NFL Week 8

As we hit the midseason mark in the NFL, we have perhaps the best matchup of the season in Pittsburgh as the Giants and Steelers meet. With both teams at 5-1, it's being touted as a potential Super Bowl preview, but that's so far off now it's impossible to say where things may stand come January. As it is, the Giants are finished with the cream puff portion of their schedule and need to start playing better. Another big matchup is Monday night as the stumbling Colts face the last unbeaten team in the league, the Tennessee Titans. A special added bonus this week: No Sunday night game, so you won't have to be on alert for that moron Keith Olbermann.

We managed an 8-6 slate in Week 7 and stand at 52-47-3 for 2008.

SUNDAY
JETS -13.5 Chiefs: You have to be really bad to be a two-touchdown underdog to the very mediocre Jets. Well, Kansas City is just awful. Jets would love nothing more than to pound on their former coach Herman Edwards, and they will. Jets 38-6

RAVENS -7 Raiders: Baltimore may not score much, but the Raiders will be fortunate to muster any offense against Ravens. Ravens 23-3

Chargers -3 Saints: Saints are technically the home team, but this game is being played in London. The Chargers may well win their division by default, but they might want to start winning some games. Saints are all banged up and reports are flying a couple of players may have failed drug tests. Not good. Chargers 31-21

Bills -1.5 DOLPHINS: Bills are going to be fooled by Miami's offensive gimmicks and Trent Edwards is rapidly rising to stardom. Bills may be the best team nobody has seen this year. Bills 24-17

Buccaneers +2.5 COWBOYS: I'm supposed to believe a team that was humiliated by the lowly Rams is to be favored over a Tampa team with a stout defense? The implosion continues in Dallas. Buccaneers 27-20

Falcons +9 EAGLES: Atlanta is a legit 4-2, coming off a bye and getting nine points? Eagles will throw everything at Matt Ryan, but guess what? Falcons have a great running game. Eagles 24-23

PATRIOTS -7.5 Rams: Rams may be flying high after beating the Redskins and Cowboys, but New England may well have gotten their offense in gear last week, although they have huge problems with the running game. Patriots 27-13

Cardinals +4 PANTHERS: Carolina is another solid team playing in relative obscurity. While the Cards will likely cruise to an NFC West title, they're not quite ready to beat elite teams on the road. Panthers 30-27

LIONS +7.5 Redskins: Sure, it seems insane taking a winless Detroit team, but they've covered two straight while Skins have been in an offensive fog. Probably not enough to win, but Lions may keep it interesting. Redskins 20-17

Giants +3 STEELERS: Problem child Plaxico Burress returns for first time to Pittsburgh and is due for a big game. Without Willie Parker, Pittsburgh will be forced to throw a lot and Giants pass rush will get to Ben Roethlisberger. Giants 24-20

JAGUARS -7 Browns: Rested Jags finally have some offensive lineman back and will run all over Browns. This may be the week Derek Anderson gets the hook in favor of Brady Quinn. Just a hunch. Jaguars 31-21

TEXANS -9 Bengals: Carson Palmer may be finished for the season. Seriously, Bengals could go winless. Texans 34-10

49ERS -5 Seahawks: Niners stink, but they already won in Seattle this year and the Seahags are swirling the drain. What the hell happened to them? 49ers 30-13

MONDAY
Colts +4 TITANS: Titans could bury erratic Colts with a win here, but I suspect Peyton Manning and the Colts aren't quite finished yet. Titans finally stumble in prime time spotlight. Colts 24-21