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It's Only Rock And Roll but I like it! NFL Week 8 Recap

Written by Daniel Eliesen on .

Philadelphia 34, Dallas 7 – Fly Like An Eagle by Seal

The Eagles are back! In a huge game for both teams, it was the Eagles who dominated this game from start to finish.

Thanks to the shiftiness of shady McCoy and strong O Line play from the Eagles, Dallas wasn’t able to stop the Eagles from moving the ball all night. Vick was able to have a very solid game despite not getting big games from DeSean or Maclin. Vick did a good job managing the game and using his legs when needed.

On the other side of the ball Philly’s D was able to get to Romo as he was unable to find any aerial success. Miles Austin and Dez Bryant almost became non factors.  Coming off his record breaking day Murray ran the ball well however the Cowboys getting down early weren’t able to feed him the ball early and often.

Right now the arrow is pointing up for Philly and down for Dallas, next week that might change, you never know what’s going to happen from week to week in the NFC East.

 

Detroit 45, Denver 10 – Fall To Pieces by Velvet Revolver

Tim Tebow came down from his holy cloud and back to reality in this week. After last weeks miraculous comeback against the Dolphins, this week Tebow showed why he has many critics.  You don’t have to look deep into the tape to find Tebows faults in technique and throwing motion. That being said Tebow did not get much help his from team. Despite the public outcry for Tebow the fact remains he is a sub par NFL QB and the Broncos are a significantly below average football team. Tebow continually was taking blows from the tough Lions D.

I’ll stop with the Tebow talk because chances are if you watch ESPN or go on the internet its all there going to talk about. The Lions came out with a very strong game after back to back losses. While I still think this Lion team has its issues like a strong running game, Stafford and Calvin did what they do best this week in tearing up another secondary. Stafford who was hurt all week showed no signs of it on the football field. The Lions dominated this game from the first snap till the last.

Staying in the Halloween mode if you want to look at something scary look at Tebow’s stat line.

 

New York Giants 20 Miami 17 – Breakdown by Guns N Roses

Similar to week 7, the Dolphins came out of the gates ready to go and had a lead going until as late as the 4rth quarter. Everything was going Miami’s way, Reggie Bush even had over 100 yards rushing for only the second time in his career.

BUT! Brandon Marshall before the game guaranteed that the Dolphins would get their first win in New York so you knew that WASN’T going to happen. The Dolphins did exactly the same thing they did last week just fell to a different victim this time named Eli Manning.

The Dolphins successfully collapsed to become close to Andrew Luck ….oops I wasn’t suppose to say that.  



St Louis 31 New Orleans 21 - Feels Like The First Time by Foreigner

It might feel like the first time for St Louis because well it was. Congratulations to the St Louis Rams for not only getting your first win of the season but also for doing it against the New Orleans Saints.

With a heavy dose of Steven Jackson and a Drew Brees who was clearly off his game, somehow the Rams managed to upset the Saints. Solid performance by the Rams D who managed to gather 6 sacks and 2 INT’s off of Brees.

Just a overall general solid performance by the Rams. Jackson doesn’t look like he has lost his burst at all. It seems like this is quite the week to be a St Louis sports fan.

Pittsburgh 25 New England 17 – Just What I Needed By The Cars

The Steelers have been called many things this year old, washed up, finished, however the whole Steelers team from Big Ben to Mendenhall to Troy to Woodley came to play for 60 minutes on Sunday. A very big W against the New England Patriots was just what these Steelers needed.

Usually when the Steelers and Pats face off the result is Brady being the only QB in the league able to pick apart that defense but this wasn’t the case this week. The Steelers were able to have a very solid ball control offense and able to physically pick apart the weak Pats D.

The psychically of the Steelers was not able to matched by the Pats and as a result Brady struggled. For the first time since these two have been going at, the Steelers were finally able to get to Brady and put the pressure on the all world QB.

