The Armchair Quarterback’s Guide To The NFL: Week 8

The Armchair Quarterback’s Week 8 Predictions

It was another solid week for the Armchair Quarterback predictions, going 11-4 in week 7. That brings the season totals to 73-34. For comparison, ESPN has 13 of their experts make picks each week. Of those 13, only Ron Jaworski has a better record at 76-31 (Adam Schefter is in last place at 60-47). Let’s get into this week’s picks….

Panthers at Buccaneers

The Panthers quietly have the #2 defense for points allowed. The Buccaneers, on the other hand, have scored the second fewest points in the league AND they just lost their best offensive player in Doug Martin. In case you need it spelled out, that’s not good, not good at all. Maybe the Bucs will rally around their coach and go out there and play their hearts out. Then again, maybe not.

Panthers 24
Buccaneers 13

49ers at Jaguars

Since losing two straight games, the 49ers have rebounded to win four straight by a combined score of 132-51. They are averaging 34 PPG over that span. The Jaguars are averaging 10.9 PPG this season. If college football played games in London, this would be like sending them LSU vs Norfolk State. The sad part is that the NFL is trying to convince London to adopt the Jags as their “hometown” team. No wonder the Brits prefer soccer.

49ers 31
Jaguars 16

Browns at Chiefs

(Homer Alert) Look, does Cleveland have some good young players and a solid defense? Yes. Can they keep the Chiefs from putting up a lot of points? Yes. Do I think Brandon Weeden (or perhaps Jason Campbell (or perhaps Jeff Garcia?!?!?!) can go into the loudest stadium in the world and thrive against the best defense in the NFL through seven games? No. No team has harassed QBs more than KC (on pace for 80 sacks) and Weeden hasn’t exactly handled the pressure well thus far. The Chiefs should stay undefeated for another week.

Browns 13
Chiefs 23

Dolphins at Patriots

I had actually picked against the Dolphins in every single game this season until last week when they faced the Bills. So what happened? The Dolphins let Thad Lewis and the Bills come into their own house and beat them, in large part due to their terrible pass protection. So what is the Dolphins answer? Trading for possibly the biggest waste of talent in the NFL in Bryant McKinnie. This is the guy that was a part of the “love boat” incident in Minnesota AND the party bus/stripper named Sweet Pea/teammate hit in the head with a champagne bottle incident in Baltimore. I’m sure sending him to South Beach will go swimmingly. Good luck in Foxboro against Tom Brady Dolphins fans, you’ll need it. The Pats have some issues this season and Brady doesn’t seem quite like his old self, but they should still be able to take care of business here.

Dolphins 20
Patriots 27

Bills at Saints

Thad Lewis has definitely turned some heads filling in for the injured EJ Manuel. In fact, you can make a strong case for Lewis actually playing slightly better than Manuel was. The Bills have been a tough team all season with 5 of their 7 games being determined by 3 points or less. Mario Williams is showing some life and Kiko Alonso has been a monster. However, going into New Orleans to face Drew Brees and Sean Payton who have had their bye week to prepare is a little too much to overcome. The Bills will keep it respectable, but the Saints (especially at home) are in another league.

Bills 21
Saints 27

Cowboys at Lions

This is a big game for both teams. The Cowboys have taken the lead in the NFC East and want to put some distance between them and the rest of the pack. The Lions are trying to keep pace with the Packers. Both of these teams can throw the ball on offense and struggle to stop the pass on defense so a lot of yards through the air is expected. I’m predicting a shoot out, but I’ll give the edge to Detroit since they are at home and I like Reggie Bush more than DeMarco Murray or anyone else Dallas may use at running back.

