Week 8 NFL Picks

I forgot/didn’t have time to write my picks up on Thursday, so whoops I guess, but I did pick the game on twitter, so I’m counting it, because just look at the traveshamockery that is my record.

Last week: 7-8
Lock of the Week/Shoe-in of the Week: 1-6
Season: 43-62-2

Home team in CAPS

Panthers (-7) over BUCCANEERS

Greg Schiano has become the most hated unsuccessful person in football I can remember in my lifetime really. Also congrats to Tampa, who has now quit on two coaches in three years, really impressive.

Jaguars (+16.5) over 49ers

The whole NFL games in London thing makes very little sense to me. I get the desire to create an international fan base, but I still think it’s stupid. First off, if they are trying to create a following in London, they could probably do better than giving them a Vikings game and a Jaguars game this season. No one in any country wants to watch either of those teams.

Then, in addition, they are giving them Jags games for four straight years. One, that sucks if you are a fan with tickets in Jacksonville as you lose out on a home game each year. Two, it sucks for the Jags, who basically lose their home field for one game a year. And three, what are they trying to do? It almost seems like they are trying to create a market for an NFL team based in London, which would be a horrendous idea. You can’t play a regular season with teams as far as 8 hours and 5,000 miles apart from one another, it will not work.

LIONS (-3) over Cowboys

My guess is that no NFC East team can win three straight games.

Giants (+5.5) over EAGLES

Luckily the Giants dug themselves a big enough hole that even if they play semi-competent football from here on out, they will not make the playoffs.

Browns (+7.5) over CHIEFS

I’m not sure if there is another quarterback quite like Jason Campbell. He was mediocre for years in Washington and never won much, yet nearly everyone in D.C. really wants him to do well now that he has moved on and is rooting for him to get a chance to succeed. I think it is safe to say he is better than Brandon Weeden anyways, go Jason!

SAINTS (-11) over Bills

The Saints cover spreads at home, it’s what they do.

PATRIOTS (-6.5) over Dolphins

Remember when Miami started the season 3-0 and people were talking about how they were a legit team? It’s okay if you don’t, because it seems so unlikely when you look at the Dolphins now.

BENGALS (-6.5) over Jets

I haven’t actually watched any Jets football this season. Is Geno Smith decent, lucky, good, irrelevant or what? I feel like I should be hearing a lot more about a rookie QB in New York than I am.

RAIDERS (+2.5) over Steelers

Despite two straight wins, I am not ready to believe in the Steelers in any way.

BRONCOS (-12) over Redskins

One win and Redskins fans start thinking they have a chance in Denver.

Falcons (+2.5) over CARDINALS

Pick that is guaranteed to lose
*Also known as Lock of the Week

I know the Falcons are down and injured, but the Cardinals still rely on Carson Palmer to drive their offense. Carson Palmer is still terrible.

Packers (-9) over VIKINGS

This week’s Minnesota QB carousel has landed on Christian Ponder. Always good when you try three guys and end up back on the first one.

Seahawks (-11) over RAMS

Here is my question. If you have so little faith in you backup QB that you immediately call Brett Favre after your starter goes down, then why didn’t you focus on improving the backup quarterback position before you needed him to play? Was the philosophy, “We’re fine with Kellen Clemens, unless he actually has to play of course. Then we are going to panic and try to find someone else to take his place.”