Week 8 is here as the Season continues to fly by. See who TRO is on this week against the spread:
via Cincinnati Bengals
We kind of went nuts last week (in a good way), going 3-1 on our First Four Down picks and 6-3 from the Field, totaling out an overall Week 7 record of 9-4. This launched us over .500 in every category on the Season. Stick with us as we continue to grow! Here's who we're on this week:
TRO'S FIRST FOUR DOWNS:
1st Down: New England Patriots @ Los Angeles Chargers (-4.0)
via Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers are coming off of a bye week following their worst loss of the Season against the Ravens. They will be in front of their home crowd, ready to rock and roll against a New England team that they have had extra time to prepare for and are simply better than. Look for the Chargers to pull out the victory by a touchdown or more.
2nd Down: Tennessee Titans @ Indianapolis Colts (-1.5)
via Mike Zaleski / AP Photo
The Colts have been playing pretty darn good football lately, but the Titans have been playing great football. This division showdown should be a good one, but Indianapolis will get outpaced by Derrick Henry and company as the Titans squeeze out a close win. All we need here is a Titans victory to cover, and we think that's the safe bet.
3rd Down: Jacksonville Jaguars @ Seattle Seahawks (-3.0)
via the Winnipeg Press
In the grand scheme of things, Seattle has played surprisingly decent football with Geno Smith at the helm. They've worked to establish the run, their defense has picked up the slack, and Smith has helped keep games close with explosive plays to DK Metcalf. Their string of losses has come at the end of games where they were unable to deliver game winning drives with the ball on offense while in the 2-minute drill. That won't be an issue here as they will play with a lead most of the game, giving the 12s a much needed win at home (by 4 or more) against an inferior Jacksonville team.
4th Down: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-4.5) @ New Orleans Saints
via Cliff Welch / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Quite frankly, the Buccaneers are more than 4.5 points better than everyone in the NFC South, including the Saints. The Saints have a solid defense, but Tom Brady has been playing absolutely out of his mind, and the Bucs just have too many offensive weapons. On the other side of the ball, the Jameis Winston led New Orleans offense is far too inconsistent under pressure to pose a threat against this Tampa Bay front 7. Bucs by a touchdown or more as they shut down the Winston revenge game.
THE FIELD:
Green Bay Packers @ Arizona Cardinals (-6.0)
We like Arizona to win this game, but it being by 4 or less. The Packers won't have Davante Adams, but surprisingly, Aaron Rodgers has been 6-0 in is games without his star receiver. They won't extend that streak, but they will hang around making for a fun NFC clash.
Dallas Cowboys @ Minnesota Vikings (-1.0)
We're going to place a stipulation on this pick (which is why the header has no green). Dak Prescott's status is in question, with a decision to be made Saturday. He said if it was up to him, or a playoff game, he'd definitely suit up, but the team has decided to wait until the day before to make its decision out of protection of their long-term aspirations. If Dak plays, we're on the Cowboys. If Dak is out, we like Minnesota to sneak one out.
Carolina Panthers @ Atlanta Falcons (-3.0)
STAY AWAY FROM THIS GAME. Or flip a coin, make a pick, and close your eyes. That being said, we're going to stick with the Panthers this week despite their recent abysmal offensive production. Panthers will be treated to the return of Shaq Thompson and Juston Burris. They also should be showcasing Stephon Gilmore's debut. These guys suiting up will be the difference maker as the Panthers pull out a season-saving win.
Cincinnati Bengals (-10.5) @ New York Jets
We feel good about this pick. In fact, it was almost one of our Four Downs. The Bengals are too good, and the Jets are too bad, especially with Mike White starting this week until Joe Flacco gets comfortable in his second stint in New York. It's simple math, Bengals by 14+.
Philadelphia Eagles (-3.5) @ Detroit Lions
This is our risky pick of the week. The Lions are certainly winless, but Dan Campbell has them competing and playing to the level of their competition nearly every week. The Lions put together a respectable performance on the road against a great Rams team. We think this is the week it finally comes together.
Los Angeles Rams (-14.5) @ Houston Texans
Don't overthink the potential return of Tyrod Taylor for Houston. Sure, he will likely take more care of the ball, and the Texans are far improved with him under center, but the Rams still outclass the Texans in every category in a major way. Rams by 17+.
Washington Football Team @ Denver Broncos (-3.0)
These two teams are about equally matched, and both are on a multi-game skid. One of these teams (barring a tie) will come out of here with a much needed win, and we like Washington as they pose some interesting matchup problems from the Broncos. Like the banged up Browns of Week 7, the Football Team will be able to establish the run, and will get some help from their (underperforming) defensive line.
Miami Dolphins @ Buffalo Bills (-14.0)
Tua Tagovailoa has looked pretty solid since his return from injury, but Buffalo is much better than Miami in every category, top to bottom. There's no matchup that favors Miami in this game on either side of the ball.
Pittsburgh Steelers @ Cleveland Browns (-3.5)
Baker Mayfield is playing despite the painful left shoulder injury, and Nick Chubb should be back. Either way, D'Ernest Johnson proved to be a more than capable runner (TRO's Week 7 Tailback of the Week), so look for him to have a successful day either filling Kareem Hunt's role, or serving as the lead back if Chubb can't go. However, Cleveland is still dealing with a number of injuries, and Pittsburgh is coming off of a bye week on a hot streak. We're not exactly sure who will win this game, but don't that think it will be by more than 3 points, so that extra 0.5 given to us will go a long way.
San Francisco 49ers (-4.0) @ Chicago Bears
We like the Niners here, largely because they are the better-coached team, and have enough of an offensive game plan to outpace Chicago. It is also worth noting that the Bears will be without Khalil Mack and Robert Quinn on Sunday. Lastly, look for the San Fran defense to contain the sputtering Bears offense as they win by 7 or more.
New York Giants @ Kansas City Chiefs (-9.5)
Everyone's been ripping into the Chiefs for their awful start to the season and for the number of turnovers committed by Patrick Mahomes. The Giants are already coming off of one upset victory, and we don't see any way that the Chiefs don't respond in a big way here. Kansas City has too many offensive weapons, a determined quarterback and head coach, and will be facing a New York team with limited offensive resources. Chiefs by 10+.
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