NFL WEEK 8 REVIEW AND PICKS

As we enter into week 8 of the N.F.L., the cream of the crop are beginning to separate from the rest of the pack. The Green Bay Packers are the only team left that is undefeated at 7-0. Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers is completing 71.5% of his passes, which is the best in the league. He has thrown 20 touchdowns and only 3 interceptions. He is averaging 339 passing yards per game. He is playing better then any other quarterback in the league right now. He is one of the main reasons Green Bay is 7-0. Aaron Rodgers, week 7 player of the week.

Our game of the week is no other then the New England Patriots (5-1) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2). Despite their records, I am not sold on either one. Pittsburgh has a 3 game winning streak, but they were over Arizona (1-5), Jacksonville (2-5), and an overrate Tennessee team (3-3). Their defense has played better, but they still have questions on that front line. Steeler quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has to take advantage of this weak defense and they need to run the ball. They need to be consistent and attack the worst defense in the N.F.L. It is hard to believe that the Patriots are ranked 32nd in total defense.

For New England, the defense has to step up. They need to control the running game and keep Roethlisberger inside the tackles. The Patriot offense can put up big numbers and score, but the defense has to be able to hold their own. The one thing they have going for them is Tom Brady. Brady is 6-1 against the Steelers. And you can bet on this, it will be a physical game. The Patriots are not intemanated by playing in Pittsburgh. I believe they will get it done because the Steeler defense is not as dominating as it use to be. Pats win in a close one. New England 23 Pittsburgh 20

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (0-7) vs. TENNESSEE TITANS (3-3)

It has been a long season for the Colts. Their streak of 10 win seasons has been snapped and they are coming off a 62-7 beating by New Orleans. The Titans have lost 2 in a row to Pittsburgh and Houston. In those games, they are averaging just 12 points a game. Chris Johnson is only averaging 2.9 yards rushing yards a carry so far and has not been a factor. Will the Colts get their first win? Well, no. The Titans will end their losing skid and the Colts will drop their 8th in a row.

Tennessee 28 Indianapolis 14

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (2-5) vs. HOUSTON TEXANS (4-3)

The Jaguars are coming off a great defensive performance in a win against the Baltimore Ravens on Monday Night Football, but in turn, they had their worst offensive performance as well. Houston is coming off a decisive 41-7 win over Tennessee. The Texan defense is ranked 7th in total defense and their pass rush is going to cause problems for rookie quarterback Blaine Gabbert. Houston will improve to 3-0 in the division.

Houston 31 Jacksonville 17

MINNESOTA VIKINGS (1-6) vs. CAROLINA PANTHERS (2-5)

Despite Carolina's record, the Panthers have played every game competitive. 4 of their 5 losses have been by 7 points or less. Carolina rookie quarterback Cam Newton has put up unbelievable numbers. Newton is completing 60% of his passes. He has thrown for 2,103 yards and 8 touchdowns. He is averaging 300 passing yards a game. Minnesota played well against Green Bay last week, but it still resulted in a loss. The Panthers have a better defense and they will get their first winning streak of the season on Sunday.

Carolina 33 Minnesota 17

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (5-2) vs. ST. LOUIS RAMS (0-6)

The New Orleans Saints have put up big numbers on offense, including 62 points last Sunday. They are averaging 34 points per game and their defense is in the top tier of the league. For St. Louis, they are 29th in total defense and they have only scored 56 points in 6 games. Get the picture? This may be a repeat performance from last Sunday for the Saints. The Rams are done andit will show this weekend.

New Orleans 51 St. Louis 10

ARIZONA CARDINALS (1-5) vs. BALTIMORE RAVENS (4-2)

The Baltimore offense hit the wall last Monday night against a top ten defense. Arizona's defense is ranked 26th in the league. Look for the Ravens to be complete opposites of what you seen on Monday. The Ravens failed to run the ball last game and they don't repeat mistakes. I see Ray Rice having a big game. Arizona has lost 5 in a row and will be looking for a road win, but Baltimore is a tough shell to crack.

Baltimore 27 Arizona 17

MIAMI DOLPHINS (0-6) vs. NEW YORK GIANTS (4-2)

I am still not sure how to take the New York Giants, despite their 4-2 record. Eli Manning has been much better this season then last year. He has thrown for 1,778 yards with 11 touchdowns and only 5 interceptions. The Giants are protecting the ball this year, but they have struggled on defense. As for Miami, they struggle everywhere. Chad Henne gave them a chance before he was injured. Now, they are in trouble. I will take the Giants. There are big issues in Miami.

New York Giants 27 Miami 13

WASHINGTON REDSKINS (3-3) vs. BUFFALO BILLS (4-2)

The Bills are for real this season and Washington has dropped 2 straight after a 3-0 start. Rex Grossman was benched for Beck, but it is not enough to handle the Bills. Ryan Fitzpatrick has been solid at quarterback for the Bills. Their defense is ranked 31st, but they force turnovers. On offense, the Redskins have struggled. The Redskins are no easy task though, but it won't be enough in Buffalo. The Bills are 3-0 at home and they have been filling the stadium.

Buffalo 27 Washington 20

DETROIT LIONS (5-2) vs. DENVER BRONCOS (2-4)

The Lions have now dropped 2 straight and the Broncos are relying on the miracle worker himself, Tim Tebow. This is a big game for both teams, especially Detroit. They can't afford to lose another game at this point. I love Tim Tebow and I wish only the best for him, but I just don't see him pulling out a miracle in this game. He was sacked 7 times last game and this defense is much better. I like the Lions in this one.

Detroit 30 Denver 17

CLEVELAND BROWNS (3-3) vs. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (5-1)

The 49ers are coming off a bye week and will be well prepared for the Cleveland Browns. They have won 4 straight and they are much better then the Browns in all areas. The Cleveland offense only managed 6 points against the Seattle Seahawks. San Francisco quarterback Alex Smith has only passed for 1,090 yards and has 8 touchdowns. He has only threw two interceptions and that it has been crucial to their success. Cleveland is inconsistent and lucky to be 3-3 at this time. I like San Francisco at home.

San Francisco 27 Cleveland 12

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (2-4) vs. CINCINNATI BENGALS (4-2)

The Bengals have won 3 straight games and have the top ranked defense in the league. Rookie quarterback Andy Dalton has been a solid leader on this team. Seattle's two wins have been by forcing turnovers, but the Bengals have protected the ball well. Seattle's offense will have to manage something against this tough defense. I don't see it happening and Cincinnati will dominate this game on both sides of the ball.

Cincinnati 24 Seattle 10

DALLAS COWBOYS (3-3) vs. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (2-4)

This one is a tough call. Both of these teams were supposed to be better then what their records indicate. The Cowboys have been up and down all season, very inconsistent. You can say the same thing about the Eagles. Both these teams have struggled in the 4th quarter. The Eagles seemed to gain their confidence back last weekend against Washington, but it wasn't impressive. Dallas blew out St. Louis 34-7 last week. The Eagles are winless at home this season and I think it will be 0-3 by late Sunday night. Cowboys win.

Dallas 23 Philadelphia 17

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (4-2) vs. KANSAS CITY (3-3)

Monday Night Football at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs have quietly won 3 straight games. They lost to the Chargers20-17 in week 3. San Diego hasn't played well in the last 2 games. I believe something is wrong with Philip Rivers. He has only threw 7 touchdown passes and he has 9 interceptions. There is something about ArrowheadStadium that makes it a tough place to play at. The Chiefs are riding high on the win streak and something is up with San Diego. I am going out on a limb and calling my upset game of the week.

Kansas City 21 San Diego 20