I went 6-7 last week straight-up, and 5-8 against the spread. For the season, that puts me at 67-36 straight-up, and 51-48-4 against the spread. For a comparison, check out the "experts" over at ESPN.
Here are my picks for the NFL's week eight games:
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30
Arizona 1-5 at Baltimore 4-2 1:00 PM [Line: Ravens by 14]
The Ravens have allowed the fewest points in the NFL, but they lost to the lowly Jaguars last week. The Cardinals have dropped five in a row.
--RJ's Pick: Baltimore by 9
Minnesota 1-6 at Carolina 2-5 1:00 PM [Line: Panthers by 3.5]
The Vikings have the third-best rushing offense in the league. The Panthers are having success both running and passing the ball, but they've allowed the most points in the NFC.
--RJ's Pick: Carolina by 8
Jacksonville 2-5 at Houston 4-3 1:00 PM [Line: Texans by 10]
The Texans are in first place in the AFC South, and are the only team in their division with a winning record. The Jaguars are ranked #32 (dead last) in passing yards per game.
--RJ's Pick: Houston by 17
Miami 0-6 at New York Giants 4-2 1:00 PM [Line: Giants by 10.5]
The Dolphins are not only winless, but they are also the only team in the AFC East with a losing record. The Giants have scored the most points of any team in the wide open NFC East.
--RJ's Pick: New York Giants by 15
New Orleans 5-2 at St. Louis 0-6 1:00 PM [Line: Saints by 14]
The Saints have scored more points than any other team in the NFL (including the unbeaten Packers). The Rams have scored the fewest points in the league by far, with just 56 points through six games.
--RJ's Pick: New Orleans by 30
Indianapolis 0-7 at Tennessee 3-3 1:00 PM [Line: Titans by 10]
RB Chris Johnson is averaging just 2.9 yards per carry, and as a result the Titans have fewest rushing yards per game in the league. The Colts have given up 225 points, the most in the NFL by a wide margin.
--RJ's Pick: Tennessee by 16
Article comments
1 - Michael Thomas
Miami is horrible and seems only interested in having the worst record in the league so they can secure the #1 pick overall.
2 - Charlie Doherty
I don't agree. Miami sux but not on purpose. Bad defense, bad coaching (especially last week versus Denver) and inexperience explains their 0-for record. (As I write, Miami has a lead going into the fourth quarter against the NYG, a lead it's had the whole game. They might lose it, but it won't be because they are trying to lose, IMO)
Elsewhere, who'd have thunk the Rams-Saints score right now (Rams up 24-0!). I guess the Rams are extra amped up today 'cuz the St. Louis Cardinals are in the building with their World Series trophy they won Friday night (another unreal feat).
3 - RJ
Final Scores:
Ravens 30, Arizona 27 - RJ 1-0 [1-0 ATS]
Vikings 24, Carolina 21 - RJ 1-1 [1-1 ATS]
Houston 24, Jaguars 14 - RJ 2-1 [1-1-1 ATS]
Giants 20, Dolphins 17 - RJ 3-1 [1-2-1 ATS]
4 - RJ
Final Scores:
Rams 31, Saints 21 - RJ 3-2 [1-3-1 ATS]
Titans 27, Colts 10 - RJ 4-2 [2-3-1 ATS]
5 - RJ
Final Scores:
Lions 45, Broncos 10 - RJ 5-2 [3-3-1 ATS]
Bills 23, Redskins 0 - RJ 6-2 [3-4-1 ATS]
Bengals 34, Seattle 12 - RJ 7-2 [4-4-1 ATS]
SF 20, Browns 10 - RJ 8-2 [4-5-1 ATS]
Steelers 25, NE 17 - RJ 9-2 [5-5-1 ATS]
6 - RJ
Final Score:
Eagles 34, Cowboys 7 - RJ 9-3 [5-6-1 ATS]
7 - RJ
Final Score:
KC 23, SD 20 [in OT] - RJ 9-4 [6-6-1 ATS]
8 - RJ
ESPN's NFL "experts" in Week Eight:
Allen
10-3
Golic
10-3
Hoge
9-4
Jaworski
9-3
Mortensen
10-3
Schefter
8-5
Schlereth
9-4
Wickersham
8-5
Accuscore
10-3
Pick 'em
9-4
9 - RJ
ESPN's NFL "experts" through eight weeks:
Allen
77-39
Golic
82-34
Hoge
79-37
Jaworski
78-30
Mortensen
70-46
Schefter
77-39
Schlereth
78-38
Wickersham
78-38
Accuscore
83-33
Pick 'em
81-35
10 - RJ
RJ through eight weeks:
76-40 straight-up
57-54-5 against the spread