Dee Friedman
As always, we take an early look at the NFL games coming up two weeks from now. Look for an updated preview early next week.
Week 8 in the NFL features an AFC West showdown on Thursday, a morning game from London on Sunday, a clash of powers in the AFC North, and two NFC heavyweights battling in the desert. Here is an early preview of week 8.
As always, we take an early look at the NFL games coming up two weeks from now. Look for an updated preview early next week.
Week 8 in the NFL features an AFC West showdown on Thursday, a morning game from London on Sunday, a clash of powers in the AFC North, and two NFC heavyweights battling in the desert. Here is an early preview of week 8.
Thursday
San Diego at Denver
The Chargers are on the road for the second of three games during a four week span. San Diego has played very well away from home. They lost at Arizona 18-17 in week 1, beat Buffalo 22-10 in week 3, and got by the Raiders 31-28 in week 6. San Diego is 2-1 against the spread on the road this year after going 4-3-1 last year. The Broncos have beaten the Chargers in five of their last six meetings. Five of the six games have been decided by one score. Denver will be playing a second straight primetime home game.
Sunday
Detroit vs. Atlanta in London
The second of three NFL games in London this season will be an afternoon kickoff back here at home. (Miami beat the Raiders 38-14 at Wembley Stadium last month.) This will be the first trip to the UK for both the Lions and Falcons. Atlanta is the designated home team. For what it’s worth, âhomeâ teams have won only three of nine games played in London. The Lions are among the best defenses in the NFL, and pass effectively, but struggle to run the ball. The Falcons are an elite passing team, with a mediocre running game, and a below average defense. Both teams have a bye next week and should have ample time to prepare. Detroit has won the past three meetings with Atlanta.
St. Louis at Kansas City
This will be the first of three straight road games for the Rams. It is also part of an eight game stretch against teams that either made the playoffs or won 10 games last year. St. Louis is 1-1 on the road straight up and against the spread with a 19-17 week 2 win in Tampa Bay and a 34-28 setback week 5 in Philadelphia. Last year, St. Louis was 2-6 straight up and against the number away from home. Kansas City comes off of a bye week at 2-3 with a 1-1 mark at home. The Chiefs are 3-2 against the spread and 1-1 at Arrowhead Stadium. Last season, the Chiefs were 5-3 at home and 2-6 against the number. The Chiefs lost to Tennessee at home 26-10 in their season opener, and beat the Patriots 41-14 in week 4.
Miami at Jacksonville
The seventh meeting all time between the Dolphins and Jaguars will break a 3-3 tie in the series. Miami has won two straight against their in-state rivals, including a 24-3 win in their last meeting in 2012. The Fins have also won each two straight in Jacksonville. This will be the second straight road game for Miami, and the back end of consecutive home games for the Jaguars.
Houston at Tennessee
The Texans have a short week to prepare for division rival Tennessee after playing on the road Monday night. Tennessee is at home for a third time in four weeks. The Titans are 1-2 in front of their fans and 0-2-1 against the spread. Last year, Tennessee went 1-4-3 against the number at home. Houston has won three of the last four games in this series but the Titans won 16-10 in Nashville last year. Both of last year’s games were decided by a single score, but five of the previous six matchups were lopsided.
Minnesota at Tampa Bay
The Vikings commute to Buffalo in week 7 and then they fly to Tampa Bay for another road game in week 8. Meanwhile, the Bucs will be coming off of a bye week when they face the Vikings. Tampa has won six straight against Minnesota with only two of the contests proving competitive. The Bucs, however, are 0-3 straight up and against the spread at home this year. They are 17-30-2 against the number at home over the past seven years. Tampa Bay has managed to win five of their last seven following a bye and Lovie Smith is 6-1 in his last seven games following a bye (dating back to his third year in Chicago).
Seattle at Carolina
For the third time in four weeks, the Seahawks will be on the road. The Panthers will be returning to Charlotte after back-to-back road games. Carolina is 2-1 at home this year straight up and against the spread. Last season, Ron Rivera’s team went 7-1 at home including a 6-1-1 mark against the number. Strangely, this will be the third straight year the teams meet in Carolina. Seattle has won three straight against the Panthers including victories in each of the last two seasons on the road. Last year, Seattle beat the Panthers 12-7, and in 2012 the final score was 16-12.
