Week 8 preview capsules around the NFL. All times Eastern.
SUNDAY:
Denver Broncos (6-0) at Baltimore Ravens (3-3), 1 p.m.
The Ravens have lost three in a row by a combined 11 points. This is the second of three consecutive games in which they play a team a week before the Steelers face them. There goes the unbeaten angle.
Prediction: Ravens, 27-24
Cleveland Browns (1-6) at Chicago Bears (3-3), 1.
The Browns, who are playing as though they want their coach fired, own the screenplay rights to pathetic performances this season. But it might be hard to surpass the Bears' performance against the Bengals.
Prediction: Bears, 24-9
Houston Texans (4-3) at Buffalo Bills (3-4), 1.
The Bills have won two in a row, both on the road. That's good enough vs. the inconsistent Texans.
Prediction: Bills, 17-16
Seattle Seahawks (2-4) at Dallas Cowboys (4-2), 1.
Funny, this is the time of year Tony Romo loves: He was won 11 consecutive games in the month of November. It's only around playoff time that he begins to perform like a turkey.
Prediction: Cowboys, 31-13
St. Louis Rams (0-7) at Detroit Lions (1-5), 1.
Research historians are desperately needed in Detroit, where volumes of paperwork are being scoured to uncover one of the great mysteries of the new age: When was the last time the Lions were favorites?
Prediction: Lions, 11-8
San Francisco 49ers (3-3) at Indianapolis Colts (6-0), 1.
OK, so their running game ranks 27th in the NFL and their rush defense isn't a whole lot better. But do you think there is another team in the league that can beat the Colts, who have won 15 in a row?
Prediction: Colts, 31-17
Miami Dolphins (2-4) at New York Jets (4-3), 1.
It could have been a huge turning point for the Dolphins if they didn't blow a 24-3 lead to the Saints last week. But it was a big turning point for the Jets to end a three-game skid with a shutout victory.
Prediction: Jets, 28-24
New York Giants (5-2) at Philadelphia Eagles (4-2), 1.
Let's be careful to hold the hosannas for the big-play Eagles. Other than the Saints, who put up 48 on their defense, they have played five teams with a combined record of 4-27.
Prediction: Giants, 30-24
Oakland Raiders (2-5) at San Diego Chargers (3-3), 4:05.
Thought the Steelers had a mastery over the Browns, winning 12 in a row? The Chargers are seeking their 13th consecutive victory against the Raiders. And looking like a good thing.
Prediction: Chargers, 34-6
Jacksonville Jaguars (3-3) at Tennessee Titans (0-6), 4:05.
Titans owner Bob McNair wants Jeff Fisher to start Vince Young at quarterback against the Jaguars. Why not? The Titans haven't won a game since they beat the Steelers last December.
Prediction: Titans, 17-16
Carolina Panthers (2-4) at Arizona Cardinals (4-2), 4:15.
It might be simplistic to say the Cardinals, who have won three in a row, are hitting their stride. More specifically, their defense is playing like it did when it shut down Carolina in their playoff game last year.
Prediction: Cardinals, 31-3
Minnesota Vikings (6-1) at Green Bay Packers (4-2), 4:15.
Oh my, the moment Green Bay has been waiting for (or is it dreading?) -- Brett Favre returning to face the Packers. Since the last meeting, the Packers have allowed only three points in two games.
Prediction: Packers, 30-27
MONDAY NIGHT:
Atlanta Falcons (4-2) at New Orleans Saints (6-0), 8:30 p.m.
The Saints are the first team in NFL history to score 45 or more points in four of the first six games. They might get that many against the Falcons, who coughed up 37 to the Cowboys.
Prediction: Saints, 45-34
(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, www.scrippsnews.com.)
EMBARGOED for SUNDAY releaseMust credit Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
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