2018 Week 8 Predix

Written by Sam DeCoste

The 2018 NFL season continues this week, with no shortage of blockbuster clashes. As the Cowboys, Chargers, Titans, and Falcons take the week off, all is to play for. The Eagles and Jaguars look for a crucial win as they go head to head in London, the Browns and Steelers rematch in Pittsburgh after tying Week 1, the Packers battle the Rams in a Hollywood showdown, and the Saints and Vikings face off for the first time since Stefon Diggs scored a walkoff touchdown last postseason.  So without any further delay, let's get right to it!

Here are my season records: 

Lock of the Week record: 5-2

Last week's record: 11-3

Regular season record: 67-38-2

 MIA @ HOU

Since charging out of the gates at 3-0, the Dolphins have stumbled, losing three of their last four. It doesn't get any easier for them this week, facing the AFC South leading Texans. Unlike Miami, they started from rock bottom, winless after three games, but they've ripped off four straight to take pole position atop their division, and they should have no problem winning their fifth straight. Deshaun Watson should have a get-right game, and JJ Watt will turn up the heat on Brock Osweiler.

Prediction: MIA 10, HOU 27

 PHI @ JAX

For weeks on end, both teams have played in must-win games. But they keep losing, and they are in a position where a loss in London could end their season before the bye. The Super Bowl champions blew a 17-point lead last week, and Doug Marrone was forced to bench Blake Bortles after a horrible Week 7 performance. I've been betting on the Jaguars defense all season long, and my record has suffered from that. Meanwhile, Carson Wentz has settled back into the fold along with his star receiver, Alshon Jeffrey, and their record would look much nicer if the defense shut down opposing offenses in the eleventh hour. Against a confidence-lacking Blake Bortles, the champs should get the job done.

Prediction: PHI 20, JAX 15

 CLE @ PIT

Baker Mayfield gets his first career start at Pittsburgh, a place where the Browns are winless going back to 2003. And coming off of the Browns' fourth overtime game this season, they will be desperate to taste victory once again. But the Steelers own them. Coming off of a bye, the Steelers will not let the Browns sneak up on them again, especially after splitting the first game in Week 1. Start every Steeler in fantasy this week. This is my Lock of the Week.

Prediction: CLE 20, PIT 31

 TB @ CIN

The Bengals are as good as anyone on Sunday afternoons, when the sun is shining. But once the moon comes out, Cincinnati is pathetic. Scoring just ten points against the lowest ranked defense in the NFL is an embarrassment, and the Bengals remain winless on Sunday Night Football. They need to beat the Bucs, who squeaked by the Browns in overtime, to get back on track, considering the Saints and Ravens are coming up next.

Prediction: TB 17, CIN 24

 BAL @ CAR

The Ravens managed to snatch defeat at the hands of victory against the Saints last week, and now they face a Panthers squad coming off their superlative comeback victory in their franchise's history. The Panthers should continue to ride their momentum, against a Ravens team which squandered a ten point lead. The Ravens couldn't run the ball with Alex Collins or Buck Allen last week, and Joe Flacco couldn't put the Saints away when it mattered. They're facing a tough Panthers defense in Charlotte, where the Panthers are unbeaten, so I will roll with the home team. 

Prediction: BAL 16, CAR 26

 WSH @ NYG

I can only imagine how Giants fans reacted when they heard Eli was traded. Boy, fans were really calling for his head. Eli Apple, of course. Now that he's been exported, the Giants face a Redskins team coming off their biggest win in three years over the Dallas Cowboys. But the Redskins were not very good in their victory. Look no further than Alex Smith, who threw for 178 (!!!) yards. In 2018, fewer than 200 passing yards will not crack it. I think the Giants catch the Redskins off guard, and snatch a victory, with Saquon Barkley tearing it up.

Prediction: WSH 14, NYG 20

 SEA @ DET

Seattle returns fresh off a bye, and Detroit takes Ford Field once again after winning in Miami last week. Surprisingly, Seattle is at .500 this point in the season, despite all the turnover from last season. It's all because of Russell Wilson. Meanwhile, the Lions have finally rediscovered a running game, with Kerryon Johnson running for over 100 yards twice this season. This may be the most competitive game of the weekend, but I will pick the Lions, who can keep their momentum from last week going.

