Just about halfway throught the 2012 season here and things are taking more of a shape.\u00a0 After next week, we will take our first peak at the “playoff picture.”\u00a0 For not, it’s still a jockeying for position.\u00a0 There is just one undefeated team left (Green Bay) and one winless team (Oakland).\u00a0 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).\u00a0 But, at only 7 weeks in, a lot of this could be just the imbalance of the schedule thus far.\u00a0 After just about every game being really tough to call so far, there are a ton of mismatches here in Week Eight.<\/p>\n
Tampa Bay (3-3) at MINNESOTA (3-4)<\/span> – Vegas: Vikings -3.5 Carolina (3-3) at CHICAGO (3-3)<\/span> – Vegas: Bears -4 San Diego (3-3) at CLEVELAND (1-6)<\/span> – Vegas: Chargers -3.5 Seattle (1-6) at DETROIT (2-4)<\/span> – Vegas: Lions -6.5 Jacksonville (3-3) at GREEN BAY (7-0)<\/span> – Vegas: Packers -14 Indianapolis (1-5) at TENNESSEE (3-4)<\/span> – Vegas: Titans -6 New England (6-1) vs. St. Louis (3-4)<\/span> – in London – Vegas: Patriots -11 Miami (3-3) at N.Y.JETS (3-4)<\/span> – Vegas: Jets -4.5 Atlanta (4-2) at PHILADELPHIA (4-2)<\/span> – Vegas: Eagles -6.5 Washington (1-6) at PITTSBURGH (5-1)<\/span> – Vegas: Steelers -6.5 Oakland (0-6) at KANSAS CITY (2-4)<\/span> – Vegas: Chiefs -3.5 N.Y.Giants (5-2) at DALLAS (3-3)<\/span> – Vegas: Cowboys -2.5 New Orleans (5-1) at DENVER (2-4)<\/span> – Vegas: Broncos -2.5 San Francisco (5-2) at ARIZONA (3-4)<\/span> – Vegas: 49ers -3 NFC EAST:<\/span> NFC NORTH:<\/span> NFC SOUTH:<\/span> NFC WEST: AFC EAST:<\/span> AFC NORTH:<\/span> AFC SOUTH:<\/span> AFC WEST: Just about halfway throught the 2012 season here and things are taking more of a shape.\u00a0 After next week, we will take our first peak at the “playoff picture.”\u00a0 For not, it’s still a jockeying for position.\u00a0 There is just … Continue reading
\nAgain, I need a really solid reason to pick against the home team on these Thursday Night games, and\u00a0I can’t find one here.\u00a0 Vikings (moderate)<\/strong><\/p>\nSunday, Early Afternoon<\/h1>\n
\nThis one is tougher than it may seem simply because the Bears are coming off a Monday Night game against division rivals, Detroit.\u00a0 But, that was a home game and so is this.\u00a0 Plus, I think the Bears matchup well against the Panthers, so I’ll stick with the better team at home.\u00a0 Bears (close)<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nChargers coming off of a bye against a really bad Browns team should be enough to overcome the West Coast team at 1:00 thing.\u00a0 Chargers (moderate)<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nThe 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.\u00a0 Lions (moderate)<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nJacksonville’s second-straight road game after a West Coast trip last week.\u00a0 Maybe the easiest pick of the season so far.\u00a0 Packers (easy)<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nThe momentum of the first win only goes so far when you have a terrible defense.\u00a0 Titans (easy)<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nBoth teams have actually made this London trip before, and both teams are very well-coached by long-time, veteran NFL leading men.\u00a0 However, one team is simply a lot <\/em>more talented than the other.\u00a0 Patriots (easy)<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nThis is another tough spot for those men in green.\u00a0 Coming off an emotional game against New England, they have to face Miami, who is coming off of the bye.\u00a0 Plus, they are staring their bye week in the face, as the season slowly slips away.\u00a0 I like the ‘Phins to steal this one in the Meadowlands.\u00a0 Dolphins (close)<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nAndy Reid never loses after the bye.\u00a0 Eagles (moderate)<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nSecond-straight tough road game for the ‘Skins.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 Steelers (easy)<\/strong><\/p>\nSunday, Late Afternoon<\/h1>\n
\nComing off the bye with one of the best homefield advantages in the league?\u00a0 Chiefs (easy)<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nProbably the game of the week, but I like the home team here to flex their muscles and show some pride.\u00a0 Cowboys (close)<\/strong><\/p>\nSunday Night<\/h1>\n
\nThe Broncos have two weeks to prepare for this prime time home game against the high-flying Saints.\u00a0 Peyton is the king of prime time, and he should show it on this night.\u00a0 Broncos (moderate)<\/strong><\/p>\nMonday Night<\/h1>\n
\nThe Niners haven’t played since beating Seattle at home last Thursday Night.\u00a0 That should be enough time to dial up a defense to stop the Kolb\/Skelton train.\u00a0 49ers (moderate)<\/strong><\/p>\nStandings After Week Eight<\/h1>\n
\nAfter back-to-back Ls for Big Blue, the Eagles regain the NFC East lead with the Cowboys right back in it<\/em>
\n5-2 Eagles
\n5-3 Giants
\n4-3 Cowboys
\n1-7 Redskins<\/p>\n
\nA big 4-0 week for the NFC North
\n<\/em>8-0 Packers
\n4-3 Bears
\n4-4 Vikings
\n3-4 Lions<\/p>\n
\nA tough 0-4 week for the NFC South
\n<\/em>5-2 Saints
\n4-3 Falcons
\n3-4 Bucs
\n3-4 Panthers<\/p>\n
\n<\/span>The Niners win back-to-back divisional games as they continue to pull away
\n<\/em>6-2 49ers
\n3-5 Rams
\n3-5 Cardinals
\n1-7 Seahawks<\/p>\n
\nThe 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
\n<\/em>7-1 Patriots
\n4-3 Bills
\n4-3 Dolphins
\n3-5 Jets<\/p>\n
\nA much-needed bye week for the Ravens, as they are 3 full games behind the Steelers
\n<\/em>6-1 Steelers
\n5-2 Bengals
\n3-4 Ravens
\n1-7 Browns<\/p>\n
\nThe Titans and Jags continue to flip-flop in 2nd and 3rd, as the Texans enjoy their bye in first place
\n<\/em>5-2 Texans
\n4-4 Titans
\n3-4 Jaguars
\n1-6 Colts<\/p>\n
\n<\/span>Everyone wins but the winless Raiders, as this could be an interesting race the whole way
\n<\/em>4-3 Chargers
\n3-4 Chiefs
\n3-4 Broncos
\n0-7 Raiders<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"