NFL Picks Week 8: Power Ranking 15 Teams on Playoff Life Support
NFL Picks Week 8 are what we're here to discuss today, and this could be even harder than usual.
There are several games this weekend that really could go either way, but I've already made my picks for what promises to be a wild weekend of football in the NFL.
Since I've already chosen the winners for all 13 games, I'm going to do something a little different here.
I will take a look at 15 teams that are straddling the borderline between contender and pretender and decide which teams are in jeopardy of falling out of the playoff picture with a loss this weekend.
Here's a hint: The Minnesota Vikings are on the list, and the Cowboys aren't because I doubt they have any realistic shot at turning their season around.
Surprised? No, I didn't think so.
Anyway, let's get to it. It's time to examine the 15 teams who have the most on the line in Week 8.
15. Indianapolis Colts
1 of 15
How They Got This Close to Extinction: The Colts sit at 4-2, and they have Peyton Manning. But their defense can't seem to stop the run, their offense can't run the ball well and they're missing Austin Collie and Dallas Clark.
This Week: The Colts are looking to avenge an opening-week loss against the Houston Texans. Houston has the worst pass defense in all of football, which makes Manning a very happy man.
Prediction: Colts 31, Texans 20
Panic Scale: 2. Unless Manning goes down with an injury, this team will always hang around, but games against the Titans in Weeks 14 and 17 could determine their season.
14. Green Bay Packers
2 of 15
How They Got Close to Extinction: The Packers sit above .500 at 4-3, but they've lost two of their last three games and could have easily lost each of their past five games had another play or two went the other way.
This Week: Green Bay will face the New York Jets on the road. I'm betting that the Packers regret not trading for Marshawn Lynch more and more every day. They have had absolutely no running game, which has really limited the effectiveness of Aaron Rodgers.
Prediction: Jets 34, Packers 24
Panic Scale: 3. The Packers haven't played all that well recently, but the Lions and Vikings are below .500 and the Bears looked as bad as ever last week.
13. St. Louis Rams
3 of 15
How They Got This Close to Extinction: The Rams (3-4) have been up and down recently, getting blown out by the Lions before beating the Chargers, then losing a tight one against the Buccaneers.
This Week: The good thing for the Rams is that they have the perfect opportunity to get back on track when they play the Carolina Panthers this week. Unless you're the 49ers, you shouldn't have a problem taking care of Carolina.
Prediction: Rams 37, Panthers 17
Panic Scale: 3. The Rams can't seem to put a solid winning streak together, but they play in the weakest division in football, which could bode well for their playoff chances.
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12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
4 of 15
How They Got This Close to Extinction: Don't let Raheem Morris's confidence fool you. The Bucs could have lost each of their past three games, but the ball bounced their way each time.
This Week: Tampa Bay plays at Arizona, and though the Cardinals may not be a great team, they are undefeated at home. Arizona has been one of the most balanced teams all season—too bad it's not good balance though. The Cardinals aren't very good on either side of the ball.
Prediction: Bucs 27, Cardinals 17
Panic Scale: 3. The Bucs have the league's 31st-ranked rushing defense and play in a division with Atlanta and New Orleans. They aren't winning the division if that continues.
11. Houston Texans
5 of 15
How They Got This Close to Extinction: Since starting off 2-0, the Texans have gone 2-2, including embarrassing losses against the Cowboys and the Giants. They also lost Demeco Ryans for the season.
This Week: On Monday Night Football, the Texans face the Indianapolis Colts on the road. Houston gives up more passing yards and total yards than anyone in the league and ranks 29th in points allowed. Good luck.
Prediction: Colts 31, Texans 20
Panic Scale: 4. With the Colts always sticking around and the Titans on fire recently, the Texans need to get a win here. They have a very rough stretch Weeks 11 through 15 that I'm not sure they can get past.
10. Washington Redskins
6 of 15
How They Got This Close to Extinction: The Redskins would be a lot closer to sitting at home in January if it wasn't for Jay Cutler last week. Anyways, Washington has actually won three of four, but they've looked far from great doing it.
This Week: The Redskins play on the road against the Detroit Lions, who really, really like to throw the ball. And in case you haven't watch Washington play this year, the Redskins defense can't stop anyone from racking up a ton of yardage through the air.
Prediction: Lions 27, Redskins 20
Panic Scale: 4. You can't expect to give up a boatload of passing yards week after week and still win, especially in a division with three teams that have no problem slinging the ball all over the place.
9. Arizona Cardinals
7 of 15
How They Got This Close to Extinction: Since Week 2, the Cardinals have given up 30 points on three different occasions, and they've started just 1-2 on the road.
This Week: The Cardinals host the Tampa Bay Bucs this weekend in a game that I'll tell you right now I have no interest in watching. Just what about these two teams makes someone think it would be a remotely entertaining game?
Prediction: Bucs 27, Cardinals 17
Panic Scale: 5. They're in a bad division, but the Cardinals still rank 27th or below in all but one major statistical category. That's pretty horrific.
8. Oakland Raiders
8 of 15
How They Got This Close to Extinction: The Raiders are fresh off an absolute a** whooping of the Denver Broncos, but let's look at the bigger picture here: Oakland is still 3-4, and any offensive scoring stat is inflated by that Denver game.
