Week 8 NFL Picks/MVP Watch

Arizona (1-5) @ Baltimore (4-2)

Joe Flacco usually follows up an atrocious game with a good game.

Baltimore 29 Arizona 20

Minnesota (1-6) @ Carolina (2-5)

Christian Ponder looked pretty good against the defending Super Bowl Champions last week and I believe he can carry that over to this week’s matchup against a mediocre Panthers defence.

Minnesota 27 Carolina 24

Jacksonville (2-5) @ Houston (4-3)

Through seven games, the Texans have gone from contenders, to pretenders, and then back to contenders after last week’s demolishing of the Titans. Are they finally contenders to stay?

Houston 34 Jacksonville 17

Miami (0-6) @ NY Giants (4-2)

Eli Manning’s bread and butter is losing at home to pitiful teams (Seattle two weeks ago). But the Miami Dolphins are purposely losing games now, so even Eli should be able to get a win.

NY Giants 31 Miami 14

New Orleans (5-2) @ St. Louis (0-6)

How bad are the six games that kick off at noon this week? I might have to turn it over to the CFL.

New Orleans 40 St. Louis 20

Indianapolis (0-7) @ Tennessee (3-3)

The Titans are in free-fall mode and Matt Hasselbeck is clearly showing the first three games of the season were a fluke. And it can only go up for the Colts after 62-7 last week.

Indianapolis 28 Tennessee 17

Washington (3-3) vs Buffalo (4-2) in Toronto

So the Buffalo Bills get to play one of their “home” games at the Rogers Centre in Toronto, even though Ralph Wilson Stadium in Buffalo is one of the toughest places to play for opposing teams. And the Bills are 0-3 at the Rogers Centre in the last three years.

Washington 20 Buffalo 14

Detroit (5-2) @ Denver (2-4)

Not even God will help Tim Tebow win this one.

Detroit 30 Denver 17

New England (5-1) @ Pittsburgh (5-2)

Pittsburgh’s defense ain’t what it used to be and Tom Brady might be salivating at this matchup.

New England 24 Pittsburgh 14

Cincinnati (4-2) @ Seattle (2-4)

Seattle’s loud crowd helps them win this one.

Seattle 14 Cincinnati 13

Cleveland (3-3) @ San Francisco (5-1)

I’m still not completely sold on the Niners. But the Cleveland Browns….

San Francisco 24 Cleveland 17

Dallas (3-3) @ Philadelphia (2-4)

Another must-win for the dream team and I think they get a solid effort on both sides of the ball.

Philadelphia 28 Dallas 24

San Diego (4-2) @ Kansas City (3-3)

First place in the AFC West on the line and the Chargers will show why they’re a significant step ahead of the other teams in the division.

San Diego 27 Kansas City 14

MVP Watch

5. Matthew Stafford (NR) QB Detroit 1912 yds, 16 TD 4 INT

Despite losing two in a row, Stafford is proving himself as one of the rising stars in the NFL.

4. Tom Brady (3) QB New England 2163 yds 16 TD 8 INT

Bye Week…Needs to have a big game against the Steelers on Sunday

3. Drew Brees (4) QB New Orleans 2477 yds 18 tds 8 int

Torched the Colts for five touchdowns last Sunday.

2. Cam Newton (2) QB Carolina 2103 yds 8 TD 9 INT 7 rushing tds

As long as he keeps getting passing and rushing touchdowns every week, he’s staying right here on my rankings.

1. Aaron Rodgers (1) QB Green Bay 2372 yds 20 TD 3 INT

Best quarterback in the National Football League. You can’t argue it.

NFL Week 7 Picks/MVP Watch

Washington (3-2) @ Carolina (1-5)

Now that Rex Grossman has finally imploded, we get to see John Beck start for the ‘Skins. Not liking his chances against a hungry Panthers team who has been oh so close the last few weeks against teams like New Orleans and Atlanta.

Carolina 26 Washington 21

Seattle (2-3) @ Cleveland (2-3)

Cleveland has looked awful in their 3 losses and just as bad in their 2 wins. Seattle proved, amazingly, that they can win on the road after they shocked the Giants.

Seattle 20 Cleveland 19

Atlanta (3-3) @ Detroit (5-1)

The Lions run D looked terrible against Frank Gore and Michael Turner should have a similar performance. The Lions are starting to show that they are a breakable team, after their near losses to the Vikings & Cowboys, and their loss to San Fran last week. All the sudden, those people who had already pencilled Detroit in the playoffs might want to bring out the eraser. But more importantly, who will Lions coach Jim Schwartz pick a fight with after his team loses their second straight?

