Previewing Week 8

Last week's predictions: 12/13
Season tally: 67/104 (64%)

New England Patriots (-7) @ St. Louis Rams
NFL's annual trip to London won't be a blowout, in all likelihood. The Patriots have had trouble putting away inferior opponents (see: Sanchez, Mark) and give up too many long pass plays. Still...the Rams...
The pick: Patriots.

Indianapolis Colts @ Tennessee Titans (-3.5)
Suddenly the Titans are on the verge of a .500 record in a conference where a .500 team or two might actually make the playoffs. If Matt Hasselbeck wins this game, which would be his third in a row, it will be interesting to see if the team will still hand the keys back to Jake Locker when he's healthy.
The pick: Titans.

Jacksonville Jaguars @ Green Bay Packers (-14.5)
A fourteen-and-a-half point spread! That's what happens when you're an inept offensive team like the Jaguars, and then you lose your best only offensive player, Maurice Jones-Drew, to a foot injury, and you're up against the best quarterback in football.
The pick: Packers.

San Diego Chargers (-3) @ Cleveland Browns
Tricky! Are the Chargers still the same inept team that got embarrassed in that Monday Night debacle? Or have they used their bye week to fix what ails them? Either way, San Diego will make this game tougher than it needs to be. Result will still be in doubt in the fourth quarter.
The pick: Chargers.

Atlanta Falcons @ Philadelphia Eagles (-3)
Oh god oh god oh god oh god this is such a trap game for the undefeated Falcons. Let me count the ways: they're in Philadelphia. They haven't exactly been sharp the last couple weeks. Andy Reid's Eagles are notoriously good coming off a bye. Reid fired his incompetent defensive coordinator, so everyone's been put on notice. Michael Vick is playing his former team. So very many traps. Oh man oh man. Warning lights flashing everywhere.
The pick: Sticking with the Falcons, because they're just better then the Eagles, and I have a disproportionate amount of faith in Matt Ryan, but still can't help feeling like...

Seattle Seahawks @ Detroit Lions (-2.5)

Who do you trust more: a struggling Matthew Stafford against a formidable Seahawks secondary, or an incompetent-on-the-road Russell Wilson? Yes, 'none of the above' was the correct answer.

The pick: Seahawks.

Miami Dolphins @ New York Jets (-2)
Toss-up. The bye will have everyone forgetting that the Dolphins aren't as bad as we think they are, and the Patriots' terrible defense currently has us thinking Mark Sanchez is better than he actually is. Let's not suddenly start buying into the Jets, please.
The pick: Jets. After all that, I'm picking the Jets. I've been suckered.

Carolina Panthers @ Chicago Bears (-7.5)
The Jaguars upsetting the Packers would be the most shocking result of the week, but the Panthers beating the Bears would be right up there. Carolina is a sinking ship and the Bears are sailing right along, captained by their dominant defense. Seafaring metaphors for all.
The pick: Bears.

Washington Redskins @ Pittsburgh Steelers (-4)
Oh, the places they'll go! Two clutch, mobile quarterbacks who are on fire right now. Neither defense is stopping anybody. Final score should be 34-31 or something. Maybe overtime. Feels like neither team should lose.
The pick: Steelers.

Oakland Raiders @ Kansas City Chiefs (-1)
Good lord. Carson Palmer and Brady Quinn are ready to engage in an epic quarterback duel of misery. And all we can do is watch helplessly. Like patients etherized upon a table.
The pick: Ugh. Raiders.

New York Giants (-2.5) @ Dallas Cowboys
Remember when the Cowboys beat the Giants in Week 1? Yeah, me neither.
The pick: Giants.

New Orleans Saints @ Denver Broncos (-6.5)
Peyton Manning vs. Drew Brees on Sunday night. Really psyched about this one. Both team's punters can take the night off. Their services won't be needed.
The pick: Broncos.

San Francisco 49ers (-7) @ Arizona Cardinals
Feels like the NFC West is getting a ton of prime-time games this season. We know exactly what those deathmatches are bringing to the table: physical play, good special teams, great defense, field goals, shoddy quarterback play, and a final score decided by single digits.
The pick: 49ers.