NFL: Recap Week 7/Week 8 Matchups

We are settling in now into the season where the better teams are starting to rise to the top.

Week 7 Recap

• Jags Save Season: I still think Doug Pederson should be fired, but the London Jags were able to win over the awful Patriots in Wembly Stadium this time, 32-16. The score was a little deceptive, as the Jags needed a 96 yard punt return and NE turned the ball over late in at their 10 to give the Jags the easy win.
• The Pack Get the Win: It was a game that we expected. Both the Texans and the Packers are good teams that should make the playoffs. It took every second of the game to determine the winner. In the end, GB won this tight one at the buzzer with a FG, 24-22. The Packers were able to overcome 3 TOs in this game or maybe they would have covered the number.
• Lions Kings of the North: It was a showdown in Minneapolis, and we got what we wanted there, too. QB Jared Goff took his team down the field late to get the GW FG to win, 31-29 after MIN had taken the lead on a defensive TD late in the 4th. Goff was 22 of 25 for 280 yards and 2 TDs helped by Jaymr Gibbs – 116 yards, 2 TDs and 44 receiving.
• Chiefs Own the 49ers: HC Andy Reid off the Bye is a good bet, but now this version of the Chiefs is 5-0 over the team by the Bay. Both teams had injuries in-game that limited the offenses, but the Chiefs only left a small window of opportunity after halftime with a turnover that the 49ers could not cash in on. The Chiefs ran the ball down the SF D’s throats all day – 184 yards on 39 carries for a 4.7 average towards the 28-18 win. The 49ers will need to get healthy to even get their division at this point.
• Ravens Keep Rolling: The first half was what I expected. TB took an early lead, then BAL was forced to throw and grabbed the lead, but mostly based on QB Baker Mayfield’s INTs. Then, the 2nd Half, the Ravens destroyed the Bucs’ D – scoring at will, and RB Derrick Henry ripped off 2 big runs to set up points. The Bucs pushed the score closer but had no shot and they lost WR Chris Godwin for the year on the final drive. BAL won, 41-31.

Predictions: S/U 3-1, ATS 2-2, Totals 2-2 – BAL is a wrecking crew on my bets.

Fantasy Pickups in Week 8

Injuries are part of the game, but Week 7 gave out quite a few: QB Deshaun Watson (Achilles on IR), QB Jayden Daniels (Rib Injury – Questionable), WR Brandon Aiyuk (ACL on IR), WR Chris Godwin (Ankle on IR), WR Mike Evans (Hamstring – Questionable), WR DK Metcalf (MCL Sprain) to name a few.

• QB Tua Tagovailoa, MIA – Tua is supposed to be back. He is an injury risk, but for one week, you can get him in there, if you are missing Daniels. Maybe he returns the Fins to form, maybe he doesn’t, but it is rough out there.
• QB Russell Wilson, PIT – Maybe Russ can still cook a little, now inside the numbers, he was widely inaccurate, but he was willing to take deep shots to WR George Pickens. So, he may be a Boom/Bust QB. Still, if you lost Watson or even need to sweat Daniels, PIT plays a poor Giants secondary (but good pass rush).
• QB Jameis Winston, CLE – I know, I know. It is crazy to mention his name here mainly because the Browns have no weapons anymore. However, Winston will sling it, and he already had a TD pass to TE David Njoku. The Browns play the Ravens who despite killing teams lately, BAL has given up a lot of yards and multiple TD passes in 3 consecutive games. He is worth a look.
• RB Jaylen Warren, PIT – He got plenty of run in this return to action with 14 touches, and he is only 45% owned. He should be on every roster.
• WR Jalen McMillan, TB – He did not get the production, but this rookie WR got 8 targets in the comeback effort against the Ravens. Shephard is listed ahead on the depth chart, but I would think that McMillan will get targets, especially against a rematch at home against the Falcons who can’t sack the QB.
• WR Jacob Cowing, SF – Ricky Pearsall is a good story and another potential add, but with Aiyuk out and Deebo (who knows if he plays), the other rookie WR – Jacob Cowing out of Washington flashed on Sunday. He has speed, and with lacking weapons, I like him as a pick up right now if you are depleted at WR.
• TE Cade Otton, TB – Actually, as soon as Evans left the MNF game, it was Otton who stepped up with a huge output – 10 targets, 8 catches, 100 yards. He is under 50% owned.

Wegs Index Through Week 7

Key Matchups in Week 8

• Colts at Texans (-6, 46 Total) – Sunday, 10/27 at 12 Noon Central on CBS – The Colts are the only real challenge to the Texans in the AFC South. The first meeting was the season opener and a fun game, but HOU has gotten dinged up along the way. I still think the Texans are the play here. I’ve said this before, Flacco gives the Colts a better chance to win than Richardson, so HOU rolls in this one and Covers -6. Total Over 46.
• Eagles at Bengals (-2.5, 47.5 Total) – Sunday, 10/27 at 12 Noon Central on FOX – Both teams have shown improvement in recent weeks, especially on Offense. The Bengals need this one more than the Eagles do to keep pace in the AFC North with the Ravens and Steelers. I think the line is right here, so there is value to the Eagles as the Underdog. I’ll take CIN to win the game, PHI to Cover +2.5, Total Over 47.5 – it should be fun game to watch.
• Bears at Commanders (+1.5, 43.5 Total) – Sunday, 10/27 at 3:25 PM Central on CBS – The Commanders took a blow with the rib injury to likely Rookie of the Year, Jayden Daniels, but QB Caleb Williams has a chance to boost his odds. I think the Bears Offense will be able to score on WAS, and not sure the Commanders will be able to keep up with the Bears without Daniels. I’ll have to monitor the injury reports, but if Daniels does not play, I would have to go with the Bears to Win, Cover -1.5 and Over 43.5 – the number keeps moving it was CHI -3 earlier today all based on Daniels, so if you like the Bears grab them now.
• Cowboys at 49ers (-4.5, 46.5 Total) – Sunday, 10/27 at 7:20 PM Central on NBC – Both these teams are shells of their 2023 selves. To think that these were the “best teams in the NFC” late last year. The Cowboys are in a must win scenario at this point, much like their trip to PIT a couple of weeks ago. SF needs more bodies to play, but it is unlikely they will bring back McCaffery prior to their Bye Week in Week 9. SF is usually the play here, and they should Win the game, but DAL has been better on the road this year, so DAL to Win and Cover +4.5, and Total Under 46.5 – even though teams typically empty the clip on Offense going into their Bye (SF). DAL coming off the bye should be better prepared to play the SF limited O.

Let’s do this.

Wegs