2008 Week Six NFL Football Picks Game Previews
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Sunday, October 12, 2008
Click Here For This Week's NFL Football Game Matchup Previews
Cincinnati Bengals (0-5) @ New York Jets (2-2)
Time: 1:00pm ET
Spread: NY Jets – 6
Over/Under: 44.5
Preview: The Cincinnati Bengals are one of just three NFL teams that have yet to win a game in 2008. If they are going to go into week seven with a victory they are going to need to play well. There week six opponent; the New York Jets look to be a tough opponent midway through the year. Cincinnati has scored just 74 points in five games, while allowing 118. The Bengals are 0-2 at home, and 0-3 on the road. Cincinnati sits in last place in the AFC North, behind Pittsburgh (4-1). Carson Palmer, who has been sidelined with a minor injury looks to be gaining some strength back, and plans to play on Sunday. For the Jets, after a bye week, quarterback Brett Favre had 13 days to improve his passing to his new teammates. In week four Favre had no problem, leading his team to 56 points against Arizona. The Jets have knocked off Miami and Arizona, and have been defeated by New England and San Diego. The Jets are 1 –1 at home thus far in 2008.
St. Louis Rams (0-4) @ Washington Redskins (4-1)
Time: 1:00pm ET
Spread: Washington –13.5
Over/Under: 44
Preview: The Rams have only one direction to go after their first four games. With losses 38-3 to Philadelphia, 41-13 to NY Giants, 37-13 to Seattle, and 31-14 to Buffalo, the Rams have yet to be competitive in 2008. During the bye week, former coach Scott Linehan was hired and defensive coordinator Jim Haslett was named the new interim head coach. The Rams defense has been horrid to start the season allowing 147 points in four games. Quarterback Marc Bulger started the first three games of the season, and then was replaced by Trent Green. Bulger looks to get the start again on Sunday. The Redskins have won four straight games, after a week one loss to the New York Giants. Washington in those four games have not played the weak sisters. Wins over New Orleans, Arizona, Dallas and Philadelphia have been aided by a defense that has yielded just 20.5 points in those four wins. Washington sits just ½ game behind the NY Giants in the loaded NFC East. Washington’s point differential of 11 is astonishing for a team that has won four, and lost just one.
Miami Dolphins (2-2) @ Houston Texans (0-4)
Time: 1:00pm ET
Spread: Houston – 3
Over/Under: 44.5
Preview: The Miami Dolphins have come away with two very unlikely wins in a row. If beating New England was not surprising enough, the Dolphins solidified their improvement under new coach Tony Sparano by knocking off the San Diego Chargers. Running back Ronnie Brown has been a force in the back field rushing for 113 and 125 yards, including four rushing touchdowns, and a passing touchdown against New England. The Dolphins two losses thus far have have against the Jets and the Cardinals. The Houston Texas feel they should have been winners over division rivals; Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. Leading by 17 points with just over 4:00 to go in the game, the Texans could not execute, nor hold onto the football, and came away a 31-27 loser. The Texans have been outscored 130 to 83 thus far in 2008. Three of the Texans first four losses have been on the road. Houston sits 4.5 games back in the AFC South behind Tennessee. Indianapolis and Jacksonville also sit ahead of the Texans.
Carolina Panthers (4-1) @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-2)
Time: 1:00pm ET
Spread: N/A
Over/Under: N/A
Preview: In a NFC South matchup these two teams have gotten off to quick starts in 2008. Carolina, winners of four of their first five games sit atop the division, while Tampa Bay sits a game back. The Panthers have been led by their defense, which has just allowed 14 points per game, have wins over San Diego, Chicago, Atlanta and Kansas City. The Panthers lone loss in 2008 came to Minnesota in week three. Quarterback Jake Delhomme has thrown for nearly 1100 yards in the first five games. Tampa Bay, after losing quarterback Brian Griese will look to put Jeff Garcia back into the starting role on Sunday. Tampa Bay has scored 114 points in 2008, while yielding 94 on defense. The Buccaneers are 1-2 on the road so far in 2008.
Oakland Raiders (1-3) @ New Orleans Saints (2-3)
Time: 1:00pm ET
Spread: New Orleans – 7.5
Over/Under: 47
Preview: The Lane Kiffin era is over in Oakland. After a 28-18 loss to San Diego, during the bye week owner Al Davis fired the head coach and appointed defensive coordinator Greg Knapp as the interim head coach. The Raiders in their last two games have had the lead late in the game, only to squander the lead late in the game. Rookie running back Darren McFadden has been hampered by an injury that has limited his carries and yards. Running back Michael Bush has carried the load in the backfield for Oakland. The Saints, coming off a 30-27 loss at home to Minnesota will look to get back on track at home. Rookie running back Reggie Bush ran two punts back for touchdown in the loss. The Saints have scored 138 points, and allowed 130 thus far in 2008. New Orleans sits in last place in the NFC South trailing the leader Carolina (4-1).
