NFL Week 9 – Predictions
Week 8 Predictions Record: 8-4
Season Predictions Record: 66-35
With eight weeks in the books the 2016 NFL season is already beginning to take shape. We have seen some power house teams emerge and others wither under the pressure. Week 9 begins with a good matchup on Thursday night between the Falcons and Buccaneers, and this week features some prime time matchups. Take a look at the power rankings going into this week to see which times might rise and which teams might fall. This week’s game of the week features the Philadelphia Eagles who are up against the Dallas Cowboys. I am anxious to get on with predictions, I am hopeful to keep this winning predictions record alive this week. Here are the picks for week 8 in the NFL.
Teams on Bye: Cardinals, Bears, Bengals, Texans, Patriots, Redskins
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GAME OF THE WEEK
Broncos vs. Raiders
Preview: The Broncos and Raiders face off this week in my Game of the Week. Both of these teams are looking like contenders out of the AFC West and both have been playing some great football lately. This is a matchup between a powerful offense and a stifling defense. The Raiders have surprised everyone this season with their 6-2 record behind the play of Derek Carr who many consider to be the early season MVP favorite. Unfortunately for the Raiders this week, they face off against the Broncos. They will not be able to beat this team with 20+ penalties, they have to play smart and efficiently to have any chance against that defense. The Broncos have been impressive since their two game losing streak and look to make a mid-season push to open up their division. Whoever wins this matchup has control of the division…for now.
Pick: BRONCOS
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THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL GAME
Falcons vs. Buccaneers
Preview: A one-sided affair looks to take place this week on Thursday Night Football as the Falcons come to Tampa Bay to take on the Buccaneers. The Falcons have looked impressive this season, posting the best offensive numbers in the league. Last week, the Falcons got an impressive win over the Packers at home to continue to move forward this season. The Buccaneers have looked quite the opposite this season, nothing seemingly going right for this young Buc’s team. Look for the Falcons to jump on them early and earn the victory this week on Thursday night. Excited for those color rush uniforms!!
Pick: FALCONS
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Steelers vs. Ravens
Preview: Will he play? Or won’t he? Big Ben is playing mind games with the Ravens this week as he and the Steelers prepare for this divisional matchup and grudge-match with the Ravens. Ben tore his meniscus two weeks ago in a loss to the Dolphins, but actually looks set to return this week. Ben is the difference in this game, so if he plays, this one is as good as done. If not, its going to be a toss-up between these two teams. The Ravens have lost four straight since going 3-0 to start the season. They will be looking to right the ship this week against the limping Steelers. This Steelers team has too much talent to lose this one. Either way they take home the victory in this game.
Pick: STEELERS
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Cowboys vs. Browns
Preview: The Cowboys hit the road this week to take on the lowly Cleveland Browns. Cleveland has not been having the season they were hoping for, as they are yet to get a victory this season. The city of Cleveland will be deflated this week after losing in the World Series last night to the Chicago Cubs, so look for this game to get ugly from the get-go. This Cowboys team looks to cruise in this game as they look set to prepare for the Steelers next week. Elliot might get 200 yards on the ground in this game.
Pick: COWBOYS
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Jaguars vs. Chiefs
Preview: The Jaguars head to Kansas City Missouri this week as they face off against the surging Chiefs. The Jaguars have been a complete bust this season in route to their 2-5 record. Luckily, they are very young and talented, so the future looks bright in Jacksonville. The key word there is FUTURE. At the moment, they SUCK, and it looks like they will continue to SUCK until they figure out how to use that young talent. Unfortunately it does not look like they will be able to get anything going this week against one of the best defenses in the league in the Chiefs. The Chiefs have been excellent since the bye week and do not look to be slowed down as they continue to surge. This should be another win for them as they close the gap between themselves and the Broncos in their division.
Pick: CHIEFS
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Jets vs. Dolphins
Preview: An interesting matchup this week in Miami as the Jets take on the Dolphins. The Dolphins looked really good the two weeks before their bye and they look to build on that momentum. Jay Ajayi was outstanding in those two games going for 200 yards on the ground in both games. This week they face a weak Jets team who could barely put away the Browns a week ago. The Dolphins should be able to take care of business this week and grab another win.
