The Eight Week in the NFL season marks the midway point in the season. The midway point is a good way to look at where teams are at as far as record and what predictions got right and wrong. With Halloween pretty much coming up next Tuesday, I thought I would give my take on who has been the trick (disappointment) and/or the treat (surprise, in a good way). Here's my take:
Tricks:
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Certainly a 2-4 record at this point in the season is a disappointment for this team. A lot of people figured this team would be much improved at the quarterback position, wide receivers and certainly the defense. While injuries has plagued the Bucs this season, there has to be no excuse. I mean your two wins came against a Mike Glennon-led Bears team and a 2-point win against the New York Giants. Certainly the other teams in the NFC South have taken advantage of their misfortune, especially the New Orleans Saints. Not also to mention they need a kicker that can hit the middle of the uprights.
Denver Broncos: You're looking at a meager 3-3 record so far this season. The season has had its ups and downs. Beating Dallas at home was certainly an up, while losing to New York at home was a down. You've lost 3 of your last 4 games. Trevor Siemian's record at home is okay, but his road record is horrendous. Certainly the loss of Oakland's QB Derek Carr would mean that you'd take advantage of it and possibly gain ground on the division leading Chiefs. Sad times in the Mile High.
Treats:
Los Angeles Rams: At this point last season you were staring at a 3-4 record while going to a 4-12 season by season's end. Fast forward to this season you're at a 5-2 record while in first place in the NFC West. The Rams Head Coach Sean McVay already has more wins this season than Jeff Fisher and John Fassel had last season. The Rams only two losses this season are to the the Redskins at home and the Seahawks at home. While getting the surprise win against the Cowboys on the road.
The story of Sean McVay is something to not be taken lightly. The guy is 31 years old and certainly has the respect of his team in the locker room. Here's a fact: the Rams are among the youngest teams in the league at 24.2. To be that young as a head coach to people that are not much younger than you are speaks how much of a leader McVay is and certainly can remind us all of how young Don Shula or John Gruden were when they started as head coaches and had success in the NFL. It will be curious to see if the Rams can keep it together but as long as Todd Gurley is healthy, the sky is the limit.
Philadelphia Eagles: The Eagles this season much like the Rams, are improved compared to last season. Last season saw a 7-9 record for the Eagles in a certain rebuilding year for them. With a 6-1 record so far this season they seem to be the best team in the NFL, certainly in the NFC. You could make a case for the Patriots as well. The Eagles lone loss came on the road against the then undefeated Kansas City Chiefs, which was a 7 point loss. Last season saw a collapse for the Eagles so I would be advise caution being on the Eagles bandwagon for too long, but as far as I'm concerned this team is good so far this season. Treats for all!
The week that was Week 7 in the NFL regular season featured some close games, some surprises, some blowouts. Going into the week's action I had a 3 win cushion against my roommate, Cardinal Viking, and that cushion would get a little more tighter. Here is last week's records:
My Record:
8-7 (Come on Panthers, you lose to the BEARS!)
Cardinal Viking's Record:
10-5 (He picked the Bills to beat the Bucs, and the Saints to beat the Packers last week)
Certainly that 3 win cushion is now down to a 1 win cushion. I don't want to say that there is a panic button because this is somewhat all in good fun, but I'd press it if I were me. As it is only Week 8.
With Halloween coming up next week (writing this on October 25th), there will be people out trick or treating while getting their drink on. The costumes will be astounding, the candy will be delicious, the decorations will be scary good. Whatever way you're celebrating the holiday, do it in moderation. Here's a cool video about one of the better Halloween songs out there:
Week 8 in the NFL regular season will feature a Thursday Night game, Sunday Morning game (at London), seven Early games, two late games, a Sunday Night game, and a Monday Night game. FOX will have the doubleheader this week with the Early and Late game slots, CBS will have the single. There are six teams on bye week this week: Los Angels Rams, Green Bay Packers, New York Giants, Tennessee Titans, Arizona Cardinals, and the Jacksonville Jaguars. The week begins in Baltimore, Maryland and ends in Kansas City, Missouri. Here are the picks:
Miami @ Baltimore: Dolphins. The Thursday night game on CBS/NFL Network is certainly the Toilet Bowl game of the week. The Dolphins got the win against the Jets, while the Ravens lost to the Vikings. The Dolphins won't have Jay Cutler for this game and will have to rely on Matt Moore to pull off the victory while the Ravens started off okay have certainly fallen back down to earth, hard. The sucky thing is that the World Series isn't on tomorrow as the Dodgers and Astros will have the travel day. Still there's some hope this game could be watchable as both teams aren't that good but I trust the Dolphins more than the Ravens.
Minnesota @ Cleveland: Vikings. The Vikings came off a win against the Ravens last week while the Browns lost to the Titans, still looking for their first win. The game will be on NFL Network and the game will be at Twikenham Stadium. The Vikings look to continue their season with the win, while I don't think the Browns will pull off a major upset in this one. Keep dreaming Browns fans.
