Just about halfway throught the 2012 season here and things are taking more of a shape.  After next week, we will take our first peak at the “playoff picture.”  For not, it’s still a jockeying for position.  There is just one undefeated team left (Green Bay) and one winless team (Oakland).  The big surprises on the good side through 7 weeks are probably New Orleans (5-1) and Cincinnati (5-2), while the surprises on the bad side are probably Oakland (0-6), Seattle (1-6), and Detroit (2-4).  But, at only 7 weeks in, a lot of this could be just the imbalance of the schedule thus far.  After just about every game being really tough to call so far, there are a ton of mismatches here in Week Eight.

Thursday Night

Tampa Bay (3-3) at MINNESOTA (3-4) – Vegas: Vikings -3.5
Again, I need a really solid reason to pick against the home team on these Thursday Night games, and I can’t find one here.  Vikings (moderate)

Sunday, Early Afternoon

Carolina (3-3) at CHICAGO (3-3) – Vegas: Bears -4
This one is tougher than it may seem simply because the Bears are coming off a Monday Night game against division rivals, Detroit.  But, that was a home game and so is this.  Plus, I think the Bears matchup well against the Panthers, so I’ll stick with the better team at home.  Bears (close)

San Diego (3-3) at CLEVELAND (1-6) – Vegas: Chargers -3.5
Chargers coming off of a bye against a really bad Browns team should be enough to overcome the West Coast team at 1:00 thing.  Chargers (moderate)

Seattle (1-6) at DETROIT (2-4) – Vegas: Lions -6.5
The Lions are coming off of a Monday Night game in Chicago, but the West Coast Seahawks have the early game here, so chalk this one up as another tough schedule L for Pete Carroll and the boys.  Lions (moderate)

Jacksonville (3-3) at GREEN BAY (7-0) – Vegas: Packers -14
Jacksonville’s second-straight road game after a West Coast trip last week.  Maybe the easiest pick of the season so far.  Packers (easy)

Indianapolis (1-5) at TENNESSEE (3-4) – Vegas: Titans -6
The momentum of the first win only goes so far when you have a terrible defense.  Titans (easy)

New England (6-1) vs. St. Louis (3-4) – in London – Vegas: Patriots -11
Both teams have actually made this London trip before, and both teams are very well-coached by long-time, veteran NFL leading men.  However, one team is simply a lot more talented than the other.  Patriots (easy)

Miami (3-3) at N.Y.JETS (3-4) – Vegas: Jets -4.5
This is another tough spot for those men in green.  Coming off an emotional game against New England, they have to face Miami, who is coming off of the bye.  Plus, they are staring their bye week in the face, as the season slowly slips away.  I like the ‘Phins to steal this one in the Meadowlands.  Dolphins (close)

Atlanta (4-2) at PHILADELPHIA (4-2) – Vegas: Eagles -6.5
Andy Reid never loses after the bye.  Eagles (moderate)

Washington (1-6) at PITTSBURGH (5-1) – Vegas: Steelers -6.5
Second-straight tough road game for the ‘Skins.  Their only saving grace is that the Steelers had a tough Sunday Night game in Cincinnati last week, but that shouldn’t make anywhere near enough of a difference.  Steelers (easy)

Sunday, Late Afternoon

Oakland (0-6) at KANSAS CITY (2-4) – Vegas: Chiefs -3.5
Coming off the bye with one of the best homefield advantages in the league?  Chiefs (easy)

N.Y.Giants (5-2) at DALLAS (3-3) – Vegas: Cowboys -2.5
Probably the game of the week, but I like the home team here to flex their muscles and show some pride.  Cowboys (close)

Sunday Night

New Orleans (5-1) at DENVER (2-4) – Vegas: Broncos -2.5
The Broncos have two weeks to prepare for this prime time home game against the high-flying Saints.  Peyton is the king of prime time, and he should show it on this night.  Broncos (moderate)

Monday Night

San Francisco (5-2) at ARIZONA (3-4) – Vegas: 49ers -3
The Niners haven’t played since beating Seattle at home last Thursday Night.  That should be enough time to dial up a defense to stop the Kolb/Skelton train.  49ers (moderate)

Standings After Week Eight

NFC EAST:
After back-to-back Ls for Big Blue, the Eagles regain the NFC East lead with the Cowboys right back in it
5-2 Eagles
5-3 Giants
4-3 Cowboys
1-7 Redskins

NFC NORTH:
A big 4-0 week for the NFC North
8-0 Packers
4-3 Bears
4-4 Vikings
3-4 Lions

NFC SOUTH:
A tough 0-4 week for the NFC South
5-2 Saints
4-3 Falcons
3-4 Bucs
3-4 Panthers

NFC WEST:
The Niners win back-to-back divisional games as they continue to pull away
6-2 49ers
3-5 Rams
3-5 Cardinals
1-7 Seahawks

AFC EAST:
The Jets are mired in last place, as the Pats continue to dominate; a good push by Miami has brought them over .500 and possibly in the playoff hunt
7-1 Patriots
4-3 Bills
4-3 Dolphins
3-5 Jets

AFC NORTH:
A much-needed bye week for the Ravens, as they are 3 full games behind the Steelers
6-1 Steelers
5-2 Bengals
3-4 Ravens
1-7 Browns

AFC SOUTH:
The Titans and Jags continue to flip-flop in 2nd and 3rd, as the Texans enjoy their bye in first place
5-2 Texans
4-4 Titans
3-4 Jaguars
1-6 Colts

AFC WEST:
Everyone wins but the winless Raiders, as this could be an interesting race the whole way
4-3 Chargers
3-4 Chiefs
3-4 Broncos
0-7 Raiders