Week 8 Notes & Predictions

By TLarner

Key injuries have affected many teams throughout the league. Is your team one of them? Check out predictions and more for Week 8 of the NFL season.

Monday Night’s Results: NYG 41, DAL 35

Boys will be boys, and the Dallas Cowboys continued to disappoint with not only another loss, but with an injury to Tony Romo that has likely ended the starting QB’s season. However, the Cowboys looked like they had a chance to upset their NFC East rival New York Giants.

On his first drive, Eli Manning was picked off by Terrance Newman on a dropped pass by receiver Steve Smith. Romo responded with a four-yard touchdown to Jason Witten. On the ensuing drive, Manning’s pass intended for Hakeem Nicks was dropped, and once again picked off by the Dallas defense, this time by safety Gerald Sensabaugh. After the Cowboys had settled for a field goal, Manning took the Giants downfield and found Nicks for a touchdown. In the second quarter, up 10-7, Romo took a hit from linebacker Michael Boley, and didn’t get back up. Romo left the game with a broken collarbone, and will be out for six to eight weeks. Veteran Jon Kitna entered in relief of Romo. Dallas’ rookie receiver Dez Bryant had a stellar night, which began with a 93-yard punt return to take a 20-7 lead. Manning then found Nicks for his second touchdown of the night. Before the half, Manning threw another touchdown pass, this time to Smith, and the Giants entered the half with a 24-20 lead.

Kitna struggled early in the third quarter. It was obvious he hadn’t taken any snaps with the first team in practice, and his timing was off. The Dallas offense failed to convert a third down attempt all night. Manning, on the other hand, continued to look sharp. Mario Manningham reeled in Manning’s fourth touchdown pass of the night. Running back Brandon Jacobs barreled 30 yards for another score, and the Giants took a 38-20 lead. Kitna was able to find Bryant for two touchdown passes in the fourth quarter, both for 15 yards, but was unable to lead a miracle comeback.

Manning threw for 306 yards, four scores, but also had three interceptions. Ahmad Bradshaw ran for 126 yards, and Jacobs totaled 75 yards on the ground. Nicks and Smith both had over 100 yards receiving. Kitna finished with 187 yards and two touchdowns. Felix Jones and Marion Barber continued to struggle, and combined for only 41 yards on 13 carries. Witten led the Cowboys with nine catches for 95 yards. Bryant ended with four catches for 54 yards.

News & Notes

San Diego receiver Vincent Jackson ended his holdout by signing his contract tender. The one year deal is worth $583,000. Jackson will face a three game suspension while on the roster exempt list, and will be activated on November 28th against the Colts.

After seeing linebacker Brian Cushing and offensive lineman Duane Brown serve four games suspensions for violating the NFL’s policy on banned substances, Texans owner Bob McNair ordered a sweep of the team locker room. McNair wanted to be sure none of his players were still using illegal substances. Brown admitted he used an illegal substance, but wouldn’t say which one, while Cushing, who tested positive for a fertility drug, claims he never used any banned substances. Doctors claim Cushing has a unique medical condition that triggered a positive test.

The Arizona Cardinals officially named running back Beanie Wells the starter over Tim Hightower. Hightower carried the workload while Wells was out the first two weeks after undergoing meniscus surgery. Since his return, Wells has received the majority of the carries.

Minnesota receiver Randy Moss was fined $25,000 for refusing to talk to the media. He hasn’t talk to reporters since the Vikings’ win over Dallas on October 17th. As part of player’s contracts, they are required to be available to the media at specific times.

Former Raiders’ quarterback JaMarcus Russell was not indicted on a felony drug possession charge for possessing codeine syrup without a proper prescription. The jury claimed there was not enough evidence to convict Russell.

Tampa Bay corner Ronde Barber will play in his 200th career game Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals. Barber, the brother of former Giant Tiki Barber, is third on the list of active players with the most consecutive starts with 173, behind Favre with 291, and Peyton Manning who has 198.

Injury Report

Brett Favre expects to start against the New England Patriots on Sunday. Officially, he is listed as a game time decision. Favre, who has two fractures in his left ankle, hopes to extend his 291 consecutive start record. If he cannot go, Tarvaris Jackson will get the start.

As previously stated, Tony Romo will miss at least six weeks, possibly the rest of the season. Jon Kitna will take over the starting quarterback role. Kitna started every game for the Lions on 2006 and ’07, and threw for over 4,000 yards both years.

Former Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith will start for the San Francisco 49ers this week. Alex Smith is out with a shoulder injury he suffered last week against the Panthers.

Vince Young will likely start this week against the Chargers. Young sprained his ankle against Jacksonville, and missed last week against Philadelphia.

Jason Campbell will start at QB for the third straight game. Last week, he helped Oakland score a franchise record 59 points. Bruce Gradkowski is still nursing a separated shoulder.

The San Diego Chargers are expected to be without receivers Legedu Naanee and Malcom Floyd again this week. Gary Banks was activated from the practice squad Saturday to help the thin receiving group.

