Week Eight NFL Preview: Is This The Beginning of The End For The Cowboys?

I think the picture says it all:  This team is in for a long season, and it begins Sunday when the Dallas Cowboys take on NFC South leading Tampa Bay.

  So, for my week eight NFL projections, I'll begin in Dallas, where the Cowboys (4-3) are looking to improve off of a recent loss to the Rams.  Wait, what?  Can it be true?  Is the soap opera that is the Dallas Cowboys taking a turn for the worst?  Veteran quarterback Brad Johnson leads a depleted Cowboys roster into a game against Tampa Bay (5-2).  Jeff Garcia and the Bucs have been stellar since their three point loss to Denver, and I like three streaks to continue in this game.  First, DeMarcus Ware will get a sack for the eleventh straight game.  Second, the Bucs will force another turnover resulting in a touchdown.  Lastly, the Cowboys will lose their third straight.

Buccaneers 31, Cowboys 20

   Is there a less intriguing matchup than Oakland (2-4) visiting the defensive specialists Baltimore (3-3).  The Raiders and the Ravens both boast pretty efficient defenses actually, and both have some impressive rookies on offense.  Oakland features former Arkansas stud Darren McFadden at running back, and he is averaging 5.1 yards per carry.  Baltimore moved up and down the draft board to eventually land current starting quarterback Joe Flacco in round one.  I see no reason why the Ravens don't win this game at home, other than the fact that they will have to cope with former first round draft pick, Raiders kicker Sebastian Janikowski.

Ravens 20, Raiders 13

  This game is going to be a very fun one to watch.  Arizona (4-2) finally looks like a team that can compete, but don't quote me on that because I have been saying that since 2006.  The Cardinals will face off against Carolina (5-2) who has also been very impressive this season.  The most interesting story line here is 37 year old quarterback Kurt Warner, who is absolutely lighting it up.  The former NFL and Super Bowl MVP Warner has the Cards primed for a division title, although there is little competition.  This game also features two of the best receivers in the game today in Arizona's Larry Fitzgerald and Carolina's Steve Smith.  I like the Panthers to win a shootout.

Panthers 34, Cardinals 31

  Will the Lions win a game this year?  Detroit (0-6) is quite possibly the worst team in the NFL, and the only hope for this team lies on that all too familiar "p" word:  potential.  And unrealized potential at that.  Washington (5-2) is one of the best teams in the NFL, although they have struggled a bit offensively of late.  Clinton Portis is, in my mind the best back in the NFL.  If this season marks the halfway point of his career, he will be on pace to break Emmitt Smith's rushing title.  Detroit is playing at home, but this team just doesn't seem to have any confidence to me.  Lions fans should pre-order their draft gear, and start customizing Colt McCoy/Matt Stafford/Sam Bradford jerseys.  Redskins will roll in this one.

 Redskins 30, Lions 13

  The most underrated and unheralded aspect of Buffalo's game is their stellar special teams.  The combination of Moorman/Lindell at the kicking positions may be the best the NFL has ever seen.  Oh yeah, their defense is pretty good too.  Buffalo (5-1) boasts a top ten defense, and a top ten offense.  Miami (2-4) may be the best worst team in the NFL.  Ronnie Brown went from IR to Hawaii in almost an instant.  He has seven rushing touchdowns this season, and is averaging 4.3 yards per carry.  Miami may also have the NFL's best defensive player in outside linebacker Joey Porter, who has 8.5 sacks so far this season.  I think the Dolphins will fight hard in this one, and I really am torn on who to choose.  I'm gonna say the Phins win a close one on their home turf.

Dolphins 23, Bills 21

  St. Louis (2-4) and New England (4-2) are both coming off of very impressive victories in their previous games.  The Rams have found new life in the form of head coach Jim Haslett and a motivated Steven Jackson.  The Patriots are just simply finding the will to win through great coaching and discipline.  It's really hard to judge which team will show up, but I actually think the Rams will be more competitive than expected.  St. Louis safety O.J. Atogwe has ten interceptions in the last 14 games.  As well coached as the Patriots are, I think the Rams could stay hot.

