Week 8 Picks

Before I get to my Week 8 picks, I want to comment on my favorite football game of the year: Cowboys @ Eagles. The rivalary was dominated by the Cowboys for a long time, until the Eagles beat Dallas in the 1980 NFC Championship game. It was brought back to life when the Cowboys ran up the score on a replacement players led Eagles team in 87. The Eagles returned that favor the same season when they got their guys back. Buddy Ryan had Randall Cunningham fake a knee and throw to the endzone to give the Eagles a three score win. Later in the rivalary, with Jimmy Johnson coaching the Eagles, was the Bounty Bowl. Allegedly, Buddy Ryan offered a bonus to any Eagles player who took Troy Aikman out of the game. This resulted in numerous late hits on Aikman and a furious Jimmy Johnson.

More recently, in 2008, the Eagles were seemingly out of the playoff picture until a string of losses made their Week 17 matchup with the Cowboys a Winner is In game. The Birds routed the Boys, 44-6. The next year, Dallas flipped it on them and blew out the Eagles to win the NFC East and then humiliated them for the second week in a row in the NFC Wildcard.

Now, we are here. The Eagles are a disappointing 2-4 and the Cowboys are a mediocre 3-3. The winner of Sunday night's game will be in good position to catch the Giants in a mediocre NFC East. The loser will be in quite a hole. The Linc will be rocking Sunday night when the hated Cowboys visit. And there is nothing the city of Philadelphia, and myself, would like more than to beat the living shit out of the Cowboys. Fly Eagles Fly.

On to Week 8 Picks!

Detroit-3 @ Denver
What's this line if Tebow doesn't find a way to win last week? 10? I'm all aboard the Tebow bandwagon but I think Detroit is more than 3 points better than Denver. Give me Detroit -3.
New Orleans -14 @ St Louis
The Saints just hung 62 on a winless team and while I don't think they hang 62 again, does anyone really doubt they get 40? I'll take the Saints -14.
New England -2.5 @ Pittsburgh
My head says Pittsburgh is the pick here. The Steelers have only been underdogs three times at home in the last three years and they're 3-0 outright in those games. If New England wasn't coming off of a bye, I think I might take Pittsburgh, but I can't do it. New England -2.5 is the pick.
Jacksonville +10 @ Houston
I just can't buy Houston! I know Jacksonville is overvalued because of a strong showing on MNF but their defense is actually good. They have an identity, pound MJD and hope Gabbert doesn't mess up too bad. I think Jacksonville can keep it close, gimme the Jags +10.
Cleveland +9.5 @ San Francisco
I buy San Francisco as being a good team but almost 10 point favorites to an okay Cleveland team seems like too much. I dont think San Fran has a whole lot of trouble winning, but Cleveland won't get blown it. Browns +9.5 for me.
Cincinnati -1 @ Seattle
I'm all in on the Red Rifle and AJ Green. I am NOT all in on Charlie Whitehurst. Is Seattle as bad as they played last week? Probably not. Does it worry me a little Cincy is flying cross country? Yeah, a little. But it doesn't worry me enough to stray from Cincinnati -1 as my pick.
Arizona +14 @ Baltimore
Hopefully you didn't take my advice last weekend and bet your mortage on Baltimore on MNF. However, if you listened to me last weekend and are one of the four people still reading, you're hooked. I say take Baltimore -14 and feel pretty safe about it. Cross country game.
Indianapolis +10 @ Tennessee
Who would have thought the best thing that could happen to Peyton Manning's career would be him get hurt and miss a season. Doesn't this validate him as one of the games all time greats? Anyway, this Indy team sucks something serious. I'll take Tennessee -10 at home.
Miami +10.5 @ New York G
My upset special for the week. Dolphins win this one outright. I don't trust Eli as a big favorite. He burned me once this year in the Seahawks game(my eliminator pick) as a 14pt favorite. I say the Dolphins get to Eli and lose a step in the Suck for Luck race but win this game outright. Miami +10.5 for me.
Minnesota +3.5 @ Carolina
Free Money alert. I'm not sure that Christian Ponder is as solid as he looked last week. Cam Newton is every bit as good as he looked against a solid Washington D last week. I'll chalk this one up as my favorite game of the week. Carolina -3.5.
Washington +6 @ Buffalo
I believe in the Bills and think the Skins are dead in the water. A friend of mine made a point that as soon as the Skins switched QB's their season would be over. I'm in 100% on that call. BUT, I'm thinking Beck can keep them within backdoor range and slide into a cover. I'll take the Skins +6.
Kansas City +3.5 @ San Diego
C'mon man. Does anybody out there actually believe the Chargers are only 3.5 points better than KC? I know KC always plays them tough and SD hasn't been impressive this year but this is a joke. Anyone who takes KC is an asshole who doesn't like money. Gimme SD -3.5.
Dallas +3.5 @ Philadelphia
12-0. That is Andy's record in his career after a bye. The Cowboys can lose this game and still be alive in the division, the Eagles cannot. I'm calling for a classic Mike Vick game(and no, that doesn't mean 80 rushing yards, 3 INT's and a concussion). He'll be the best player on the field in this one and give me the best birthday present of my life. E-A-G-L-E-S -3.5.

To whoever out there read this whole thing, thanks, appreciate it. I'd also appreciate it if you linked to this on facebook, twitter or whatever social media site you use. Also, a shoutout to the fellas at http://www.pickinsplinters.com/ for giving me a little publicity. Check out their site, there is some great material on there. Hope everyone has a Happy Halloween weekend.