The Hail Mary - Week 8

There is almost nothing better than stuffing your face with candy and watching football. This year Halloween falls on NFL Sunday and because of how strange and scary this entire season has been, it couldn't be more fitting.

Week 8 - Sunday, October 31

Miami (3-3) at Cincinnati (2-4), Cincinnati favored by 2

The Bengals can't get their team on the same page. The offense finally got going last weekend, but the defense couldn't slow the Atlanta Falcons down. WR Terrell Owens is having a monster year and proving his disappointing season in Buffalo was an aberration. The Dolphins can't win at home (0-3), but can't lose on the road (3-0). I think that trend continues on Sunday.

Prediction: Miami 20, Cincinnati 16

Jacksonville (3-4) at Dallas (1-5), Dallas favored by 6 1/2

I got a lot of satisfaction over watching the Cowboys season die last Monday night. The final nail in the coffin wasn't them losing the game, it was Michael Boley driving Tony Romo to the ground, knocking him out for 6-8 weeks. The Cowboys now turn to QB Jon Kitna, who hasn't won a game as a starter since 2007. Vegas doesn't seem to mind that stat and obviously thinks very little of the Jaguars with the ridiculous line they have put on this game. I don't think much of the Jags either and expect them to provide Dallas with their first home win. However, they will cover.

Prediction: Dallas 19, Jacksonville 14

Washington (4-3) at Detroit (1-5), Detroit favored by 2 1/2

It is probably a little embarrassing for the Redskins to be underdogs to a 1-5 team. However, given their recent history at Detroit it makes sense. The Lions have been in every single game they have played this season, and not surprisingly have suffered from some bad luck. They get back their starting QB Matthew Stafford for this one. The Redskins offense looked putrid last week, with the Skins winning in spite of QB Donovan McNabb's worst efforts. I don't think CB DeAngelo Hall will be coming up with four picks in this game, so the passing game will have to show up, and hopefully RB Ryan Torain can continue his string of 100 yard games. Their is no possible way the Skins can think about overlooking the Lions, especially after last season. The Skins will go into their bye week with a good feeling at 5-3.

Prediction: Washington 24, Detroit 17

Buffalo (0-6) at Kansas City (4-2), Kansas City favored by 7 1/2

Would you believe that Bills QB Ryan Fitzpatrick is one of the top quarterbacks in the league this year? If only the Bills could play defense. Chiefs QB Matt Cassel has been much improved in recent weeks and with the Chargers sputtering the Chiefs look like they have a great chance to take the AFC West. Having teams like the Bills and Jaguars on your schedule back to back weeks doesn't hurt.

Prediction: Kansas City 28, Buffalo 21

Carolina (1-5) at St. Louis (3-4), St. Louis favored by 3

The Panthers found the cure for a winless season, play the sorry San Francisco 49ers! QB Matt Moore looked like the player I expected him to be, but WR Steve Smith has yet to get going this season. Even more surprising is the lack of production of the Panthers running game, which will likely be without DeAngelo Williams for this game. I continue to be impressed by Rams rookie QB Sam Bradford. Despite being trained to be a choker at Oklahoma, he looks like the real deal. Sorry Pinto, don't like your Panthers chances in this one. However, I appreciate your undying support of The Hail Mary.

Prediction: St. Louis 27, Carolina 17

Green Bay (4-3) at New York Jets (5-1), New York Jets favored by 6

The Packers stopped the bleeding with a much needed win against the Vikings last weekend, with the help of former hero Brett Favre. They now travel to New York to take on perhaps the hottest team in the NFL, the Jets. The Jets are hoping the bye week didn't cool them off and they will continue to play efficiently on offense, and dominate on defense. The resurgence of RB LaDainian Tomlinson has got to have the Chargers shaking their heads. I expect to see WR Santonio Holmes make more of an impact in this game, then he has in his 2 games since his suspension ended.

