The NFL is approaching the midway level of the season, and the Tremendous Bowl image is beginning to materialize.
Large shock: the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs are once more excellent, nonetheless standing because the league’s lone undefeated workforce. Their largest challengers appear to be the Baltimore Ravens and Buffalo Payments, groups helmed by the 2 finest QBs on Earth not named Patrick Mahomes. In search of a sleeper within the AFC? The Houston Texans really feel like a strong wager at 5-2 as they head right into a matchup with the Colts.
The NFC seems to be much more vast open. The reigning convention champion 49ers have been crushed by accidents. The NFC North is loaded, and so they’re all set to beat up on one another within the second half of the season. Is anybody within the NFC East actually that good?
With Week 8 approaching, listed below are three upset picks we like.
Arizona Cardinals over Miami Dolphins over (+4)
Tua Tagovailoa is anticipated to return for Miami Dolphins this week coming off one other terrifying concussion. The Dolphins’ offense seemed terrible with Tua on the sidelines, however this workforce nonetheless has among the finest weapons in soccer after they don’t have Tyler Huntley or Tim Boyle throwing the ball. Groups have been throwing on Arizona all season, so it’s simple to see how Miami is the favourite right here. Nonetheless, it doesn’t fairly go the odor check for me. The Cardinals are coming off a powerful defensive exhibiting in opposition to the Los Angeles Chargers per week in the past, after they held them with out a landing. Arizona is working the ball nicely behind James Conner. The passing assault hasn’t been nearly as good as marketed, however Trey McBride is on a scorching streak, and rookie Marvin Harrison Jr. is due for a breakout sport. The Playing cards are hanging robust within the AFC West race regardless of an uneven begin to the season, and I feel they’re the extra gifted workforce even on the street. Let’s simply hope Tagovailoa stays wholesome. I see the Cardinals protection doing sufficient to carry Miami in test, and Kyler Murray coming by with a signature efficiency within the win.
— Ricky O’Donnell
New England Patriots over New York Jets (+6.5)
The whole lot is unhealthy in New England proper now.
The Patriots are coming off a loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, head coach Jerod Mayo is underneath scrutiny for feedback he made concerning the workforce’s protection — sparking a harsh rebuke from former head coach Invoice Belichick, and it’s touched off a dialogue about Mayo’s long-term prospects in New England. Whereas Mayo’s feedback have obtained a … blended reception contained in the New England locker room.
In the meantime the Jets are on the cusp of figuring all the things out, not less than in line with Aaron Rodgers.
This looks like a basic “us in opposition to the world” second for the Patriots gamers. Both they arrive out and show Mayo incorrect, or they show him proper.
I’m betting they show him incorrect.
— Mark Schofield
Tampa Bay Buccaneers over Atlanta Falcons (+3)
Sure, the Buccaneers are on a brief week and so they’ll be with out two of the league’s finest receivers on Sunday — Mike Evans is out for a number of weeks with a hamstring damage, and Chris Godwin is out for the season after struggling a grotesque ankle damage on Monday Evening Soccer in opposition to the Ravens.
And sure, I did decide the Falcons to win, despite the fact that as a longtime Falcons fan and somebody who’s a bit of stitious I attempt to keep away from that in any respect prices. However the Falcons seemed BAD final week in opposition to the Seahawks. They haven’t unlocked something resembling an answer to their lackluster go rush. Kirk Cousins may both ball out and make it a simple day for Atlanta, or he may play like he’s by no means seen a soccer earlier than. And the Falcons are at present undefeated within the NFC South, nevertheless it’s extremely tough to beat a workforce as soon as, a lot much less twice in three weeks.
So whereas my official, on-the-record decide is Atlanta, from a Falcons fan perspective, the least shocking factor that might occur on Sunday is Atlanta blowing it.
— Jeanna Kelley