After this game don’t be surprised to see the Steelers in the top 3 teams of many people’s power rankings.

Super Bowl rematch anyone???? 


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NFL Reactor: Philadelphia Eagles dominate the Dallas Cowboys on SNF

Written by Will Horton on .

This is just one sign of how thoroughly the Dallas Cowboys offense was submarined by the Philadelphia Eagles defense: it took 53 minutes and 30 seconds of game time before Dez Bryant caught his first pass.

By that time, the score was 34-7, the refs had put away their yellow laundry, and the only enemy left was the clock. The Cowboys' top offensive weapons were all taken away by Philadelphia. Bryant and Miles Austin were limited to three catches, and Jason Witten had four. Rookie Demarco Murray was limited -- not by the Eagles defense, but by the sheer enormity of the scoreboard deficit -- to eight carries.

So the task of keeping the game close fell to Rob Ryan's defense. Despite a monster game from Demarcus Ware -- ten tackles, four sacks and a forced fumble -- that unit had no answer for the Eagles either. Philadelphia didn't punt until their second possession of the fourth quarter. By then, the damage was done.

Late in the broadcast, Cris Collinsworth highlighted one primary reason why: a brilliant blocking performance by left tackle Jason Peters, who tried to single-handedly erase any doubts we might have about their offensive line. He wiped out Cowboys by bunches to clear bus-sized lanes for LeSean McCoy, who had 200 total yards and a pair of touchdown runs.

Peters' blocking and McCoy's running wiped out the Cowboys' swagger on defense. This team was allowing only 69.7 yards per game via the run before this week, best in the NFL. But the Eagles attacked them at their strength and ripped the heart of the defense right out.

Vick had a nice day passing as well, completing 21 of 28 passes, averaging nearly ten yards per attempt and throwing a couple touchdown passes.

The outcome drops Dallas to 3-4, and elevates Philly to the same record, joining the befuddled Washington Redskins. And suddenly, Philly is the team with the best point differential in the division. With three more division games left on the schedule, they won't have to crane their necks too hard to look up at the 5-2 New York Giants.

Don't go anywhere folks, the Dream Team has finally woken up.  

NFL Reactor: Steelers Stun Patriots, Tebow Flops

Written by Shane Clemons on .

New England Patriots 17, Pittsburgh Steelers 25

The Steelers came out of the gate and punched the Patriots in the mouth. The Patriots trailed the whole way, and they were never able to mount a comeback. When they finally cut the lead to six points late in the game, they couldn't get an immediate stop by their defense, and most of the clock was killed.

The Steelers were able to contain the Patriots' offense with a staunch effort, in no small part to Troy Polamalu. He was all over the field making big hits, and he gave Bill Belichick strategic problems all game.

The Patriots had a hard time staying on the field in a game most thought they would win. They struggled to run the ball in any way, and Wes Welker was held to just 39 yards receiving. The win gives the Steelers a valuable tie-breaker when it comes time to determine the AFC's playoff seeding.

Detroit Lions 45, Denver Broncos 10

Last week, Tim Tebow was the biggest story in the NFL. He led one of the most heroic comebacks I have ever seen with some help from the Dolphins' hands team. This week was a far different story.

Let's be honest here. Did any of us really expect the Broncos to beat the Lions? I know that many people were rooting for Tebow, but "just winning" doesn't get it done in the NFL, and the numbers showed as much. Tebow finished the game with 18 completions on 39 attempts. He was able to throw a touchdown in the fourth quarter, long after the game was out of hand. He also threw an interception that was taken back for a Detroit touchdown. Despite those mediocre numbers, that doesn't tell the whole story.

Tim Tebow is known as a running quarterback, but he didn't protect the football. He put the ball on the ground 3 times, losing only 1 of those fumbles. As great as he must have felt after last week's win, it doesn't make up for such a terrible performance against the Lions.