Baltimore Ravens (2-2) @ Indianapolis Colts (2-2)
Time: 1:00pm ET
Spread: Indianapolis – 5
Over/Under: 39
Preview: The Ravens, after beginning the 2008 season 2-0, have lost two straight games. On Sunday the Ravens were a 13-10 victim of the 5-0 Tennessee Titans. In four games this season Baltimore, led by quarterback Joe Flacco have scored 75 points, and allowed 56. Baltimore is 2-1 at home, while just 0-1 on the road. Running back Le’Ron McClain has ran for 266 yards and four touchdowns for Baltimore this season. Baltimore sits a game and a half back of Pittsburgh in the NFC North. The Colts are looking for their first win at the new Lucas Oil Stadium. In those two games, the Colts lost to Chicago and Jacksonville. In the other two games, the Colts beat Minnesota and Houston on the road. In both those games the Colts had to come from behind to win. Indianapolis sits in second place in the AFC South with a 2-2 record, behind just Tennessee, who is 5-0.
Detroit Lions (0-4) @ Minnesota Vikings (2-3)
Time: 1:00pm ET
Spread: Minnesota – 13.5
Over/Under: 45.5
Preview: This NFC North match up pits the Detroit Lions, who have yet to win a game in 2008, and the Minnesota Vikings who are coming off a huge Monday Night football win. The Lions are 0-4, and in last place in the NFC North, while Minnesota is 2-3, and tied in second place. The Lions have been drubbed in all four games in 2008 at Atlanta and San Francisco, and at home to Green Bay and Chicago. In four games the Lions have scored just 66 points, which ranks as third worst in the NFL, ahead of just Kansas City and St. Louis. In those four games, the Detroit defense has allowed 147 points per game, which is an average of 36.7 per game. The Vikings came away on Monday behind the leg of kicker Ryan Longwell with a 30-27 win over New Orleans. The Vikings have went 1-2 on the road thus far, while splitting their two home games (losing to Indianapolis, and beating Carolina). Vikings running back Adrian Peterson looks to get going again after rushing for just 32 yards on Sunday. Peterson has run for less than 100 yards in his last three games.
Chicago Bears (3-2) @ Atlanta Falcons (3-2)
Time: 1:00pm ET
Spread: Bears – 3
Over/Under: 43.5
Preview: The Bears have won two straight games, and have looked relatively impressive in doing so. Quarterback Kyle Orton has seemingly found a groove on offense and has the Bears attack moving in the right direction. Orton has completed 96 of 155 yards for 1100 yards and 7 touchdowns. The Bears offense has scored 128 points, while the defense has allowed just 87, which is an average of 17.4 per game. The Bears are in first place in the NFC North, sitting ahead of Green Bay and Minnesota, who are 2-3. Atlanta has won two straight games and sit 3-2 in the NFC South tied with Tampa Bay, and trail Carolina by a game. Quarterback Matt Ryan has completed 71 of 131 passes for 863 yards and four touchdowns. His top offensive threat Michael Turner has carried the ball 103 times for a total of 543 yards and six touchdowns.
Jacksonville Jaguars (2-3) @ Denver Broncos (4-1)
Time: 4:05pm ET
Spread: Denver – 3.5
Over/Under: 48
Preview: The Jaguars, after winning two straight games found themselves on the losing side of a 26-21 decision to Pittsburgh on Sunday. Quarterback David Garrard threw for 200 yards, but it was not enough in the loss. Running back Fred Taylor only ran for 19 yards in the game, in which the Jaguars offense only accomplished 38 total yards on the ground. The Jaguars have averaged 20 points in gives games, while allowing 22.2 per game. The Jaguars sit in third place in the AFC South behind Tennessee and Indianapolis. The Broncos have started the season winning four of five games. In their first three games, wins over Oakland, San Diego, and New Orleans the Broncos put up 37.6 points per game. In their lone loss in 2008 Denver managed to score just 19 points against Kansas City. On Sunday the Broncos knocked off Tampa Bay 16-13. Denver leads the AFC West with a 4-1 record.
Green Bay Packers (2-3) @ Seattle Seahawks (1-3)
Time: 4:15pm ET
Spread: Seattle – 2
Over/Under: 46.5
Preview: This Sunday in the Seattle will be a battle of two struggling squads. It will also pit Mike Holmgren against his former team. Holmgren has not quite had the “going out party” like he and Seattle fans have wished. Winning just one of four games thus far in 2008, Seattle feels like this Sunday will be a “must win”. With their lone win over St. Louis, who is 0-4, Seattle has dropped games to Buffalo, San Fransisco, and NY Giants. Seattle has been scored an astonishing 124 to 83 thus far in 2008. The Seahawks have lost both games on the road, and are 1-1 at home. For Green Bay, after a 2-0 start that had the talks of Brett Favre put to rest, things have went south for the Packers. In a game in which Packers fans, much like Seattle fans think is a “must win”, Green Bay will look to snap a three game skid. After wins over divisional foes Minnesota and Detroit, the Packers three losses have come outside the division to Dallas, Tampa Bay and Atlanta. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers threw for 313 yards on Sunday, but the Packers offense was only able to score 24 points, which was not enough to beat Atlanta. Green Bay sits a game behind Chicago in the NFC North, while Seattle sits 1.5 games behind Arizona in the NFC West.
