NFL Tipping Sheet: Week 8 Handicap picks

SportNeverSleeps.com
26 October 2012

San Francisco's Monday night match against Arizona should be low-scoring

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It's week 8 in the NFL, we're almost halfway through the regular season, the guys at Abelson Info have briefly previewed all the weekend's fixtures including their recommended bets...

Atlanta Falcons @ Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday 17:00

Battle of the birds in Philly this week at the Falcons face the Eagles. Everyone is sweet on the Falcons and rightly so, Matt Ryan has the offence looking irresistible but before the bye he threw a few picks, will he be refocused or a little loose? The Eagles also had a bye last week, and Andy Reid teams are dangerous after a break. The Eagles are a decent team and if Vick can hold the ball and the newly promoted defensive coordinator calls it right then there could be an upset here.
Recommended Bet: Eagles +1.5

Carolina Panthers @ Chicago Bears
Sunday 17:00
The 5-1 Bears play host to the 1-5 Panthers at Soldier Field this Sunday, it looks tough for Cam Newton and co. The Panthers sacked their General Manger this week, they needed a shake up after their outspoken quarterback pleaded for change. Coach Rivera should be nervous about his position too, his talented team are not performing. Under such difficult circumstance it's a big ask to play the Bears; their offence is ticking over but their defense is their real strength, they close any holes and cover receivers with ease. Steve Smith always performs against the Bears so look for him to be the shining light for the Panthers but a home win seems inevitable.
Recommended Bet: Bears -7

Indianapolis Colts @ Tennessee Titans
Sunday 17:00
The Titans will be thankful that Chris Johnson has arrived at last, he racked up 195 yards last week and looks to still have the breakaway speed that can't be caught. Backup QB Hasselbeck has steadied the ship and the Titans look improved after a tight away win in Buffalo last week. The Colts too have a lot of optimism, Andrew Luck is enjoying airing it out Reggie Wayne and they have as many wins as losses. With Houston leading the division these two will fight for second in the AFC North, this should go the way of the Titans as the Colts away form is dreadful.
Sunday 17:00
Recommended Bet: Titans -3

Jacksonville Jaguars @ Green Bay Packers
Sunday 17:00
No contest, the Packers are back to their irresistible best with Aaron Rodgers showing his indisputable class. The Jags were gutsy against the Raiders last week but suffered a huge blow with injury to Maurice Jones-Drew and QB Gabbert got knocked about. To beat the Pack at Lambeau you have to be a good team on top form, the Jaguars are not either of those. Happy Cheeseheads.
Recommended Bet: Packers -9.5

Miami Dolphins @ NY Jets
Sunday 17:00
AFC East is a tricky division, although the Patriots are firm favourites to win it who will follow them is anyone's guess, the other contenders all sit with three wins. The Jets seemed to have coped reasonably well with the disappointing loss of marquee cornerback Revis and receiver Santonio Holmes but Sanchez has taken a few weeks to warm up his arm. Rex Ryan gave instructions to target Reggie Bush a few weeks ago and it led to the Dolphin rusher leaving the field limping, this wasn't taken well in Miami. This will get feisty but the Jets should prevail.
Recommended Bet: Jets - 2.5

New England Patriots @ St Louis Rams
Sunday 17:00
Wembley welcomes the Brady bunch to take on the Rams. When this fixture was first confirmed it looked like the British fans would be watching a pretty straight forward win for the Pats but how things have changed. The Patriots are not clicking the way they're accustomed to and the Rams have a defence that should be able to unsettle Brady. This will have it's ups and downs but expect a victory for New England in England.
Recommended Bet: Patriots - 6.5

San Diego Chargers @ Cleveland Browns
Sunday 17:00
The Chargers come off a bye looking for a win to regain the lead in their division but that's not the whole story in San Diego. They are being investigated for illegal use of Stickum spray in their week 6 game against the Broncos, if they were using it then it didn't help, in the second half they surrendered 35 straight points to somehow grasp a loss from the hands of victory. How this will affect them is hard to tell. Their opposition the Cleveland Browns will be looking for only their second victory although they may have to do it without star running back Trent Richardson. Despite their poor record their defence has notched a lot of sacks and tops the AFC in interceptions so will make it hard for Rivers and the Chargers.
Recommended Bet: Chargers -3

