NFL picks: Week eight: ''I DO respect you, bro''


Got to thinking last night, after watching the 'Bro down' episode of South Park last night (a solid entry, definitely best of the new series, a firm 7/10 on first viewing) - respect, does picking a winner in the NFL narrow down to, respect? Does a team respect another team too much? Does such and such a defence completely disrespect such and such an offence? Does a certain QB respect a specific WR? Respect. How big an element is it?

Let's find out.



Previous weeks
Running total - 56-46

Week one - 11-4
Week two - 12-4
Week three - 6-10
Week four - 10-6
Week five - 7-6
Week six - 4-9
Week seven 6-7

Essential NFL pick links


Week 8 game by game (Click on matchup for ESPN preview of game)
Indianapolis Colts (0-7) at Tennessee Titans (3-3) -9.5
The game: Tough losses for both these guys last week, their opponents paid little or no respect to both of them, as they were both tossed around like rag dolls. Tennessee have far and away the greater upside, however, and will be looking back at the Houston game as an unusual anomaly after disrespecting the Colts all day long.
The score: Indianapolis 13 Tennessee 24
The Pick: Tennessee -9.5



New Orleans Saints (5-2) at St. Louis Rams (0-6) +10.5
The game: The Saints are being somewhat disrespected by this relatively low line.
The score: New Orleans 34 St Louis 17
The Pick: New Orleans -10.5



Miami Dolphins (0-6) at New York Giants (4-2) -9.5
The game: The Fish are going to feel pretty disrespected after the Giants are finished with them. Miami is on a complete hiding to nothing here, the Giants are well rested, and feast on bad teams. Miami, all disrespect intended, is a bad, bad football team. Did anyone else catch Reggie Bush's bleating Twitter messages yesterday? They sounded like the last communiqués off of the Titanic.
The score: Miami 9 New York G 28
The Pick: New York G -9.5



Minnesota Vikings (1-6) at Carolina Panthers (2-5) -3.5
The game: You definitely have to respect Cam Newton. we can't be so sure about Christian Ponder as yet. He may prove respect worthy, however, we have to wait and see.
The score: Minnesota 17 Carolina 27
The Pick: Carolina -3.5

Arizona Cardinals (1-5) at Baltimore Ravens (4-2) -12.5
The game: Kind of hard to respect the Ravens offence. Good lord, did you catch that putrid offering Monday night? They looked like a bunch of strangers meeting for the first time. Arizona are not due any great respect themselves however this line is way, way too long. Disrespectfully so.
The score: Arizona 20 Baltimore 23
The Pick: Arizona +12.5



Jacksonville Jaguars (2-5) at Houston Texans (4-3) -9.5
The game: There is something a little crazy about the lines this week. Call me disrespectful, but it seems to me the Vegas wise guys have been knocking back a few too many bongs the last few days. How on earth is this a single digit line? Compared to Baltimore, the Texans are the 2007 Patriots in terms of offence. Now that's respect.
The score: Jacksonville 13 Houston 34
The Pick: Houston -9.5



Washington Redskins (3-3) at Buffalo Bills (4-2) -5.5
The game: Believe it or not there are certain NFL writers who are actually talking about Little Timmy Hightower and the impact he will have on this game. Last I checked, Hightower is on IR and out for the season. Perhaps afore mentioned scribe is no longer worthy of our respect. Ryan Fitzpatrick and Freddie Jackson, however, certainly are.
The score: Washington 24 Buffalo 37
The Pick: Buffalo -5.5



Detroit Lions (5-2) at Denver Broncos (2-4) +3.5
The game: Let's see Little Timmy Tebow lead his team past a decent squad this week. Detroit's front four is licking its lips waiting for this matchup. They didn't show Mat Ryan respect, why should they show Tebow any?
The score: Detroit 34 Denver 20
The Pick: Detroit -3.5



Cincinnati Bengals (4-2) at Seattle Seahawks (2-4) +2.5
The game: Andy Dalton demands our respect. Seattle do not.
The score: Cincinnati 24 Seattle 16
The Pick: Cincinnati -2.5

Cleveland Browns (3-3) at San Francisco 49ers (5-1) -9.5
The game: Hey slow down there a second now, whilst the 49ers no doubt deserve our respect, what makes them almost double figure winners over a feisty Browns squad? San Francisco have been winning close games ugly. They aren't built to blow teams out.
The score: Cleveland 20 San Francisco 24
The Pick: Cleveland +9.5

New England Patriots (5-1) at Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2) +2.5
The game: Same thing every season, the Steelers players disrespect the Patriots in the media the week before a game, and then the Patriots disrespect the Steelers on the field.
The score: New England 30 Pittsburgh 20
The Pick: New England -2.5



Dallas Cowboys (3-3) at Philadelphia Eagles (2-4) -3.5
The game: Wait a second, they are giving Dallas points here? Everyone can see the Eagles record, right? Everyone knows the wins come first and losses second, right? Dallas +3.5?! Disrespectful!
The score: Dallas 35 Philadelphia 30
The Pick: Dallas +3.5

San Diego Chargers (4-2) at Kansas City Chiefs (3-3) +3.5
The game: Kansas are absolutely demanding our respect with a pretty stunning turn-around from 0-3 to 3-3. These +3.5 points you speak of are a tasty teaser. If in doubt, always take the home dog, right? Right?
The score: San Diego 24 Kansas 27
The Pick: Kansas +3.5



Previous weeks
Running total - 56-46
Week one - 11-4
Week two - 12-4
Week three - 6-10
Week four - 10-6
Week five - 7-6
Week six - 4-9
Week seven 6-7


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