Week 8 NFL Picks

Well that just sucked, didn’t it? A 2-2 opening week is just not good enough, is it? The answer is no, it’s not. A .500 batting average might make you the greatest baseball player of all time, but in the world of sports gambling it doesn’t even come close to great. This weekend I settle all the scores. I’m out for the cash, so either follow me or get out of my way. I take no prisoners this time!

Game One: The first game this week takes us to New Jersey of all places. The Giants (4-2) return home this week to play host to the Buccaneers (2-4) from Tampa Bay. The Bucs have played well enough to win the last two weeks, but their run stops here. They got lucky against the Bengals, and they got a 62 yard field goal as time expired to beat the Eagles last weekend. This weekend in the Meadowlands, their luck runs out. I look for Tiki Barber and his Giants (-9) to show twin brother Rhonde and his Bucs just how football is played. Giants win this one by a couple of touchdowns.

Game Two: The second game on my list finds us in Denver with the Colts (6-0) paying the Broncos (5-1) a visit. Indy has been dominating this match-up over the last few years, but the tide is about to turn. Denver is averaging 143.3 rushing yards/game. Combine that with the Colts rush defense giving up 158 yards/game, and you have a game made in Mike Shanahan’s heaven. Look for Tatum Bell to pile up huge numbers for Denver, while the Broncos defense reminds Peyton Manning what it’s like to play against a team with talent on both sides of the ball. Take the Broncos (-3) and thank me when it’s over.

Game Three: Well, this is a familiar place. Back to Cleveland we go to find the Browns (1-5) welcoming the Jets (4-3) to town. Last week, I had you take the Browns, and they failed to show up. This week, they pay us back. The Browns need a win at home this weekend to show their fans they haven’t given up yet. Add in the fact their next two games are on the road against two very tough teams (San Diego and Atlanta), and this becomes a must win game for Cleveland. The Jets have no such problem; after this game they have their bye week. This time of the season, it wouldn’t surprise me to see a few players looking forward to that week off and take a team like the Browns a little too lightly. Look for the Browns (-2.5) to come out strong and send the Jets into their bye week looking to refuel their engines.

Game Four: My last game this week is the big one. It’s Monday Night Football baby! Are you ready? Are you ready for some football? This week, the Patriots (5-1) travel to Minnesota to take on the Vikings (4-2) in Primetime. Now let me just get to the point and tell you that this is the big game for the Vikings. In contrast, the big game for the Pats is next week when they play host to the Colts on Sunday night. I know people say that there is no such thing as a “look ahead game” in the pros, but you can’t tell me New England isn’t thinking about playing the Colts on a short week. The Vikings are playing strong defense this year and the noise in the Dome will be deafening when the Pat's offense is on the field. I’m taking the Vikings (+2) all the way to the bank. Do the same, and you’ll name your first born child after me.

Bonus Game: What’s this, a 5th game? That’s right folks, a 5th game. I’m not going to make this a habit, but I thought I would throw an extra winner out there since I only hit the .500 mark last weekend. So listen up, because I’m not going to speak long about this one. Baltimore (4-2) is in New Orleans to play the Saints (5-1) this Sunday. The Saints are having a great year so far, but every great season has a bump in the road. That bump is the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens have spent the last two weeks preparing for this game. You give a defense like that two weeks to study your team, and you had better hope they forget half of what they learned. Maybe then you only lose by 3 points. Add to that the fact that coach Brian Billick is taking over the offense to get Jamal Lewis and co. back on track, and you have a recipe for winners. Take the Ravens (+2), and when you speak of me, speak well.