Atlanta 29 Detroit 23

Denver (1-4) @ Miami (0-5)

Andrew Luck will be the only one watching this one.

Miami 17 Denver 16

San Diego (4-1) @ NY Jets (3-3)

This has all the makings of a classic Jets bounce-back game against a good team. Except these aren’t the same old Jets. They looked flat in games against New England and Baltimore this year and somehow beat the Cowboys. The fact is they have yet to play good against a good team. Revis Island is still dangerous but the Chargers are relying heavily on RB Ryan Mathews to pierce the Jets run D just like everyone else has this year. How does it feel to be under .500, Rex Ryan?

San Diego 28 NY Jets 16

Chicago (3-3) @ Tampa Bay (4-2)

The annual Wembley Stadium game takes away a home game for Josh Freeman and the Bucs who, away from Tampa, are an atrocious team.

Chicago 21 Tampa Bay 20

Houston (3-3) @ Tennessee (3-2)

How pissed must Peyton Manning be right now? If he were playing, the Colts would be running away with this division. The division-leading Titans are average at best after the Steelers destroyed them and the Houston Texans are starting to look like their usual selves yet again. Let’s go with the Texans on the road here as Arian Foster has done more in three games than Chris Johnson has done all year.

Houston 30 Tennessee 20

Pittsburgh (4-2) @ Arizona (1-4)

It’s amazing that two of the last three Super Bowl matchups take place this week (this one and New Orleans/Indy) and both games are awful ones. The Steelers better be careful here but the Ben/Wallace combo should tear apart the Cards this week.

Pittsburgh 22 Arizona 14

Kansas City (2-3) @ Oakland (4-2)

So wait, Carson Palmer is starting for the Raiders even though he just joined the team 4 days prior and hasn’t played a game since December 2010? Oh sorry, they’re going to go Kyle Boller instead….. Give me the Chiefs please.

Kansas City 24 Oakland 17

St. Louis (0-5) @ Dallas (2-3)

Remember when the Rams drafted Sam Bradford first overall in 2010? Because first overall in 2012 is not out of the question. Then what do they do? Trade Bradford and draft Luck? Pass over Luck?

Dallas 36 St. Louis 17

Green Bay (6-0) @ Minnesota (1-5)

Vikes QB Christian Ponder must be on his hands and knees begging coach Leslie Frazier to give him his first career start next week.

Green Bay 31 Minnesota 13

Indianapolis (0-6) @ New Orleans (4-2)

After six straight weeks of picking the Colts, I can’t do it anymore.

New Orleans 27 Indianapolis 24

Baltimore (4-1) @ Jacksonville (1-5)

Another Monday Night fiasco.

Baltimore 22 Jacksonville 10

MVP Watch

5. Fred Jackson (NR) RB Buffalo 601 yds 6 tds

A new name in the rankings, Jackson is emerging as one of the best backs in the league this year, as he’s averaging just over 100 YDS rushing and a touchdown per week.

4. Drew Brees (4) QB New Orleans 2152 yds 13 tds 8 int

Rough week against the Bucs as he threw three picks. But he was still well over 300 yards passing, and almost led the team back from a big deficit.

3. Tom Brady (3) QB New England 2163 yds 16 TD 8 INT

The Cowboys made him look average last Sunday, but Brady still performed best when it mattered on the final drive of the game.

2. Cam Newton (2) QB Carolina 1847 yds 7 TD 6 INT 6 rushing tds

The rookie quarterback’s first really bad week against the Falcons. Yet because everyone behind him on these rankings had average weeks as well, Newton remains my #2.

1. Aaron Rodgers (1) QB Green Bay 2031 yds 17 TD 3 INT

No mistakes from this guy. His lead in the MVP race is lengthening.

Week 6 NFL Picks/MVP Watch

Carolina (1-4) @ Atlanta (2-3)

The Falcons proved that they are a long way from being NFC Super Bowl contenders after they lost to the Packers yet again last week. But they’re not exactly bottom feeders either and a win at home against Carolina shouldn’t be too much to ask for.

Atlanta 31 Carolina 19

Jacksonville (1-4) @ Pittsburgh (3-2)

It was really stupid of everyone to doubt the Steelers and call them washed up among other things. They still have this game, 2 against the Bengals, 2 against the Browns, and games against the Cardinals, Rams, and Chiefs. That’s eight more wins right there which basically equals a playoff spot.

