Week 8 Preview

Denver Broncos at Baltimore Ravens

The first of many, great games this week. The undefeated 6-0 Broncos go into Baltimore; to take on a shell socked 3-3 Ravens team. After starting the season 3-0, the Ravens went into last week’s bye at .500. The concerning thing about this fact is that they are now 2 games back, it what looks like being a very competitive division. They therefore will really need this win, against a very impressive Broncos team. The Broncos have been all about defence this year, and their most impressive player has been outside linebacker Elvis Dumervil. He has already racked up a huge 10 sacks and 2 forced fumbles this year. These stats have helped the Broncos become one of the top defences in the league, 1st in points against (11) and 2nd in yards against (262.5). You may think this would be a battle of 2 great defences, the only problem, is the usually solid Ravens D, has been quite weak, especially against the pass. The Broncos main strength is not the pass, although with WR Brandon Marshall, and the not spectacular, but very reliable QB Kyle Orton, they may take advantage of this weakness. Look out for Ray Rice and Joe Flacco to get this uncharacteristically good Ravens offence some points – if they can keep Dumervil out. Going to be an interesting, and hard to predict game.

Lee’s Prediction: Broncos 17 Ravens 21

Houston Texans at Buffalo Bills

The 4 – 3 Texans, travel to western New York to play the 3 – 4 Bills. QB Trent Edwards is still out for the Bills, so Ryan Fitzpatrick will get the start. This should be exciting to watch as the 3rd best passing attack of the Texans, takes on the Bills defence, who have 13 INT’s this year. A problem for Houston is the injury to star WR Andre Johnson. Johnson received a bruised lung last week, and they are not sure whether he will play. The Bills offence is pretty poor, and I don’t think they will be able to score enough points to stay in this game. Houston need to get the running game going with Steve Slaton, to keep the ball out of the reach of the play making Bills secondary. The Bills are also the worst team in the NFL, against the run.

Lee’s Prediction: Texans 17 Bills 10

Cleveland Browns at Chicago Bears

The 3 – 3 Bears need to win against the poor 1 – 6 Browns at Soldier Field. Jay Cutler has played well so far in Chicago; he has had his problems though, with INT’s. He has yet to throw an INT at Soldier Field though. RB Matt Forte has yet to rediscover last years form for the Bears. I believe this will be the week he gets back to his best though against the 31st ranked rush defence. The Browns are a poor offensive and defensive team. Kick returner Josh Cribbs is their best weapon. They will lose many games this year and this is defiantly one of them.

Lee’s Prediction: Browns 3 Bears 21

Seattle Seahawks at Dallas Cowboys

The 4 – 2 Cowboys, at home again this week, take on the 2 – 4 Seahawks. The Cowboys are coming off a very good win last week, and are starting to look very good. The Cowboys have alot of talent on their roster, and if everyone plays as they should, they will be very dangerous. WR Miles Austin has had huge games this season, and the Seahawks are not great at defending the pass. Seattle QB Matt Hasslebeck has been sacked 7 times this season, they also had backup QB Wallace sacked 8 times. This shows the Seahawks have offensive line problems. Not good when Demarcus Ware and co are around. I believe the Cowboys get a big win here.

Lee’s Prediction: Cowboys 24 Seahawks 13

Miami Dolphins at New York Jets

The 4 - 3 Jets welcome the 2 – 4 Dolphins to Giants stadium, with revenge on their minds. Still fresh in the minds of the Jets players and coaches will be the sight of Ronnie Brown, running in for a game winning TD, in the final seconds of the game, just 3 weeks ago at Dolphins Stadium. Not to mention, the game in week 17 last year, when the Dolphins won in New York, to take the AFC East title and their place in the playoffs. Rex Ryan, has made sure that the Jets aren’t the only team to be really up for this rivalry game. Since the off season, he has continually bad mouthed the Dolphins and their tactics - most notably, Channing Crowder and the wildcat formation. This week, he also added a ‘boo hoo’ statement, when asked about the injury to Dolphins CB Will Allen. This will be a bad tempered game. The main keys to this game will be if the Jets can stop the wildcat, and if the Dolphins can pressure rookie QB Mark Sanchez into making mistakes. I know that the Dolphins can bring pressure, and Sanchez has thrown 10 INT’s this season. Rex Ryan did stop the wildcat last season when he was coaching in Baltimore, but the Jets D is not as talented as the Ravens D was. I believe may Dolphins will get a BIG rivalry win.

Lee’s Prediction: Dolphins 24 Jets 20

San Francisco 49’ers at Indianapolis Colts

The Colts have quietly, but impressively, marched to a 6 – 0 start. The 49’ers looked very good early on this year, but the last few weeks have dropped to 3 – 3. Alex Smith will get the start this week, after leading the 49’ers back (falling just short), against the Texans last Sunday. To be honest, I don’t think this will make any difference. The Colts offence is 2nd in points scored, 4th in total yards and are the NFL’s number 1 passing team. That is down to number 18, Peyton Manning. He is having an amazing season 1,880 yards and 15 TD’s. This game would have looked alot better if it were a couple of weeks ago, but the Colts will have to much here.