Pick: DOLPHINS
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Lions vs. Vikings
Preview: A two game losing streak for the Vikings going into Sunday’s game against the Lions has people thinking that it might be extended to three. As talented as the Vikings defense is, their offense is bad. They need to protect Sam Bradford so that he can make plays for his team. Their issue is so bad that some fans took to craigslist to get some help on the offensive line. This game will be close and could go either way, but since the Vikings are at home, they get the nod in this game.
Pick: VIKINGS
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Eagles vs. Giants
Preview: Another candidate for game of the week as the Eagles and Giants face off in a key NFC East battle. Both teams sit at 4-3 overall and trail the 6-1 Cowboys in the division. If either team want a shot at catching up, this is a must win game. The Eagles have been strong this season, but with a conservative offense, they are always limited in who they can beat. However, they have a very strong defense which will keep them in this game. The Giants have struggled with consistency this season, and honestly, ever since their week one win over the Cowboys they have really struggled. This will be a close one that the Eagles should come away with a victory
Pick: EAGLES
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Panthers vs. Rams
Preview: An intriguing matchup this week in Los Angeles as the Panthers come to town to face the Rams. The Panthers got a statement win last week against the Cardinals and hope to improve on their performance. While the Rams are coming off of a bye week and seek to find some stability in their season. The Panthers have the overall better team and should win this game. We will see what Panthers team shows up and what Rams team shows up. This might just be a very bizarre game.
Pick: PANTHERS
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Saints vs. 49ers
Preview: The Saints and 49ers face off this week in an NFC matchup featuring two teams searching for an identity this season. The Saints have been able to beat some good teams this year, whereas the 49ers’ only win came against the lowly Rams in week one. A game in which they dominated. Ever since then, they have looked like a completely different team. This game looks to go in the favor of the Saints as they have posted a more consistent and strong offense this season behind the arm of future Hall-of-Famer Drew Brees. This game could get ugly quick.
Pick: SAINTS
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Colts vs. Packers
Preview: The Colts and the Packers face off this week at Lambeau field in Green Bay. Two strong arm quarterbacks go to battle in this matchup with Andrew Luck leading the way for the Colts and Aaron Rodgers for the Packers. These two teams (like many others) have struggled to get anything going consistently this season on both sides of the ball. The Packers boasted the best run defense in the league a couple of weeks ago only to be torched in consecutive weeks on the ground. This game should be an offensive showdown, but the edge has to go to the Packers as they have the better defense between the two and they are at home.
Pick: PACKERS
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Titans vs. Chargers
Preview: The Titans and Chargers go to war this week in San Diego in an AFC bout between these two teams trying to stay relevant in the AFC wildcard race. The almost trade from two years ago which would have sent rivers to Tennessee and the 2nd overall pick to the Chargers is grabbing headlines this week a these two quarterbacks face off for the first time. Both teams are playing some good football at the moment, the Chargers have one of the more talented teams in the league, but cannot seem to put away games, And the Titans post one of the best rushing attacks in the league. Both teams look to compete in this game, but I would say that the edge has to go to the Titans as they are coming off a solid win last week and look to dominate this Chargers team with the dual headed rushing attack of DeMarco Murray and Derrick Henry.
Pick: TITANS
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MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL GAME
Bills vs. Seahawks
Preview: A prime time matchup on Monday Night Football this week as the Bills take on the Seahawks in Seattle. This game is a must win for both of these teams as they both took horrible losses last week and need to bounce back strong to push for the postseason. The Seahawks are currently in the driver’s seat of the NFC West, but the Cardinals are always dangerous from the outside looking in. Meanwhile, with virtually no shot at the NFC East title, the Bills have to make a late season push to try and grab a wild card spot. This game should be a good one, but the Seahawks secondary will be a little too much for Tyrod Taylor to be efficient against and ultimately the Seahawks will be able to pull this one out.
Pick: SEAHAWKS
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