The Sports Inquirer

By E. Marcel Pourtout, Editor

Time for our NFL Week Eight predictions. Finally had a winning week picking games last week. Hopefully the momentum will continue. As always…

Music to listen to: No Shelter by Rage Against The Machine

Home team in CAPS:

DENVER (-8) San Diego: Its a short week for the Chargers and they have to head into Denver to face a hot Broncos’ squad. I’ve leaned towards taking the home teams in these Thursday night contests and I’ll stick with that trend.

Detroit (-3.5) Atlanta: This is the London contest that’s darn near impossible to predict. Its tough enough predicting games but when you add traveling to a foreign country, its a crap shoot. The Lions’ defense has become a top-five unit in the league and should be able to limit an overrated Falcons’ offense. The Lions’ defensive line should dominate play against Atlanta borderline pathetic offensive line. On the other side, the Falcons have one of the worst defensive lines which means Matt Stafford will have all day to throw.

TAMPA (-3) Minnesota: If the Bucs can’t win at home coming off of a bye week against the lowly Vikings, they just need to give up on this entire season.

NEW ENGLAND (-6) Chicago: Its tough to take Jay Cutler and the inconsistent Bears on the road.

KANSAS CITY (-7) St. Louis: Between the uncertainty at quarterback, impending rumors of a move back to Los Angeles and general lack of skill, the Rams are in major trouble this season. Worst record in the league-type trouble. I know the handful of Rams’ fans that are reading this are going to counter my thoughts with a win over Seattle last week. Even bad teams have a good moment once a season.

Seattle (-5) CAROLINA: The Seahawks are the better team even with the loss to the Rams last week. I expect a physical, close contest with a late touchdown giving Seattle the victory.

Buffalo (+3) NEW YORK JETS: I’m riding the improbable Kyle Orton train to another win, this time over the Jets.

JACKSONVILLE (+6) Miami: There will be no winners in this contest with the fans who have to sit through this game being the biggest losers. A late field goal will decide it for one team which means the Jaguars will officially cover the line.

Houston (-2) TENNESSEE: I picked the Texans to be a playoff contender this year and that hasn’t panned out so far. A road win over the Titans may be the step in the right direction for a postseason push.

CINCINNATI (-1) Baltimore: The Bengals are a much better team at home and will eek out a close one over the Ravens.

ARIZONA (-2.5) Philadelphia: Cards are rolling right now and the Eagles shouldn’t stop that momentum.

Pittsburgh (+3) Indianapolis: The Steelers aren’t world beaters but I need to see Andrew Luck and the Colts produce a good road performance before I take them in this type of game which will be low scoring and physical.

CLEVELAND (-7) Oakland: I don’t have much confidence in either team so the home team will ride out with a victory.

Green Bay (+1.5) NEW ORLEANS: Picking against the Saints at home in a primetime night game is usually a bad pick but Aaron Rodgers is playing on another level and has the offense going well.

DALLAS (-9) Washington: Robert Griffin III can’t return soon enough for the Redskins.

Last Week: 9-6-0

Season: 52-54-0 (almost to .500!)