New Orleans has ruled out both running backs Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas. Bush anticipated to return this week against Pittsburgh, but further tests on his right leg showed he wasn’t fully recovered from a fractured bone.

The Packers hope defensive linemen Ryan Pickett and Cullen Jenkins can go this week. Both are listed as questionable. Pickett didn’t practice this week, while Jenkins was limited.

The Indianapolis Colts are dealing with many injuries to key players. Joseph Addai is listed as doubtful with a shoulder injury. He is expected to miss several weeks. Donald Brown is listed as questionable. Brown has been out three weeks with a hamstring injury. Receivers Reggie Wayne, Austin Collie, Pierre Garcon, and Anthony Gonzalez are all list as questionable for Sunday. Tight end Dallas Clark was placed on injured reserve last week.

Detroit quarterback Matthew Stafford will start this week against Washington. Stafford hasn’t played since injuring his throwing shoulder in Week 1 against the Bears.

Game of the Week: Minnesota at New England

This week’s Game of the Week if full of drama from both sides. First, Randy Moss returns to the home of his former team, the New England Patriots. Moss has reportedly shared everything he knew about the Patriots’ offense and defense with the Minnesota coaching staff. Then there is the Brett Favre story (Isn’t there always a Favre story?). Favre is in jeopardy of ending his amazing 291 consecutive start streak. While he claims he is healthy enough to play, his fractured ankle may lead Coach Brad Childress to name Tarvaris Jackson as the starting quarterback.

The Vikings are coming off a loss to the Green Bay Packers. The 2-4 Vikings pray that they can turn around the season and earn a playoff spot. Favre is not having the season many had hoped when he came back for one more year. His passer rating is a dismal 68.0. His completion percentage has dropped 10% from last season, and he already has 10 interceptions, compared to seven all of last year. His ankle and elbow injuries have obviously affected his ability, and he is not making the wisest decisions. The offense may have to rely more on Adrian Peterson, who is having a good year. Through six games, Peterson has run for 684 yards and five touchdowns. The once fumble prone back has yet to fumble this season. Percy Harvin leads the team in all receiving categories. He has 25 catches for 289 yards and three touchdowns. Moss has 166 yards and two scores since joining the team. The defense is sixth in yards allowed per game (308.2). They have only sacked opposing QB’s six times this season. Jared Allen, usually a quarterback’s worst nightmare, only has one sack.

New England once again finds themselves atop of the AFC East. Both the Patriots and the Jets are tied at 5-1. They have won their last two games by only three points each. Tom Brady is having another good season throwing the ball. He has thrown for over 1,300 yards and 11 touchdowns with only four picks. Brady, who was sacked only twice in the first three games, has been sacked 10 times in the past three games. BenJarvus Green-Ellis leads the Patriots backfield. He has run for 259 yards and four touchdowns. Wes Welker has a team high 37 receptions for 295 yards and three touchdowns. Rookie tight end Aaron Hernandez leads the team with 355 yards receiving. Fellow rookie tight end Rob Gronkowski also has three touchdown catches. The New England defense ranks 22nd in points allowed per game (22.7) and 29th in points allowed per game (379.7).

Key Matchup: Adrian Peterson vs. Jerod Mayo

Whether Favre or Jackson start on Sunday, expect to see a heavy dose Peterson. The offense should remain run-first to protect either QB. Peterson currently ranks second in rushing yards, only behind Ahmad Bradshaw of the Giants. Last week against Green Bay, he ran for 131 yards on 28 carries for a touchdown. Expect to see more of Peterson if the Vikings want to turn their season around. Lining up across from the all-star running back is linebacker Jerod Mayo. Mayo is undoubtedly the leader of the New England defense. He leads the NFL with 72 total tackles. The porous New England defense surprisingly ranks ninth in the league in rushing yards allowed per game (97.7). If Coach Bill Belichick feels confident enough to cover the Minnesota receivers one-on-one on the outside, he will load the box to prevent Peterson from reaching his fourth 100-yard game of the season.

Prediction

I anticipate Favre will start the game, but I wonder if his ankle will hold up enough to allow him to finish the game. Many have argued the Jackson gives the Vikings a better chance of winning given the way Favre has played so far this year. If Favre was 100%, or at least able to walk without pain, I’d feel more comfortable picking Minnesota. The Patriots always find a way to win. Brady has won 23 straight home games. Given New England’s success against the run, and the uncertainty at the quarterback position for the Vikings, I predict Brady’s streak will continue to 24 consecutive home victories.

Best of the Rest: (Home team in italics)

Denver over San Francisco (Wembley Stadium in London)

Dallas over Jacksonville

Cincinnati over Miami

Kansas City over Buffalo

Washington over Detroit

St. Louis over Carolina

New York Jets over Green Bay

San Diego over Tennessee

Tampa Bay over Arizona

Seattle over Oakland

Pittsburgh over New Orleans

Indianapolis over Houston

Last week’s results: 7-7

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