Week 8 has 6 teams on a bye (New England, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Tampa Bay, Washington, Kansas City), but we still have a full week of football.
We have four great matchups this week. The headline matchup is of course the Vikings vs. the Packers but there are three other great ones. The Giants take on Philly in a NFC East showdown, the Broncos take on the Ravens and try to stay undefeated, and the Saints battle the Falcons for control of the NFC South.
Here’s everything you need to know heading into Week 8:
Game of the Week: Minnesota Vikings @ Green Bay Packers
The media’s favorite game of the year. Brett Favre makes his long-awaited return to Lambeau Field, the place where he called home for 16 years.
Also in case you haven’t heard FOX will have a “Favre cam,” a camera that will follow Brett’s every move in Sunday from him talking to coaches on the sidelines to him blowing his nose.
This is a huge game for the Packers, who sit at 4-2, a game and a half behind the Vikings. A loss on Sunday would put them two and a half games and really three and half because they wouldn’t have the tiebreaker.
The Vikings are coming off their first loss and they don’t want to go into their bye on a two game losing streak.
Key Matchup: Packers LT T.J. Lang vs. Vikings DE Jared Allen
Allen absolutely demolished the Packers last time they squared off, notching 4 sacks and forcing a fumble. He was a terror all night and Aaron Rodgers couldn’t get into any rhythm.
The Packers starting left tackle last time they faced off was Daryn Colledge, not T.J. Lang. Lang, a rookie, was great in his first start last week albeit it was against the Rams. Whether or not he can contain Allen will go a long way in determining the winner.
Prediction:
The Vikings will rebound from their first loss. Brett Favre will get the better of the Packers as the Vikes pull this one out late.
Vikings 30 Packers 21
Game of the Week 2: Denver Broncos @ Baltimore Ravens
There was a lot of competition for the second game of the week but the voters voted for this game. Apologies to the Eagles-Giants and Falcons-Saints.
Both these teams come into this game on a bye but on very different circumstances.
The Broncos are the darling of this young season, off to shocking 6-0 start. They have rallied behind the solid play of Kyle Orton and the incredible play of the defense.
On the other side, the Ravens looked great early on starting 3-0 but have faltered and dropped three straight close games and now are at a crossroad at .500. This is a must win for the Ravens who can;t afford to drop this game.
Key Matchup: Broncos O-Line vs. Ravens D-Line
The Ravens previously vaunted Ravens run defense has been nowhere to be seen the past tow weeks. After going 39 straight without allowing a 100 yard rusher they have allowed Cedric Benson and Adrian Peterson to hit the century mark in back to back games.
If the Broncos can get Knowshon Moreno and Correll Buckhalter going, then it will open up the passing game for Kyle Orton. The Ravens secondary has been sub par this season and Brandon Marshall could abuse their smallish corners if they are focused on stopping the run.
Prediction:
Although the Ravens have their back up against the wall, we all said the same thing when they played the Vikings two weeks ago. I am officially on the Broncos bandwagon. I think Brandon Marshall has a dominant game as the Broncos pull out a close one.
Broncos 24 Ravens 20
What to Watch For
1. Vince Young Debuts
After much maligning from the media and owner Bud Adams Jeff Fisher has finally given in and handed the reigns over to Vince Young. Young is in a good situation though, the Jags pass defense is ranked 31st in the league only behind Young’s Titans. We have to wonder why it took so long for Fisher to make the change. Was he that attached to Kerry Collins or was Vince young stinking up the join in practice?
2. The Jets get another shot at the Wildcat
The Jets and Dolphins squared off just three weeks ago in Miami but meet again on Sunday. Last time these teams played the Dolphins ran all over the Jets with the Wildcat, even scoring the game winning touchdown in the Wildcat with under 10 seconds remaining. Rex Ryan tried to blitz the Wildcat last time and that didn’t work so perhaps he’ll go with more of a read and react defense. But the Jets are without run stuffing tackle Kris Jenkins in the middle.
3. MNF
Am I the only one who thinks the Saints are laying way too many points against the Falcons. The game is in prime-time and the Falcons are home, yet they are still 10 point dogs. I think this has the makings a potentially great game but apparently I’m the only one. I still like the Saints to win but by no more than a touchdown.
4. Alex Smith Returns
The former number one overall pick is getting another shot to prove he can be the franchise qb. He hasn’t gotten a fair shake in San Fran. Having a new offensive coordinator every year doesn’t help things.
He led a furious comeback last week that came up just short after being subbed in at halftime but I’m not sold on him. The Texans were up 21 and were obviously going to lay back and let them pass and when the 49ers were driving to tie the game Alex Smith went back to being well Alex Smith and threw an interception. With the Colts having a week to prepare for him, and the fact that he’s facing a cover 2 defense I’m not expecting Smith to be the savior for the 49ers.
5. The Toilet Bowl
With all the bad teams this year we were bound to have one of these matchups; the 1-6 Lions against the 0-7 Rams. This game could be for the number one pick in 2010 draft. This may be the Rams best chance for a win this season. The best shots after this are the Seahawks at home and at Tennessee later in the season. The Lions may be without Matthew Stafford and/or Calvin Johnson but I’ll still take the Lions.
By the way did anyone else hear Steve Spagnuolo’s comments after last weeks game. I mean I like what he’s trying to tell his team but I’m worried he was watching a different game than all of us.
That does it for the preview. Enjoy Week 8.
