Week 8 Predictions

16 Tampa Bay at Minnesota 20
Minnesota is just a better team.  Despite Christian Ponder's 2 pick, 58 yd performance against Arizona, the Vikings secured their 5th victory.  If they can win with that showing from Ponder, imagine how they'll do when Ponder goes up against the cup-cake Tampa Bay D.  The Cashier (AP) will run down the Bucs' throat setting up the pass for Ponder to Harvin against Tampa's atrocious secondary (31st in passing yds/game).  This thursday night game will be Minny's coming out party; they will show they are not a fluke.

14 Carolina at Chicago 23 
This must-win affair for Carolina could not have come against a worse team.  Cam Newton will go on the road to Chicago to face the #1 defense this year.  Chicago's D will continue to dominate as the Panthers will lose their 1st game since the firing of GM Marty Hurney.

16 San Diego at Cleveland 17
I was debating between a San Diego blowout victory or a Cleveland win by the skin of their teeth.  I decided on the latter upon realizing I have zero trust in Norv and Rivers.  Although the Browns only have 1 win, Brandon Weeden has looked real solid recently as he has developed chemistry with young wideout Josh Gordon.  I predict a Browns victory that lays the ground work for the eventual firing of Norv later this year.   

25 Seattle at Detroit 20
Matthew Stafford looked AWFUL last week.  I think the Lions are settling into their role as a 6-10 team this year, they have no run game and defenses are scheming against Calvin Johnson (only 3 catches last week).  Lynch runs all over Detroit and Russ Wilson doesn't turn the ball over leading to a Seahawk win on the road.

24 New England at St. Louis 21
The consensus here is that the Pats (4-3) are going to take control of the division with a blow-out victory overseas (game being playing in England) against the 3-4 Rams.  There is a problem with this logic, however.  The Pats looked bad last week, that was an ugly win vs the Jets.  The Rams D is legit, they have a solid pass-rush with Robert Quinn and Chris Long, have a field general in James Laurinaitis, and have two solid cornerbacks in Cortland Finnegan and rookie Janoris Jenkins.  I think the Rams give the Pats some trouble this week.  However, I can't see the Pats losing this one.  I think they win in an ugly-fashion in the UK.

17 Miami at NY Jets 20
Of course I'm going with the Jets home against Miami.  During these teams first meeting of the year, Miami dominated most of the game but the Jets came away with an overtime victory.  I think the Jets make a concerted effort to stop Reggie Bush (61 first half rush yards last time before leaving due to injury) forcing the rookie Tannehill to win the game.  I actually think the Dolphins are a decent team but I like the Jets to improve to 500.

26 Atlanta at Philadelphia 13
Andy Reid is 13-0 all-time coming off byes.  I think that comes to an end on sunday at home against the undefeated Falcons.  The Eagles have been a mess this year and I don't think their ineptitude can be solved by the bye.  I like Matty Ice and the boys to improve to 7-0.

31 Washington at Pittsburgh 28
I'm calling a classic at Heinz, an explosion of offense culminating in a victory for RG3 and his skins.  Coming off a disappointing defeat in New York (the defense lost them the game), RG3 will come out running and throwing like usual en route to a win in Pittsburgh.

13 Jacksonville at Green Bay 24 
This is a gimme game.  A great pick for an elimination pool.  Green Bay will take this one without any problems.  Rodgers and the Pack are back and MJD is out.  The Jags have 83 first downs this season (over 20 less than anyone else)  Saying their offense is anemic is an overstatement.  

33 Indianapolis at Tennessee 23
I know the Titans are 3-4 but I really think they are a door-matt type squad.  Andrew Luck will carve up this D and get another win for Coach Pagano.  I think the Colts are a sneaky contender this year, I mean, the AFC needs to field 2 wild card teams doesn't it?

30 Oakland at Kansas City 13
Brady Quinn is starting for Kansas City.  I like going against Brady Quinn 

34 NY Giants at Dallas 17
In Week 1, the Giants lost at home against Dallas as DeMarco Murray trounched the G-Men's D to the tune of 131 yards on the ground.  Murray is out this week; the Cowboys will be looking to attack via the air but I just have no trust in Tony Romo.  Eli takes the G-Men to 6-2.

17 New Orleans at Denver 31 
I really don't think the Saints are any good this year.  Their defense is porous; it will be carved up like a jack o'lantern on october 31st.  Peyton Manning is about to put on a show continuing his magic from the 2nd half vs San Diego.

21 San Francisco at Arizona 3
Arizona started the year 4-0.  They turned experts heads (who, for the most part, had them as a door-matt) with their incredible D especially in their wins over New England and Philly.  But after a thursday night football loss against St. Louis, they haven't been the same.  Their O-line was exposed as one of the worst in football and now the kinda-competent Kevin Kolb is injured, replaced by the not-so competent John Skelton.  San Fran is gonna shut this offense down just like they shut down Buffalo, the Jets and Seattle.  After their hot start, I could see Arizona falling to 4-6, playing Green Bay and Atlanta on the road after this contest.  They'll finish under 500.

Byes: Buffalo, Cincinnati, Baltimore, Houston

Last Week: 7-6
Season: 59-45

Fantasy Football: Release the Hounds (start em) , Ride the Pine (sit em) starting next week

Chinese word of the day: 面条 (Mian) definition: noodle
source: Kimi Shi https://www.facebook.com/yuxian.shi.3?fref=ts