Week 8 NFL Projections

Last week: 8-4
Season: 63-23

Buffalo Bills 27, Washington Redskins 20

Both of these teams are coming off of losses last weekend; the Bills losing a close one to the Giants and the John Beck-led Redskins by thirteen to Cam Newton's Panthers. Buffalo has the worst defense in the NFL this year, but Washington won't have the skill to exploit it enough to outscore the Bills. John Beck simply isn't what Mike Shanahan expects him to be: a reliable NFL starting quarterback. He didn't have that in Rex Grossman, either. And everyone knows in the NFL you need a good starting quarterback...

Philadelphia Eagles 27, Dallas Cowboys 24

No, I shouldn't be picking the Eagles to win this game. I just have a feeling about this one. Andy Reid has finally realized that it is desperation time in Philadelphia, which means he will call the pass 99.9% of the time... That is really the only thing holding Philadelphia back (the linebackers are another issue). If Reid comes to his senses and uses LeSean McCoy effectively like he did in last week's win, the Birds should be able to keep their playoff aspirations alive (unless they can't stop DeMarco Murray).

New England Patriots 20, Pittsburgh Steelers 17

It's cold. It's in Pittsburgh, and it has the makings of an old-fashioned, grit and grind battle. Twenty points would tie the Patriots' lowest scoring output of the season, but it makes perfect sense as the Steel Curtain looms. This game rides in the hands of Ben Roethlisberger and whether he can exploit the porous pass D of the Pats, as Rashard Mendenhall should have another rough day. I still have Tom Brady pulling out a win, but this game is essentially a toss up, even if New England has looked like the better team thus far.

Tennessee Titans 20, Indianapolis Colts 13
New York Giants 30, Miami Dolphins 6
Baltimore Ravens 23, Arizona Cardinals 14
New Orleans Saints 41, St. Louis Rams 10
Carolina Panthers 28, Minnesota Vikings 24
Houston Texans 31, Jacksonville Jaguars 15
Detroit Lions 27, Denver Broncos 20
San Francisco 49ers 24, Cleveland Browns 17
Cincinnati Bengals 21, Seattle Seahawks 7
San Diego Chargers 24, Kansas City Chiefs 20

Week 3 NFL Projections

Last week: 13-3

Philadelphia Eagles 34, New York Giants 24

The Eagles have won the last six meetings between these two, and their defense should be able to rebound well enough from last week's disaster in Atlanta. And with Mario Manningham likely out and Steve Smith on the other sideline now, Hakeem Nicks will receive all the attention.

New England Patriots 31, Buffalo Bills 27

Buffalo is the talk of the NFL right now, jumping out to a surprising 2-0 start. Expect them to give the mighty Pats a dogfight, but ultimately fall just short. There's just no way to stop Tom Brady right now.

Dallas Cowboys 24, Washington Redskins 20

Tony Romo rebounded last week in leading his team to an overtime victory that saved the Cowboys from an 0-2 start. On the other hand, Rex Grossman has been better than expected and his Redskins have started 2-0. But Dallas is the more talented team, and even with DeAngelo Hall aiming for Tony Romo's ribs, the Boys will get the best of this NFC East showdown.

New Orleans Saints 31, Houston Texans 28

Drew Brees and the Saints will make the Texans' D feel like it's 2010 again. Through the first two weeks Houston has held opponents to just 10 points a game. But going to the Superdome to face Brees will not have the same outcome.

Pittsburgh Steelers 27, Indianapolis Colts 10
San Diego Chargers 41, Kansas City Chiefs 6
Green Bay Packers 23, Chicago Bears 13
San Francisco 49ers 21, Cincinnati Bengals 13
Miami Dolphins 17, Cleveland Browns 14
Tennessee Titans 23, Denver Broncos 13
Carolina Panthers 30, Jacksonville Jaguars 16
Baltimore Ravens 24, St. Louis Rams 10
New York Jets 31, Oakland Raiders 20
Arizona Cardinals 34, Seattle Seahawks 9
Atlanta Falcons 27, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 14
Detroit Lions 31, Minnesota Vikings 13

McNabb Deserves Better

Redskins coach Mike Shanahan, in the team's last game Sunday, benched McNabb for, well, he couldn't decide on the main reason. It was either that he didn't have the "cardiovascular health" or didn't know how to run the two minute offense as well, or his hamstring, whatever. But let's face it. Donovan McNabb is a better quarterback than Rex Grossman, the Redskins backup. McNabb hasn't had the greatest year, but he is still a quality alternative to anything else the Redskins have. There is really no point to what Shanahan is trying to do. A player of his stature should have the benefit of the doubt, especially when there is no one who could compete for the job. Shanahan needs to treat McNabb like any other franchise QB, because that is his only option. Putting Grossman in to throw an interception won't help the Skins' cause.