The NFL is often predictable not from a betting perspective, but Straight Up. The league is shaping up to be a battle of titans, but through 8 weeks, we do have 2 clear great teams.

Week 8 Review

Brees Is Back!!
  • 49ers Destroy the Panthers – The Panthers had won 4 straight games with QB Kyle Allen without an INT, but the SF Defense is no joke. SF completely manhandled the Panthers upfront with 232 yards rushing and 5 rushing TDs, while sacking Allen 7 times and 3 INTs. The final wasn’t even that close at 51-13.
  • Pats Show Out Against Browns – The Browns have been reeling, but the talent is there. The problem is that the Pats don’t give a crap who they play, they just crush it. Three TOs cost CLE, especially that fumble return TD. Pats win easily, 27-13 and knocking the Browns to 2-5.
  • Texans Win, but Lose – The Texans trailed early, but were able to rally and get the win, 27-24, but HOU lost DE JJ Watt for the 3rd time in 4 years for the season. That will cost them down the stretch.
  • Packers Keep Rolling behind Rodgers – The Chiefs without Mahomes are mortal. Even with QB Matt Moore playing well, QB Aaron Rodgers made the plays down the stretch, including a crazy TD pass to give them the victory, 31-24. Packers move to 7-1.
  • Saints Breesing to Victory – The Saints got QB Drew Brees back, and he looked good lighting up the Cardinals’ D with 373 yards passing, 3 TDs and 1 INT in the 31-9 win.

NFL News/Notes:

Injuries: JJ Watt, DE, HOU – pectoral tear (IR); WR Josh Gordon – knee (IR); David Johnson, RB, AZ – ankle (day to day); Chase Edmonds, RB, AZ – hamstring (Doubtful); Joe Flacco, QB, DEN – neck (Out); Xavien Howard, CB, MIA – knee (IR); James Connor, RB, PIT – shoulder (Questionable).

Trades: WR Emmanuel Sanders to SF; WR Mohammed Sanu to NE; RB Kenyan Drake to AZ; CB Aqib Talib to MIA.

Picks Review: S/U 3-1, ATS 2-2, Totals 2-2

Pick Your Horse

Can Jimmy G Lead the Niners to the Bowl?

Through 8 weeks, the cream is definitely rising to the top. With NE and SF at 8-0, they are the best teams in the NFL. Two dominant defenses are carrying them, but the offenses can make it happen, too.

The next tier you have NO and GB. Both teams at 7-1, Aaron Rodgers has heated up the last 2 weeks. However, could GB have won all those games without him like NO did? That is why the Saints are so dangerous. They went undefeated without Brees, and with him back, they look unstoppable. Bridgewater did his job, but Brees will take them to the next level.

Sure, you can see other NFC squads in the mix – DAL, MIN, LAR and SEA, but LAR and SEA have to go through SF in the West. DAL still needs to hold off PHI, and MIN is down a loss to GB. In the AFC, Mahomes’ health is the key to KC’s success. We will see if the Ravens are a worth opponent for NE. I don’t see HOU making a run without Watt and their defense has been subpar – it’s a shame since Watson is playing incredibly.

So, who you got?

Wegs Index – Week 9

 OFF YD/GPPGDEF YD/GPPG AgTO DiffCum. Rank
       
49ers387.329.6224.41143.3
Patriots369.931.32347.6173.7
Vikings396.526.4313.916.535.5
Cowboys437.927.1324.917.707.2
Ravens434.930.6349.722.329.2
Rams384.526.8228.321.809.3
Saints375.324.4316.519.539.8
Packers373.526.9375.520.4710.2
Chiefs392.528.337722.6310.8
Texans39526.5362.123.5012.8
Seahawks382.926376.424.5713.0
Jaguars379.821.6342.520.4113.2
Titans29918.5335.616.9713.7
Bills345.719.1303.917.4-113.8
Steelers293.321.4336.620.71015.0
Bears281.418.3316.617.4315.5
Colts345.922.6349.421.6015.7
Panthers335.425.6350.326.3417.0
Chargers350.619.6340.119.6-317.3
Lions379.625.7420.426.6318.0
Eagles343.825.3346.624.9-218.2
Broncos312.615.6304.518.9-218.5
Bucs370.728354.430.3-519.2
Raiders371.921.6378.127.4-321.7
Cardinals342.921.3407.127.9322.2
Browns345.319365.425.9-923.7
Falcons367.420.6379.531.3-1125.7
Giants333.819.8386.827.3-926.0
Redskins261.112.4378.424.4-326.3
Jets209.611.1357.426.4-627.5
Bengals317.315.5435.826.3-927.7
Dolphins254.61141434-1431.5

Week 9 Key Match Ups

Byes: CIN, ATL, LAR, NO

Pats D Killing It
  • Texans vs. Jaguars – London (+1.5, Total 46.5) – Sunday, 11/3 at 9:30 AM Eastern/8:30 AM Central on NFL Network – This is a low key 1st place battle in the NFC South. The Jags almost went into HOU early on with Minshew and lost on the failed 2 point conversion. This time in JAC’s 2nd home, London, the Jags will have something for the Texans and win S/U, Covering +1.5 and Over 46.5.
  • Vikings at Chiefs (+1, Total 49) – Sunday, 11/3 at 1 PM Eastern/12 Noon Central on FOX – A lot is riding on the health of Patrick Mahomes, but the Vikings are playing great football. That defense has been back to 2017 level, and the offense is clicking through the air and ground. I like the Vikings to win S/U, Cover -1, and Under the 49.
  • Bears at Eagles (-4.5, Total 42) – Sunday, 11/3 at 1 PM Eastern/12 Noon Central on FOX – In what feels like an elimination game even this early, these NFC match ups count big for tiebreakers later. Both teams really need this win to keep pace in the playoff picture. I hate to say this, but the Bears are just not the same this year – especially on offense. The Eagles aren’t great, but they will win this game and cover the -4.5 – Under 42.
  • Patriots at Ravens (+3.5, Total 45) – Sunday, 11/3 at 8:20 PM Eastern/7:20 PM Central on NBC – Traditionally, the Ravens are the one team to be able to knock off the Pats consistently. HC Jon Harbaugh is a great coach with an extra week to prepare. However, NE is in demolition mode on defense. QB Lamar Jackson has to not turn the ball over – Pats are +17 in TO Differential. If he turns the ball over 2x, then they will lose. I can’t see BAL beating NE, especially given Belichick’s record against rookie and 2nd year QBs. So, NE S/U, Cover the -3.5 and Under the 45.

This week will get us officially over half way.

Wegs

About the author

I'm a 49 year old, twice divorced guy with a 20 year old. The blog has morphed a bit lately. Not just sports or dating, social commentary and now some stories from my past experience.