The NFL in this Moment - Week 8

NFL WEEK 8

BYE WEEK:  GIANTS, 49ERS

Our new way of looking at things had an encouraging start as the AFC East Miami Dolphins humiliated the Chicago Bears.  We passed on the AFC North altogether and our Houston selection looked good until the Texans literally handed Pittsburgh 14 points at the end of the second quarter while our small flyer on Tennessee couldn't survive the insertion of Colt McCoy for the second half. Our selection of the Chiefs over the Chargers paid off at just over 2/1.

Over in the NFC, the Giants coughed up the ball on their way to tie the game in the fourth quarter and could not get ahead of the Cowboys after the fumble turned Dallas TD. We passed on the NFC North altogether as well, went O'fer on the NFC South however thanks to the Rams beating the Seahawks at 5/2 we did okay. Moving along to this week.................

AFC East

This week has the 7/5 Buffalo Bills visiting the Big Apple to take on the New York Jets @ 5/8 while the 5/13 New England Patriots host Smokin' Jay Cutler and Co. and 5/13 Miami visit upstate to take on Blake Bortles and the aptly named Jaguars (a dream ride when running well but always broken down and expensive to fix). Kyle Orton may not be guiding the Bills to the Promised Land but did a nice job pulling a win out of the hat against a decent Viking "D" as time expired while Sexy Rexy's boy Geno Smith at last played error free football the entire game, Ryan's running game finally lived up to pre-season expectations, his defence played well and yet the Jets still lost. We expect Geno to show his frustration and immaturity this weekend in a game that could get pretty ugly. The 5/13 Dolphins should beat the Jags but we aren't betting on it. If New England can shut down Forte they will win easily as their top-ranked pass defence is only going to get better. They shouldn't have much trouble replacing Jones's pass rushing but it is all the other things he does so well (pursuit from behind etc.) that shall be missed. The 5/13 Patriots should win the game but the price is too short. Bet the Buffalo Bills @ 7/5.

AFC North

This weekend has the 10/13 Ravens going into Cinci to square off with the 11/10 Bengals for a game where the line has been drifting higher for the Bengals as public sentiment continues to shift away from them. Meanwhile, back in Paris (okay so Pittsburgh ain't no Paris) the 31/20 Steelers are home to the 4/7 Colts while 1/3 Cleveland hosts the winless 5/2 Oakland Raiders. The Ravens may beat the Bengals easily however the Bengals could prevail almost as easily if they play up to their abilities. These AFC North slug-fests are always played outdoors in all kinds of weather with Home Field being of little advantage. In other words, we have no idea whatsoever. The Raiders are at the point in their schedule where they are due for a win and the Browns are coming of an embarrassing loss to Jacksonville so a case could be made for the Raiders at a whopping 5/2 nevertheless we elect to pass on this one. Speaking of Home Field Advantage, Indianapolis has enjoyed much of that thus far this season in their cosy little dome. No dome this weekend and although the weather is supposed to be nice (62 degrees & sunny) it is outside nevertheless. We are not nearly as impressed with the Colts as the "experts" may be and as such advise you to Bet the Steelers @ 31/20.

AFC South

We already expect the Jags to lose to the Dolphins and the Steelers to beat the Colts so the 10/17 Houston Texans at the 6/4 Tennessee Titans is all that remains. If the Texans were better than even money we would be all over it but they aren't and so we must Pass on the AFC South.

AFC West

With the Broncos having been gifted a win by the officials over the Chargers on Thursday night and the 5/2 Raiders in Cleveland for a game we already passed on we are left with the 11/4 St Louis Rams cruising into KC to take on the 2/7 Chiefs. Coming off a big win over the Chargers themselves only last week the Chiefs look very solid here however the Rams could have beaten San Fran and did beat Seattle so they too are playing extremely well. 2/7 is too short of a price to bet KC so this week we Pass on the AFC West.

NFC East

Philly is back from their bye and is 21/20 against the 4/5 Arizona Cardinals in the desert (anyone know if there actually are any Cardinals [the birds] in the desert?) where Carson Palmer will go for his second straight win off the injury.  The G-Men are enjoying their bye week while the 1/5 Cowboys are at home for MNF against the 7/2 one-win Redskins. If Cousins was still playing we would have taken the Redskins at the huge price but since it is going to be either McCoy or Griffen we pass. We are going against Carson Palmer as much as with the Eagles however Philly will be well rested and starting up their run for the 2014 post season from a position of strength with a record of 5-1 as opposed to 3-5 last year. Bet the Philadelphia Eagles @ 21/20.

NFC North

The 11/10 Green Bay Packers go marching into the Big Easy on Sunday to play the 10/13 New Orleans Saints where we anticipate they will march back out with the "W" as New Orleans has no defence (they have Rob Ryan and that sure is a crappy deal for them) and the Packer Offence is on fire. The 11/5 Bears are in New England where as long as the Patriots take the game seriously New England should win easily. The 10/19 Lions are in London where they meet the 33/20 Falcons. Detroit is very close to (or already at) the point where the wheels ALWAYS fall off while Atlanta is too wildly inconsistent to bet money on. The 6/5 Minnesota Vikings are in Tampa to play Lovie Smith's 5/7 Bucs. While it is almost automatic to bet against a rookie as out of his depth as Bridgewater is, the Bucs have only won half as many games as Minnesota and sit at 1-5 so were must pass on that one. Bet the Green Bay Packers @ 11/10.

NFC South

After going 0-3 last weekend it may be a while before we take an NFC South team again. This week the Falcons are in London as per above, we are expecting Aaron Rodgers to roll over Rob Ryan's defence and pretty much score at will as above, we have to pass on Tampa as above and the only other game has 2/1 Carolina hosting 5/12 Seattle. Carolina has dropped back into their impossible to handicap groove while the Seahawks are sliding back into their own mire of mediocrity, bottom currently unknown. The "Smart Money" may indeed be getting bet fortunately we are not that smart. Pass on the NFC South.

NFC West

The Niners are on their bye week, the 5/12 Seahawks are visiting the 2/1 Panthers, the upstart 11/4 Rams are in Kansas City while the 4/5 Arizona Cardinals are hosting a 21/20 Eagles team we have already selected. The 11/4 Rams at the 2/7 Chiefs is an intriguing one in that the odds are laid exactly right making both teams desirable to bet. After much deliberation, Bet on the Rams @ 11/4.