NFL Week 7 Review and Week 8 Preview
With just a few surprise outcomes on the scoreboard, NFL fans, analysts and sports betting enthusiasts saw the league get back to a bit of normalcy in Week 7 as the league’s stronger teams mostly routed their weaker opponents.
Now, as the league heads into its eighth week, this look back at the week that was – and glimpse ahead into next week’s contests – will give NFL sports betting sharps the insight they need to make an excess of winning wagers on all of the thrilling Week 8 matchups.
Steelers 27 Vikings 17
I predicted a 27 -24 Steelers win here and they didn’t disappoint. The Steelers were able to cover the sports betting spread on two fourth quarter defensive scores. Pittsburgh appears to be gathering steam at just the right time and will have an extra week to get healthier with a bye in Week 8. The Vikings will try to avoid consecutive losses in a tough divisional road contest at Green Bay that will no doubt be the game of the week.
Patriots 35 Buccaneers 7
The Pats covered the 15.5-point spread as expected in a contest that was over by the time halftime rolled around. Both teams have byes in Week 8.
Texans 24 49ers 21
I picked the Texans to win this contest and narrowly cover the 3-point spread, but this contest played out as a push as Alex Smith replaced Shaun Hill and performed solidly in a losing effort. Houston recorded consecutive wins for the first time this season and appear to be putting it together after a shaky start. Frisco will likely take another loss at undefeated Indianapolis in week 9 while the Texans will visit a mediocre Bills team that have also won two straight.
Colts 42 Rams 6
The Colts covered a 14-point spread with ease in another contest that was over long before these teams took their mid-game break. Indianapolis will likely remain undefeated after a Week 8 home date against the Niners while the Rams will have a chance to actually win a game as they visit the equally abysmal Detroit Lions.
Packers 31 Browns 3
The Packers rolled to victory as I predicted over a Browns team that has gone backwards in Eric Mangini’s first season at the helm. The Packers will look to extract some revenge against the Minnesota Vikings in Brett Favre’s return game to Green Bay while Cleveland visits a Bears team that will be in a foul mood following its horrible Week 7 loss.
Chargers 37 Chiefs 3
I knew the talented, but underachieving Bolts would blow out the Chiefs in this contest and they certainly did. Now, the Chargers will host another pitiful team with Oakland visiting next week while the Chiefs have a bye in Week 8.
Bills 20 Panthers 9
The Panthers failed to win and cover the spread as I predicted in a pitiful home performance against a Bills team that isn’t very good at all. Buffalo hosts an explosive Texans offense next week while Carolina visits an even more powerful offensive team in Arizona.
Jets 38 Raiders 0
A blind man could have seen this outcome playing out as the lowly Raiders fell to an absolutely livid Jets team that had dropped three consecutive games, but boasts one of the league’s most aggressive defenses under head coach Rex Ryan. Oakland will take another loss to division rival San Diego in Week 8 while the Jets will seek to extract some revenge against Miami at home for a Week 5 loss to the Dolphins.
Cowboys 37 Falcons 21
The Cowboys jumped all over a very good Falcons team in this one despite my pick otherwise and have another ‘W’ coming next week when Seattle visit.
Saints 46 Dolphins 34
I picked the Dolphins to cover the spread – and the had the Saints right where they wanted them – until the fourth quarter rolled around that is. The Saints absolutely exploded on the Fins to remain undefeated, but will have their hands full with a talented Falcons team in Week 8 while the Fins will also be in a knock-down, drag-out fight when they visit the division rival Jets.
Bengals 45 Bears 10
The Bengals absolutely lit up the Bears – and I must admit it was great to see Cedric Benson get some revenge against a Bears team that drafted him fourth overall in 2005 – and foolishly let him go without ever giving him a real opportunity to flourish. The Bengals get a well-deserved bye next week while Chicago should feel a lot better after spanking the visiting Browns in Week 8.
Cardinals 24 Giants 17
I picked the Cards in this contest and they cashed in for me in a big way as Kurt Warner exploited New York’s secondary one week after Drew Brees did the exact same thing. Now the Giants will look to avoid its third consecutive loss against the division rival Philadelphia Eagles while the improving defending NFC-champion Cardinals should have their way at home against a mediocre Carolina squad.
Week 8 Matchups SUNDAY NOVEMBER 1, 2009 and Monday Nov 2
Seattle Seahawks vs. Dallas Cowboys
St. Louis Rams vs. Detroit Lions
Miami Dolphins vs. New York Jets
San Francisco 49ers vs. Indianapolis Colts
Cleveland Browns vs. Chicago Bears
Houston Texans vs. Buffalo Bills
New York Giants vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Denver Broncos vs. Baltimore Ravens
Oakland Raiders vs. San Diego Chargers
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Tennessee Titans
Minnesota Vikings vs. Green Bay Packers
Carolina Panthers vs. Arizona Cardinals
MONDAY NOVEMBER 2, 2009
Atlanta Falcons vs. New Orleans Saints
One reply on “NFL Week 7 Game Capsules”
For the most part the teams that were supposed to win did as only two teams that were getting points won their game ( Buffalo and Arizona). This is a prime example of a lack of parity in the NFL this season. There are the haves and the have nots with a huge gap between them.