Prediction: New York Jets 23, Green Bay 20

London, England: Denver (2-5) vs. San Francisco (1-6), San Francisco favored by 1

Just how bad are the Broncos? The 49ers are starting QB Troy Smith in this game and I didn't even know Smith was on the roster until he was named the starter earlier this week. Smith can't be much worse than the other Smith, Alex. Plus, he definitely can't be any worse than the abomination that is David Carr, who tossed away the Niners chance at a win last weekend. The Broncos are coming off one of the most embarrassing losses in NFL history, a 59-14 whipping at home against the lowly Oakland Raiders. The Broncos do one thing well, pass the ball and that isn't a recipe for success. The Niners still think they can make the playoffs but sitting 3 1/2 games behind the division leading Seahawks, it is time to start thinking about 2011. Poor London deserves a better game.

Prediction: San Francisco 6, Denver 2

Tennessee (5-2) at San Diego (2-5), San Diego favored by 3 1/2

NFL "experts" seem mystified that the Chargers, despite having a potent offense and an effective defense, are 2-5. Obviously, they forget that the Chargers are coached by one of the worst head coaches in NFL history, Norv Turner. Of course a Norv Turner coached team would have two plays in the same game, where their team turns the ball over for stupid reasons. It looks like QB Vince Young may return for this game, but the Titans certainly didn't miss him last weekend against the Eagles. Despite my bashing of Norv Turner, I really like QB Philip Rivers and hope that fantasy dud RB Ryan Mathews finally does something.

Prediction: San Diego 27, Tennessee 24

Seattle (4-2) at Oakland (3-4), Oakland favored by 2 1/2

Where the hell did that performance from Oakland come from last week? I think my favorite part of it was despite them putting up 59 points, QB Jason Campbell still found a way to put up pedestrian numbers. RB Darren McFadden is finally showing the electricity that he displayed while a Razorback in college. Oakland has been trying to win 2 games in a row for a few years now, and facing a bad Seattle road team will allow them to finally achieve that goal. I'll predict another offensive outburst from Oakland, but it wouldn't shock me to see them put up 6 points a week after putting up 59.

Prediction: Oakland 30, Seattle 20

Minnesota (2-4) at New England (5-1), Line is Off the Board

Will the streak finally end? Will Brett Favre site this one out with his fractured ankle? Reports are that the Vikings are leaning towards sitting Favre and bringing Tavaris Jackson out of moth balls to start this game. I will believe it when I see it. If Favre wants to play he will play. Either way, it won't make much of a difference as the Patriots are a better team than Minnesota. Lost in all of the Favre drama is WR Randy Moss making his return to New England. Look for Moss to have 2 TDs.

Prediction: New England 24, Minnesota 20

Tampa Bay (4-2) at Arizona (3-3), Arizona favored by 3

These two teams may have records that look pretty good but they both suck. Arizona is at least somewhat capable at home, but the Bucs have proven they can beat crappy teams. The Cardinals are a crappy team so the Bucs should go to 5-2 after this week. I have been impressed with Bucs QB Josh Freeman, he looks like a star in the making.

Prediction: Tampa Bay 23, Arizona 14

Pittsburgh (5-1) at New Orleans (4-3), New Orleans favored by 1

Remember when I predicted that the Falcons would be the surprise winners of the NFC South? That prediction is looking better and better each week. Remember when I said the Saints were definitely going to suffer a Super Bowl hangover? That prediction is looking better and better each week. However, I can't take full credit as I didn't expect the Saints to lose to sorry teams like the Cardinals and Browns. Of course QB Drew Brees starts throwing interceptions like its his job when I have him on my fantasy football team. The Saints have sorely missed RBs Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush, and also have missed their defense creating turnovers. The Steelers look like they may be the best team in the NFL and a win at the Superdome will further cement that belief. If Brees can't handle the Browns defense, what will he do against a fantastic Steelers defense?

Prediction: Pittsburgh 34, New Orleans 24

Monday, November 1

Houston (4-2) at Indianapolis (4-2), Indianapolis favored by 5 1/2

The Colts have been besieged by injuries. Losing TE Dallas Clark for the season probably kills their chances of winning the Super Bowl as I predicted in August. However, they still have the best player in all of football in Peyton Manning. Manning will find a way to make chicken salad out of chicken shit. The Texans have looked pretty fraudtastic since beating the Colts up in Week 1. The Colts defense will have to slow down RB Arian Foster, who eviscerated the Colts in Week 1. This game will come down to the wire but Manning will find a way to will the Colts to the victory.

Prediction: Indianapolis 34, Houston 31

Overall Straight Up: 39-37
Overall Against the Spread: 38-36-2