This is getting very difficult to sugarcoat. After bouncing back with some impressive work against the spread in Week 6, Del is finding it difficult to gain momentum. Week 7 did not go very well, as we went a measly 5-10 against the spread and 1-2 with the top three. We’re entering the halfway point of the season this week, and it needs to get better — fast.
Hopefully Week 8 will begin the dominance. Here are Del’s Week 8 Picks, with analysis of the top three after the sheet. Check back later in the week for Doc Brown’s picks.
(ATS = Against the Spread, SU = Straight Up)
I’m starting early this week with the top three, taking the Thursday night game for the first time this season. I like Tampa Bay getting 6.5 at home against Carolina. This probably seems like a bizarre pick after the Panthers easily defeated the Rams last weekend and the Bucs looked lost against Atlanta, but sometimes you have to go with your gut. Cam Newton and company have been inconsistent. Mike Glennon and Vincent Jackson continue to improve their chemistry, and Doug Martin wasn’t producing anyway. How much of a downgrade can Mike James be at running back? I still think the Panthers will win, but I expect the usual low-scoring Thursday night game with a final of something like 17-13.
Another team I like to cover but not necessarily win this week is the Giants getting 5.5 on the road against the Eagles. The G-Men finally got the monkey off their back with an ugly win over the Vikings on Monday night. Are they a good team all of a sudden? Of course not, but that certainly takes some of the pressure off. Philadelphia looked pathetic against the Cowboys last week and Nick Foles’ concussion may be forcing Michael Vick back into the lineup before he is fully healed. The Eagles have not been impressive enough to make me think the Giants can’t at least cover 5.5 points coming off their first win.
And this last “lock” may surprise you. Coming off a disappointing loss to the Colts, 12.5 points looks like a big number for the Broncos to have to cover against the Redskins. I’ll take my chances with Peyton Manning looking to bounce back. For those of you who didn’t realize, the Chiefs are 7-0. Denver isn’t even in first place in the NFC West, so it’s not like they can stop playing with urgency. Washington’s defense couldn’t even stop the Bears after Jay Cutler left the game with an injury. I expect a shootout between these two teams with angry Peyton Manning coming out blazing.