The Lions, on the other hand, were able to physically dominate one of the weaker teams in the league, and the win gets them right back on track. We had all been wondering how the Lions would respond to a couple of tough losses, and we now have our answer. They came back with a will to win that, frankly, the Broncos had no chance of overcoming.

Washington Redskins 0, Buffalo Bills 23

The Redskins continue to struggle to get back to their early season winning ways as they dropped another ugly game to the Bills. John Beck was given the starting job after Rex Grossman imploded against the Eagles, and he's failed to become "the man" in Washington.

The Bills turned in their most complete game of the year. They completely shut down the Redskins' offense while their own offense was busy 262 yards passing and 138 yards on the ground.

This game wasn't exactly one of the most exciting match-ups of the weekend, but it has big playoff ramifications. First and foremost, the Redskins have clearly lost their grip on NFC East, and it seems likely that their season will end in a similar manner that many of their seasons have ended since Dan Snyder took over ownership of the team. Disappointment.

The Bills, however, move to 5-2 with the win. They're keeping pace in the AFC, and the win keeps them in control of one of the conference's coveted wild-card spots. While they are tied with the Patriots atop the AFC East, it's not likely that they'll be able to hold out against New England for a home playoff game. Despite my personal opinion, the Bills have already beaten the Patriots once, and if they did so again, they would hold the tie-breaker against the Patriots. The Bills are setting the AFC East up for a remarkable end of season stretch.

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NFL Reactor: Vikings, Rams upsets lead Week 8's Early Games

Written by Will Horton on .

Adrian Peterson steals a win

Rapid-fire live blog of the early action, featuring reactions from the TGS writers.

Minnesota @ Carolina

  • Vikes with an early 7-0 lead off a Cam Newton fumble
  • Carolina not even bothering to try and establish a run game. Deangelo Williams is terrible. But Cam still play-faking and creating holes in secondary. Right out of the Peyton Manning playbook. 
  • Cam Newton starting to take the game over. Brilliant pass to a tiny window to Steve Smith sets team up at the one. Touchdown shortly afterward. Then on the next drive, a frozen rope over the top to TE Greg Olsen. 
  • Minnesota not playing with discipline on the road. Stupid personal foul penalty on a fight instigated by Percy Harvin deep in the Carolina sideline negates a gutsy scramble by Ponder.
  • Ponder and Newton at halftime: 298 yards combined, 3 TDs. 
  • All Day starting to assert himself in the second half. Has two TDs, one rushing, one passing.
  • Peterson getting heavy usage on the Vikings last two drives, a weapon that Cam Newton wishes he had. Vikes drive for the game-winning field goal as the Panthers are undone by their failure to run the ball.

New Orleans @ St Louis

  • With help from a missed field goal, Rams held the Saints scoreless in the first quarter. Linebackers having their best game of the season after not showing up most of the year.
  • Brandon Lloyd figuring heavily in the gameplan, but missed on two deep throws. With Sam Bradford, Rams might be leading this game.
  • Robert Quinn and Greg Salas having very good games. Quinn with a sack and a blocked punt(!) setting up a touchdown drive. Salas making huge catches with significant YAC, looks like he's over the rookie jitters and drops.
  • Quick halftime comparison: Joe Flacco: 12/23 98 yards, 1 INT. ... AJ Feeley: 12/26 127 yards, 1 TD. Arguably Feeley has better weapons to throw to.

Saints come back with 14 points, on a defensive and offensive score.

  • New Orleans adjusting. More focus on run, hiding Colston by lining him up in the slot. Saints offense starting to click again. But the clock is the Rams' best friend right now.

From Derek Pease:

  • First play of ensuing Saints drive turned into easily the biggest Rams play of the season as Darian Stewart intercepted Drew Breese and took it back for six. Putting the Rams up 17 with under 3 minutes to go and all but wrapping up the biggest or at least most surprising upset on the season.

Arizona @ Baltimore

Ugly game. 3-3 in the 2nd.

