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Week 8 matchups
by Dan Caesar , St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Synopsis: Denver seeks its first 7-0 start since it won the Super Bowl in the 1998 season and has used a tough defense to reach its lofty status this time. The Broncos rank No. 1 in scoring defense (11 points per game) and No. 2 in total defense (262.5 yards/game). But Baltimore is in the top 10 in the major offensive categories, although its defense is struggling, allowing 382.7 yards per outing in its 3-game losing streak.
When: Noon. Line: Bears by 13.
Synopsis: Chicago tries to bounce back from its 45-10 mauling in Cincy and gets the perfect spot here for a turnabout. Cleveland's offense has scored just 4 TDs this season and ranks 30th or worse in points, yards and passing. Plus QB Derek Anderson's passer rating in his last 3 outings is 30.9. So the Bears' middle-of-the-pack defense should pad its stats. And Chicago QB Jay Cutler, who has been inconsistent, should fatten up vs. a defense that has allowed an average of 29 points and 501 yards in its last two games, both losses.
PICK OF THE WEEK (to win): Bears 30, Browns 10.
When: Noon. Line: Texans by 3.
Synopsis: Harvard product and former Ram Ryan Fitzpatrick has been far from spectacular but had helped Buffalo to 2 wins filling in for QB Trent Edwards, who remains out with a concussion. He works vs. a defense that has allowed an average of 2 passing TDs in the last 3 outings. Houston loves to throw (Matt Schaub already has 16 TD passes, a franchise record) and key WR Andre Johnson is expected to play despite suffering a bruised lung last week.
When: Noon. Line: Colts by 13.
Synopsis: Indy shoots for its fourth 7-0 start in 5 years but gets a better test here than it did last week in toying with the Rams. Rookie RB running back Donald Brown probably won't play because of a shoulder injury, giving more work to Joseph Addai. SF turns to QB Alex Smith after benching Shaun Hill, and the 2005 No. 1 pick will be throwing to Michael Crabtree, who makes his second appearance since ending a holdout. Look for RB Frank Gore to test Indy's so-so run defense, early in the contest.
When: Noon. Line: Jets by 31/2.
Synopsis: NY ended a 3-game slide by beating weakling Oakland last week, but now goes to Miami where the Dolphins are in desperate need of a win. NY has two consecutive 300-yard rushing games but Miami is No. 4 vs. the run. So look for the Dolphins to try to force the game into the hands of turnover-prone QB Mark Sanchez and use its potent wildcat offense to wear down the Jets' defense.
PICK OF THE WEEK (vs. point spread): Dolphins 23, Jets 17.
When: Noon. Line: Lions by 4 .
Synopsis: The Rams are 2-21 since the start of last season, the Lions are 1-21. Detroit could have rookie QB Matthew Stafford back after missing 2 games because of a knee injury. If not, Daunte Culpepper starts again. Other than that, who really cares?
When: Noon. Line: Cowboys by 9 1/2.
Synopsis: Maybe Miles Austin is the wideout the Cowboys thought since-departed Terrell Owens would be. Austin has emerged as a major force the last 2 weeks, racking up huge stats in tandem with QB Tony Romo, as Dallas has gotten back on track. They work vs. a middle-of-the-pack pass attack. Seattle has been inconsistent and now has lost LB Lofa Tatupu for the season (torn pectoral).
When: Noon. Line: Giants by 1.
Synopsis: NY tries to rebound after being upset last week by Arizona and history says the Giants have a good chance - QB Eli Manning is 4-0 in Philadelphia. But he has been struggling recently, with 4 interceptions and just 2 TDs in the last 2 games - both losses. Philly probably will be minus key RB Brian Westbrook, who suffered a concussion last week. Does that mean more wildcat looks with Michael Vick?
When: 3:05 p.m. Line: Chargers by 16 1/2.
Synopsis: Oakland reverted to form last week, being pounded by the Jets after upsetting Philly in its previous outing. The Raiders stick with QB JaMarcus Russell, a turnover machine who runs an offense that has generated 7 or fewer points in 4 of the last 5 games. San Diego has been far from the class of the
When: 3:05 p.m. Line: Titans by 3.
Synopsis: Vince Young gets the call at QB as the winless Titans want to see if he is in their future. But the big problem for Tennessee is a beat-up defense - the Titans have allowed an average of 42.3 points in their last 3 outings. Jacksonville has won three of four and beat the Titans 37-17 four weeks ago. One negative for the Jags is that standout CB Rashean Mathis is out because of a broken finger.
When: 3:15 p.m. Line: Cardinals by 10.
Synopsis: Carolina QB Jake Delhomme, who has been turnover-plagued since committing six in a playoff loss last season to Arizona, faces an emerging defense that's No. 1 vs the run (Carolina's strength) and contained the Giants last week. Arizona loves to throw, but Kurt Warner and company must work against the NFL's top pass defense.
When: 3:15 p.m. Line: Packers by 3.
Synopsis: Have you heard? QB Brett Favre, now at the helm for Minnesota, makes his first appearance as an enemy in once-adoring Green Bay. He'll probably have to produce a lot of points, because the Vikes have allowed at least 23 in four of their last five outings. Minnesota sacked Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers eight times in a 30-23 victory early this month. Look for a happy homecoming for Favre.
When: 7:40 p.m. Monday. Line: Saints by 10 .
Synopsis: The Saints try to stay unbeaten but get a challenge here as Atlanta tries to close to a game behind them in the NFC South. The Saints have scored at least 45 points 4 times and the Falcons are 25th in defense and struggled vs. up-and-down Dallas last week. Atlanta QB Matt Ryan has been intercepted four times in his last two outings.
RECORD
Last week: 10-3. Season: 68-35.
Vs. point spread: Last week: 9-3-1. Season: 53-49-1.
Pick of the week (to win): Right. Season: 7-0.
Pick of the week (vs. point spread): Last week: Wrong. Season: 4-3.
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