The Crystal Ball

 

Last week was a reasonable 9 – 5 straight up and even against the spread, going 7 – 7; that brings the straight up the season record is now 65 for 103.  Against the spread, the season record is now 46 – 51 – 6 for the season, fortunately I do not actually bet football.  A word here about the spread, it is the line as of Tuesday morning when I put these picks together, your mileage may vary.

 

For anyone new to this feature the please note the following disclaimers.  These picks are for my pick’em league I participate in and are for amusement purposes only.  The choices here are preliminary for the week and changes are often made later in the week as more information comes in, particularly regarding injuries.  Because of the deadline for this column, those changes are not reflected in the weekly or the running totals.  This is my opinion only, not the actual informed football judgment of anyone else here and I am solely responsible.

 

Week 8

 

Detroit at Chicago – Chicago has been playing inconsistently on offense and their defense has had injury issues.  Detroit showed a more balanced offense but still has defensive issues and it is not clear that they have learned how to win on the road, Bears win 28 – 24.

 

Indianapolis at Carolina – Carolina has surged into the lead in their division on their bye week and has an extra week to prepare; they will need it.  Indianapolis coming off a Monday night game will likely be tired but are playing at a high level, Colts win 27 – 20.

 

Pittsburgh at Cincinnati – Cincinnati came back to win last week with four touchdowns in the second half, and needed them all because of their porous defense.  Pittsburgh had a disappointing effort last week from their defense but should rebound, Steelers win 28 – 21.

 

Cleveland at St Louis – Neither team can stop anyone defensively.  St Louis is slowly getting players back on the offensive side of the ball.  Cleveland is coming off their bye week and have been playing solid offense, Browns win 28 – 24.

 

New York Giants at Miami – Miami continues the ongoing saga of key NFL injuries losing running back Ronnie Brown for the season and now have an away “home” game in London.  The Giants have been playing excellent defense and a balanced offense, Giants win 27 – 14.

 

Philadelphia at Minnesota – Philadelphia has not been able to put touchdowns on the board in the red zone despite moving the ball well otherwise.  Minnesota has the obvious rookie of the year in Adrian Peterson and a good defense, Vikings win 21 – 17.

 

Oakland at Tennessee – Oakland is having problems generating offense and still does not seem to have learned how to win.  Tennessee has been playing very good defensive ball and finds a way to generate enough offense to win, Titans 24 – 10.

 

Buffalo at New York Jets – The Jets defense has been inconsistent and giving up big plays.  Buffalo finally won a close game against a good team last week after they let a couple of chances get away earlier this season, Jets win 21 – 20.  

 

Houston at San Diego – Houston looks like they may be playing without their starting quarterback when they go on the road this week.  San Diego is coming off their bye week and seems to be getting their offense going, Chargers win 28 – 14.

 

Jacksonville at Tampa Bay – Tampa Bay needs a win here but the one area in which their defense has been challenged is against the run.  Jacksonville is a good rushing team but if Garrard is out they may be too one-dimensional, then again perhaps not Jaguars 24 – 20.

 

New Orleans at San Francisco – The San Francisco offense is last in yards per game and second to last in points scored.  New Orleans is getting some semblance of an offensive game going and their defensive front can get pressure, Saints win 21 – 20.

 

Washington at New England – Washington has been winning games with stingy defense and will have their hands full this week.  New England seems to be able to score at will and has really not been tested this season, Patriots win 35 – 24.

 

Green Bay at Denver – Green Bay is still too one-dimensional offensively but has a strong defense.  Denver seems to have found a pass rush to go with their shut down corners, their rush defense is still somewhat of a question, Broncos win 24 – 21.

Dale “at” footballforecasters.com