Broncos-Packers Preview and Week 8 Picks

Sunday Night Football features the 6-0 Broncos hosting the 6-0 Packers. It is a rare occurrence that two 6-0 teams will meet in primetime. The NFL and NBC are salivating at the thought of this game, and the fact that this could be the last time we see Aaron Rodgers going head-to-head to Peyton Manning, and this game has all the star power that you need. The Broncos will also be inducting Pat Bowlen into the Ring of Fame. I actually believe that the induction of Bowlen and the return of many former players and coaches from the past Bronco teams will be a positive for the Denver. It will give the Broncos a homecoming type of feel for this game, and I think they can use that emotion. There are so many different angles to take, but there is one that I don't think many people will be thinking about. Through 6 weeks, this Broncos team reminds me of the 2006 team. That year, the Broncos defense was the story of the early part of the season, as the offense struggled under Jake Plummer to catch up. The Broncos started out 5-1 that year, and they won games with the scores of 9-6, 17-7 (twice), and 13-3 (twice.) The defense was the tops in the NFL through the first six weeks, but Peyton Manning and the high-powered Colts game to Denver in Week 7. That day, Manning cut up the Broncos defense en route to a 34-31 victory. The invincibility of the Broncos defense was over, and that unit was never the same the rest of the year as the Broncos finished 9-7 and out of the playoffs. This year, the Broncos are 6-0 with a similar situation: Dominating defense, sputtering offense, and close victories with scores like 19-13, 16-10, and 23-20. The Broncos now face a stiff challenge in the Packers high-powered offense with the best player in the league in Aaron Rodgers coming to town. Ironically, the man who broke the Broncos backs that day in 2006 is now starting at QB for Denver, and Peyton Manning is trying to turn the corner on this season and put in a vintage Manning-like performance. It is the game of the year, and it will be a very telling game for both teams. One team will be 7-0 and the other will be only 6-1, but this season will only be a success for these two teams if they are in Santa Clara in February in Super Bowl 50. This game is one of those signature moments on that journey to the Lombardi Trophy. Enjoy it because it will be a fun one to watch.

Green Bay (-3) over DENVER
Final Score: Packers 31 Broncos-20

Now, onto the games for Week 8....

Last Week's Record: 9-4-1
Overall Record: 50-53-2
(HOME TEAM IN CAPS)

Kansas City (-3) over Detroit (In London): Talk about another shit game that the NFL sends to London. I guess you would have to take the Chiefs in this spot, but I just really have a tough time getting a handle on these London games.

Minnesota (+2) over CHICAGO: Why are the Bears favored here over the Vikings? It feels like this game should be the other way around according to the line.

ATLANTA (-6) over Tampa Bay: Why are so many people getting on the Falcons for only squeaking by the Titans last week in Tennessee 10-7? The Falcons are a good team, and every week in the NFL can be a dogfight. Now, the Falcons return home to take on the Bucs, who blew a 24 point lead at Washington last week. I'll take the Falcons to take care of business at home this week.

NEW ORLEANS (-3) over New York Giants: The Saints won a huge game last week on the road over Indy to get themselves back into the wildcard race in the NFC at 3-4. The Giants come into this game in first place of the NFC East with a 4-3 record. This is a very interesting game. I have to think the Saints will find a way to win this game at home to get to 4-4.

ST.LOUIS (-7) over San Francisco: The Niners have the worst PPG in the NFL at 14. They take that offensive group and head to St. Louis to take on the Rams and their defense. Advantage Rams in that category.

CLEVELAND (+7) over Arizona: The Cardinals will win this game outright, but they will struggle to do so. I feel like the Cards are the type of team that will play really well against the good teams but play down to the level of the bad teams. This feels like a 23-20 win for Arizona, and the Browns will make them earn it.

PITTSBURGH (-1) over Cincy: The best game of the early games is in Pittsburgh. The 4-3 Steelers get their crack at the 6-0 Bengals. The Bengals are bound to lose, and this could be the week. Pittsburgh is getting Ben Roethlisberger back this week, and I think the Steelers hand Cincy their first loss of the season.

BALTIMORE (-3) over San Diego: I don't know what to make of this game. The Ravens come in at 1-6 and the Chargers enter the game at 2-5. Both teams were considered playoff contenders in the preseason, but things haven't exactly played out that way. I guess the Ravens will get their second win of the year, but I don't feel very confident about this pick. Stay away from this game if you are a gambler.

Tennessee (+4) over HOUSTON: The Texans got absolutely walloped by the Dolphins last week. They really are a bad team. Anyone want to take Bill O'Brien back in the college ranks? Now, the 1-5 Titans come in. Both teams are having bad seasons, but I'll take the Titans to keep it close even though Marcus Mariota is out and Zach Mettenberger is starting.

New York Jets (-3) over OAKLAND: Interesting late game on CBS. The Raiders come in at 3-3 on the heels of a shellacking of the Chargers in San Diego. The Jets are 4-2 after losing a very hard fought game at New England last week. This should be a fun game to watch between two old AFL rivals. A lot of people are going to be picking the Raiders as home underdogs, but I just think about how much Denver's defense bottled up Derek Carr and Amari Cooper a few weeks ago, and there is no reason why the Jets defense won't be able to do the same.

Seattle (-6) over DALLAS: Another week and another marquee game featuring the Cowboys and their backup QB. At 2-4 they are desperate for a win and will try to stay afloat until Tony Romo comes back. It will be tough for Matt Cassel to try and get the job done against the hungry 3-4 Seahawks in this spot. Take Seattle giving the points on the road.

Indy (+7) over CAROLINA: I have a feeling that this is the game that Andrew Luck puts in a vintage Andrew Luck game. I know everyone is going to pick the 6-0 Panthers at home. The Colts have not looked good at all this year and this Panthers defense could cause them problems, but I think the Colts and Luck could at least keep it closer than many predict.