Prediction: SEA 23, DET 24

 DEN @ KC

The Chiefs take on the Broncos for the second time in five weeks, and this matchup should only turn out more lopsided than the original meeting. Denver is still winless on the road, Kansas City is still undefeated in Arrowhead, and the teams have hardly changed since Week 4. The Chiefs still average 37 points per game, and the Broncos are still middling average. I can't see the Broncos containing the Chiefs' speed or talent on offense again.

Prediction: DEN 17, KC 40

 NYJ @ CHI

Would the real Bears show themselves, please? Are the 4-1 Bears who wreaked havoc on opposing backfields with Khalil Mack and the offensive spectacle the real Bears? Or are the Bears against the Dolphins and Patriots, a defense which couldn't rush the passer, or contain the speed of Albert Wilson or Cordarelle Patterosn, the real Bears? They need a win badly to get back on track, and they face the middling Jets, starring rookie quarterback, Sam Darnold. He's still learning, and he will continue to turn the ball over in a losing effort on the road.

Prediction: NYJ 16, CHI 24

 IND @ OAK

There is no better time than the present to win, and the Raiders return, one first round draft pick richer, but one top receiver poorer. But the Raiders have nothing going right for them. Any player under twenty-five with talent has been shipped away, Derek Carr is crying in film meetings, and the team is still losing. Things don't get any easier, against Andrew Luck's Colts, who smacked the Bills last week. Believe it or not, the Colts rank seventh in scoring offense, averaging 27 points per contest. They should be able to move the ball, and torch Oakland's secondary.

Prediction: IND 34, OAK 21

 GB @ LAR

The Rams have yet to be seriously tested. It's great to beat up on three hapless division foes, and 1980s offenses, but this is where great teams win. Against other great teams. Aaron Rodgers is back, after a week of resting the ankle, and he's ready to go up against the league's lone unbeaten side. The problem is, the Rams have too many weapons. Todd Gurley's scored 14 touchdowns, and Robert Woods and Brandin Cooks have been too much for defenses to contain. How can the Packers possibly keep up? This could easily go the other way, but I will pick the undefeated team.

Prediction: GB 24, LAR 30

 SF @ ARZ

The two least talented teams in the conference square off for the second time. The edge should go to the Niners, who have been surprisingly competitive with CJ Beathard at signal caller, and Kyle Shanahan calling the shots. But they lost the first meeting just three weeks ago in Levi Stadium. I think the Cardinals will sweep the 49ers for the third straight season, and David Johnson will have his best game of the season. 

Prediction: SF 10, ARZ 13

 NO @ MIN

Another week, another scintillating playoff rematch. Considering how great the divisional round was last postseason, the Saints and Vikings should deliver once again. The Vikings are back at the top of their game, winning three straight, and boasting the NFL's leading receiver, Adam Theilen. However, the Saints are the best offense in the conference, featuring a Hall of Fame quarterback, a dynamic backfield starring Kamara and Ingram, and one of the best offensive minds out there in Sean Payton. This match could easily go either way. But the Saints have revenge on their minds. They want to stick it to the team which ended their Super Bowl hopes last January. I think that gives the Saints the clinical edge.

Prediction: NO 29, MIN 24

 NE @ BUF

We are witnessing one of the NFL's historically worst offenses in history. Eleven points and 220 yards per game. They've scored seven touchdowns all year. There's no sugar coding it: they stink. The Patriots, on the other hand, have won four straight, and are on target to win their tenth straight division crown. They should have no problem under the prime-time lights of Buffalo, where Tom Brady 15-2 in his career. It could get ugly.

Prediction: NE 52, BUF 17

Works Cited

Lipton, Ryan. “In Light of Vikings 'Minneapolis Miracle' Sunday, What Are Raider Nation's Most Memorable Moments?” Silver And Black Pride, Silver And Black Pride, 15 Jan. 2018, www.silverandblackpride.com/2018/1/15/16894668/in-light-of-vikings-minneapolis-miracle-sunday-what-are-raider-nations-most-memorable-moments.