Week 8 Pick'em

Broncos vs 49ers (-2) @ London
The Niners are not translating talent into wins.  The Broncos are winning games with a much less talented roster.  Josh McDaniels is a better coach than Mike Singletary.  I'll take the Broncos and apologize to the fans overseas that we can't send them more of a marquee matchup.

Spread: Broncos (+2)
Straight Up: Broncos

Jaguars @ Cowboys (-6.5)
Kitna will get the start at home for the injured Tony Romo.  Romo isn't solely responsible for the 'Boys dismal season, but perhaps Kitna will provide a change.  The Jags secondary is very weak.  If nothing else, the Cowboys need to win, to give Jerry Jones something.  Dez Bryant is an emerging star.

Spread: Cowboys (-6.5)
Straight Up: Cowboys

Redskins @ Lions (-2.5)
The Lions coming off a bye week pose a big threat to the Redskins.  Matt Stafford looks to return, but am I supposed to believe that he'll last more than a half with Brian Orakpo coming off the edge against Jeff Backus?

Spread: Redskins (+2.5)
Straight Up: Redskins

Packers @ Jets (-6)
The Jets are one of the few preseason favourites that is living up to the hype.  They will be healthy, coming off a bye week, and Green Bay is banged up.  The Packers have a good receiver core and threaten teams by spreading out the formation.  Unfortunately for them, the Jets have the best secondary in the NFL.

Spread: Packers (+6)
Straight Up: Jets

Panthers @ Rams (-3)
Don't look now, but if the season ended today, the Rams would be in the playoffs.  The Panthers have been an up and down team, despite their record and without DeAngelo Williams, they will lack the freshness in the backfield that they are used to.

Spread: Rams (-3)
Straight Up: Rams

Dolphins @ Bengals (-1)
Carson Palmer looked great last week.  If the Bengals want to have a chance, he needs to continue to play well.  If Brandon Marshall can have his way with the Bengals secondary the way Roddy White did last week, this could be a shootout.

Spread: Bengals (-1)
Straight Up: Bengals

Bills @ Chiefs (-7.5)
The Chiefs are one of the best at running the football and the Bills are the worst at stopping the run.  Ryan Fitzpatrick looked good running Chan Gailey's offence, and it wouldn't surprise me if this was close.

Spread: Bills (+7.5)
Straight Up: Chiefs

Titans @ Chargers (-3.5)
It sounds like Vince Young will start at quarterback this week.  I wonder if he will have the same chemistry with Kenny Britt that Kerry Collins showed last week.  The Chargers play better at home and need the win more than the Titans.

Spread: Chargers (-3.5)
Straight Up: Chargers

Bucs @ Cardinals (-3)
The Bucs are another surprise team, that has themselves in the thick of the playoff race.  The Cardinals have zero consistency this year but the last time they were at home, they beat the defending world champions.

Spread: Cardinals (-3)
Straight Up: Cardinals

Seahawks @ Raiders (-2.5)
The Raiders ran over the Broncos last week.  I feel like a broken record, but the Seahawks have lacked consistency all year.  I'll go with the team that is playing better at this point in the season and is at home.

Spread: Raiders (-2.5)
Straight Up: Raiders

Vikings @ Patriots (-6)
Will the streak come to an end?  I doubt it, but if it's a hobbled Favre or Tarvaris Jackson, the Vikings will be running the football a lot.  The Patriots aren't great at stopping the run, and the Vikings play good defence.

Spread: Vikings (+6)
Straight Up: Patriots

Steelers @ Saints (-1)
The Steelers are the better football team this year.  They run the ball better than the Saints, they play better defence than the Saints and lately Drew Brees hasn't given me any reason to think their aerial attack is superior to Big Ben.

Spread: Steelers (+1)
Straight Up: Steelers

Texans @ Colts (-5.5)
It worked last time.  Peyton Manning in primetime?

Spread: Colts (-5.5)
Straight Up: Colts

Season Straight Up:  54-48
Season vs Spread: 45-52-5