Dallas Cowboys (4-1) @ Arizona Cardinals (3-2)
Time: 4:15pm ET
Spread: Dallas – 5
Over/Under: 49.5
Preview: The Dallas Cowboys will take the road and their take 4-1 record with them, and take on the Arizona Cardinals. The Cowboys are coming off a win on Sunday over Cincinnati moving them to just ½ game behind the Giants in the NFC East. Dallas has scored 151 points, while allowing 111 thus far in 2008. Tony Romo has completed 104 of 162 passes for 1368 yards and 11 touchdowns. For Arizona, the road has not been a kind place, but they love playing at home. With a 2-0 home record, including a 42-17 drubbing of Buffalo at home on Sunday the Cardinals will look to notch their third home win. Arizona has scored 147 points led by quarterback Kurt Warner. The defense has been under question all season, and especially in a game against the Jets wins which they allowed 56 in one game. The Cardinals defense has allowed 120 points in five games.
Philadelphia Eagles (2-3) @ San Francisco 49ers (2-3)
Time: 4:15pm ET
Spread: Philadelphia – 4.5
Over/Under: 42.5
Preview: The Eagles, losers of two straight games will look to get back to winning ways, against a fellow 2-3 squad; the San Francisco 49ers. In those two losses; to Chicago and Washington has been to in large part a weakening offense. In the loss to Chicago, without the services of Brian Westbrook, the Eagles were able to only put up 20 points, in a 24-20 loss. On Sunday, Westbrook only ran for 33 yards in the 23-17 loss. The Eagles sit in fourth place in the NFC East, behind the Giants, Redskins and Cowboys. For San Francisco, the 49ers have played solid football to start the season, but were put to defeat on Sunday to New England. The 49ers have been outscored 127-115 in their five games. San Francisco sits a game behind Arizona in the NFC West. Frank Gore and Issac Bruce have done a solid job of splitting the offensive load, with Gore running for three touchdowns, and Bruce catching four.
New England Patriots (3-1) @ San Diego Chargers (2-3)
Time: 8:15pm ET
Spread: San Diego -6
Over/Under: 45
Preview: The New England Patriots were able to regroup during their bye week and come away with a 30-21 win over San Francisco. Now their opponent for week six needs to regroup. After a 17-10 loss at the hands of the Miami Dolphins, the San Diego Chargers are now 2-3. The common theme for both these teams is their disappointing loss to Miami, a team that won one game in 2007. The Patriots, without Tom Brady have went 2-1, led by quarterback Matt Cassell. In those three games, the Patriots have scored just 20.6 points a game, but their defense is what has led them, allowing just 15.5 in the two wins. The lone loss, 38-13 to Miami saw the defense squander 415 total yards to Miami. Wide Receiver Randy Moss, who has always been known for enjoying the lights, will look to put on a show on Sunday Night Football. Moss has scored just two touchdowns on the season, compiling just 274 yards on 17 catches. For San Diego, after two controversial losses to start the year, to Carolina and Denver, San Diego looked to be back on track. With a week three win over the Jets, and week four win over the Raiders the Chargers put up 76 points in two games. On Sunday, the Chargers were limited to just 10 points, seeing top rusher LaDainian Tomlinson rack up just 35 yards on the ground.
Monday, October 13, 2008
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New York Giants (4-0) @ Cleveland Browns (1-3)
Time: 8:30pm ET
Spread: New York -8
Over/Under: 43
Preview: The defending Super Bowl Champs will be making their first appearance on Monday Night Football in 2008. After their blowout win over Seattle on Sunday, the talk of the week has been the absence of Plaxico Burress, and his comments about taking a “vacation”. Burress will be back on Monday against Cleveland. The Giants have scored 127 points in four games, and their defensive has been stellar allowing just 49. Three of the four Giants wins have been at home, and outside of the opening week win over Washington, New York has not beat a team over .500. Wins over St. Louis, Cincinnati, and Seattle have been by a combined 69 points. For Cleveland, the Browns have had a difficult road thus far. After three straight losses to start the season the Browns were able to beat state rival, the Bengals, and then took week five off. The Browns schedule has been tough with a week one match with Dallas followed by games with Pittsburgh and Baltimore. Cleveland hopes to get receiver Braylon Edwards and tight end Kellen Winslow going, to jump-start the offense.
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