PIGSKIN 2015: Week Eight

PIGSKIN

FOOTBALL SUNDAY

Week Eight

RESULTS

Week One 

Week Two 

Week Three 

Week Four 

Week Five
Week Six
Week Seven

Scoreboard:

Week Seven Record:  6-5

Overall Record:  50-36-2

Schmear of the Week: 4-3

Bagels in the Basket:  +15

1st and Ten:

• Deflate This!  The Patriots are trampling the competition like Godzilla going through Tokyo.   Boy, are they playing pissed off pigskin.  Every one of their AFC leading touchdowns has been like a middle finger raised at the NFL.

• The Bengals are out of the cage, and hot on New England's trail for Conference supremacy.

• Someone must lose: Broncos vs. Packers > One team will remain undefeated, the other will experience their first bitter taste of defeat.

2nd and Long:

• No secret which team will be keeping their eyes peeled on the score in Denver.  Wanna bet the Falcons wished they played in the NFC East?

• The Jets must survive the Black Hole in order to keep within striking distance of the Patriots.

• Who would have though the Vikes would be poised to go 5-3 in the first half?

No Gain:

• Stalemate: They'll be no movement in the NFC West this week, except for the 49ers that is, as they'll fall further behind the pack.  I expect the Cardinals, Rams, and Seahawks, all to win Sunday.

• The Giants are in first place, but do not seem to handle success well.  Look for the them to get dumped in the Dome.

PUNT!

• The NFL is straight pimping with Fan Duel/Draft Kings, etc., aren't they...

Week Eight:

Friday Line ~ NYDN

SAINTS -3 (Giants)

To date, Drew Brees will be the best QB the Giants will have faced this season.  Take a look back at what Tony Romo, Sam Bradford, Kirk Cousins, Colin Kaepernick, and Matt Ryan all did to them. Even Matt Cassel had his moments against the Giants defense/secondary.  You think Brees will do any less?  I didn't think so.
Push; 52-49 Saints

Jets -3 (RAIDERS)

Jets estimated time of arrival in the Black Hole = not soon enough.  After last week, the Jets are chomping at the bit.  First, what a great rivalry revisited!  Raiders fans are having fun again - just not this week.  I'm not one for moral victories, but, look back at who the Patriots have played and you'll find the Jets have arguably given them the best run for their money. Good defense and an effective running are not fluke happenings in the NFL.  I know the Jets are a little banged up.  But, I still do not foresee Latavius Murray doing much running against the Jets front seven, nor do I foresee a pleasant day for Derek Carr and Amari Cooper against the Jets secondary.
Loss; 32-20 Raiders

CHIEFS -4 (LIONS) *LONDON

Once upon a time, a waitress in London called me a colonist.  I told her London was no place for a Street Fightin' Man.  True story.  That said, the NFL continues to export its trash across the Pond.   The Lions are one of only two teams to have allowed 200-points this season. One might think this an assault upon an Englishman's senses - considering they're more accustomed to one-nil matches and all...   Just saying.
WIN; 45-10 Chiefs

Vikings +1 (BEARS)

The Bears lost to the Lions.  No other team can say that.  Plus, I'm just sick of picking against the Vikings, and losing.  Otherwise, I got nothing.
WIN; 23-20 Vikings

FALCONS -7 (Bucs)

The Bucs give up touchdowns.  It's what they do.  Matt Ryan would make a great fantasy pick this week.
Loss; 23-20 Bucs

RAMS -8 (49ers)

Neither team actually scores many points.  It's just that one team is averaging 15-points a game and improving, while the other is averaging the same, but falling apart like wet toilet paper.  Defense makes this a no contest.  Put it this way - what do you imagine would/could have happened if a fully grown male ram walked up on some unsuspecting gold prospector back in 1849 California?
WIN; 27-6 Rams

Cardinals -6 (BROWNS)

Let's be honest, does it really matter who starts at QB for the Browns?  They're like a slow acting laxative - relief only comes after sitting around enduring a lot of crap all day.  If the Cardinals don't scream obvious choice, you're just not listening.  Try taking out your headphones dummy.
WIN; 34-20 Cardinals

Bengals +1 1/2 (STEELERS)

Big Ben is back!  But he's gonna need at least another week before he gets going again. Regardless, Pittsburgh's defense will have their hands full.  The Bengals are second in the AFC behind the Patriots in touchdowns.  The Steelers must resolve that first.  How can you not love this spread?
WIN; 16-10 Bengals

Chargers + 3 1/2 (RAVENS)

I keep convincing myself the Chargers are better than they've demonstrated.  Meanwhile, the Ravens are even worse than I anticipated.  In other words, this is my least confident pick of the lot.
WIN; 29-26 Ravens

TEXANS -4 (Titans)

For a second straight week, no Mariota for you.  That's the only reason why I'm taking the Texans this week.  What a major disappointment Houston has been this season.  They should be ashamed after last week's shellacking against the Fins..
WIN; 20-6 Texans

Seahawks -6 (COWBOYS)

Look no further than last week.  The Giants field one of the most generous secondaries in football, and look what they did to Matt Cassel.  What do you suppose the Legion of Boom will do him?
Loss; 13-12 Seahawks

Packers -2 1/2 (BRONCOS)

Two good defenses will turn this into a grudge match.  However, Sunday will belong to the younger, more agile/mobile quarterback.
Loss; 29-10 Broncos

Schmear of the Week:

Rams -8
WIN

Guten Appetit:

Fried calamari, shrimp platter, crab salad, baked clams oreganata, and later for the sit down 2" filet mignon (there's still a place in my world for good butchers) with lobster tails.

What's on your football menu?

Good luck, and have a great Football Sunday everyone!


Post-Game:
Week Eight Record:  7-4-1
Overall Record:  57-39-3
Schmear of the Week:  5-3
Bagels in the Basket:  +20