NFL Week 8: OPEN THREAD

The mid-season mark is almost here for most teams. The number of teams who will assert themselves to make a push for the playoffs is fewer than they were when September began. In early September every team — and their fans — shared hope for a championship. It’s clear now that more than half of the teams in the league have greatly reduced their chances to make the playoffs as 17 out of 32 teams in the league are playing .500 ball or worse. Twelve of those teams have 4 losses or more and with over half a season to play, today’s games could all but eliminate some of them. After all, it’s pretty darn difficult to make the playoffs with 5 losses and 8 games to play.

Let’s go over the games:

• Baltimore has already manhandled Miami 40-0… so I predict the Ravens win this one. 😉
  

• Minnesota is facing the Browns in London. Even the Queen has the Vikes. Not sure how having the Browns go to Europe is promoting the game there.
  

• Oakland is traveling to the East coast where they’ll face a good Bills squad. Order some wings and watch da Raidahs fall flat.

• The Colts travel 120 miles to Cincinnati to face Bengals. Take the Bengals… and double the points.

• The Los Angeles Chargers fly to New England. It might as well be England. Pats will prevail then… home by 4:00 CT. Except for Gronk.
  

• Bears visit the Saints. I’m sticking with the Saints.

• The Falcons are at the Jets. Don’t expect another NW meltdown. There are over 4,000 tickets left for this game, the most in the league. The Jets may have a shot at a .500 record by winning. Might as well be win-less as far as the crowd is concerned.
  

• The 9ers are at the Eagles. Gee, I wonder who wins this one. Sometimes there is no parity. Just pity. Pity the 9ers.
  

• Carolina goes to Tampa Bay and this looks to be a good game. I’ll go with TB in an upset. Uh, forget it. I changed my mind.
  

• The Texans visit the Seattle Seahawks. They should end up going back to Texas with their tail between their legs. Hawks have one Home loss in the past year and a half.

• Dallas is at Washington which will go a long way in deciding who comes in 2nd in the NFC East but, it probably won’t include the playoffs. Too many other good second place teams in the division.
  

• On Sunday night, the Steelers go to Detroit. Some say the Lions win. I wish, but I highly doubt it.

On Monday evening the Broncos visit Arrowhead Stadium to play the K.C. Chiefs. More on that game later.

So, who do you like? Any predictions? Do you have an upset in mind?

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