The halfway point of the NFL season is incredibly exciting. Few teams have separated themselves from the pack so far. In the AFC, only the Texans have earned the right to be brought up among the league elite. In the NFC, the Falcons, Bears and Giants have all earned their spot as superior teams. Does that mean that all four teams will be among the best by the time the season ends? Not a chance. Week eight is when certain teams begin their push to the playoffs, who will those teams be? Let’s find out in our week eight NFL picks and power rankings.
5. San Francisco 49ers – The NFC West has replaced the NFC North as the black and blue division. The 49ers, Seahawks, Cardinals and Rams can all hit and play solid defense. Look for San Fran and Arizona to battle in another slugfest on Monday Night Football.
4. Houston Texans – The Texans looked like a team that was ready to get the taste of an embarrassing loss to the Packers out of their mouth on Sunday. They absolutely demolished the Ravens and solidified their spot as the best team in the AFC.
3. New York Giants – Dear Redskins, Victor Cruz is what we like to call a burner. When you are up four with less than two minutes to go, cover the burner. If Eli stays hot, Cruz’s salsa dancing will continue to haunt the NFC East as the season goes on.
2. Chicago Bears – Can this team play defense or what? The Lions didn’t help themselves much on Monday night, but the Bears defense did a ton to force their mistakes. Even more impressive than the win was Jay Cutler showing the ability to take a licking and keep on ticking. Carolina is staring at 1-6 when they face this team on Sunday.
1. Atlanta Falcons – The Falcons are 6-0 and well rested after their bye. Can they keep their undefeated streak going or will Matt Ryan finally have a game that resembles his letdowns of road games of the past?
Which NFC East quarterback will be smiling come Sunday night?
Picks:
TB @ MIN – I think I speak for all fantasy owners when I say Vincent Jackson has to be the slowest top receiver in the game. The Buccaneers loss to the Saints had to be extremely gut wrenching. The good news is they get a quick turnaround; the bad news is the Vikings defense is a heck of a lot better than the Saints “D” that stopped them four times from the two yard line on Sunday. 24-13 Vikings
CAR @ CHI – Is it time for Eli to worry about Cam stealing his affinity for the sad face? I think it might be. Newton looks more disheartened than a four year old opening up socks on Christmas morning. This Carolina offense is struggling and the Bears defense is not what the doctor ordered. 24-10 Bears
SD @ CLE – In the “save your Ambien and watch this” game of the week, the Browns host the Chargers. This sure feels like it could be the game Norv Turner finally convinces owners to fire him. But, Turner is like the zombies on the Walking Dead, just when you think you have seen the last of him, he keeps on coming. 23-17 Chargers
SEA @ DET – Struggling offenses do not want to see an NFC West team come to town. While I believe the Seahawks are better at home, they still have the talent to beat the Lions coming off of ten days of rest. The short week will hurt Detroit. 17-10 Seahawks
JAC @ GB – Maurice Jones Drew goes down and the Packers are next on the schedule. I feel really sorry for all ten members of the Jaguar fanbase. 31-14 Packers
IND @ TEN – It’s a battle for second place in the AFC South when the Colts visit the Titans. This is a really hard game to predict. The Titans are favored by 3.5, and I think it’s a field goal game either way. Because I am feeling lucky, I’ll take the Colts to pull off the small upset. 23-20 Colts
NE @ STL – The Pats and Rams square off at Wembley Stadium on Sunday. I have to think the Rams are the home team because the Patriots got their name from defeating the British in 1776. Anyway, Tom Brady and the Pats should do enough on offense to win this battle with the Rams. 27-17 Patriots
MIA @ NYJ – Both of these teams could still make a playoff run. Well, anyone could in the AFC, but I expect one of these teams to do so. After the gutsy effort last week, I expect the Jets to soar over the waterlogged Dolphins. 20-13 Jets
ATL @ PHI – Atlanta is 6-0 and Andy Reid is 13-0 after the bye. Something has to give on Sunday. I will not be surprised by either result, but I think the Eagles need this game to keep their season alive. If the team has any fight in them, they will beat a Falcons team by the sheer willpower of needing it more. 28-20 Eagles
WSH @ PIT – Griffin put on an awesome show in a loss to the Giants on Sunday. I expect him to make some big plays in this game, but the veteran experience of Ben Roethlisberger will help the Steelers continue their dominance at home. 28-24 Steelers
OAK @ KC – Dear NFL, if you are going to schedule two games at 4:00, please stop making one of them include the Raiders. Both of these teams have disappointed this season. The Raiders won last week and glass cleaned with Windex has a better chance of streaking. 17-13 Chiefs
NYG @ DAL – Dallas needs this game in a major way. Can they recapture the magic they had in week one against the Giants? I am excited to find out, but my money says they can’t, especially after losing one of their best defensive players for the season. 27-19 Giants
NO @ DEN – Bet the over. I know the media wants you to start believing in the Saints, but their secondary puts wide receivers in better hands than All State. Expect Manning to have a huge night under the bright lights of Sunday Night Football. 42-27 Broncos
SF @ ARI Why does Tom Petty love Arizona? Because they’re free… free falling. I expect the Niners to continue the downfall of the 2012 Arizona Cardinals. 20-12 49ers
The post Week Eight NFL Picks and the Sporting-Times Superb Five appeared first on Sporting-Times.
