Sanders's Week 8 NFL Predictions

Week 8 NFL Predictions

Something really spoke to me in the preseason this year. It was an interview with Bill Bellichick where someone asked if he thought his team could make it to the Super Bowl and if they could beat the Cardinals in the season opener like everyone was guessing and his response was this: “You can’t really make that judgment because I don’t think you really know your team until the middle of October.” For a coach that will go down as the greatest team in the NFL, this is some wise advice. We have seen undefeated teams like last years Falcons go from 5-0 to 7-9 or the Cardinals that started 4-0 then went 5-11. While we know the Patriots are better than that, it’s a great philosophy to live and coach by. With this in mind, I’ll be judging this week’s games based upon overall performance the past 7 week and the way teams have been trending just like how Bellichick would (except he is a million times smarter than I will ever be.)

Sanders went 9-5-1 last week giving him a 65-41-1 total. How will he fare this week? A perfect 13-0! Watch out! (I wish.)

Jacksonville Jaguars vs Tennessee Titans

A lot of people are hyping this up as who steps up: Mariota or Bortles? This isn’t even a real question. Bortles has regressed beyond belief all season, being afraid to pull the trigger on big plays like he did last year while Mariota is coming into his own with the help of Murray’s resurgence and an O-line that does a great job protecting a QB who is very mobile. The Titans win this hands down. They are the better team and Jacksonville has a lot to figure out on both sides of the ball.

Washington Redskins vs Cincinnati Bengals

So, this is a tough one as the Redskins are 4-3 winning 4 of their last 5 games while the Bengals have struggled at 3-4. To examine both teams, the Redskins have built  up one of the better running attacks in recent weeks and the run game has been an issue for the Bengals and a great reason as to why the offense isn’t doing well despite Dalton’s ability to retain his progressions from last year. Kirk Cousins on the other hand, has given the middle finger to his doubters with improved play and showing that he can be just as good as he was last year throwing for 9 TDs to just 3 INTs in the past 5 weeks. As for both defense, the run defenses are awful with Cincy being at 24^th and 26^th. Considering how the Redskins have the better running attack, I’ll look for another 100 yard Matt Jones game to take pressure off Cousins so he can do his work.

Redskins 24  Bengals 21

Kansas City Chiefs vs Indianapolis Colts

I don’t think I’m going to pick the Colts to win for the rest of the season barring incredibly improved play. The Colts have Andrew Luck to win. That’s it. This Colts D can’t capitalize on what Luck provides or even retain it for that matter. Kansas City offense isn’t electrifying or even all that fun to watch but with them being 15-3 in their last 18 games (including playoffs) you can’t deny that it works and it’s all they need to win. With KC facing such a poor defense, it’s hard to not pick KC here. Sorry Luck. If fact, I shouldn’t be saying I’m sorry. The Colts GM and head coach should be apologizing for their roster mistakes.

Chiefs 26  Colts 20

Arizona Cardinals vs Carolina Panthers

You’re lying if you told me you saw this matchup and said no one would care to watch it two months ago. Well now, no one cares. I don’t even care. Only Panthers and Cardinals fans care. Maybe Seattle fans care??? Doubt that one but regardless, the Panthers are 1-5 and not because of Cam Newton but because they let go of Josh Norman and are seeing how much he brought to the team. The Panthers are giving up too many big plays. What do the Cardinals excel in? Big plays. Wait. My bad. It’s 2016 not 2015. The Cardinals excel at a run-first game with an opportunistic and efficient passing game. Michael Floyd and Palmer have started to recover from their early season troubles and took some pressure off of Fitz to make plays but not DJ. Holy moly 44 runs? Damn. Slow down Arians. Anyway, Cards have to finish offensive drives if they want to win. Getting 300+ yards but only scoring 6 points is a recipe for disaster as we saw last week. For the Panthers to win, Benjamin and Olsen have to go off for Newton. Sounds like a tough task to handle considering they are playing against the Cards #NoFlyZone.

Cards 26  Panthers 17

Oakland Raiders vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Raiders are looking poised to dethrone the Broncos from their division. While their records are the same, that’s still a tough task. The Raiders can prove right here what most good teams do. They throw bad teams into trash like the garbage they are (sorry Bucs fans). Speaking of trash, how about that Bucs defense? They can’t seem to stop decent defenses. Shame. Good luck against the Raiders.