Pittsburgh 28 Jacksonville 17

Philadelphia (1-4) @ Washington (3-1)

I’m not confident in a Redskins team just coming off the bye against a desperate Eagles team. If the Eagles lose this game, they’re not going 9-1 the rest of the way, which would get them to 10-6. The real Dream Team will show up in this one.

Philadelphia 36 Washington 13

St. Louis (0-4) @ Green Bay (5-0)

There are no words.

Green Bay 35 St. Louis 10

Buffalo (4-1) @ NY Giants (3-2)

I’m pretty sure the Bills are two completely different teams at home and on the road. Not expecting the Giants to blow another winnable home game like they did last week against Seattle.

NY Giants 29 Buffalo 7

San Francisco (4-1) @ Detroit (5-0)

Frank Gore will get destroyed by Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley. The Niners fall back to reality this week.

Detroit 27 San Francisco 19

Indianapolis (0-5) @ Cincinnati (3-2)

They will win one day…

Indianapolis 33 Cincinnati 10

Cleveland (1-3) @ Oakland (3-2)

“Win one for Al” lasts one more week.

Oakland 24 Cleveland 17

Houston (3-2) @ Baltimore (3-1)

This is just a gut feeling. I think this game will be decided by the offences and I like Matt Schaub, even without Andre Johnson, over Joe Flacco anyday.

Houston 26 Baltimore 21

New Orleans (4-1) @ Tampa Bay (3-2)

The Saints play their third straight road game against one of the worst 3-2 teams in recent memory. If Alex Smith and the Niners can put up 48, then Drew Brees and the Saints should have no problem putting up AT LEAST 30 points.

New Orleans 33 Tampa Bay 14

Dallas (2-2) @ New England (4-1)

I'm expecting Tony Romo to have a bounce-back game and at least keep this one close but the fact is the Patriots rarely ever lose at Foxboro.

New England 23 Dallas 20

Minnesota (1-4) @ Chicago (2-3)

At the beginning of the year, I thought the Vikes were an 8-8 team. And I still think they are. Yeah, last week's win was against Arizona but sometimes a win is a win, and that first win should finally give this Minnesota team some confidence moving forward. Especially with Jared Allen and the Vikings d-line having the chance to feast on the O-line of the Bears.

Minnesota 26 Chicago 20

Miami (0-4) @ NY Jets (2-3)

I don't think too highly of the Jets, but they're good enough not to let Dolphins QB Matt Moore beat them on national television on a Monday night.

NY Jets 28 Miami 16

MVP Watch (Last week's rank in brackets)

5. Wes Welker (5) WR New England 45 rec 740 yds 5 tds

He has an astounding 499 yards receiving in the last three weeks.

4. Drew Brees (4) QB New Orleans 1769 yds 12 tds 5 int

Brees seems to be under the radar this year, maybe because he hasn't had a huge 400-yard, 4 TD performance yet.

3. Tom Brady (2) QB New England 1874 yds 14 TD 6 INT

He 's slowed down the last few weeks after that blazing start he got out to.

2. Cam Newton (3) QB Carolina 1610 yds 7 TD 6 INT 5 rushing tds

His 7 passing TD’s are so-so but factor in his 5 rushing TD’s (league leader has 6), and Newton is good for 2-3 touchdowns per week so far.

1. Aaron Rodgers (1) QB Green Bay 1722 yds 14 TD 2 INT

Even down 14-0 like he was in Atlanta last Sunday, Rodgers still finds ways to light up secondaries and win games.

Week 5 NFL Picks/MVP Watch

New Orleans (3-1) @ Carolina (1-3)

It's too bad the Panthers don't have a defence, because if they did, this game would be a classic. Unfortunately for Carolina, Drew Brees is going to control the game again, and Cam Newton will try to keep up, but the rookie quarterback will make one or two mistakes that will cost the team in the end.

New Orleans 33 Carolina 17

Kansas City (1-3) @ Indianapolis (0-4)

What's it going to take for the Indianapolis Colts to play not two, not three, but FOUR quarters of consistent football? The Chiefs might be that answer.

Indianapolis 30 Kansas City 21

Philadelphia (1-3) @ Buffalo (3-1)

After the Bills meltdown against the Bengals, the bandwagon is a lot emptier this week. So much so, that the 1-3 Eagles are favoured by 2.5 points on the road over the 3-1 Bills. This is an absolute must-win for Philly and don't be surprised if Michael Vick (coming off his best statistical game of the year) puts together one of those 50-point fantasy performances on the Bills bumbling defence.