  • @SigmundBloom: and he just fumbled inside the 10 RT Joe Flacco 3 for 8 for 30 yards
  • Nightmare starting for Baltimore... Arizona jumps out to a 17-3 lead on a TD run off the Flacco fumble... and then a punt return for Patrick Peterson.
  • @BlogandTackle: From bad to worse, 1st play after punt return TD, pass bounces off Torrey Smith for Arizona INT.

Arizona was up 24-3 ... now 24-20 as Baltimore storms back behind Ray Rice.

  • nfldraftscout: aren't losing this game. Momentum has completely swung other direction. Amazing to see it happen

Baltimore goes up 27-24 on Ray Rice's 3rd touchdown. Cardinals tie it, but Joe Flacco makes a brilliant throw to Torrey Smith (remember him?) to set up the game-winning field goal, completing an epic collapse for Arizona, and a franchise record comeback for Baltimore. A Jeckyll and Hyde game for the Ravens. Flacco with 200 second-half passing yards makes up for a horrific first half of play.

Jacksonville @ Houston

After a shot to Gabbert's ribs after a run:

  • @TaniaGanguli: Blaine Gabbert looks like he's in a lot of pain. Being looked at one the field. Looks like an upper body thing. Walking off ok.


Ribs wrapped, reenters the game.

From Shane Clemons:

  • The Texans led the Jaguars 7-0 most of the first half, and they looked like the better team for most of the time. The Jaguars set themselves up for a touchdown on a sack, fumble. The Texans should be leading the game by about 10 points, but the Jaguars' defense hasn't disappointed after their showing on Monday night. Arian Foster has certainly been a factor, but going by the eyeball test, he's not dominating the game.

Miami @ NY Giants

  • Miami's touchdown set up by a PI call in the end zone on Brian Hartline. A sign of the NYG weakness in the secondary. No NFL team has to interfere with Hartline.

As Reggie Bush breaks off a 35-yard run, then Matt Moore with a daring bootleg keeper on fourth down it for a TD...

  • @QBKILLA: Dear Giant LB's U Must Talk Before the Snap As To Who's Covering The Back!!
  • @QBKILLA: No Discipline On Defense!

Giants storm back for a 20-17 lead on a monster catch, breaking multiple tackles for a 25-yard TD. Highlight reel catch.

Indianapolis @ Tennessee

  • Chris Johnson: 1 yard rushing on 5 carries. Move over, Larry Johnson. 
  • @SigmundBloom: Chris Johnson and Javon Ringer pretty much splitting snaps equally. Hasselbeck to Washington for an easy short TD to open up 20 pt lead.
  • I thought the Colts had a chance to bounce back and play well after last week's beatdown. Nope. Not a chance. Looks like Jim Caldwell will be the first NFL coach to be fired. 

From Shane Clemons:

  • At halftime, the Colts just look terrible. Their offense is non-existent, their defense doesn't tackle, and their special teams gave up a blocked punt that was recovered by the Titans in the endzone for a touchdown. The Titans caught a break playing the Colts right after getting blown out by the Texans. They've looked like a solid team throughout the game.


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NFL Genius Week 8 Picks: Halloween Tricks and Treats Edition

Written by Will Horton on .

Ray Villafane pumpkin

I admit to totally sucking at Halloween. I never plan a costume, never decorate the house, barely remember to go out and buy candy for the kids to steal off my front porch. If a bunch of friends sucks me into going to a party, I end up frantically searching the wreckage of the costume section at Target that afternoon, coming away with half a vampire makeup kit and a Sonny Bono wig, or something equally useless, and then have to figure out a "theme" that ties it all together. (Zombie hippie? Yes!) 

So that said, this week's picks include some costume ideas on the cheap for you last-minute preparers, as well as some examples, good and bad, of NFL-inspired costumes from years past.