This Week: The Raiders host the Seattle Seahawks, so they'll have a much tougher time running the ball against Seattle than they did against Denver. The Seahawks have the league's No. 2 rushing defense.
Prediction: Raiders 35, Seahawks 27
Panic Scale: 5. The Raiders still don't have a very stable situation at quarterback, and they give up a lot of points (23.6 per game) and rushing yards (138.9 per game).
7. Jacksonville Jaguars
9 of 15
How They Got This Close to Extinction: The Jaguars sit at 3-4—which isn't all that bad—but they've given up 26 points in all but one game and have been outscored by 49 points the past two games, both losses.
This Week: The Jaguars travel to Dallas to face the Cowboys, who may be 1-5, but are better than the Jaguars in just about every facet of the game (except running the football). Jacksonville's 31st-ranked scoring defense has to at least show up, or this could be the first in a long line of losses to end the season.
Prediction: Cowboys 27, Jaguars 23
Panic Scale: 6. The Jaguars can't stop anyone on offense, and they play in a division with three playoff-caliber teams that are loaded with talent.
6. Denver Broncos
10 of 15
How They Got This Close to Extinction: After a 2-2 start, Denver has dropped three straight, including a 45-point loss that ranks up there as one of the most embarrassing efforts in NFL history.
This Week: Here's some good news for the Broncos: You play the 49ers this week. Even the Panthers can beat San Francisco.
Prediction: Broncos 35, 49ers 20
Panic Scale: 6. It's crazy to think that a 2-5 team still has a chance to make the playoffs, but that's the AFC West for you.
5. New Orleans Saints
11 of 15
How They Got This Close to Extinction: After a 2-0 start, the Saints have dropped three of their last five games, including humiliating defeats at the hands of the Cardinals and the Cleveland Browns.
This Week: The Saints badly need a win, but who do they face in Week 8? Oh, just the Pittsburgh Steelers, who have the league's No. 1 scoring and rushing defense.
Prediction: Saints 23, Steelers 20
Panic Scale: 6. I'm from New Orleans, and trust me when I say there are already people jumping off the bandwagon. The Saints can't afford to go to 4-4 because they'd likely have to go 6-2 the rest of the way to make the playoffs.
4. Miami Dolphins
12 of 15
How They Got This Close to Extinction: The Dolphins were screwed out of a win against the Steelers last week, but still sit at 3-3 nonetheless. Miami has started 1-2 in the AFC East after losing to the Jets and the Patriots.
This Week: The Dolphins play the Cincinnati Bengals in what is a battle of two teams fighting for their playoff lives. Miami only scores 18.5 points per game, which is four less than the team allows. So they'll have to throw the ball to put points on the board against a Bengals team that was torched by the Falcons in Week 7.
Prediction: Bengals 28, Dolphins 24
Panic Scale: 7. A loss here doesn't necessarily kill their playoff chances, but it definitely hurts them. The Patriots and Jets look like two of the best teams in the league, so Miami can't afford to lose games like this.
3. Cincinnati Bengals
13 of 15
How They Got This Close to Extinction: The Bengals are at 2-4, but almost certainly got screwed out of a win against Tampa Bay a couple of weeks ago. Cincinnati just can't win the close ones either. Aside from their Week 1 loss to New England, the Bengals haven't loss by more than seven points this season.
This Week: Cincinnati plays the Miami Dolphins, and the Bengals are all but eliminated from playoff contention with a loss here. After topping 400 yards and throwing for three touchdowns last week, Carson Palmer will have to have another big game for the Bengals.
Prediction: Bengals 28, Dolphins 24
Panic Scale: 8. I'd put the Bengals chances at a playoff berth at about 5 percent right now. The AFC North has two of football's five best teams, and the Bengals aren't one of them.
2. San Diego Chargers
14 of 15
How They Got This Close to Extinction: The Chargers are one of—if not the—best statistical team in the league, but that's translated to a 2-5 record, including three consecutive losses.
This Week: The Chargers host the Tennessee Titans this week, who could be without Vince Young, but are still one of the hottest teams in the league. This will likely be a close one, but San Diego has to find a way to win the close ones after losing its last three games by a combined 14 points.
Prediction: Chargers 28, Titans 27
Panic Scale: 8. As everyone knows, the Chargers are statistically a very good football team. They just need to learn how to translate statistics into wins. The reason the panic scale isn't at a 10 though is because the AFC West will probably be wide open unless the Chiefs can pull away.
1. Minnesota Vikings
15 of 15
How They Got This Close to Extinction: The Vikings (2-4) can't seem to put on good performances in back-to-back weeks as they've yet to win two consecutive games all season.
This Week: The Vikings have a tough test against the Patriots, and it looks like Brett Favre either won't play or will be limited. If the over/under on how many times I hear "Brett Favre" between now and Sunday was 100, I'd take the over.
Prediction: Patriots 33, Vikings 27
Panic Scale: 9. This team isn't going to the playoffs without a healthy Brett Favre, and unless he decides to end his consecutive starts streak, I just don't see that happening.
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