PIGSKIN 2018: 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:  6-6-1

Overall Record:  32-56-4

Schmear of the Week:  3-4

Bagels in the Basket:  -33

1st and Ten:

• Rams remain lone undefeated team.
• After starting 0-3, Houston is in first place after having won five straight.
• Cowboys trade for Amari Cooper potentially changes narrative in NFC East.
• John Gruden now owns five first round selections in next year's draft.

2nd and Long:

• Second place Miami Sea Mammals are hanging in at 4-4, but they're blowing it.
• Eli Manning has been sacked this season the second most times in the NFL.
• I still say second place Chargers are a paper tiger; Philip Rivers is having hell of a season, though.

No Gain:

• Le'Veon Bell
• Browns haven't won at Heinz Field since 2003 ... famous last words.
• Jacksonville really needs to do something about Blake Bortles... like trade for Eli Manning?
• That said, Odell Beckham is asking things of Eli that Matt Ryan can't even do for Julio Jones. Odell has two more TD than Jones, and has been targeted 4th most times in the NFL.  You know what I'm saying.

PUNT!

• NFL fires Down Judge Hugo Cruz for being bad at what he does.!
• Raising the white flag?  The Giants trade Eli Apple and Damon snacks Harrison in the same week, although the return isn't much; clear cap moves.
• Ouch!  Houston receiver Will Fuller is out for the season.

WEEK EIGHT
Friday Line  ~ NYDN

D.C. Hogs -1 (GIANTS)

Hogs big defensive line comes to pour more kerosene on the dumpster fire that is the Giants offense.  Don't be surprised to see Kyle Lauletta fed to the lions pitch in relief of Eli Manning.   When Washington has the the ball, consider Adrian Peterson is rushing against a Giants front no longer featuring Snacks Harrison, and playing without linebacker Alec Ogletree.
WIN; 20-13 Hogs

BEARS -7 (Jets)

Khalil Mack ... ankle injury?  I had no idea.  No matter, with Bilal Powell requiring neck surgery, no Quincy Anunwa, and possibly no Robbie Thompson, Sam Darnold has no shot of leading this offense all by himself.  This is also California Dreamer's first game in Chicago.  In other words ... no.
WIN; 24-10 Bears

Eagles -3 (Jaguars) *London

A battle of two woefully underachieving 3-4 teams ... the Jags more so than the Eagles.  I gave em a fair chance, but Jacksonville's offense is just terrible, especially these last two weeks .  The Jags with Blake Bortes are in clear regression.
WIN; 24-18 Eagles

Steelers -8 (BROWNS)

Their Week One tie game was a legit effort on behalf of Cleveland.  They're staying in games.  But the Steelers are methodically getting their act back together, the defense is tightening up, and they're rested.  Let's see how the Browns hold up in the second half of the season.
WIN; 33-18 Steelers

CHIEFS -10 (Broncos)

The Chiefs are 7-0 ATS.  Unless you believe the Broncos are even slightly above average - which they're not - why jump off the Chiefs bandwagon now?
Loss; 30-23 Chiefs

LIONS -3 (Seahawks)

Matching points against Seattle isn't necessarily the Lions problem.  Limiting their scoring is.  Enter Damon Harrison, acquired from the Giants.  He'll fit in very nicely in a Lions defense that's been methodically improving over the last few weeks.
Loss; 28-14 Seahawks

Bucs +4 (BENGALS)

After starting 3-1, the Bengals are losers of two straight (although the Bucs don't belong in the same conversation along with the Steelers or Chiefs).  Cincinnati's defense  - now without Vontaze Burfict - will likely allow Tampa to keep this close.  Four points clinches this decision.
WIN; 37-34 Bengals

Ravens -2 (PANTHERS)

I  just don't know about those Panthers sometimes.  When their on top of their game, they're really good.  But they play far too often with their heads up their posteriors.  Defense carries week to week, and therefore I'm sticking with the Ravens.
Loss; 36-21 Panthers

Colts -3 (RAIDERS)

I know what John Gruden is doing.  I just don't know how his players feel about it.  They just may pack it in mentally and call it a season.  Add the injury to Marshawn Lynch, and the new mission clearly involves tanking.  I expect uninspired football over the second half of the season.  Andrew Luck will have his way.
WIN; 42-28 Colts

49ers PK (CARDINALS)

Straight up, the Niners are the better team ... even without Jimmy G.
Loss; 18-15 Cardinals

Packers +9 1/2 (RAMS)

I hear all that stuff about Aaron Rogers never before being this much of an underdog.  The Rams win in all likelihood.  But Rogers (knee) is rested, and will have all his offensive henchmen back on the field.  I'll take the points.  As an aside, the undefeated Rams are over due for a humbling game.  Just saying.
WIN; 29-27 Rams

Saints PK (VIKINGS)

The Vikings have loads of injuries on defense.  That's not to say the acquisition of Eli Apple helps the Saints much.  But if we're talking shoot-out here, I'll side with Breeze straight-up
WIN; 30-20 Saints


Schmear of the Week:
D.C. Hogs -1
WIN

Good luck, and have a great Football Sunday, everyone!

Post-Game:
Week Eight Record:  8-4
Overall Record: 40-60-4
Schmear of the Week:  4-4
Bagels in the Basket:  -26