There is absolutely no question as to where the big game is in Week 8 of the 2009 NFL schedule. This Sunday at 3 p.m. CST, live from Lambeau Field in Green Bay, it’s the Green Bay Packers playing host to the Minnesota Vikings.
The Vikings are 6-1, the Packers are 4-2 and the anti-Favre forces will be out in full force. We’ll see how resilient ol’ Brett is this week when he plays in front of what will likely be the most hostile crowd he’s seen in his career. Ol’ Brett is public enemy No. 1 in Green Bay and this week’s prime matchup will be a dandy. I mean, the Favre family has rented an entire motor lodge in order to watch Brett return to Lambeau.
There are also big games in Baltimore where the unbeaten Denver Broncos invade; Philadelphia, where the arch-rival Giants take a ride down the Jersey Turnpike; and back up the road at the Meadowlands, where the Dolphins face the Jets.
This week, the Bengals, Chiefs, Patriots, Steelers, Beccaneers and Redskins have the byes, which means the sad-sack Bucs will remain winless for another week.
Let’s take a closer look at Week 8:
SUNDAY AFTERNOON
Denver Broncos 6-0 at Baltimore Ravens 3-3 (-3.5)
We like the Ravens for two reasons: Baltimore needs to win much more than Denver does and Baltimore is at home. The Broncos have a huge matchup next week with the defending Super Bowl champion Steelers, so with a three-game lead in the AFC West, we don’t see why they’d play with any sort of desperation here.
Dr. Sports: Ravens to win and cover.
The Coach: Ravens to win and cover.
Houston Texans 4-3 at Buffalo Bills 3-4 (+3.5)
Dr. Sports can’t see the Texans being a road favourite here. The Coach likes a team that has allowed only 158 points in seven games against a team that has scored only 113 points in seven games.
Dr. Sports: Bills to win.
The Coach: Texans to win and cover.
Cleveland Browns 1-6 at Chicago Bears 3-3 (-13.5)
We both like the underachieving Bears in a relatively easy blowout. Coming off two consecutive losses, Chicago really needs a win to keep up with the Vikings and Packers. And after surrendering 45 points last week, the Bears will be playing for pride.
Dr. Sports: Bears to win and cover.
The Coach: Bears to win and cover.
Seattle Seahawks 2-4 at Dallas Cowboys 4-2 (-9.5)
This is almost a bye week for the Cowboys; after this easy contest, they have two road battles against the Eagles and Packers. Dr. Sports can’t see the ‘Boys being that focused on Seattle, but The Coach thinks they’ll use this week to pad Tony Romo’s stats.
Dr. Sports: Cowboys to win but not cover.
The Coach: Cowboys to win and cover.
St. Louis Rams 0-7 at Detroit Lions 1-5 (-3.5)
Could it be true? Could the Lions actually be a 3 1/2-point favourite? After Steven Jackson, the Rams are simply awful.
Dr. Sports: Lions to win and cover.
The Coach: Lions to win and cover
Minnesota Vikings 6-1 at Green Bay Packers 4-2 (-2.5)
The Packers offensive line needs to prove that they’re healthy and good enough to protect Aaron Rodgers in order to have any confidence in the Packers when they go up against a tough defence like Minnesota’s.
Dr. Sports: Vikings to win and cover.
The Coach: Vikings to win and cover
San Francisco 49ers 3-3 at Indianapolis 6-0 (-11.5)
We see absolutely no reason to bet against Peyton Manning right now. He’s on fire.
Dr. Sports: Colts to win and cover.
The Coach: Colts to win and cover.
Miami Dolphins 2-4 at N.Y. Jets 4-3 (-3.5)
We both (wrongly) picked Miami over the Jets on MNF a few weeks ago, but this is a ghastly spot for the Fish. They put everything into the game against the Saints and had it won when they were up 24-3. However, the Saints came back to win and ripped their hearts out. There’s no way they’ll be able to recover from that. Their season is over.
Dr. Sports: Jets to win and cover.
The Coach: Jets to win and cover.
Oakland Raiders 2-5 at San Diego Chargers 3-3 (-16.5)
JaMarcus Russell is either on drugs or just a complete idiot. Chargers to win, but the ol’ Doc doesn’t believe they’ll cover because, like the rest of us, he no longer believes the Chargers will take the Raiders seriously.
Dr. Sports: Chargers to win but not cover.
The Coach: Chargers to win but not cover.
Jacksonville Jaguars 3-3 at Tennessee Titans 0-6 (-2.5)
The first time these teams met, the Jaguars ripped the Titans to shreds, jumping out to a 30-3 lead. Despite the Titans being the favourite, Dr. Sports doesn`t think this one will be any different. The Coach, on the other hand, doesn’t think the Titans will go 0-16 and this is their best chance to win.
Dr. Sports: Jaguars to win.
The Coach: Tennessee to win and cover.
Carolina Panthers 2-4 at Arizona Cardinals 4-2 (-8.5)
Dr. Sports doesn’t think Arizona will have a ton of success moving the chains, but they should be able to score enough to beat the Panthers. The Coach is convinced that the Cardinals will light it up at home.
Dr. Sports: Cardinals to win but not cover.
The Coach: Cardinals to win and cover.
SUNDAY NIGHT
N.Y. Giants 5-2 at Philadelphia Eagles 4-2 (-2.5)
With the Giants losing two in a row and the Eagles coming off a Monday night victory, expectations are high in Philly again. The Eagles are the favourites and that’s exactly why Dr. Sports love the Giants. The ‘Jints’ have a good team (especially on the road) and they’ll find a way to snap their losing streak. More importantly, Philadelphia always chokes under pressure. Always. Really? The Coach thinks the Philladelphias are simply in the mood to open a can of whoop-ass on the New Yorks these days.
Dr. Sports: Giants to win.
The Coach: Eagles to win and cover.
MONDAY NIGHT
Atlanta Falcons 4-2 at New Orleans Saints 6-0 (-9.5)
The Falcons and Saints are arch rivals who know each other better than anyone. They’re both solid teams, so Dr. Sports can’t see one blowing the other out. Sorry, The Coach knows the Saints are w-a-a-a-y better than Atlanta.
Dr. Sports: Saints will win but not cover.
The Coach: Saints to win and cover.
The Doc is 65-38 on the season and 55-48 against the spread. The Coach is 62-41 on the season and 52-51 against the spread.
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