themselves with an 0-6 record.
They won't be picking up their first win this week, when they travel to Kansas City to take on the Chiefs.
The Chiefs have one of the best rushing attacks in the league, and the Bills have the worst run defenses in the NFL. This isn't a good matchup for the Bills.
Prediction: Chiefs by 17
12. Detroit Lions Over Washington Redskins
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Matthew Stafford is returning at exactly the right time, just as the Detroit Lions are getting ready to play the Washington Redskins.
The Redskins had a good game last week, intercepting Jay Cutler four times. But Jay Cutler is prone to days like that.
Stafford has shown he is a good decisionvmaker, and he has the luxury of throwing to Calvin Johnson.
It's going to be a long day for the Redskins pass defense.
Prediction: Lions by 14
11. New England Patriots Over Minnesota Vikings
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Tom Brady and the New England Patriots struggled mightily on offense last week against the San Diego Chargers.
But the Chargers have the best overall defense in the NFL, so that's understandable.
This week, they'll play a Minnesota Vikings team that struggled against the pass last week. The Vikings allowed Aaron Rodgers to throw the ball at will against them on Sunday night.
On the other side of the ball, the Vikings offense is a mess. Brett Favre has a fractured ankle and may or may not play. If he does play, he's been throwing interceptions at an alarming rate this year.
If Tarvaris Jackson plays, that obviously hampers the timing of the receivers.
This appears to be a lose-lose situation for Minnesota.
Prediction: Patriots by 13
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10. Pittsburgh Steelers Over New Orleans Saints
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If you think Drew Brees struggled last week against the Cleveland Browns, just wait for this week.
Something clearly is wrong with Brees and the rest of the Saints offense, and they won't be solving any of those problems against the tough Pittsburgh defense.
Troy Polamalu and company will shut down the Saints passing attack.
James Harrison and company will shut down whatever running back the Saints throw out there.
The Saints will eventually right their ship and earn a Wild Card spot, but things are certainly going to get worse before they get better.
Prediction: Steelers by 11
9. San Francisco 49ers Over Denver Broncos
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The Broncos' defense won't give up 59 points again, but the Raiders exposed several flaws last week.
One week won't be enough time for Denver to shore up their run defense, so it would be ridiculous of the 49ers not to give Frank Gore 20-25 carries in this game.
Plus, the 49ers will be starting Troy Smith at quarterback, so the passing game will suffer a little bit.
If Gore and the running game can get going, look for the 49ers to go to London and easily pick up their second win of the season.
Prediction: 49ers by 10
8. Miami Dolphins Over Cincinnati Bengals
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Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams need to get back to running like they have the past couple years if the Dolphins are going to make a move in the AFC East.
They'll begin their return to form this week against the Cincinnati Bengals.
The Dolphins need to find more ways to incorporate the Wildcat plays into the flow of their offense. That will help Brown and Williams return to form.
Also, look for Vontae Davis and the Dolphins defense to make big plays when Carson Palmer tries to throw the ball.
Prediction: Dolphins by 10
7. St. Louis Rams Over Carolina Panthers
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This game will define the 2010 St. Louis Rams. Will they crumble after losing a lead to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week, or will they bounce back and prove they are a team to contend with for the rest of the season?
I'm picking the latter. It seems as though the players really respond to head coach Steve Spagnuolo, and he'll have them ready to play.
Plus, they will be facing a weak Panthers team that, despite coming off their first victory of the season, is still prone to horrible games.
The vastly improved Rams defense will hold off the Panthers' young offense enough for St. Louis to improve to 4-4.
Prediction: Rams by 10
6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Over Arizona Cardinals
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The Buccaneers showed they are a tough team last week when they came from behind to steal a win from the St. Louis Rams.
This week, they play another NFC West team, the Arizona Cardinals. Rookie QB Max Hall may or may not start after suffering a concussion in last week's loss to the Seattle Seahawks.
Look for the young Bucs to continue their improbable run to the playoffs this week.
Prediction: Buccaneers by nine
5. New York Jets Over Green Bay Packers
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The Jets will be rested coming off their bye week, while the Packers need a bye week in the worst way to try to get healthy.
The Packers managed to squeak out a victory over the Minnesota Vikings last week due to a big passing game from Aaron Rodgers.
Don't expect that this week, when he'll have Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie lining up on his receivers.
Don't expect anything positive from Brandon Jackson and the Green Bay running attack either. The Jets' stout defense will stuff anything the Packers try to run.
The Packers defense will force Mark Sanchez into a couple mistakes and keep the game close, but it won't be enough for them to win this game.
Prediction: Jets by seven
4. Dallas Cowboys Over Jacksonville Jaguars
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Jon Kitna is no Tony Romo, but he's not a horrible NFL quarterback either. He should be able to be serviceable in the passing game.
I expect a huge game from the Cowboys' defense this week, as they desperately need to bounce back after allowing 41 points to the New York Giants on Monday Night Football.
Meanwhile, David Garrard will make his return as the Jaguars' starting QB this week. However, he's been having a tough year, as has Maurice Jones-Drew.
The Cowboys defense will shut down the Jags' offense just enough to pull out a victory in a very low-scoring game.
Prediction: Cowboys by six.
3. Seattle Seahawks Over Oakland Raiders
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The Raiders ran all over the Broncos last week, but the Seahawks have the second-best run defense in the NFL.
Something's gotta give, and it will be the Oakland running game.
There's simply no way they can repeat even half of the performance they had last week.
The only running back who will post good numbers in this game will be Seattle's Marshawn Lynch, who will carry the Seahawks to a narrow victory.
Prediction: Seahawks by four.
2. Tennessee Titans Over San Diego Chargers
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The San Diego Chargers have the NFL's best offense and defense, statistically speaking. So why does the team have a 2-5 record?
The Chargers find ways to lose games, whether it be special teams miscues, receivers setting the ball down before they've been touched or penalties. On a weekly basis, San Diego seems to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.
It will be no different this week. While the Chargers will find a way to slow down Kenny Britt and the red-hot Titans offense, they'll commit a costly turnover and lose in heart-breaking fashion.
Prediction: Titans by three.
1. Houston Texans Over Indianapolis Colts
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This game will be one for the ages.
After winning the season opener against the Colts, the Texans look to complete their first-ever sweep of Indy.
Both teams are coming off their bye weeks, so they will be fully rested and ready to go.
Unfortunately for Peyton Manning and the Colts offense, they will be without Austin Collie and Dallas Clark.
Those will prove to be devastating losses for the Indianapolis offense. Plus, they don't have any fully healthy running backs.
There won't be much defense in this game, as both Matt Schaub and Manning will post 300+ passing yards, but I give the very slight edge to the Texans in this high-scoring game.
Prediction: Texans by one.
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