Week 8 Predictions for the NFL

It's time to look ahead at this weekend's games predict some winners. After back to back 11-2 weekends, I'm feeling pretty confident heading into this weekend's match-ups. After carefully dissecting the teams and match-ups, I'm confident this week that I will go 13-0. It's very tough to do this year with all the parody, but I definitely have a good shot with this week's games.

Baltimore is coming off a devastating loss on a prime time stage and I have a feeling they will take it out on the hopeless Cardinals. The Ravens are 12.5 point favorites and playing at home against a team that has a banged up running back and a quarterback that has failed to live up to the contract and expectations the Cards had for him. This one is going to get ugly. Look for this defense to become opportunistic and score some points as well, because they can't trust the offense to score consistently. Offense and defense scores this weekend and Ravens win 30-10.

This is going to be an intriguing match-up. The Vikings looked good last weekend against the Packers under Christian Ponder. Adrian Peterson has been playing great (as usual) but the defense isn't as good as it used to be. The over aggressive defensive ends will get pressure on the edges, but this will hurt them and allow Cam Newton to scramble forward for positive yards through out the game. Carolina is 3.5 point favorites this weekend, but another week of practice for Ponder as the No. 1 will prove to be too much for the Panthers. I like the Vikings in an upset. Vikings 24-20

The Texans are 10 point favorites and I agree with the odds. The Jags D was tenacious Monday against the Ravens, but a healthy Arian Foster and the chance that Andre Johnson will be back into the lineup will give the Texans more than enough ammo to beat the Jaguars. I like Houston winning this game in big fashion, because the Jags are incapable of scoring. Houston wins 28-10

The Giants are 10.5 point favorites against the Dolphins, which doesn't seem like enough if you ask me. The Dolphins are awful and the Giants are starting to get healthy coming off a bye. Combine that with playing at home this Sunday and the Giants are a sure fire pick in this one. Giants win 27-6

The Saints are a little less than two touchdown favorites over the Rams this Sunday. The Saints are coming off a 62 point performance against the Colts last weekend. I don't expect them to duplicate that at all, but I do expect them to run away with this game. The Rams are bad and Bradford is out another game, so expect the Saints to win big. Saints 33-10

The Titans are 8.5 point favorites in this game where most of us in Indy are hoping that its a must win for Caldwell's job. He has done nothing with this team without Peyton Manning and that's not good. A coach can't ride one player and keep his job. Look for the Colts to play better than they did last weekend, but it's not going to be enough. It will be closer than people think so I would take the Colts with the spread, but the Titans will win this game. Titans 20-14

The Redskins have lost too many players to injuries, and John Beck has not proven that he can win in this league. They travel to Buffalo who is coming off a bye week after losing their second game of the year to the New York Giants. The Bills are a touchdown favorite and I like those odds playing at home against a banged up Redskins team. Bills 31-20

How the Lions have fallen. Coming into Denver only three point favorites against a Tim Tebow led team. Stafford is practicing, but will the Lions risk him in this game one week before the bye? Whether it's Matthew Stafford or Shaun Hill, I like the Lions in this one. Lions 28-13

The Patriots travel into Hines Field three point favorites, and I don't see any reason why they shouldn't win this game. Coming off a bye I like the Pats in this one. The Steelers have been up and down this year but are 5-2 and looking to stay atop the North. You know the Patriots will be ready with two weeks to prepare so expect New England to win this game. Patriots 24-20

Both of these teams have played solid defense this year, but both have a lot of new players on offense and have struggled to score points at times. The Bengals are a surprising 4-2 and I like them in this game, even if Marshawn Lynch does play for Seattle. Greg Little is becoming a legitimate receiver in this league, and I see him scoring again this week against the Seahawks. Bengals 17-13

The 49ers are 9 point favorites against a Browns team that seems incapable of scoring points. Coming off a bye I expect them to be fully prepared for the Browns, who will have Peyton Hillis back in the lineup this Sunday. I would like to see him get back on track and be the player he was a year ago, not the whiny player that's hurt every week for whatever reason this season. The niners will win this game because I don't believe the Browns have learned how to score yet consistently. 49ers win 20-10

The Eagles are coming off a bye, and the Cowboys are coming off their most impressive win of the season. This should be a great match-up. I don't think the Cowboys secondary is good enough to consistently stop Jackson and Maclin, so I think the Eagles will be able to score points. You know Andy Reid will have his team focused on stopping the run, so Romo is going to have to win this game for Dallas, which he hasn't proved he can do this year. I like the Eagles in this game. Eagles 27-24

This is another one of those games where you don't know which team will show up on any given week. The Chargers already have a win over the Chiefs this year, but the game was closer than many thought it would be. The Chargers just aren't the team that everyone thought they were going to be, and don't look to be real competitive against the better teams in the league. I think they will win this game though, even though it's played in Kansas City. Chargers 28-17