NFL Pro Football 2008 Week 8 Picks early games

NFL Pro Football 2008 Week 8 Picks

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Fearless Rick's NFL Week 8 Picks - Early Games

Rick Gagliano | October 26-27

All times Eastern - Click here for late Sunday and Monday night games.

SUN, OCT 26

San Diego (-3, 46 1/2) at New Orleans 1:00 PM - As shocking as it may seem, the San Diego Chargers are 3-4 and in danger of not making the playoffs in 2008, despite playing in the NFL's weakest division. Perhaps equally shocking, the New Orleans Saints are 3-4, at the bottom of the NFC South and without the services of Reggie Bush for the remainder of the season.

All of that means this game is truly a battle of attrition. The Chargers' defense can't seem to stop anyone and no defense in the league is worried about LaDainian Tomlinson rushing for over 100 yards. (He's only done it once, gaining 106 yards on 20 carries against Oakland.) How the Chargers are favored here is a mystery only the sharpies in Las Vegas understand. No defense, not a great offense, and a 1-3 record on the road, plus, they're away for the second week in a row, means the Chargers have not earned the support of anybody's money, not even the US Treasury's. If anybody needs a bailout, it's San Diego. They're bankrupt.

Prediction: Saints 23 Chargers 21

Kansas City at NY Jets (-13, 39) 1:00 PM - How many opportunities did the Jets have to win last week at Oakland? 6, 8? Late in the game and in overtime, the Jets managed only to tie, thanks primarily to the ineptness of the Raiders' defensive coordinator. but the players on the field took care of business and pulled out a needed win for the Raiders. New York looked as inept on offense as they have all season and one has to wonder whether Brett Favre was wearing down late in the game.

The great Farve will get a shot at redemption against the horrific Chiefs, who have allowed 68 points while scoring only 10 in their last two games. Granted, those games were against Carolina and Tennessee, two of the best defensive teams in the league. The Jets are closer to the bottom than the top, allowing 24.3 points per game, which is just a shade better than KC, at 27.5. The Jets do hold a huge advantage offensively, as KC is last in the league at 12.5. Still, New York will have to do much to overcome that enormous point spread.

Prediction: Jets 27 Chiefs 20

Atlanta at Philadelphia (-9, 45 1/2) 1:00 PM - As usual, the Eagles are banged up. Brian Westbrook is out with assorted rib and leg injuries, so can Donovan McNabb be far from the DL himself? The Eagles' QB has not finished either of the past two seasons. As for the Falcons, well, they are the surprise of the league at 4-2, winners of two straight over NFC North teams, at Green Bay and last week's 22-20 stunner over Chicago.

The Falcons are just 1/2 game behind Tampa Bay and Carolina in the NFC South, both 5-2, while the Eagles have found the bottom of the NFC East, at 3-3, so this line only makes sense if you believe the Atlanta offense will be unable to score much on the Eagles. Both teams are allowing roughly 21 points per game. McNabb may be able to move the ball through the air against the Falcons, who have not inspired anyone on pass defense, but without Westbrook, they may be hard-pressed to get the ball into the end zone consistently. And speaking of consistency, David Akers keeps missing field goals (1-for-5 from 40 yards and out). Upset looms large here for the opportunistic Falcons.

Prediction: Falcons 38 Eagles 24

Buffalo (-1 1/2, 42) at Miami 1:00 PM - Buffalo has the best-kept secret in the league, but it's beginning to leak out of Orchard Park: Trent Edwards is a top-notch quarterback. Hitting at 70%, Edwards has only tossed 5 TDs, but just 2 INTs, and he's got a steady running game with which to work down the field and into opponents' end zones. The Bills keep creeping up the offensive and defensive rankings. They are 11th and 10th, respectively.

With a game on New England and two on the Jets, the Bills lead the AFC East and are traveling to South Florida to face a team they beat twice last season. While somewhat of a trap game, Buffalo should be ready to go out on the field and do what they've done 5 out of 6 times this season: put forth a workmanlike effort and win another game. For all the excitement over Miami's use of the "wildcat" offense, it's a gimmick and won't work consistently well over the course of the season.

Prediction: Bills 28 Dolphins 17

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St. Louis at New England (-7, 43 1/2) 1:00 PM - Don't look now, but the Rams have won two straight, over the Redskins and Cowboys, and they aren't looking to let up. However, they are still just 2-4 and near the bottom of the league on both defense and offense. This is a game the Patriots cannot afford to take lightly, and surely they won't. The Pats also benefit from remaining in New England following their devastating win over the Broncos on Monday night. This might devolve into a defensive struggle, but, in any case, the Pats should win and cover.

Prediction: Patriots 27 Rams 16

Arizona at Carolina (-4 1/2, 43 1/2) 1:00 PM - A key matchup of division leaders and a real test both for the Arizona offense and the Carolina defense. The Cardinals have too many weapons for most defenses to handle and one wonders how long the Panthers will be able to keep them out of the end zone. Probably not long enough to win this one. Any kind of defense by the Cardinals will guarantee a win.

Prediction: Cardinals 24 Panthers 21

Oakland at Baltimore (-7, 36) 1:00 PM - Oakland is improving, though maybe not fast enough to win on the road, while the Ravens are doing their best with a rag-tag offense and one of the best defenses in the league. The Raiders are going to keep this close because Baltimore will be unable to score often or keep drives going.

This could turn into one of the lowest-scoring efforts of the week and maybe the season. In that event, the points will be your friend.

Prediction: Ravens 12 Raiders 10

All times Eastern - Click here for late Sunday and Monday night games

Copyright 2008, 2009, Rick Gagliano, Downtown Magazine. All rights reserved. Downtown Magazine is located in the Uinted States of America and is not affiliated with the National Football League or the NCAA. For more information, contact us here. Use of this site is for entertainment purposes only.

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