NFL Week 8: Predicting the Score of Every Game
The Ravens were miserable last week, losing 12-7 in Jacksonville. The offense didn't pick up a first down until the third quarter, and didn't score until two minutes left in the game. Any talk of the Ravens being the best team in the AFC ended after that one.
They should rebound here though against a Cardinals team who has lost their last five games. Kevin Kolb has looked overpaid and overrated this season and will struggle against a Ravens defense that has yet to allow a quarterback to throw multiple touchdowns. Ravens 27, Cardinals 10.
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In the first start of his NFL career a week ago, Christian Ponder played well, nearly shocking the Packers in a 33-27 loss. This week he goes head to head with fellow rookie, Cam Newton.
At 2-5, the Panthers are better than their record and have been in every game this season. Nobody expected Newton to be this good, this fast. The Panthers win this in a close one. Panthers 24, Vikings 20.
It took some time, but Blaine Gabbert picked up the first win of his young NFL career on Monday Night against the Ravens. It wasn't pretty, but the defense won it for the Jags, 12-7.
The Texans are fresh off of a 41-7 beat down of the Titans, asserting their dominance of the AFC South. This is their division to lose, and will get to 5-3 here. Texans 30, Jaguars 13.
Last week's collapse summarized the Dolphins season as a whole. Leading 15-0, with three minutes left, the Dolphins collapsed, allowing two touchdowns, and an onside kick. Somehow, Tony Sparano survived as well.
The Giants are coming off a bye week and are in first place in the NFC East. The schedule gets tougher after this week, and the G-Men will win this one easily. Giants 28, Dolphins 14.
New Orleans Saints at St. Louis Rams
It's been a disaster season for the Rams, and it doesn't get any easier this week. The Saints are coming off of a 62-7 domination of the Titans, while the Rams lost 34-7 in Dallas.
The Rams are searching for offense, while the Saints offense can't be stopped. This one is going to be ugly. Saints 37, Rams 17.
As if the Colts season could get any worse, it did last week in a 62-7 loss in New Orleans. It's becoming clearer every week that Peyton Manning is by far the most valuable player to his team. This season has been an embarrassment.
The Titans got embarrassed themselves last week in a 41-7 loss against the Texans, and should rebound here to get back to .500. Titans 23, Colts 13.
Washington Redskins at Buffalo Bills (in Toronto)
In their loss last week in Carolina, the Redskins not only lost the game, but Santana Moss with a broken hand, and Tim Hightower to a torn ACL. A once so promising start for the Redskins suddenly looks gloomy.
The Bills, at 4-2 are coming off a bye week, and just locked up Ryan Fitzpatrick for six years. Is this the Bills' year to return to the playoffs? They'll take another step in that direction on Sunday. Bills 24, Redskins 17.
Since Tim Tebow took over as the Broncos quarterback, he has been the talk of the NFL and the most controversial player in the league. In his first game last week, Tebow helped the Broncos overcome a 15-0 deficit with three minutes left to win 18-15 in overtime.
The task gets tougher this week against the Lions, who have lost two straight games. Matthew Stafford will play in this game, and the Lions need this win to avoid losing three straight. They need to prove that 5-0 start wasn't a fluke. Lions 26, Broncos 23.
The most anticipated game of the week is a match-up between two Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks, with five between the two. The Patriots and the Steelers met a season ago, where the Patriots took it 39-26 at Heinz Field.
Now, a season later, this game will be played in Pittsburgh again, and the Steelers will be looking for revenge. In a division that includes both the 4-2 Ravens, and the surprising 4-2 Bengals, the Steelers need this one. I just don't think they get it. I like the Patriots in a shootout. Patriots 34, Steelers 30.
At 4-2, the Bengals have been one of the most surprising teams in the NFL. Led by their defense and rushing attack, the Bengals have been one of the pleasant surprises so far. Andy Dalton has been impressive, and it helps when you have A.J Green.
The Seahawks, at 2-4, will be starting Charlie Whitehurst for the second straight week, and last week he could only produce three points. He'll play better this week at home, but it won't be enough. Bengals 17, Seahawks 14.
Perhaps the most surprising team of the 2011 NFL season has been the resurgence of the San Francisco 49ers. Jim Harbaugh has turned that team around and has them at 5-1, and could very well be 6-0 right now. They are well rested in this one as they are coming off a bye week, while the Browns are coming off an ugly 6-3 win over the Seahawks. For the Browns to have any shot in winning this game that offense will need to play better. It's that simple. 49ers 23, Browns 10.
In Andy Reid's tenure as head coach of the Eagles, he is 12-0 when coming off of a bye week. At 2-4, the Eagles badly need that trend to continue. With their next three games at home, they can turn their season around after a disastrous start.
The Cowboys might have something to say about that. At 3-3, they've been up and down this season, and could easily be 6-0 at this point had they not fallen apart in the fourth quarter of games.
Tony Romo has been the most scrutinized quarterback this year, and with each loss the pressure will mount on him. I like the Eagles in this game coming off the bye week. They will come to play. Eagles 27, Cowboys 24.
Amazingly, after their dreadful 0-3 start, the Chiefs have won three straight, and with a win here would move into a first-place tie with the Chargers. Todd Haley has done a great job in turning this season around.
For the Chargers, if they can't win the AFC West this season, then Norv Turner's tenure is finished in San Diego. They let one slip away last week in New York, and it will be rowdy in Arrowhead Stadium on Monday Night. I don't think the Chargers will have any problems in this one. Chargers 30, Chiefs 17.
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