NFL: Week 8 – 2nd Quarter Down

The new NFL has changed the rules with 18 weeks, but for my purposes, the 2nd Quarter is over, even though 10 week still remain.

Week 8: Around the League

• Big Boys Flexed: Top teams like the Eagles (7-0, won 35-13), Cowboys (6-2, won 49-29) and Bills (6-1, won 27-17). The cream is rising to the top.
• Titans Do It Again: Under the radar, TEN has now won 5 straight games by running wild yet again. RB Derrick Henry crushed the Texans with 219 yards and 2 TDs. The Texans move to 5-2 and in clear control of the AFC South.
• Commanders Keep Winning: QB Taylor Heinicke has now won 2 starts, which makes 3 straight wins for the Commanders. They now pull to 4-4, which puts them in the hunt for the Wild Card in this down NFC in 2022.
• Super Bowl Hangover: The Rams are definitely not the same team that raised the Lombardi trophy in February. Even after leading at half 14-10, the Rams were pummeled by the 49ers (yet again) dropping them to 3-4 on the year. Perhaps they can come around, but the O Line and D is just not performing in 2022.

Picks Review: S/U 2-2, ATS 1-3 – Bills really should have covered, but didn’t. Give the Seahawks and Ravens credit for getting big wins.

Predictions Review After Week 8:

I finished 32 and 59 in Quarter 2 for 54.24% correct which brings me to 70-123 on the season (56.91%). 4 out of 32 teams with correct records: KC (5-2), PIT (2-6), MIA (5-3), and JAC (2-6). The bulk are within 2 games either way.

Surprises: ATL at 4-4 (0-8 predicted) to lead the NFC South, NYJ at 5-3 (0-8 predicted) in the AFC playoff hunt, NYG at 6-2 (2-6 predicted) have defied the oddsmakers, SEA at 5-3 (2-6 predicted) makes Carroll a Coach of the Year candidate.

Disappointments: TB at 3-5 (6-2 predicted) has been crazy, but they are only one game out of first in the NFC South. IND at 3-4-1 (7-1 predicted) are really down and out, and LAR 3-4 (7-0 predicted) have been probably the biggest disappointment of them all.

Wegs Index for Week 9

1. Bills (6-1, 2.33 Index) – The Bills beat the Pack easily, but they didn’t finish strong with 2 4th Quarter INTs. Maybe a chink in the armor.
2. Eagles (7-0, 2.50) – PHI continues to dominate the competition. In fact, they probably won’t have a tough opponent until their 15th game. They could go 14-0 unless they lose focus.
3. Cowboys (6-2, 9.17) – The Boys Offense dominated against the Bears which vaulted up their numbers. Just surprised they allowed the Bears to put up 29.
4. 49ers (4-4, 10.83) – The 2nd half over the Rams showed their true potential, as RB McCaffery feasted.
5. Ravens (5-3, 11.50) – The Ravens finally looked good in a 4th Quarter, and they have control of the AFC North at the moment.
6. Chiefs (5-2, 11.67) – The Chiefs are great after the Bye, and they should be ready to put a stranglehold on the AFC West.
7. Vikings (6-1, 12.00) – The team no one is talking about, as the Vikings now lead the Pack by 3.5 games in the NFC North.
8. Bengals (4-4, 12.17) – MNF was not pretty, and life without Chase is definitely going to be rough.
9. Jets (5-3, 13.00) – The Jets’ glass slipper may have broken, and now they face the Bills.
10. Seahawks (5-3, 14.17) – Geno and crew continue to roll, but here comes the 49ers in the NFC West.
11. Bucs (3-5, 14.17) – The Bucs are not right. They continue to fall down the ranks.

Waiver Wire for Week 9

Major Bye Week: 49ers, Broncos, Browns, Cowboys, Giants, Steelers

There were a ton of trades at the deadline on Tuesday, including WR Chase Claypool to CHI, RB Chase Edmonds to DEN, RB Nyheim Hines to BUF, TJ Hockenson to MIN, RB Jeff Wilson to MIA. So, new life for some.

• QB, Marcus Mariota (ATL) is still just 52% rostered with only one bad game this year. The Chargers give up a lot of rushing yards. I like him a lot this week.
• RB, Deon Jackson (IND) – should step in for Nyheim Hines. He had a huge week in Week 6 followed by a dud in Week 7. So, let’s see if the move opens opportunity for him.
• RB, Chase Edmonds (DEN) – I think this move means good things for Edmonds (48% rostered). He was buried in MIA, and DEN needs a dynamic runner.
• WR, Chase Claypool (PIT) – Claypool has a fresh start, and he is the big body the Bears need for Fields. He should be a week to week match up starter, but I like him to stretch the field for a low volume passing attack.
• DST, Dolphins (MIA) – The trade for DE Bradley Chubb is huge for MIA. Their pass rush was good, now it is great. He should make an impact this week at CHI and beyond.

Marquee Match Ups in Week 9

• Bills at Jets (+13, 47 Total) – Sunday, 11/6 at 12 Noon – CBS – The Jets were exposed in Week 8 against the Pats, so unless QB Wilson is going to get better, I expect the same. The Bills will roll in this one, even though the spread is large – win and cover the -13.
• Chargers at Falcons (+3, 49 Total) – Sunday, 11/6 at 12 Noon – FOX – The Chargers needed to get healthy after the Bye. I like the Falcons to keep this close inside the spread, but I don’t think they will keep their winning ways. LAC wins, but ATL covers +3.
• Rams at Bucs (-3, 42.5 Total) – Sunday, 11/6 at 3:25 PM – FOX – Both teams are disappointing, so it’s almost an elimination game of sorts., and with WR Cooper Kupp hobbled, it may be tough. The Bucs D is better than the Rams, so I’ll take the Bucs in this one to finally get another win and cover the -3.
• Titans at Chiefs (-12.5, 46.5 Total) – Sunday, 11/6 at 7:20 PM – NBC – The Titans have been rolling despite terrible metrics. It’s confounding. I do think the Chiefs are not just better, but they are typically great out of the Bye. Chiefs win and cover -12.5.

Let’s start the next quarter.

Wegs