Ramblin’ Fan’s NFL Week 8 Picks and Predictions

October 18, 2012; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore (21) runs the ball against the Seattle Seahawks in the fourth quarter at Candlestick Park. The 49ers defeated the Seahawks 13-6. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-US PRESSWIRE

The NFC West will have another primetime matchup in NFL week 8 as the Cardinals will host the 49ers on Monday Night Football.  Last week was a pretty good week for my picks as I went 11-2 just missing on the Bengals and the Rams games.  My inability to avoid being a homer on my Rams pick last week will provide a lesson, as I will pick against the Rams this week, as they are matched up against another elite quarterback and surrender homefield advantage for the game in London.  Week 8 features several games that could really go either way as parity rules this NFL season.  Enough Ramblin’, here are my NFL Week 8 Picks and predictions followed by the tracking table, hopefully the excellent week I had last week on picks will carry over into this week as well.  Don’t hesitate to tell me why you think I am off my meds on any of these picks, and as always Go Rams!!

Buccaneers @ Vikings.  Thursday Night Football will be my first opportunity to see Adrian Peterson following his recovery from knee surgery.  He may find it tough to get much running room against a Buccanneers team that is #1 in the NFL against the run in Yards Per Carry and #3 in Yards per game.  Great players find a way and I believe Ponder will do just enough to keep the defense honest and let Peterson have a big primetime showing.  Vikings win 24 – 17.

Dolphins @ Jets.  I am not even sure why I am picking the Jets here.  This should be a great game between two middle of the road teams battling for positioning in the AFC East.  I am going to go with the home team to win a close one.  Jets win 17 – 13.

Chargers @ Browns.  The Chargers have had late game collapses in consecutive weeks to the Saints and Broncos.  Thankfully for them the competition drops off a little in the Browns and another 4th quarter meltdown seems highly unlikely.  Chargers win 31 – 14.

Colts @ Titans.  I know Andrew Luck is going to be a great quarterback someday but right now he is still just a rookie on a poor football team.  With veteran Matt Hasselback playing efficient football and Chris Johnson finally busting loose last week I can’t pick against the home team.  That and the fact that the Colts are giving up over 140 yards per game on the ground.  Titans win 21 – 13.

Patriots @ Rams.  This game is being played in London and should be a great football game.  I want to pick the Rams to pull off the upset, and if the game was in St. Louis I would probably do so especially given the Patriots horrible pass defense.  I will fight the urge to be a homer and reluctantly pick the Patriots to win in a back and forth battle in Wembley Stadium.  Patriots win 24-21.

Jaguars @ Packers.  No Maurice Jones-Drew means no fun for the Jaguars at Lambeau Field.  By my guess the only hope the Jaguars have of not getting completely blown out was to run the ball and play keep away from Aaron Rodgers, but without MJD on the field and an ailing Blaine Gabbert things could get ugly fast.  Rodgers continues to remind everyone why he was league MVP last year in another brilliant performance.  Packers win 35 – 6.

Falcons @ Eagles.  How can I go against the last unbeaten team in the NFL when they are facing the turnover machine that is Michael Vick?  This game should be entertaining as two of the most talented teams in the NFL will square off.  So far Matt Ryan and the Falcons have found ways to win and I expect them to do so again in Philadelphia.  Falcons win 24-16.

Redskins @ Steelers.  I will of course be rooting against the Redskins to improve the value of the pick they traded to us for the rights to RGII.  It looks like the Steelers will be without Troy Polamalu in this game which to me spells shootout.  The Redskins defense can’t stop anybody and without Polamalu the Steelers will struggle to contain Griffin.  Last team to have the ball wins! Redskins win 31 – 28.

Seahawks @ Lions.  The Lions are at home in an absolute must win situation if they hope to keep any playoff hopes alive.  If they would just get out of their funk with turnovers and special teams mistakes this team could put up 30+ points a week.  Look for Megatron to have a big day as his size neutralizes the Seahawks cornerbacks primary tactic of overpowering receivers at or near the line of scrimmage.  Lions win 24 – 16.

Panthers @ Bears.  Cam Newton has not looked very sharp this season following a sensational rookie year.  I don’t expect him to have much success against a Bears defense that is playing better than any other defense in the NFL right now.  Look for the Bears defense to force some turnovers and probably even put some points on the board themselves to add to their league leading 5 defensive TDs.  Bears win 28 – 13.

Raiders @ Chiefs.  If Brady Quinn is the answer I am not sure I want to know what the question is.  While Carson Palmer has had his fair share of struggles this season I expect him to play well enough for the Raiders to pick up the win here.  As long as the Raiders can slow down Jamaal Charles, or possibly even counter him with Darren McFadden (who has seriously underperformed this season), they should get the win.  Raiders win 20 – 17.

Giants @ Cowboys.  Well since it is no longer the first 6 weeks of the season there is no reason to pick against the Giants, the same can be said of picking for the Cowboys.  The perennial slow starters travel to Dallas to take on the perennial weak finishers in an NFC East showdown.  Eli Manning and the Giants will avenge their season opening loss and it wont even require a dropped two point conversion.  Giants win 30 – 20.

Saints @ Broncos.  Peyton Manning and Drew Brees battling it out on primetime television, brace yourself for Superbowl XLIV references and discussions about how these are two of the best quarterbacks of all time.  The Broncos are just a better team than the Saints are without Sean Payton, and as long as they don’t spot the Saints a 20 point lead they should please the home crowd.  Broncos win 31 – 23.

49ers @ Cardinals.  Another NFC West showdown in primetime, this time on Monday Night Football.  The 49ers have had very limited success taking down opposing quarterbacks this season with only 11 sacks so far putting them at 24th in the NFL.  Well 49ers fans have no fear, the Arizona Cardinals offensive line will remedy that problem for you.  The Cardinals have an excellent defense but as long as they fail to protect their quarterback well enough for him to deliver to his all star wide receiver they will continue to lose.   49ers win 24 – 10.

Week 8 Matchups

Pick

Bucs @ Vikings

Vikings

Dolphins @ Jets

Jets

Chargers @ Browns

Chargers

Colts @ Titans

Titans

Patriots @ Rams

Patriots

Jaguars @ Packers

Packers

Falcons @ Eagles

Falcons

Redskins @ Steelers

Redskins

Seahawks @ Lions

Lions

Panthers @ Bears

Bears

Raiders @ Chiefs

Raiders

Giants @ Cowboys

Giants

Saints @ Broncos

Broncos

49ers @ Cardinals

49ers

Last Week

11-2

Overall Record

60-44