Cowboys 31
Lions 34

Giants at Eagles

Coming out of Monday Night Football this week, all anyone wanted to talk about was how bad Minnesota and their QB Josh Freeman played. Lost in the shuffle was that the Giants still didn’t look very good either. Eli was just okay and the best running back for NY was Peyton Hillis who rushed for all of 2 yards per carry. The big problem with predicting this game right now is being a little unsure of who will start at QB for the Eagles. It sounds like Mike Vick will get the start, and if so, I like the Eagles at home. If they are forced to go with Matt Barkley, then I like the Giants to get the much needed road win. If I was a betting man, I wouldn’t touch this game until the QB situation looks 100% locked in.

Giants 24
Philadelphia 27

Steelers at Raiders

I think this is a “pick ’em” game. I’ve gone back and forth on which team I think will win. This is a huge game for both teams because the difference going forward with a 3-4 record compared to a 2-5 record is substantial. The Steelers have been playing better since their bye week and seem to have fixed the turnover problems on offense. Plus, Big Ben is still a big time QB. On the other hand, Oakland has played pretty tough this year. They’re at home for this one, where they are 2-1 on the season. I literally think this one could go either way. I’ll take the Raiders because they’re at home and I’m not sure the Steelers can get enough pressure on Pryor.

Steelers 23
Raiders 24

Jets at Bengals

This should be a good game between two physical teams. The Jets have been a pleasant surprise thus far. Geno Smith looks like the answer at QB for the Jets and in an even bigger surprise it looks like Rex Ryan may actually survive with his job intact this season. The Jets true calling card is their defense, led by a great defensive front. The Bengals are also very strong defensively, but have a little more offensive fire power. If this game wasn’t in Cincinnati I would strongly consider taking the Jets here, but I think home field and Cincy’s play makers put them over the top.

Jets 17
Bengals 20

Falcons at Cardinals

Here’s how important the quarterback position is, imagine if you swapped Matt Ryan and Carson Palmer on these teams. I think Arizona would compete with San Francisco and Seattle in that division and I think the Falcons would be at the bottom of the NFL. Unfortunately for Arizona, the Falcons aren’t making that swap. The Cards were able to put up at least 20 points the last two weeks against the 49ers and Seahawks and the Falcons defense isn’t anywhere near those two teams. I’m probably making this pick more with my heart than my head, as I’m hoping that Atlanta falls out of contention and will consider sending Tony Gonzalez back to KC for one last hurrah.

Falcons 20
Cardinals 23

Redskins at Broncos

I realize that the Broncos are still arguably the best team in the NFL and the Redskins are having a disappointing season after last year’s success, but I actually don’t think this game matches up all that well for Denver. Despite their losing record, the Skins are #4 in the NFL in YPG. You combine that with Denver’s defense giving up 28 points and almost 400 yards per game and this could turn into another shoot out. If Manning plays like he did in the first 5 games, Denver will win, but if the same Peyton that faced the Jags and Colts shows up this could get interesting. I’ll give the Broncos the benefit of the doubt because of their record and home field advantage, but I won’t fall out of my chair if the Skins pull off the upset here.

Redskins 34
Broncos 38

Packers at Vikings

The Vikings were about the worst looking team in the history of Monday Night Football last week. It was REALLY bad. I don’t care how short of time Josh Freeman was with the team he was just flat out inaccurate. The Vikings never should have started him and now they basically put themselves in a position where they have to keep playing him. The fact that the best QB in the NFC is coming to town doesn’t help matters. The Packers are missing some players, but anyone that would pick the Vikings after that display Monday night needs to have their head examined.

Packers 27
Vikings 13

Seahawks at Rams

Well, good thing we got that Giants/Vikings MNF game out of the way and can move on to a much better match up this week. Wait….what’s that you say? Kellen Clemens is going to be the starting QB for the Rams against one of the best defenses in all of football? Well that’s not exactly ideal, but at least the Rams have a great run game they can rely on to take the pressure off of Clemens. Wait…..the Rams are rated 29th in the league in rushing? (Sigh) Maybe I should earn some brownie points with the wife and just watch Dancing With The Stars.

Seahawks 27
Rams 10

Now on to the Armchair Quarterback Odds And Ends Of The Week…….