Raiders 31  Bucs 14

Seattle Seahawks vs New Orleans Saints

The Saints have a terrible defense. We all know this. But can the Seahawks capitalize? After 7 weeks of play, the Seahawks O has had 4 unstoppable games but then have turned in 3 duds. It’s hard to decide how good the Seattle offense is with high highs and low lows. If they truly are a potent offense, they will manhandle the Saints defense like most teams have. Speaking of potent, the Saints are becoming of the most potent offensive forces in the NFL. Despite a weak record, Drew Brees and Co. look like their having fun and developing a lot of chemistry. It’s reminiscent of an old Drew Brees we used to know where he lit up defenses. But we can slow that thought process down for now. They’re playing the Legion of Boom. This will be a real test for the Saints.

Seahawks 23  Saints 20

Detroit Lions vs Houston Texans

I’m be short and sweet. I am picking the Lions. Matt Stafford has been playing phenomenally all year and Osweiler has been playing like a dud. While the Texans might have the better defense, it’s hard to ask the Texans defense to take over a game when the offense does LITERALLY nothing. Shame. Texans are still a playoff-caliber team held back by the QB positions. Same ol’ Texans

Lions 27  Texans 13

New England Patriots vs Buffalo Bills

This looks like a game the Bills could win but I can’t see Bellichick allowing the Bills to sweep the Patriots. The Bills are a tough team but the Patriots are smarter. Both teams need this win. The Patriots need it to secure their division more or less while the Bills need it to stay alive in the AFC playoff race. Unfortunately, the Patriots and tom Brady don’t care about what you need.

Patriots 24  Bills 16

UPSET OF THE WEEK!!!!

New York Jets vs Cleveland Browns

This has to be the lamest upset I can think of. Jets vs Browns? Well, the Browns are winless this season but no more! The Browns fun offense will finally score enough points to win the game and the defense will be hold off a Fitzpatrick led offense. If Fitzpatrick wasn’t playing, I would pick the Jets but I’m not buying Fitzpatrick’s “resurgence” just yet. Go get em Cleveland.

Jets 16  Browns 24

San Diego Chargers vs Denver Broncos

It wouldn’t be surprising to see San Diego win this one just like they did two weeks ago. However, I think Denver has had the time to learn from their mistakes and Coach Kubiak will be back on the sideline this time around. AND, this game will be at mile high. Hmm. I think that’s enough for to say Denver can win this game. As for the Chargers, keep your foot on the gas. The offense must be relentless and tire the Orange Crush out if they want to win.

Chargers 17  Broncos 23

Green Bay Packers vs Atlanta Falcons

Many people are going to pick the Falcons. I am going to pick Green Bay. So before you call me insane, here’s the logic. The Packers beat the Bears last week. Okay, so what? They’re a bad team. True, but the Packers were able to find out what they can do on offense to make their offense run smoother. And I’ve said  it a million times in this column and I’ll say it again. The Falcons have a great offense but I wonder how long they can manage to consistently win with a defense that gives up 28.4 points a game. For those who don’t know, THAT’S WORSE THAN WHAT THE BEARS ALLOW! If the Packers could take advantage of a Bears team that ranks 20^th in points allowed, they can beat a Falcons team that ranks 27^th in points allowed. A tale of two offenses is to come here. Atlanta’s or Green Bay’s?

Packers 31  Falcons 27

Philadelphia Eagles vs Dallas Cowboys

A game with HUGE implications for the NFC East. If the Cowboys win it here, they give themselves a good chance of solidifying their spot atop the NFC East and a good run at the No. 1 seed for the NFC. If the Eagles win it here, then they create an earthquake with massive ripple effects. Do you bring Romo back? Who wins the NFC East? Who has a good chance at the No.1 seed in the NFC? The drama is real. And this is a REAL test for Dak Prescott. He hasn’t faced such a formidable defense yet. The media is hyping up the “Carson Wentz vs Dak Prescott showdown” but this game comes down to who has the better defense. Both QBs are rookies and both defense should know how to punish them for the lack of knowledge. I’m taking the Eagles because Carson Wentz has already beat a top tier defense (Vikings) and Dak Prescott hasn’t. And the Eagles defense is arguably better than the Cowboys defense.

Eagles 23  Cowboys 16

Minnesota Vikings vs Chicago Bears

Is this even a contest? We get to watch Matt Barkely or Jay Cutler get demolished by the Purple People Eaters 2.0. Fun stuff. However, the Vikings O-line needs to show up. Last week was brutal. You can’t win with a poor offensive line as the Vikings found out last week. I imagine that Zimmer lit a fire under their behinds this week. We’ll see if they can recover against a more than manageable defense.

Vikings 27  Bears 16