Cam Newton, Christian Ponder, Andy Dalton, Blaine Gabbert: Rise Of The Rookie Quarterback in 2011

Written by Lawrence Dushenski on .

Cam Newton emerges. Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images

Cam Newton. Andy Dalton. Blaine Gabbert. Christian Ponder.

All four are rookie quarterbacks taken in either the first or the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft. They are also all now starting for their respective teams. Jake Locker will move in and start as soon as Matt Hasselbeck goes down with a kink in his neck. It is just Week 8 of the season, and a full division's worth of teams in the league have rookie's leading their teams down the field. Surely this must be some sort of freak year, right?

Sam Bradford. Colt McCoy. Jimmy Clausen. Tim Tebow.

All four were taken in the first three rounds of the 2010 draft, and all four were starting by the time their rookie seasons were over. There was no waiting behind the starting quarterback for a few years to learn the ropes. It was simple trial by fire. Clausen struggled in his time with the Panthers, and when Cam came into town, he was forced to give up his spot. But that is to be expected when a generational talent like Cam Newton joins your team. The other three are back in starting roles, though. 

Andrew Luck. Landry Jones. Matt Barkley. Robert Griffin.

All four could find themselves taken in the first round of the 2012 draft, and all could step into starting spots by the midpoint of their rookie season. Luck is seen to be the second coming of Peyton Manning, so that is understandable. Jones has been starting for Oklahoma for several years and appears to be ready for the big time. But Barkley may be affected by the dreaded USC quarterback curse, and Griffin has just burst onto the scene this year and it is hard to say how his skills will translate at the next level. But they could all start, unless they end up on the Patriots, Colts with a healthy Peyton or Packers.

Washington. Seattle. Miami. Arizona.

All are badly in need of new quarterbacks for next years, and they will be more than happy to have a rookie start games for them right out of the gate. There will be no lockout this offseason, so a new pivot can come into OTA's and offseason workouts and gain a familiarity with his receivers long before the season even starts.

So how is it that every year, 10-20% of the teams in the league are having rookie quarterbacks start for them? Is this a sustainable trend, or simply a few good years where the quarterback classes are especially good coming out of college?

This is attributable to several factors.

NFL Week 8 Preview: Best of the Rest

Written by Anthony Brown on .


Best of the Rest:

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (2-5) at  HOUSTON TEXANS (4-3)
1:00 P.M. ET, CBS, Direct TV (704), SIRIUS (Jac 112, Hou 92)

Who Will Win - The Texans are best positioned to take advantage of Peyton Manning's absence. They are heavy favorites to win at home against the struggling Jaguars. Even though Andre Johnson suffered a setback, Houston should have no problem. 

WASHINGTON REDSKINS (3-3) at BUFFALO BILLS (4-2) in TORONTO
1:00 P.M. ET, FOX, Direct TV (710), SIRIUS (Was 134, Buf 93)

Who Will Win - With one more win, the Redskins will exceed preseason expectations of the team that starts John Beck or Rex Grossman at quarterback. Rogers Centre is a neutral site, negating the customary advantage for Buffalo. But the Redskins' injuries swing the advantage to the Toronto ArgoBills.

CINCINNATI BENGALS (4-2) at SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (2-4)
4:15 P.M. ET, CBS, Direct TV (714), SIRIUS (Cin 112, Sea 94)

Who Will Win - Bengals owner Mike Brown holds grudges, just like his dad. If he knew how much better off his team would be without Chad Ochocinco, Terrell Owens and Carson Palmer, he might have paid for their limo rides to the airport. The Bengals' record may be a mirage, but Seahawks will not wake them from their dream start.

CLEVELAND BROWNS (3-3) at SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (5-1)
4:15 P.M. ET, CBS, Direct TV (713), SIRIUS (Cle 113, SF 85)

Who Will Win - Can the Browns extend their one-game win streak against Patrick Willis and the 'Niners defense after that field goal onslaught against the Seahawks. Um, no. The Browns do have the top pass defense in yards, but San Francisco does not have to throw much to win this one.