Lee’s Prediction: 49’ers 10 Colts 24

New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles

The suddenly shaky New York Giants (5 – 2) and the unproven Eagles (4 – 2) clash in a very important divisional game. The Giants, who raced to a 5 – 0 start (against really bad teams) have since lost their last 2 games against the Saints and the Cardinals (good teams). This has started to raise questions about the Giants ability to play in big games. Their offense has being performing well 27.9 points and 391.3 yards per game. Their defence has done well against the pass, but surprisingly bad against the run. This may not be as bigger worry against the Eagles this week, as it looks like they will be without star RB Brian Westbrook, who was knocked out in Mondays win against the Redskins. The Giants will have to be wary of big play WR DeSean Jackson, who can make a play from many different situations. Also Michael Vick is yet to make a real impression on a game out of the wildcat formation, will this be that game? I think this game will be very competitive, but ultimately, the Giants should have too much, and prove they can win against decent teams.

Lee’s Prediction: Giants 27 Eagles 24

St. Louis Rams at Detroit Lions

This game, should be very interesting, for all the wrong reasons. The 0 – 7 terrible Rams travel to Detroit, to play the not much better 1 – 5 Lions. These are clearly 2 of the worst teams in the NFL, and 2 of the teams competing for the unwanted number 1 pick in next year’s draft. Detroit’s number 1 pick from last year, QB Matthew Stafford, is practicing again, and may be fit to start the game. Star WR Calvin Johnson has missed practice most of the week with a knee injury. The best offensive weapon in this game comes in the form of St. Louis RB Steven Jackson. He is 3rd in rushing yards in the NFL, but amazingly still hasn’t scored a TD this season. I think he gets that this Sunday. I believe this game is really hard to call as both teams are as bad as each other. I think though with Jackson, and the fact they don’t want to join the Lions with a 0 – 16 record, the Rams will be fired up, and will get their 1st win of the year.

Lee’s Prediction: Rams 10 Lions 7

Oakland Raiders at San Diego Chargers

This divisional game is huge for both teams. The 3 – 3 Chargers hope to try and keep the pressure on Denver as they host the 2 – 5 Raiders. The Raiders pulled JaMarcus Russell from the game last week after 3 turnovers in the first half. Apparently though he will start on Sunday, I have one question, WHY??? He has been abysmal this year, and his attitude after last weeks game was very poor. When asked to comment on the Raiders poor start to the year, he replied “I don’t think it’s me, I really don’t.” I’m sorry JaMarcus, it is YOU!! San Diego seems to have a poor start to the season every year, and still go on to win the division. I’m not saying they will win the AFC West, but they will win this game.

Raiders 3 Chargers 21

Jacksonville Jaguars at Tennessee Titans

The 3 -3 Jags travel to Tennessee to face the 0 – 6 Titans, in a battle of the bottom 2 clubs, in the AFC South. The Titans decided this week to take a look at their supposed franchise QB of the future, Vince Young. This shows you that this team, who were supposed to be Superbowl challengers this year, are now writing off their season. This will affect them in one of two ways. They may play without pressure, not worry about making mistakes, go out and just play. This may lead to wins. It may affect them in the opposite way though, and make some players throw in the towel. If this happens, it will be a long, hard season. Tennessee is quite strong against the run which is Jacksonville’s main strength. I believe that the start of Vince Young, and the explosive play of RB Chris Johnson, will get the Titans their first win of the year. I am far from certain of this though.

Jaguars 14 Titans 21

Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers

There is only one real story here – Brett Farve. For the first time he will suit up at Lambeau, to play against the Packers. What kind of reaction will he get?? How will his nerves hold up?? How will he handle the pressure?? All these questions will be answered on Sunday – and I can’t wait. One thing you need to consider here though is that there will also be alot of pressure on Green Bay QB Aaron Rodgers. He is the man that took Farve’s job, and in the 1st meeting, Farve got the better of him in a 30 – 23 win. He will want to put on a show, especially in front of his home fans. The only way he will be able to do this though, is if the Packer offensive line can keep Jared Allen and co from sacking him. This has been a problem for Green Bay this season. This game has massive implications on the divison as the 4 – 2 Packers cannot afford to lose any more ground to the 6 – 1 Vikings.

Lee’s Prediction: Vikings 28 Packers 24

Carolina Panthers at Arizona Cardinals

This is a huge game for the 2 – 4 Carolina Panthers. Not only did the 4 – 2 Cardinals go to Carolina and embarrass the Panthers in the first round of last years playoffs, but that game was the start of the really poor run of form for under pressure QB Jake Delhomme. The Cardinals got 5 INTs from Delhomme that night; he also now has 13 INTs this year. You would think the Panthers would consider benching Delhomme, but to be honest, I don’t think they have anyone to put in. Who knows anything about backup QB Matt Moore? The Cardinals defence seems to be getting better and better with every game. They were really good last week against the Giants. We all know how good their passing attack is, but now with Chris ‘Beenie’ Wells, the rookie from Ohio State; they look to have found a run game. They should have way to much here.

Lee’s Prediction: Panthers 10 Cardinals 24

Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints

Monday Night Football is a huge NFC South matchup. Division leading Saints (6 – 0) host the 4 – 2 Falcons. The Falcons will feel if they lose this game; it will be a long way back to win the division title. Both QB’s in this game are very good and playing well. Both teams have good running games and also have stud WR’s and TE’s. I think we might be in for a bit of a shootout. I think the difference maker here is the veteran in the Saints secondary Darren Sharper. He is always liable to come up with a big play, a momentum changing play, which can win a game. Against a young QB, I believe the Saints will get the ‘W’, and go 7 – 0.

Lee’s Prediction: Falcons 28 Saints 38