The tough going continues in the predicting business. For the 2nd straight week I’m slightly over .500, much like my season. Could be worse, but I’m way off track and as we approach the midway point it’s time to get it turned around. I’m seeing a slate of Week 8 games that are all tough to call. Most should be decided by a touchdown or less in my opinion. But hey, I’ve been wrong before. Here’s the Week 8 picks.

Sunday, October 31st

1:00

Miami @ Cincinnati

The Dolphins should come out with a chip on their shoulder after the way things shaked out against Pittsburgh last week with a controversial call that cost Miami the game. The Bengals find themselves in a must-win situation after eventually running out of steam and falling to Atlanta. Cincy keeps it close, but loses another to fall even further behind in the AFC North.

Miami 28

Cincinnati 24

Jacksonville @ Dallas 

One team gets their starting qb back, while the other begins a 6 to 8 week tenure as a cheerleader. Tony Romo will watch Jon Kitna run the Cowboys offense and probably be an adequate backup against the Jags defense. Could be an uglyl game, but Dallas will take a win any way they can get it right now.

Jacksonville 17

Dallas 21

Washington @ Detroit 

Matthew Stafford will see his first action since suffering a shoulder injury in the season opener. This could provide a spark to an offense always capable of putting up big points. DeAngelo Hall picked off Jay Cutler 4 times last week, tying an NFL record. He might not have the same success going up against Calvin Johnson, but the Skins will still do enough to get the edge.

Washington 26

Detroit 23

Buffalo @ Kansas City

The Bills nearly did the unthinkable last week, eventually losing to Baltimore in overtime. Ryan Fitzpatrick has been excellent since taking over as the starter. The Chiefs stretched their AFC West lead after dropping 42 on Jacksonville. Look for another big day for the double-headed monster of Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones.

Buffalo 20

Kansas City 31

Carolina @ St. Louis

With just 11 seconds left, the Rams had one taken away from them after leading Tampa Bay 17-3, then giving up 16 unanswered. Carolina finally got in the win column after a close one with the Niners. Two rookie quarterbacks could mean a big day for both defenses. Steven Jackson will try for his 4th straight 100-yard game although he had surgery Monday to repair a broken ring finger. I think St. Louis has a letdown this week and loses a close one at home.

Carolina 16

St. Louis 14

Green Bay @ NY Jets

Two strong defenses should make for a low-scoring slugfest. The Packers are banged up and New York had a week to prepare for this game, coming off a bye. I like the Jets to keep the winning streak going. 

Green Bay 10

NY Jets 17

Denver @ San Francisco

We’re all still trying to figure out why the league feels the need to hold a game in England every year, but I guess if there’s one the States has to give up, this should be it. Two sub .500 teams who are playing down right terrible football. Troy Smith will be the Niners’ starting qb after Alex Smith sprained his shoulder. Kyle Orton does just enough to get Denver the win in a game those in attendance will find to be pure rubbish.

Denver 20

San Francisco 13

4:05

Tennessee @ San Diego

The Bolts continue to disappoint after losing to New England last week, dropping their record to 2-5. A 50-yard field goal late in the game by Kris Brown hit the right side upright and cost them the chance to tie and possibly send it to overtime. The Titans continued to roll with Kerry Collins in at quarterback, tossing 3 touchdowns to Kenny Britt who had 250 yards receiving. Vince Young is back at starter and Tennessee hands the Chargers another loss. There’s no such thing as a no-brainer this week, but since I have to pick one, this is it.

Tennessee 38   NO-BRAINER

San Diego 24

4:15

Seattle @ Oakland

59 points? The Raiders really put up 59 points last week on Denver? Darren McFadden had a field day, running for 165 yards on just 16 carries. The Seahawks are playing good football as well under first year head coach Pete Carroll. They’re out to a 4-2 record and leading the NFC West, however they’ll be no match for the swagger that Oakland brings with them Sunday.

Seattle 17

Oakland 27

Minnesota @ New England 

Again, it’s “up in the air” as to whether or not Brett Favre will play. I know he has 2 fractures in his ankle, but that streak is not coming to an end. Neither are his interceptions. The Vikings stay in it thanks to their run game, but come up short and Brett keeps wishing he had just never left Hattiesburg.

Minnesota 23

New England 30

Tampa Bay @ Arizona 

Raheem Morris has declared his Bucs the best team in the NFC. I’m not so sure about that, but there is no clearcut favorite in the NFC right now. Arizona is a team that’s in quarterback disarray. It’s a shame that Larry Fitzgerald’s talents are going to waste this season. Tampa goes into the big Toaster and pulls out the win, the difference possibly coming from one of their better defensive players like Ronde Barber picking off a pass or Barrett Ruud forcing a fumble.

Tampa Bay 14

Arizona 7

8:20

Pittsburgh @ Nawlins

The Saints are coming off easily their worst game in at least the last year and a half, losing to the Browns 30-17. Brees turned the ball over way too much and the special teams got fooled on a couple huge plays. On the other hand, the Steelers played hard-nosed defense as usual, but most would say you should put an asterisk next to their win over Miami. Should be a good one Sunday night, we’ll see if the Saints can get it turned around. If they thought the Browns defense gave them problems, they haven’t seen anything yet.

Pittsburgh 24

Nawlins 21

Monday, November 1st

8:30

Houston @ Indianapolis

Peyton Manning faces his AFC south rival without a couple of his key weapons in Dallas Clark and Austin Collie. This is a rematch from the season opener where Arian Foster ran for 231 yards and 3 scores in a 34-24 Texans win. I don’t think Foster can repeat that performance, but I do think that things stack up in Houston’s favor to duplicate the end result.

Houston 31

Indianapolis 27

Enjoy the games, TSJ!