Will Interest Only Their Fans

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (5-2) at ST LOUIS RAMS (0-6)
1:00 P.M. ET, FOX, Direct TV (709), SIRIUS (NO 91, STL 138)

Who Will Win - "The Race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the strong. But, that's the way to bet." ~ Damon Runyon, who would surely put his chips on the Saints.

MIAMI DOLPHINS (0-6) at NEW YORK GIANTS (4-2)
1:0 P.M. ET, CBS, Direct TV (705), SIRIUS (Mia 136, NY 86)

Who Will Win - See Runyon comment above. Giants.

ARIZONA CARDINALS (1-5) at BALTIMORE RAVENS (4-2)
1:00 P.M. ET, FOX, Direct TV (707), SIRIUS (AZ 137, Bal 93)

Who Will Win - Baltimore is not about to let its Monday night embarrassment against Jacksonville go unpunished, especially against a team like Arizona. Ravens in a laugher.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (0-7) at TENNESSEE TITANS (3-3)
1:00 P.M. ET, CBS, Direct TV (706), SIRIUS (IN 117, TN 85)

Who Will Win - If Payton Manning were playing, the Colts would have scored 226 points to offset the 225 points allowed by the defense. Titans for the win.

BYES: Falcons, Bears, Packers, Jets, Raiders, Buccaneers

Bonus Game

No. 6 STANFORD CARDINAL (7-0, 5-0 Pac 12) at SOUTHERN CAL TROJANS (6-1, 3-1 Pac 12)
Saturday, 8:00 P.M. ET, ABC, ESPN3

Who Will Win - Pro football fans (and scouts) are indifferent. They just want a glimpse at Cardinal quarterback Andrew Luck in his first game of the season on a national broadcast. Do they draft this guy for their 2012 fantasy teams and start him? Luck might not be the best quarterback on the field if everything I read about Trojans junior QB Matt Barkley is true.

Barkley could declare for the NFL Draft if he performs well on the big stage. He would be a nice consolation prize for a pro team. Stanford is favored.    

NFL Week 8 Preview: San Diego Chargers to assert themselves against the Kansas City Chiefs

Written by Anthony Brown on .

Ryan Mathews runs vs the Chiefs. Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (4-2) at KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (3-3)
Monday, 8:30 P.M., ET, ESPN, SIRIUS (SD 92, KC 93)

Why Watch
It's Monday Night Football. It's an AFC West game between perennial contender San Diego and Kansas City, a team left for dead two weeks ago. And each team wants to pretend it's something it's not. How appropriate it is to play on Halloween.

San Diego, notorious for inconsistency and slow starts in the first half of the season, wants to act like a tough-minded run-first football team determined to go on a deep playoff run. So far, their division opponents are letting them get away with it.

Meanwhile, word is that hard-nosed Chiefs coach Todd Haley is trying to relate differently to his players by lightening up. Tom Coughlin did with the Giants and ended up in the Super Bowl. It makes for a nice story, especially when combined with Kansas City's cupcake schedule in the last three games. For the record, Kansas City is the defending division champion.

What To Watch
Can the Chiefs defense force Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers into another bad game as the Jets did last Sunday? They'd better, because the Chiefs do not have the offensive firepower to do what the Jets did. Kansas City's defense forced six turnovers and scored 14 of the team's 28 points last week against Oakland, but that was against the comically bad combo of Kyle Boller and Carson Palmer.

The Chargers have been their own worst enemy when in opponents' territory. If they clean that up, they are a force. Last week, red zone threats Mike Tolbert and Antonio Gates reasserted themselves in the gameplan, accounting for three touchdowns in three trips inside the twenty. With Tolbert and Ryan Mathews both running well, Norv Turner's team wants to become less reliant on the pass, and more capable of controlling games. However, their defense has been equally vulnerable to committed running attacks.

