The Week 8 Picks

Match-up: Tampa Bay (+2.5) @ Dallas
Breakdown: This is the only way I'm rooting for a Tampa team on Sunday.
Straight Up: Tampa Bay
Against the Spread: Tampa Bay

Match-up: Washington (-7.5) @ Detroit
Breakdown: This is the first Lions home game that hasn't been a sell-out in seven years. That says a lot about Detroit fans. They certainly deserve better than the Lions have given.
Straight Up: Washington
Against the Spread: Washington

Match-up: Buffalo (-1.5) @ Miami
Breakdown: I think it's safe to say the Bills are legitimate playoff contenders now, and may be the odds-on favorite to win the AFC East.
Straight Up: Buffalo
Against the Spread: Buffalo

Match-up: St. Louis (+7.0) @ New England
Breakdown: The Patriots looked like, well, like the Patriots on Monday with their 41-7 beat-down of the Broncos. The resurgent Rams come calling this week. Never thought I'd be saying that.
Straight Up: New England
Against the Spread: St. Louis

Match-up: San Diego (-3.0) @ New Orleans
Breakdown: The game is being played in London, England and without Reggie Bush, which may actually benefit the Saints. How? Run the ball with Deuce McAllister, control the clock, and keep the Chargers offense on the sideline.
Straight Up: New Orleans
Against the Spread: New Orleans

Match-up: Kansas City (+13.0) @ New York Jets
Breakdown: It goes from bad to worse in Kansas City. Tony Gonzalez is disgruntled after not being traded. Larry Johnson is suspended after spitting a drink in some chick's face. And Brodie Croyle in injured and will miss the rest of the season. All of this overshadows Herm Edwards' return to the Meadowlands.
Straight Up: New York Jets
Against the Spread: New York Jets

Match-up: Atlanta (+9.0) @ Philadelphia
Breakdown: The Eagles are starting to get healthy, with Brian Westbrook and Kevin Curtis expected to return to the line-up. The run defense will need to be stellar against Michael "The Burner" Turner.
Straight Up: Philadelphia
Against the Spread: Philadelphia

Match-up: Arizona (+4.0) @ Carolina
Breakdown: Remember last week's stat about west coast teams playing early on the East Coast? Same situation presents itself here. Plus, the Panthers have been very good at home this year.
Straight Up: Carolina
Against the Spread: Carolina

Match-up: Oakland (+7.0) @ Baltimore
Breakdown: A couple of NFL officials visited Baltimore this week to address the "Bounty" talk that some members of the Ravens were peddling. I'd expect them to take out some anger on the Raiders.
Straight Up: Baltimore
Against the Spread: Baltimore

Match-up: Cleveland (+7.0) @ Jacksonville
Breakdown: Call me crazy, but I've seen some life from the Browns lately.
Straight Up: Jacksonville
Against the Spread: Cleveland

Match-up: Cincinnati (+9.5) @ Houston
Breakdown: On the contrary, the Bengals have never looked more pedestrian.
Straight Up: Houston
Against the Spread: Houston

Match-up: New York Giants (+3.0) @ Pittsburgh
Breakdown: The winner of this game will ascend to the top of everyone's power rankings. And the teams are similar in style. Should be a good one.
Straight Up: Pittsburgh
Against the Spread: Pittsburgh

Match-up: Seattle (+5.0) @ San Francisco
Breakdown: After sitting through the Seahawks game in Tampa last week, I was leaning towards the Niners in this one. Then the Mike Nolan firing happened. And as we've already seen in St. Louis and Oakland, a coaching change can energize a team.
Straight Up: San Francisco
Against the Spread: San Francisco

Match-up: Indianapolis (+4.0) @ Tennessee
Breakdown: So everybody's on the Titans bandwagon now. And everyone's convinced that the Colts are done. I'm playing a hunch on this one. Call it "Peyton's Last Stand."
Straight Up: Indianapolis
Against the Spread: Indianapolis

Bye: Chicago; Denver; Green Bay; Minnesota

Week 7: 10-4-0 (.714); 6-8-0 (.429)
2008-09 Season: 62-40-0 (.608); 52-47-3 (.525)
Lifetime Record: 1028-609-1 (.628); 814-791-33 (.507)