Well, we’re now roughly 64 hours away from the re-match and I’m still able to form coherent sentences.
Frankly, that’s better than I thought I would be at this point.
So, before my anger really sets in and I begin speaking in tongues, let’s tee this thing up as we at OBOD get you ready for week eight.
Game of the Week
Minnesota Vikings (6-1) at Green Bay Packers (4-2)
Again. Duh.
Game of the Weak
St. Louis Rams (0-7) at Detroit Lions (1-5)
Do you really need me to tell you why on this one, either?
Fantasy start
Chicago RB Matt Forte vs. Cleveland – Forte’s slow start (only 318 yards rushing, 3.5 average, and one rushing TD in six games) might be leading some to question whether or not he deserves a spot in the starting lineup.
That’s probably true for most weeks, but not this week. The Brownies are allowing a mind-numbing 170.6 yards per game on the ground. Forte will re-gain his top fantasy pick form, if only for a week.
Fantasy sit
New York Jets RBs Thomas Jones and Shonn Greene vs. Miami – Both backs put up over 100 yards last week…against the Raiders.
Greene, in particular, has a lot of upside. But against Miami’s run defense, allowing just 86.7 yards per game, I doubt either will gain you much this week.
Thoughts on the bye week teams
New England Patriots (5-2) – The offense really looks like it’s come together over the past two weeks. Granted it was against Tennessee and Tampa Bay, but at least Pats fans can talk themselves off the “Has Brady full recovered?” ledge. With “The Hoodie” at the helm, this team will be in it until the end. Bank on that.
Cincinnati Bengals (5-2) – The Bengals, hopefully, silenced most of their doubters last week as they kicked the crap out of the Bears (sah-weet!). I know they silenced me. This team is for real.
Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2) – The Steelers earned their big win over the Vikings last week (yes!) the old-fashioned Pittsburgh way: With tough defense. That bodes very well for the defending champs the rest of the way.
Kansas City Chiefs (1-6) – Cut Larry Johnson now. Hope Matt Cassel grows in the offense. Figure out who you’ll be taking with your top five pick. That’s all I got for you, Chiefs fans.
Washington Redskins (2-5) – How on Earth did this team ever win two games? Seriously? That said, what’s going on in D.C. is neither the fault of Jim Zorn (never should have gotten that job in the first place) or Jason Campbell (a good young quarterback who’s dealt with far too much turnover on the coaching staff to ever be successful). Danny Boy, this one’s on you.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-7) – Same thing for the Bucs. Raheem Morris should never have gotten this job in the first place. He needed more time to develop as a coach and he’s in way over his head with this lot. Playing Josh Freeman now is a smart choice, though.
Week eight predictions
Minnesota (6-1) at Green Bay (4-2) – More on this game in the coming days, of course. But for now I’ll just say that I think the Packers have hit their stride, particularly on defense and that the Vikings have already played their best game. The Packers need this one; they’ll get it. Green Bay 28, Minnesota 24
St. Louis (0-7) at Detroit (1-5) – Lions fans: Get psyched. You’re about to get your second win of the season. Detroit 13, St. Louis 6
Miami (2-4) at New York Jets (4-3) – The Dolphins just keep finding heartbreaking ways to lose. First it was losing to the Colts despite the offense having the ball for roughly 45 minutes. Last week it was blowing a 24-3 lead over New Orleans. At some point, these heartbreakers take a toll. That point is now. New York 24, Miami 13
Seattle (2-4) at Dallas (4-2) – Remember when we couldn’t figure either of these teams out? I think it’s safe to say we can now. Seattle’s terrible and Dallas is on the up. One plus one equals two. Dallas 31, Seattle 13
Cleveland (1-6) at Chicago (3-3) – No surprise that the Bears are at .500 as Jay Cutler has thrown almost as many interceptions (10) as touchdowns (11). They will go as he goes the rest of the way. Still, he’d have to throw 100 picks to lose to the Browns. Could he do it? Well…..no. Chicago 27, Cleveland 10
Denver (6-0) at Baltimore (3-3) – Last time I checked, Baltimore was actually a 3 1/2 point favorite. I know the game’s at home – meaning Baltimore gets three automatically – but are the Ravens really a 1/2 point better than Denver? No way. Denver 21, Baltimore 17
Houston (4-3) at Buffalo (3-4) – Buffalo’s surprisingly won two games in a row. Good for them, but Houston is starting to show why people like myself liked them before the season started. Up next: Lindsay Lohan’s comeback to hotness. Houston 28, Buffalo 20
San Francisco (3-3) at Indianapolis (6-0) – It seems like a lifetime ago that we were praising the job Mike Singletary was doing out in San Fran. After Peyton Manning – playing arguably the best ball of his life – is done with the Niners, it’ll feel like forever and a day. Indianapolis 30, San Francisco 19
New York Giants (5-2) at Philadelphia (4-2) – The Yankees and Phillies playing in the World Series, combined the Vikings/Packers game, has dwarfed this game a bit on the sports radar. Shame, too, because it’s a huge game in one of the league’s best divisions. The Giants have lost two in a row, true, but I’m still more sold on them than I am the Eagles. Anyone who loses to Oakland is suspect in my book. New York 24, Philadelphia 21
Oakland (2-5) at San Diego (3-3) – The Raiders we all know and love showed up last week and got pasted by the Jets. Get ready to see a winning record, San Diego! San Diego 35, Oakland 9
Jacksonville (3-3) at Tennessee (0-6) – The Titans have finally turned things over to Vince Young in one last attempt to make him an NFL quarterback. He just doesn’t have it, though, and that ain’t changing this week. Jacksonville 17, Tennessee 10
Carolina (2-4) at Arizona (4-2) – The Cards are finally putting things together, as proven by their huge win over the Giants last week. They’ll keep it spinning in the desert this week. Arizona 31, Carolina 20
Monday night
Atlanta (4-2) at New Orleans (6-0) – Just when I was beginning to be sold on the Falcons, they go out and get whupped by the Cowboys. I thought the Saints would be in trouble last week, even though I thought they’d win, and they definitely were. Drew Brees (who never ceases to amaze me) and Co. earned a great come-from-behind win over Miami, though, and those good vibes will carry over. New Orleans 28, Atlanta 20
Last week: 9-3
Overall for the season: 70-32 (69 percent)
-Chris Lempesis
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