We had another busy Saturday, as this time our writer Adam Dobrowolski was at a college radio 50th anniversary celebration. Therefore, as it passes noon and heads towards 1pm this Sunday, let’s quickly get our predictions for Week 8.
Remember, using the TABRankings as a basis for determining the quality of each game, the week’s games are divided into three groups:
- Games of the Week (3 points each): Any game with two teams having a combined ranking total of 24 or less. Both teams MUST be within 10 spots of each other. (Thus, the “weakest” match-up will feature the seventh-ranked team and the 17th-ranked team.)
- Non-GOTW Divisional Games (2 points each): Any divisional battle that isn’t in the aforementioned group.
- The Rest (1 point each): Any match-up that is neither a Game of the Week or a divisional battle.
Now to the predictions for Week 8.
Games of the Week (3 points each)
(7) San Diego Chargers (5-2) at (1) Denver Broncos (5-1)
We correctly picked this Thursday Night Football outcome, although we expected this game to have a smaller margin of victory.
(3) Baltimore Ravens (5-2) at (12) Cincinnati Bengals (3-2-1)
The Bengals are simply ranked as high as they are due to their stellar 3-0 start. However, since their bye week, the Bengals have played quite poorly. Couple that with a Ravens offense that is flying high since their season-opening loss to Cincinnati, and it combines for a formula that should lead to the first home regular loss at Paul Brown Stadium since the 2012 season.
(8) Philadelphia Eagles (5-1) at (5) Arizona Cardinals (5-1)
The Cardinals were the NFC’s best team in the Week 6 TABRankings. They now are considered the second-best, because the Packers are surging as of late, but they still are plenty good enough to say they are the better half when being powered by the Big Red home-field advantage. Arizona’s pass defense has its struggles, which could lend to some big plays for Chip Kelly’s offense. However, if the run defense holds serve and forces long distance third-down attempts, it should mean the Cardinals emerge victorious.
Non-GOTW Divisional Games (2 points each)
(15) Buffalo Bills (4-3) at (29) New York Jets (1-6)
Just a few hours ago, we were leaning towards picking the Jets. However, with a failed upset special, we’re going to go safe here. The expectation here is that both front sevens will control the game. However, the Jets are inferior at quarterback and in the secondary. Therefore, the match-up goes in advantage of the Bills. Add in that it’s a divisional battle, and the road win is more likely than usual.
(21) Houston Texans (3-4) at (23) Tennessee Titans (2-5)
In Zach Mettenberger’s first start, he will face a front seven that includes J.J. Watt and Jadeveon Clowney. That’s all we need to know.
(28) Washington Redskins (2-5) at (6) Dallas Cowboys (6-1)
As long as the Cowboys keep winning, they further prove that they now have a championship-type mindset. They avoided the letdown game against a divisional rival last week, as Tony Romo put together arguably his best half of football ever in the second stanza of the win over the Giants. Now, the Cowboys host a far inferior opponent in primetime. This is their time to prove their worth by keeping the pedal to the medal. The match-up favors a huge night for Romo and the passing game.
The Rest (1 point each)
(9) Detroit Lions (5-2) at (25) Atlanta Falcons (2-5) **Upset of the Week**
The Falcons put together one of the most epic collapses in recent seasons. The Lions sneak past our upset special for the second consecutive week. We may look at this game later in the week with one of the features. Stay tuned.
(27) Minnesota Vikings (2-5) at (32) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-5)
Tampa Bay may prove to be better coming off the bye, but we need to see it first. Instead, we’ll go with Teddy Bridgewater and a solid pass rush. Remember, the rookie did well in first career start when playing a weak Falcons defense.
(22) Chicago Bears (3-4) at (11) New England Patriots (5-2)
After last week’s pathetic loss to Miami, we’re done with the Bears. It’s not like we were going to them today anyways.
(14) Seattle Seahawks (3-3) at (17) Carolina Panthers (3-3-1)
The Seahawks proved last week that they still struggle with the 1pm EST kickoff. Now they have that start time again while traveling across the country. It will be a tough win, but they need it desperately. Time for a bounce back.
(16) Miami Dolphins (3-3) at (30) Jacksonville Jaguars (1-6)
The Jaguars defense is quietly playing better since a historically awful start. However, Ryan Tannehill is quietly playing quite well since the Week 4 game in London. The difference will be Miami’s strong pass defense holding down rookie Blake Bortles.
(26) St. Louis Rams (2-4) at (10) Kansas City Chiefs (3-3)
While we admire the way the Rams are playing, we need to give props to how the Chiefs are quietly playing as good or even better than they did last year. We expected regression in Kansas City’s record, and that may only remain true because the schedule got a lot tougher this year. Still, the Chiefs are the superior team, and the Rams aren’t yet ready for consecutive quality wins.
(2) Indianapolis Colts (5-2) at (19) Pittsburgh Steelers (4-3)
Thanks to a defense that plays elite football on third down, the Colts are starting to look like a true Super Bowl contender. Meanwhile, the Steelers got a huge break last Monday night with a Houston collapse contributing to 24 points late in the first half. That break helped the Steelers to 4-3, but they aren’t even looking like a playoff team. We like the Colts to continue to play elite football.
(31) Oakland Raiders (0-6) at (20) Cleveland Browns (3-3) **Lock of the Week**
We’re going a bit aggressive by choosing this to be the lock pick, but we’re going with a justification that don’t see even a decent team like Cleveland lose back-to-back games against winless teams.
(4) Green Bay Packers (5-2) at (24) New Orleans Saints (2-4)
After last week’s collapse, we simply can’t trust the New Orleans defense to doing anything right to help the team to win. Combine that with Aaron Rodgers playing as good as ever as of late, and the home winning streak in prime time may very well come to an end for the Saints. We won’t dismiss the chance for an upset, but we’re also not going to pull that trigger.