Atlanta @ NY Jets: The... Falcons. Both teams come off losses last week as the Falcons lost to the Patriots, and the Jets lost to the Dolphins. I banked on the Jets to beat Miami last week and they let me down. While I expect the Falcons to get back to their offensive gameplan this week, Worst case scenario: you won't have to blow a lead if you've never had a lead. Simple as that. Jets pass defense is 20th in the league, while the Falcons pass offense is 7th. Yeah I feel safe.
Carolina @ Tampa Bay: Panthers. Both teams come off losses last week as the Panthers lost to the Bears, while the Buccaneers lost to the Bills. I don't particularly like both teams as contenders but I would go with the Panthers because they still have Cam Newton and I still can trust that he will have a bounce back game against the Bucs. The Buccaneers are 1st in pass offense, while the Panthers are 4th in pass defense. Something will come to a head, and I feel safe with the defense.
Chicago @ New Orleans: Saints. The two teams come off wins last week as the Saints beat the Packers and the Bears beat the Panthers. The Saints have the 4th ranked offense in the NFL, while the Bears are 30th in offense. As much as I think the Mitch Trubisky story is a good one, if the Bears are down by a touchdown in this game, its game over. I like the Saints as long as Drew Brees stays healthy.
Indianapolis @ Cincinnati: Bengals. The two teams come off losses last week as the Colts lost to the Jaguars and the Bengals lost to the Steelers. The game is going to be okay... ah who am I kidding. the Colts are a dumpster fire that makes real dumpster fires look like a Boy Scout campfire, and the Bengals have weapons to use at their disposal. WHO DEY!
LA Chargers @ New England: Patriots. Both teams come off wins last week as the Chargers beat the Broncos, while the Patriots beat the Falcons. The Chargers have won three straight games since going 0-4, while the Patriots defense saw much improvement against the Falcons. I still like the Patriots in this game even if the Chargers are 3-4. Brady & Company get it done.
Oakland @ Buffalo: Bills. The Bills came off a win against the Buccaneers while the Raiders beat the Chiefs. I have been doubting the Bills for most of the season and this week will be different, as I will pick them against the Raiders. This game will depend on which quarterback plays for the Raiders. Most experts seem to pick the Bills.
San Francisco @ Philadelphia: Eagles. The 49ers lost week to the Cowboys while the Eagles beat the Redskins. The Carson Wentz train seems to keep rolling on as the Niners come to Philly. I like the Eagles in the game as they're the better team at least so far in the season, and the Niners will have to look elsewhere to win.
Houston @ Seattle: Seahawks. The Texans come off a bye week last week while the Seahawks beat the Giants. Another story that has thrilled the NFL this season is the Deshaun Watson story. The dude seems to be legit so far this season. As much as I want to take the Texans, it will depend on which Texans team shows up. Hard to trust a team like that, but the Seahawks always seem to get better each week, hard to pick against that. I like Seattle.
Dallas @ Washington: Cowboys. The Cowboys come off a win against the 49ers while the Redskins lost to the Eagles. Will be picking the Cowboys again this week as they travel to Landover, Maryland to take on their arch-rivals the Washington Redskins. The game will be close I feel as the Dez Bryant vs Josh Norman match up is always a sight to see. As much as I hate the Cowboys, I'll pick them to win.
Pittsburgh @ Detroit: Steelers. The Steelers come off a win last week against the Bengals while the Lions come off a bye week. The Steelers despite the drama are sitting at a comfortable 5-2 record in the AFC North. I like the Steelers mostly based on the Steelers Triplets of Roethlisberger, Brown, and Bell. Steelers defense isn't that bad either. For the Lions well... 3-3 record and potential to gain ground on the Packers, this game is a must-win for you.
Denver @ Kansas City: Chiefs. Both teams come off losses to divisional opponents as the Broncos lost to the Chargers and the Chiefs lost to the Raiders. The week finishes up with the Broncos heading to Arrowhead to take on the Chiefs. As always I don't trust Trevor Siemian's road record and I like Kareem Hunt of the Chiefs. Give me the Chiefs!
Local TV Schedule (via 506sports.com, subject to change)
CBS Single:
LA Chargers @ New England
Ian Eagle, Dan Fouts
FOX Early:
San Francisco @ Philadelphia
Kenny Albert, Charles Davis
FOX Late:
Dallas @ Washington
Thom Brennamen, Troy Aikman
For more information on what game is playing in your area go to NFL Week 8 Maps
Record*:
Week 1: 10-5
Week 1: 10-5
Week 2: 10-6
Week 3: 8-8
Week 4: 11-5
Week 5: 7-7
Week 6: 7-7
Week 7: 8-7
Overall: 61-45
Cardinal Viking, my roommates record:
Week 1: 7-8
Week 1: 7-8
Week 2: 13-3
Week 3: 8-8
Week 4: 11-5
Week 5: 4-10
Week 6: 7-7
Week 7: 10-5
Overall: 60-46
See you guys next week!
-Tom
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