NFL 2008 Season: Week 8 Recap
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We will focus specifically on AFC teams that were favored to win their divisions and likely considered super bowl contenders who are performing below expectations. Unlockedsports.com posted a 3-2 record, breaking its 2 week losing streak. As we rebuild our confidence, we will post 7 picks this week. The following is a list of teams in the AFC who are performing below expectations.
Unlockedsports.com posted a losing record in week 7, going 2-5 in its second losing week of the entire season. Week 7 was our second consecutive losing week. At this point we are slumping, but also having our share of bad luck. Therefore we will only be posting 5 picks this week. Once we begin to get back on the winning side we will post more weekly picks. Usually we post 11-14 picks per week. We will closely analyze the result of each of our 5 losses.
Jacksonville Jaguars (3-4): Many considered the Jags to be a super bowl contender before the season started. They have performed poorly on both sides of the football. Over the years the Jags have been one of the strongest rushing attacks. This season the Jags are averaging 116 yards per game on the ground only ranking 14th in that category. Their defense has had significant difficulty at stopping the opposition. The Jags are allowing an average of 338.6 yards per game to the opposition, ranking 23rd in that category. At 3-4, it will be very difficult for Jacksonville to make the playoffs. Tennessee is 7-0 and unless a miracle happens, the Titans have claimed the AFC South. The Jags would enter the playoffs again as a wildcard and will have to win at least 7 out of their final 9 games. This will be a very difficult task because they are facing some tough opponents. Their next two will be against winless opponents but afterwards Jacksonville will finish every game of the season playing against a team that has a record equal or better than theirs.
Upcoming schedule: @ Cincinnati (0-7), @ Detroit (0-7), Tennessee (7-0), Minnesota (3-4), @ Houston (3-4), @ Chicago (4-3), Green Bay (4-3), Indianapolis (3-4), @ Baltimore (4-3)
Indianapolis Colts (3-4): After being a dominating powerhouse on both sides of the football over the years no one expected the Colts to be 3-4. The problem with Indy is that their offense is scoring 7 points less per game than it was last year and its defense has been flat out terrible. Indy is dead last in rushing yards and is only scoring 21.3 points per game. Defensively, they have struggled immensely at stopping the run since they rank 26th in rush defense. Additionally the Colts are allowing on average of 1.8 points more than they are scoring. Fortunately this Sunday the Colts are expecting to have Joseph Addai and Bob Sanders back in the lineup. Having both impact players and playing in front of their home fans may just be what the Colts need to come up with a big win against New England on Sunday. After losing to the Titans they pretty much eliminated their chance to claim the AFC South. Like most 3-4 teams, Indy will have to settle as being a wildcard playoff team if they find a way to make it to the postseason. The Colts would have to bounce back and win at least 7 of their final 9 games. The Colts have a lot of depth and a team of veterans that have been with the team for years and know the system well. They still have a chance but need to get back on track starting Sunday against New England. The Colts have a fairly tough schedule. Out of their next 9 games, only 2 are against teams who currently have a record worse than theirs.
Upcoming Schedule: New England, @ Pittsburgh, Houston, @ San Diego, @ Cleveland, Cincinnati, Detroit, @ Jacksonville, Tennessee
Cleveland Browns (3-4): After missing the playoffs last season with an identical 10-6 record as Tennessee, a lot of analysts believed that the Browns were destined to make the playoffs this year. With Derek Anderson, Kellen Winslow and Braylon Edwards making the pro bowl and the offseason additions of Donte Stallworth and Shaun Rodgers, the future looked bright for Cleveland. However the Browns had a terrible start losing their first 3 games, averaging less than 9 points per game. The Browns rebounded nicely winning 3 of their last 4 and are currently the only team the league to defeat the last year’s Super Bowl champion New York Giants. Their offense seems to finally be clicking as they have averaged 22.25 points per game in their last 4. Now that the Browns have momentum on their side, it appears that they could still have a chance at making the playoffs, most likely as a wildcard team. Cleveland will have to win 7 of their final 9 games in order to have a chance at making the playoffs. This will not be an easy task as Cleveland will be only one team that currently has a record worse than theirs.
Upcoming Schedule: Baltimore (4-3), Denver (4-3), @ Buffalo (5-2), Houston (3-4), Indianapolis (3-4), @ Tennessee (7-0), @ Philadelphia (4-3), Cincinnati (0-7), @ Pittsburgh (5-2)
San Diego Chargers (3-5): At 3-5 San Diego is by far the most disappointing team this season. The Chargers are scoring points. In fact they are averaging 28 points per game, ranking 2nd in the NFL. They have a losing record because their defense has been flat out terrible. The loss of Shawne Merriman has definitely hurt San Diego. The Chargers’ secondary is allowing an average of 265.1 yards through the air. After leading the NFL with 30 interceptions and 48 takeaways last year, the Chargers have only interceptions and 10 takeaways halfway through the season. They are on pace for 34 sacks this season compared to 42 last year. After allowing 37 points in last week’s loss to New Orleans the Chargers decided to replace defensive coordinator Ted Cotrell with linebacker coach Ron Rivera. If this change of personnel can spark San Diego’s defense then the Chargers will have a chance to win the AFC West and enter the postseason. Since 1990, less than 5% of teams that had a 3-5 record have made the postseason. The only way San Diego can hope to make the postseason is by winning the AFC West with either a 9-7 or 10-6 record. Denver is currently 4-3 and has been playing just as bad as San Diego defensively. I believe that the Chargers still have a chance. If their defense gets back on track and finds a way to pressure the quarterback and force turnovers, then the Chargers will return to their dominant form and can easily go on a winning streak. After all, last year San Diego started the season 1-3 and ended the season 11-5. The Chargers have a favorable schedule for the second half of the season. They have the luxury of playing Kansas City twice and Oakland once. Furthermore, 5 of their 8 games will be at home. If their defense tightens up they will have the potential to defeat each one of their upcoming opponents.
Upcoming Schedule: Kansas City, @ Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, Atlanta, Oakland, @ Kansas City, @ Tampa Bay, Denver
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