Week 8 is great!

We are almost at the half way point of the NFL Season and I am not too impressed with all of the football. It's most likely due to the lockout, but at this point games should get better.

Green Bay is much better than any one else. I don't see them going undefeated, but it will take a lot to stop their potent offense. Aaron Rodgers slipping down the 2004 draft to 23rd pick, sitting behind the Diva for a few years and just picking up the game without the pressure of being a top pick has been so beneficial. The Packers have been put together to win long term and what we are seeing now is a culmination of great management and excellent coaching.

The Colts are the complete opposite. They are a one show pony and his name is Peyton Manning. Manning is so valuable to Indy and in his absence, all of their gapping holes have been brought to the forefront. Manning should be back next season and the Colts will have a high pick. It will be interesting to see how the team will be rebuilt next season.

I am not a Cowboys fan. Tony Romo hasn't showed me he can win consistently under pressure. He has weapons around him and a much improved Offensive Line. But I'm not buying them yet. This Sunday's game against the Eagles will tell a lot about them.

My biggest surprise so far this season has been Cincinnati. I loved the selections of AJ Green and Andy Dalton, but I didn't think they would get their 4th win til week 17. I still think they are an 8-8 team, but I get more impressed by them each week. Trading Carson Palmer for 2 high draft picks puts a lot of pressure on the front office to make quality selections and build a team ala Green Bay.

Power 10
1. Green Bay Packers
2. New England Patriots
3. New Orleans Saints
4. San Francisco 49ers
5. Pittsburgh Steelers
6. Buffalo Bills
7. Houston Texans
8. New York Jets
9. Detroit Lions
10. Cincinnati Bengals

Last week I went 2-2, keeping up my average of .500 14-14. This week:
Baltimore (-12.5) against Arizona
The Ravens coming off a pitiful performance against the Jags on Monday Night Football is one of those things they will look back at the end of the season and say, if we won that game, we would have won the division, instead of the being a wildcard team. The Ravens still are good and it's time for Joe Flacco to step up his game. They do not have a deep threat, but they have Ray Rice, so use him early and often. The Ravens Veterans know what they will have to do and I think they will be all over Kevin Kolb. Speaking of Kolb, he has a long way to go to be a top 10 QB, but their is potential. I feel there will be a new regime in Arizona next season and they will be on their way to winning. Unfortunately, that will do nothing for this week.
Ravens 37 - Cardinals 23

Houston (-9.5) against Jacksonville
The Texans were my team in the beginning of the season to take a huge step forward. Last week was a statement game from the Texans, manhandling the Titans by over 30 points. I think the fun continues this week against Jacksonville. Despite Andre Johnson and Mario Williams being out, the Texans have more than enough talent to make up for their ailing superstars. Matt Schaub is one of the premier QBs in the league and now its time to show he is a top 5 guy. The Jags are a mess, I think they played their best game against Baltimore Monday night and they have nothing left, especially on a short week.
Texans 35 - Jags 11

Buffalo (-5.5) against Washington (In Toronto)
I am not a Mike Shanahan fan. I am not a Washington fan. I think they are a marriage made in hell, unless you are a fan of another NFC East team. Instead of trying to get a QB to develop, the Redskins have put D level guys in their. I don't expect them to win more than 3 games the rest of the way out, sorry John Beck, you seem like a good guy. The Bills are so close, despite injuries, they are in every game. They should have beaten the Giants, but lost to the Eagles. I think with a week off, they come back and blow out the Redskins, a true statement game
Bills 44 - Redskins 17

Upset Special
Detroit (-3.5) @ Denver
Are a Tebow believer yet? I didn't think so. But NO ONE can live up to this hype. Tim Tebow is a project and he's in the wrong system. But, this is a great second game for him. The Lions are hurt, they are coming off 2 tough loses and a young team like this will start to have doubt. If the Broncos can A. establish some kind of running back and manage the clock and B. put pressure on the Lions QB and C. contain Calvin Johnson than D. The Broncos win this game. Heck, I think the Broncos will win this game regardless and the legend will continue to grow!
Broncos 23 - Lions 20