Rams 24, Patriots 19

  San Diego (3-4) and New Orleans (3-4) are meeting in London for what will be a make or break game for both teams this season.  Although it doesn't appear San Diego has anything to worry about with Denver's latest mishaps, they have defensive problems of their own.  The Saints lost running back Reggie Bush and Jeremy Shockey last week, and San Diego is returning Jyles Tucker and Chris Chambers.  Drew Brees playing against his former team provides intriguing storyline, but I don't think New Orleans can cope with San Diego's wide receivers.

Chargers 27, Saints 20

  Kansas City (1-5) travels to New York to face Brett Favre and the Jets (3-3).  Favre has been limited in what his talents allow him to do in New York, as Head Coach Eric Mangini seems to be insistent on sticking with the run.  Kansas City has a revolving door at the quarterback position which could be opening once again for veteran Quinn Gray, formerly of Jacksonville.  Kansas City is terrible defending the run, so expect a lot of running from the Jets and Thomas Jones who had 159 yards against the Raiders last week.  I like the Jets to win big in this one at home, improving to 4-3.

Jets 31, Chiefs 10

   Philadelphia (3-3) hosts Atlanta (4-2), and both teams just got done with bye weeks.  Philadelphia gets an enormous boost from running back Brian Westbrook, and they feature one of the best pass rushes in the NFL.  Atlanta's starting quarterback Matt Ryan has been a strong case for NFC Rookie of the Year, but he will be seeing a lot of turf this Sunday.  The Falcons are going to have to get it going with running back Michael Turner, who has put together a Pro Bowl type season so far.  I think the Eagles will force Matt Ryan into rookie mistakes with their potent pass rush. 

Eagles 28, Falcons 20

  Cleveland (2-4) has been one of the more disappointing teams this season, but Jacksonville (3-3) has been equally as disappointing.  Neither team has lived up to the lofty expectations of their consensus top ten abilities prior to the season, and this game will dictate whether or not either team will make the playoffs.  Not that it is a win and in type game, but it is a lose and you're done type game.  I think Jacksonville's defense and running game will lead them to victory here.

Jaguars 19, Browns 12

  Cincinnatti (0-7) is arguably the biggest disaster in the NFL.  This team could be in for a complete makeover and rebuild for the 2009 season.  Houston (2-4) has been impressive offensively and were my preseason picks for breakout team.  A big win on Sunday against a struggling Bengals team gets them back on track.  Matt Schaub has teamed up with Andre Johnson to form one of the most potent quarterback to receiver duos in the league.  I think the Texans will win big in this game, and send Cincy into utter dismay.

Texans 34, Bengals 15

  New York (5-1) lost a disappointing Monday night game on the road to Cleveland, and Pittsburgh (5-1) just dominated the Bengals.  This is an interesting matchup for the rookie class of 2004, as Ben Roethlisberger and Eli Manning both have won Super Bowls already as NFL quarterbacks.  Both teams are two of the best in the league at rushing the passer, and I think the Steelers actually have a little bit more firepower on offense.  I think the Steelers will win a close one on Sunday night.

Steelers 27, Giants 24

  Seattle (1-5) and San Francisco (2-5) are both terrible teams who are suffering from injuries on both sides of the ball.  Most prominent is the injury to Seattle QB Matt Hasselbeck who is doing all he can to get back on the field for this game.  Seattle has been able to rush the passer well, and San Francisco running back Frank Gore has been one of the best in the NFL this year.  Gore should continue to run all over the opposition after struggling last week.  I think the 49ers will sweep the season series and effectively end the Seahawks season.

49ers 29, Seahawks 17

  Indianapolis (3-3) travels to Tennessee (6-0) and will try to be the first to knock off the unbeaten Titans this Monday night.  Indy has won eight of the last ten matchups in this series, but Tennessee is tooting a different horn in 2008.  Indy can't stop the run, and Tennessee is arguably the best running team in the NFL.  A top five rush offense plus a top five defense equals a championship football team.  For some odd reason, my gut is telling me to go with the Colts to upset, yes upset the Titans.

Colts 26, Titans 24