Baltimore at Cincinnati
A rematch of the Bengals’ 23-16 opening day win in Baltimore takes place in Ohio. Cincinnati led the first meeting 15-0 at halftime but needed a long A.J. Green touchdown late in the fourth quarter to get by their division rival. The Ravens committed the only two turnovers in that first matchup. Baltimore is just 3-6-2 against the spread on the road over the last two years. The Bengals are 10-1 against the number at home in 2013 and 2014.
Chicago at New England
The Bears are on the road again. Chicago won back-to-back road games in weeks 2 and 3, beating the Niners 28-20 and Jets 27-19. They split road games in weeks 5 and 6, falling to Carolina 31-24 and winning in Atlanta 27-13. After a bye next week, the Bears will be on the road in week 10, but will play five of their final seven games at home. The Bears are 3-1 straight up and against the number on the road this season. Last year, they had a 3-5 record on the road straight up and ATS. This will be the second of three straight at home for New England. The Pats have won three straight against Chicago with each game being more lopsided than the last.
Buffalo at New York Jets
The Bills, who defend the run better than any other team in the league, will face the Jets, who struggle to throw the ball. In all likelihood, we will see an epic battle for the line of scrimmage. Buffalo is 2-1 on the road after beating the Bears in overtime in week 1, falling at Houston 23-17 in week 4, and beating the Lions 17-14 in week 5. New York won their home opener against the Raiders, but have dropped home games to Chicago, Detroit, and Denver since then. New York has won seven of their last nine against the Bills and four in a row at home.
Philadelphia at Arizona
For a second straight season, the Eagles will meet Arizona following a bye. Last year, Philadelphia beat the Cardinals at home 24-21. The Cards committed the only three turnovers of that game. The Eagles are 1-1 on the road straight up and against the spread with a win over the Colts and a loss in San Francisco. Arizona is 9-2 at home during the last two years and 7-4 against the spread.
Oakland at Cleveland
The Raiders haven’t played a true road game in more than a month and while they are 0-2 away from home, they have played some decent football. Oakland fell to the Jets 19-14 in New York in week 1 and dropped a 16-9 decision in New England during week 3. The Browns are 2-1 at home with wins over New Orleans and Pittsburgh and a close loss to Baltimore. After going 3-5 against the spread at home last season, the Browns are 2-0-1 this year.
Indianapolis at Pittsburgh
The Steelers are 13-2 all time against Indianapolis at home, though the Colts won the most recent matchup 24-20 in 2008. This year, Indianapolis is 2-1 away from home. After falling at Denver 31-24 in week 1, the Colts bounced back to beat Jacksonville 44-17 on the road in week 3, and then narrowly escaped Houston with a 33-28 win in week 6. This will be the second straight home game for the Steelers who started the year with four road games in the first six weeks. The Colts are 2-10 against the Steelers since Andrew Luck was born.
Green Bay at New Orleans
The Packers will travel to New Orleans in week 8 before a week 9 bye. Green Bay is 2-2 on the road straight up and against the spread. After falling at Seattle and Detroit early in the year, the Packers won at Chicago and in Miami. Green Bay has won two straight against the Saints but have not won in New Orleans since 1995. The Saints are 2-0 at home after a 20-9 win over Minnesota and a 37-31 overtime victory against Tampa Bay. The Saints are 8-1-1 against the spread at home during the last two seasons.
Monday
Washington at Dallas
Washington is 0-3 on the road and 1-2 against the spread. Washington opened the year with a 17-6 loss at Houston, fell at Philadelphia 37-34 in week 2, and lost to the Cardinals 30-20 in week 6. Last year, the Redskins were 1-7 away from home and 2-6 against the number. After an impressive win in Seattle, this will be the second of three straight home games for Dallas. The Cowboys beat Washington twice last year, including a 24-23 victory at home. Two years ago,Washington swept Dallas. Nine of the last 12 meetings between the teams have been decided by one score or less.