Seattle Seahawks @ Detroit Lions
Sunday 17:00
The Seahawks are a sure thing at home but on their travels they have looked shaky and the Lions will know they have an opportunity. If the Lions are to get back to the playoffs again this year then these home games are must wins. Unfortunately for Detroit they are totally reliant on their passing game and executing against the Seattle coverage is as hard as it gets. Unless Megatron and co can somehow get free then Stafford will be short of targets. Seattle will look to establish the run through Lynch and should just edge this one.
Recommended Bet: Seahawks +3.5

Washington Redskins @ Pittsburgh Steelers
Sunday 17:00
RG3 has dealt with all the hype and delivered. His rookie campaign has started exceptionally well, he's completing most of his passes and his running is electrifying. The Redskins have lost one more than they've won so far but their quarterback has shown the future has great potential in Washington. This week he faces arguably his toughest test yet, playing the mean Steelers defense and trying to outwit defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau at Heinz Field. The Steelers got a big win in a divisional with the Bengals last week and should be able to continue their good home record. Despite a long list of injuries and a lack of any running game big Ben will make enough plays to get Pittsburgh over the line, the terrible towels will be waiving and the home fans should be happy to see their team move to a positive record.
Recommended Bet: Steelers -4.5

Oakland Raiders @ Kansas City Chiefs
Sunday 20:05
The Chiefs are going to put their trust in Brady Quinn from now on, they ran out of patience wit Matt Cassell, he wasn't improving and the fans had turned on him. Will it make a big difference? Unlikely, this season looks like a write off for the Kansas. If they are to turn it around it should be now after a bye week and with a new QB in place but bigger changes need to be made. At least they have Jamaal Charles, he's worth watching out for. The Raiders too are having a tricky season but showed shoots of recovery with a comeback win against the Jags last week. If they can get McFadden working on the ground then they will have a pretty dangerous attack, they should have enough for an away win in this one.
Recommended Bet: Raiders +1.5

NY Giants @ Dallas Cowboys
Sunday 20:25
The main thing to note for this game is that the Giants are 3-0 in Dallas in the last three years. They will be looking to make up for the loss to the Cowboys in Week 1. Injuries will play a big part with Dallas being without jack of all trades linebacker Sean Lee for the rest of the year and offensively they are hurting too and may be down to Phillip Tanner to play RB. That gives plenty of chances for the Giants to get their pass rush going and get at Romo. Look for it to be a close game because ... well, because these two almost always play it tight. Of the past ten times they have met, seven were decided by a touchdown or less with three games by no more than four points.
Recommended Bet: NY Giants +1.5pts

New Orleans Saints @ Denver Broncos
Monday 00:20
This will be a high scoring game and entertaining game, but Denver at hom are tasty.
The Broncos not only come off a bye; but they're coming off one of the most stirring comebacks in league history, a come from behind win from a 24-point deficit at half time against San Diego, galvanising stuff. The Saints defence is pretty poor. Most will think that this game will be the Peyton Manning show and I'm sure that he won't disappoint, but look to the running game of the Broncos to equally impress. The combination of Wills McGahee and Manning equals trouble for the Saints. Drew Brees will still throw for a bunch of yards and get two or three TDs but Peyton's Broncos will score more.
Recommended Bet: Broncos-6.5

San Francisco @ Arizona Cardinals
Tuesday 00:30
The Monday Night Football showdown sees the 49ers travel to the desert to play the Cardinals in what should be a gritty, low scoring and heavy hitting affair in the NFC West. The 'Niners will be hoping Frank Gore has recovered enough to have a major role, he made big yardage running and catching in their win against the Seahawks and will be a key to the offence again. On defence San Fransisco are the league's best and will make it hell for a Cards team that is shot of confidence and still unsure who should be playing quarterback. Arizona too have been defending well and this could come down to a couple of big plays, turnovers a plenty to be expected.
Recommended Bet: 49ers -6.5