Philadelphia 46 Buffalo 17

Seattle (1-3) @ NY Giants (3-1)

There are three guarantees in life: Death, taxes, and the Seattle Seahawks losing a road game on the East Coast.

NY Giants 33 Seattle 14

Cincinnati (2-2) @ Jacksonville (1-3)

Time for Jags QB Blaine Gabbert to get his first win as a starter. Because this might be his only realistic chance.

Jacksonville 20 Cincinnati 14

Tennessee (3-1) @ Pittsburgh (2-2)

This is the classic scenario where an overachieving team goes on the road to play a proven team that has been underachieving during the year. And then the underachieving team smartens up and gets the victory. Matt Hasselbeck is due for a bad game. There's a reason why Seattle cut him in favour of Tarvaris Jackson in the summer.

Pittsburgh 24 Tennessee 19

Oakland (2-2) @ Houston (3-1)

The Texans are for real. Finally.

Houston 31 Oakland 16

Arizona (1-3) @ Minnesota (0-4)

The Vikings have actually looked decent in their two previous home games, taking 17-point and 20-point leads in halftime. Of course, they fell apart and lost those games, but if they can build a big lead on the Cardinals, then there's no way that Arizona comes back.

Minnesota 24 Arizona 20

Tampa Bay (3-1) @ San Francisco (3-1)

These two teams have to be two of the least impressive 3-1 teams in a long time. As long as the Niners shut down LeGarrette Blount, I have no confidence in Josh Freeman, whatsoever. This guy might be the most overrated quarterback in the league right now.

San Francisco 20 Tampa Bay 19

NY Jets (2-2) @ New England (3-1)

This game is definitely not as enticing as it was a few weeks ago, when the Jets were actually a good team. Now it's all coming apart for Rex's crew. And even though they've had recent success against New England, its up to Mark Sanchez to keep up with Tom Brady. That's the same Mark Sanchez who put up a 30.4 QB rating last week.

New England 34 NY Jets 23

San Diego (3-1) @ Denver (1-3)

The good news for Charger fans: Even though the team has looked less than impressive in their first four games, they've done what they couldn't do in previous Septembers/Octobers...Win football games.

The sort of bad news for Charger fans: Their wins have come against teams with a combined 1-11 record this year.

Now the really good news for Charger fans: The 1-3 Denver Broncos are up next.

San Diego 36 Denver 10

Green Bay (4-0) @ Atlanta (2-2)

The Falcons have never looked the same since the Packers walked into Atlanta last January and destroyed them. And I don't expect them to erase those demons anytime soon, especially with the way Aaron Rodgers is playing right now. Is it too early to start saying the words "unbeaten season"?

Green Bay 31 Atlanta 22

Chicago (2-2) @ Detroit (4-0)

I'm impressed that the Lions are 4-0. I'm not impressed that they've been down 20 and 24 points in the last two games. The comebacks are good and all, but one day they're gonna trail big and the comeback won't be possible. The Lions are not for real until they play four quarters of solid football. Fortunately for the Lions, Jay Cutler has never played four quarters of solid football on the road.

Detroit 27 Chicago 18

MVP Watch (Last week's rank in brackets)

5. Wes Welker (3) WR New England 40 rec 616 YDS 5 TDS

Another strong showing against Oakland last week, the guy might hit 1000 yards before this year is half over.

4. Drew Brees (2) QB New Orleans 1410 yds 10 tds 4 int

He drops a few spots because he could have done a lot more against a pitiful Jacksonville defence. But he still got the win.

3. Cam Newton (5) QB Carolina 1386 yds 5 TD 5 INT 4 rushing tds

Throw away the Panthers 1-3 record for a second. The guy is transforming Carolina's offence into one of the most elite in the league, something that could hardly be said a year ago.

2. Tom Brady (1) QB New England 1553 yds 13 TD 5 INT

Bounced back from his 4-INT debacle against Buffalo, with a solid performance at Oakland.

1. Aaron Rodgers (NR) QB Green Bay 1325 yds 12 TD 2 INT 2 rushing tds

I'm embarrassed to say I didn't have this guy ranked last week. But his performance against the Broncos was one for the ages. 4 passing touchdowns and even 2 touchdowns on the ground.