October 31, 2010

Week 8 Predictions

Pittsburgh(5-1) at New Orleans(4-3)

Big Ben looks for a big game in the air against a banged-up Saints secondary. They are still without their key Pro Bowl safety from their Superbowl winning defense last year, Darren Sharper. The Steeler defense will be looking to confuse Drew Brees all game long with different blitz schemes. The Steelers will be looking for their playmaker #43 Troy Polamalu to pressure Brees into some mistakes. The Saints are still without any ground attack. Key injuries to Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas will make it a long night for Brees in the air. Christopher Ivory has shown flashes of brilliance a few times this year, but he hasn’t faced a defense like the Steelers yet. I think it will be an unusual high scoring affair and the Steelers will get the win on the road. Steelers 31-Saints 27

Green Bay (4-3) at New York Jets (5-1)

Green Bay enters the game, after winning a big game against division rival Minnesota last week, relying on their passing attack from quarterback, Aaron Rodgers. The Jets defense, who has been known for their pass defense, has been much more inconsistent than it was in 2009 and has relied much more on their fifth ranked run defense. The Packers offense could possibly make some big plays in the air, but I think with a healthy Darrelle Revis it’s going to be very tough for them to pull off a road victory with Rodgers throwing the ball 40+ times. I believe the Jets will establish a ground game with LT and Shonn Greene and the Packers will have a difficult time getting to Mark Sanchez. The Jets will win comfortably. Jets 34-Packers 21

Minnesota (2-4) at New England (5-1)

Randy Moss’ return to Foxboro is being over shadowed by Brett Favre’s NFL record 291 consecutive regular season starts streak being on the line. An already not so mobile Favre will be hampered by a fractured ankle and will rely on running back Adrian Peterson to carry a bulk of the workload this week. A young, but impressive Patriots defense will cause Favre to make a couple mistakes by rushing the passer, but may stumble trying to contain Peterson. I think Tom Brady’s fast paced offense will be able to have much success and control the tempo of the game. The Vikings defense may be able to keep this one close, but I doubt it. I’ll take the Patriots at home against a wounded Favre. Patriots 28-Vikings 17

Houston(4-2) at Indianapolis (4-2)

An injury depleted Colts’ offense, with a recent season ending injury to league leading tight end Dallas Clark, will also be without their emerging wide receiver Austin Collie and running back Joseph Addai. WR Blair White and RB Donald Brown are expected to start in their places. The Colts are 6-0 on Monday Night Football since 2000 and I expect the Colts’ offense to struggle but still get the job done. Any time Peyton Manning is on the field, you can expect the offense to move the ball. The Texans balanced running game with starter Arian Foster and third down back Derrick Ward will look to expose the Colts’ run defense like they did earlier in the season Week 1, in which they had 257 total yards on the ground in a 34-24 victory. The Colts have almost been like a different team at home this year, as both games played inside Lucas Oil Stadium have been top 10 games in the NFL this season.  Despite the injuries, and despite a very good Texan team coming into Indianapolis, I think the Colts defense will pick up the offense, using the crowd to their advantage and winning a very important Divisional game. Colts 28-Texans 24

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The Rest of Week 8

Denver over San Francisco

Dallas over Jacksonville

Miami over Cincinnati

Kansas City over Buffalo

Washington over Detroit (I Got you BKeyes)

St. Louis over Carolina

San Diego over Tennessee

Tampa Bay over Arizona

Oakland over Seattle (I’m feelin’ them at home Big Walt)

By: Mike Cross