POORE'S PICKS: Week Eight

Jim Poore is back with his Week 8 picks against the spread. Again, Jim chooses a great one for the Game of the Week. Take a look and let him know what you think.

There really doesn't look to be that many big games on the docket for this weekend. It is week eight, and though the playoffs are still some time away, the better teams will be starting to look at seedings and bye weeks. The biggest game this weekend is New England at Pittsburgh, and this is really the only game this week with any sort of meaning. The winner could have the edge towards a number one seed, but as mentioned that is some time away.
   I slipped a bit last week, going 6-7 against the numbers. I am 48-51-4 for the year, so I need a good week to get back over .500. Good luck to myself.
As always, home team in CAPS.

Detroit  3  Denver
The Lions have suddenly lost two in a row, and Matthew Stafford is ailing. He should play though, and I think the Lions should bounce back nicely against Denver. They haven't shown me anything this year.
Lions  26-14
 
New Orleans  14 1/2  St. Louis
The Saints are a huge favorite on the road, but they should be. They pasted Indianapolis last week for 62 points, and 40 more wouldn't surprise me this week. The Rams are winless, but do have some talent. They will remain winless though.
Saints  43-20
 
Houston  10  Jacksonville
The Texans had a big win last week, and they shouldn't be counted out of the AFC race, and Andre Johnson could return this week. The Jags won very ugly Monday night, but I don't think they have a shot here. I like Houston at home.
Texans  31-17
 
SAN FRANCISCO  10  Cleveland
Not too many people are paying attention to the 49ers, but they should be. They are also coming off of a bye week, which spells bad news for the Browns, who have issues all over the place. I don't see any problems for San Francisco here.
49ers  29-7
 
Cincinnati  1  SEATTLE
I mentioned earlier in the article that there were not a lot of good games this weekend. This one quickly came to mind.
Bengals  24-21
 
BALTIMORE  14 1/2  Arizona
I think someone forgot to tell Baltimore that they need to show up to win a football game. They were awful Monday night. The Cardinals have been awful all season. The Cardinals will continue to be awful, but the Ravens won't. Look for a big bounce back win here for Baltimore.
Ravens  34-13
 
Tennessee  10 1/2  Indianapolis
Something tells me the Colts have to cover sometime. I think the Titans are going to start to fade a bit, especially after last week's blowout loss. I don't think Tennessee is a 10 point favorite over anybody. I like the Colts to at least cover here.
Titans  26-20
 
PHILADELPHIA  3 1/2  Dallas
May be, just may be, the Eagles are going to start to soar. Maybe. The bye week should have helped them, and Dallas had a nice win last week. I still think it might be too little too late for the Eagles, but they should go on a run. I like them here.
Eagles  27-21
 
New York Giants  10 1/2  Miami
The Giants had a bye, and the Dolphins played like they did last week. What an awful loss for a team with no answers right now. I have one answer, a new Head Coach. No problems this week for the Giants, who are very much in contention in the NFC West.
Giants  34-14
 
Buffalo  5  Washington
The Bills had a bye week, and are still very much alive in the AFC. I don't know how long it will last, but the Redskins streak of good play certainly didn't. With no quarterback to speak of they aren't going anywhere. I like Buffalo here, especially at home.
 Bills  27-17
 
San Diego  3 1/2  Kansas CITY
The Chargers lost another dumb game last week, and the Chiefs actually put together a good game. I don't think they can do it two weeks in a row though. The Chargers should runaway with the AFC West, but they won't, for a variety of reasons. I do like them here though.
 Chargers 30-23
 
Game of the Week

New England  2 1/2  PITTSBURGH
The Patriots had a bye last week, and I think it came at the right time. Ben Roethlisberger is playing much better lately, and the Steelers have the third ranked defense. The Patriots have a dominating offense, so something has to give. I think the Dallas game showed that a good defense can slow New England down. Pittsburgh has a better defense than Dallas. Therefore, I think Pittsburgh will win.
 Steelers 26-24
 
Stinker of the Week

CAROLINA  4  Minnesota
There were lots of choices, but this was the best choice, if that is the term to use. The Vikings are bad, but at least Carolina has an exciting Cam Newton. I'll take Carolina at home.
 Panthers  29-17
 
Record For Week Seven: 6-7 ( 8-5 without spread )
Record Through Week Seven: 48-51-4 ( 64-39 without spread )
Game of Week Record: 4-3
Stinker of Week Record: 2-5

Jim Poore has been a long time contributor to Patriots Insider with his weekly picks column. Let him know what you think. Email him here:

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