Kansas City has leaned on the running game more since Jamaal Charles' injury. With the way Jackie Battle is running (5.2 yards/attempt), Charles could see less playing time when he returns next season.

Who Will Win
San Diego to Kansas City: "You are sitting in my seat."  The Chargers will assert themselves.


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NFL Week 8 Preview: Little D on display as Denver battles Detroit

Written by Anthony Brown on .

DETROIT LIONS (5-2) at DENVER BRONCOS (2-4)
4:05 P.M. ET, FOX, Direct TV (711), SIRIUS (Det 135, Den 92)

Why Watch
Because you just can't get enough of Tim Tebow? Last Sunday, Tebow proved both sides of the argument about him to be correct. He showed poor form as a NFL quarterback. He found a way to win. Perhaps the issue is that nobody has the skills to coach him. That, and the Broncos do not have much else to work with.

Meanwhile, the Lions will be looking to recapture their early season swagger, and will be facing off against a team riding a wave of Tebow-inspired confidence.

What To Watch
Forget Tebow. The legit rising star in Denver is rookie OLB Von Miller (six sacks). Detroit's offensive line has not been faring well, with Matthew Stafford getting sacked eight times in the last two weeks. The final hit of last week's game had him in a walking boot, and his status for the game is officially listed as questionable.

I watch a lot of cartoons and learned that you cannot stop Megatron unless Optimus Prime is in your secondary. He isn't in Denver. Champ Bailey is in Denver. A player like Calvin Johnson could make Bailey feel young again. Or, very, very old. Calvin Johnson is due for another big game.

As ferocious as the Lions pass rush is, Detroit's run defense is not. If only the Broncos had a healthy ground pounder to go after them. That guy Tebow though, he can run.

Jim Schwartz' rundown of 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh a few weeks ago was a teaching moment to show Lions defenders how to stop the run. it was over the top, but Schwartz is desperate for a run defense. And, a run offense. Lions' rusher Jahvid Best (concussion) will miss the game.  

Who Will Win
Detroit has been rebuilding for years. Denver is just getting (re)started. It will show on the field. Denver doesn't have the juice to stop Detroit.


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NFL Week 8 Preview: Philadelphia Eagles look for redemption in an NFC East Battle

Written by Anthony Brown on .

DALLAS COWBOYS (3-3) at PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (2-4)
8:30 P.M., ET, NBC

Why Watch
The tight race for the NFC East leaves no room for division losses. With much of the division schedule still to play, both the Cowboys and Eagles see this game as an important stepping stone toward the playoffs.

The Eagles set out to do a better job buying a championship than that guy Snyder down I-95--and got similar results. You would think they should have learned something after victimizing the Redskins so often. The Cowboys set out to return to the Super Bowl as they have done every year since the 1995 season because, well, it's their birthright. A loss will devastate Eagles hopes. They would be forced to win eight of its last nine games to for a shot at the division title.

What To Watch
Did the Eagles take maximum advantage of the bye week to fix whatever is ailing the defense? The Eagles adjusted the wide nine defense for the Redskins game and it worked, stifling the Washington running game and holding their opponent to 13 points. It was the fewest points allowed since the Eagles' week 1 win over the Rams. 

Trent Cole's return means the Cowboys cannot focus on DE Justin Babin. No one is happier about that than Babin. Eagles' DC Juan Castillo will ask cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha to cover Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant, but worries he has asked too much from him this season. Whether Asomugha attacks Bryant with man-to-man or zone coverage is the question. Here's a hint--Bryant is too dangerous to cover with the zone. 

The big test for the Eagles may be Cowboys RB DeMarco Murray. Murray's 253-yard day against the Rams was quite a story. On the other hand, it was against the Rams. Treat it as a fluke until Murray proves otherwise.

Who Will Win
The Eagles have too much talent to keep losing. A home win against the Cowboys on national TV keeps the vultures at bay for another week.


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