Article:NFL Picks: Week 8

In Week 7, we hit the trifecta. All three of our picks vs. the spread covered: Tennessee (-9) vs. KC; Buffalo (even) vs. San Diego and the New York Giants (-10.5) vs. San Francisco. Our money line pick… not so much. For week 8, here’s whom we at Pro Football 101 like:

Best Bet:

NEW YORK JETS (-13) vs. Kansas City. Although 13 points is a large number, when you look at Jets’ opponent, the Chiefs, you realize it’s not. They’ve been outscore 72-14 in their last two road contests. Being forced to play with both its back-up QB and back-up RB, we like a big effort out of the Jets’ D and offensively, we see New York pounding the ball with RB Jones before letting Favre take some shots down field. Look for an easy rout in the Meadowlands.

Next in Line:

TAMPA BAY (+2) vs. Dallas. This one is actually a tough call because we’re all waiting for Dallas, and its abundance of talent, to put it all together and play like we know they’re capable of. Since “putting it all together” might just be an illusion, we’re going to go with the more physically, and mentally tough team: Tampa Bay. The Bucs bring in an impressive 5-2 record and are playing very well. Offensively, since Garcia has re-emerged as the starting QB, things have been more consistent and we like Tampa to pass all over the Cowboys’ beleaguered secondary. Defensively, we see the Bucs really getting after the run and 40-year old QB Brad Johnson, so expect a mini upset this week in Big D.

SAN FRANCISCO (-5) vs. Seattle. At 1st glance, this pick appears risky due to San Francisco’s 2-5 record, but we feel the team will come out this Sunday and play a very spirited game for new head coach Mike Singletary in an attempt to prove it was Nolan’s fault that the team had struggled, not the players. On the other side, the Seahawks come into this game like a wounded gazelle; they’re there for the taking. Without QB Matt Hasselback, the offense hasn’t been able to find a rhythm and this has led to its defense being on the field for prolonged periods of time, and thus wearing down late in games. Look for SF to attack offensively on the ground with RB Gore and then defensively, get after back-up QB Seneca Wallace and pull out a home victory by at least 7.

Money Line:

NEW ORLEANS (+140) vs. San Diego. I don’t know about you, but it’s just really hard to endorse a Norv Turner led team when favored and playing on the road (it’s technically a road game since it’s being held in London). While the Saints are dealing with their fair share of injuries too, the latest being RB Bush, we think there will be added motivation on Drew Brees side to stick it to his former employer and show them just what a mistake they made by letting him walk. Look for the Saints to once again contain RB Tomlinson, who has been not running the football well of late, and then drop extra coverage back to limit Rivers damage through the air. On the other side of the ball, look for the Saints to employ a power running game with RB McAllister and Thomas and then attack through the air, which is San Diego’s weakness. In what should be a close contest, we like the Saints to pull out the victory.

Season vs. spread: 8-3-1

Money Line Winners: Arizona (+210) week 6 over Dallas

source: www.profootball101.org