NFL Preview Week 8

Detroit Lions vs. Atlanta Falcons (London) - The first game up today will be between the Detroit Lions and the Atlanta Falcons in London's Wembley Stadium. Detroit looks hot right now, and Atlanta certainly is not. The Falcons, if they had home field advantage in this thing, might be able to pull off a win. But they have been simply atrocious away from home, and I have a feeling that the Lions will take advantage of that to get another big win to advance to 6-2.  My pick: Detroit


Buffalo Bills at NY Jets - The Jets are on the hot seat, and desperately need a win. The Bills are trying to maintain a winning record, although they have been inconsistent. You figure the Jets are going to win again one of these Sundays. It's just a question of when. But the Bills are the better team, and even though they are on the road, they should pull off the win. The Jets just have not looked good and, right now, they are playing like one of the truly worst teams in the league. This is a tough game to call, but I have to call it, right? My pick: Buffalo.


Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals - The Bengals looked like they had everything under control as they started the season off 3-0, then enjoyed their bye week (probably a bit too early). Then, they went up to New England, and everything went wrong. They not only lost, but lost big, and have not won since. They now host one of the hottest teams in the league, and their division rivals, to boot. Cincinnati went on the road to hand the Ravens a home defeat on opening day. Time for the Ravens to pay them back for that, and take solid command of this division in the process.  My pick: Baltimore


Seattle Seahawks at Carolina Panthers - Neither of these teams are where they want to be right now. The defending champs looked solid still just a couple of weeks ago, but a rare two straight losses has them reeling, and possible infighting and other problems suddenly are creeping in. The Seahawks may be experiencing the challenges of being the defending champs, with the big X on their chests. As for Carolina, they have not looked particularly good since starting off 2-0. Very tough game to pick, but I've got to go with the champs in a tough, likely ugly win. My pick: Seattle


Minnesota Vikings at Tampa Bay Buccaneers - The Vikings are not a very good team. But, then again, neither are the Tampa Bay Bucs. At least Tampa has home field advantage, and they had been playing better in recent weeks, until a recent blowout loss. Still, they have some talent, and despite the poor season, I think they'll get the W against Minnesota. My pick: Tampa Bay


Chicago Bears at New England Patriots - You never know when the Bears are going to suddenly play up to their potential and win. They earned a tough, come from behind win at San Fran earlier this year. But they have not played well in recent weeks, and are now well behind the Pack and the Lions in their division. In the meanwhile, New England is looking hot, suddenly taking control of the AFC East by the throat, although they have to remain hot. It's possible that Chicago finds a way to get things done today, but with Belichick and Brady seemingly on as of late, I doubt it. My pick: New England


Houston Texans at Tennessee Titans - About the only thing left that the Titans have right now in this game is home field advantage. The Texans have hardly been hot themselves, winning only once since starting off 2-0. But they are the better team, and should find a way to earn a tough road win today against an opponent that looks ready to go down for the season. My pick: Houston


Miami Dolphins at Jacksonville Jaguars - Well, Jax is no longer winless on the year. But they have to play a determined and talented Dolphins team that is trying to do anything and everything possible to keep up in the AFC East. Miami needs this one, and their determination alone should get them past one of the worst teams in the league. My pick: Miami


St. Louis Rams at Kansas City Chiefs - The Rams got a huge win against the Seahawks last weekend. But they will not manage to duplicate that this weekend at KC. The Chiefs are a tough team, needing every single win to have a chance at the playoffs. They are especially tough at home, and I see them getting a relatively easy win here today. My pick: Kansas City


Philadelphia Eagles at Arizona Cardinals - The battle of 5-1 teams. Both are trying to keep pace with the Dallas Cowboys, who are 6-1, with the best record in the league. The Eagles are a crafty team, always potentially explosive offensively. The Cardinals are defensive specialists, although their offense can be tough as well. If this was in Philly, it would be easy to pick this one. But at Arizona, the Cardinals should prove tougher. Really tough game to pick, but I have to pick someone. My pick: Cardinals


Indianapolis Colts at Pittsburgh Steelers - The Steelers got an impressive win last week, but they are not playing remarkably well overall this season. As for the Colts, they are perhaps the hottest team in the league, or pretty close at this point. I see the Colts exposing Pittsburgh's weaknesses and managing to get a solid road win, which would be their sixth straight! My pick: Indianapolis


Oakland Raiders at Cleveland Browns - I'd like to say that the Raiders are bound to win a game at some point this season. I have nothing against them, and remember when the silver and black were a team to be feared, living up to their slogan, "A Commitment to Excellence." But those days are long gone now. The Browns are coming off a bad loss, and want to do everything possible to get wins and keep up with Baltimore and Cincy while they have an easy schedule. They should be able to get a solid win today. My pick: Cleveland

Green Bay Packers at New Orleans Saints - I thought that this was going to be one of the big NFC showdowns this season! But the Saints have been playing anything but inspired football, while Green Bay have gotten hot. Still, the Saints are tough to beat at home in the dome. Despite being in a hostile environment in New Orleans, however, I see the Packers as the better team, and they should earn the win. My pick: Green Bay


Washington at Dallas Cowboys - One of the best teams in the NFC hosting one of the worst. The Cowboys have a solid running game, a highly rated passer in Romo, and a surprisingly stingy defense. What does Washington have? A name controversy, and two wins on the season. That's all that they are likely to have after Monday Night's game ends, too. My pick: Cowboys