NFL Week 8 Preview - Late Games

So the late games big draw is Brett Favre's return to Lambeau. And that's about all the excitement we'll get from these games. Right? There's a chance one of the league's winless teams gets their first victory. We'll see.

Oakland (2-5) @ San Diego (3-3)

Raiders: How can a team look somewhat decent one week and then look so horrible the next? Ask the Raider faithful and they'll tell you. The first place to look is at QB. Everyone else is so why can't I? Here's JaMarcus Russell's stats: 74-160 (46.3% completion), 891 yds., 2 TD, 8 INT, 47.2 QB rating. That's why people point to Russell despite the fact he won't accept any fault. Some leader. And your first round draft pick, WR Darrius Heyward-Bey? 4 catches for 64 yards...on the season. Remember the WR that was selected after Heyward-Bey? That would be longtime 49er holdout Michael Crabtree. Crabtree played in his first game last week. His numbers were 5 catches for 56 yards...for one game.

Chargers: Time for the Chargers to get the rushing attack going with both LT and Darren Sproles. San Diego is next to last in rushng, but LT showed some life last week. Good thing. Opposing defenses are pinning their ears back to go after QB Philip Rivers, but Rivers has still performed well. One thing the Chargers cannot do is take the Raiders running backs lightly. Justin Fargas and Michael Bush both have a potential 100 yard game in them even though the Raiders are only 26th in rushing offense. But the Bolts are 28th in rushing defense. There's where the Chargers have to care of business since the Raiders can't pass.

Jacksonville (3-3) @ Tennessee (0-6)

Jaguars: If you think about it, the Jaguars started the freefall of the Titans in week 4 with a 37-17 win. QB David Garrard threw for over 323 yards and 3 TD. That same game was also WR Mike Sims-Walker's breakout game (7 receptions, 91 yards, 2 TD). The Jags did this and RB Maurice Jones-Drew only had 6 carries for 14 yards. MJD must have a better game this time around since the game is in Nashville. I do look for Garrard and Sims-Walker to have similar numbers since the Titans have absolutely imploded on defense.

Titans: So Tiatns owner Bud Adams wants QB Vince Young to start...and head coach Jeff Fisher will oblige. You know the saying "be careful what you wish for."? That could be the case here. If Tennessee can get RBs Chris Johnson and LenDale White to move the ball on the ground, things should be easier for Young. The Titans freefall? In the Titans first three games, the scores (all losses) were 13-10 (OT) to Pittsburgh, 34-31 to the Texans (a game they were up 21-7), and 24-17 at the Jets. That's a total of 13 points. The next three: 37-17, 31-9, and 59-0. That's 101 points. Nobody gives up more points than Tennessee (33.0 a game). Need I say more?

Carolina (2-4) @ Arizona (4-2)

Panthers: It's all on QB Jake Delhomme. Head coach John Fox had a chance to change his QB and he deferred. Fox says there's no relible option...and I agree. That's an issue the Panthers staff and fron office should've addressed after last season even though they awarded Delhomme with a big payday. Carolina's management may want a rebate. At least you have RBs DeAngelo Williams and Jonathon Stewart. They account for the NFL's 8th rated rushing attack. But I do feel for WR Steve Smith. Smith is a difference maker and the Panthers are just not simply finding ways to use him...and he's let us know. This game will rest in Delhomme's hands in a playoff rematch.

Cardinals: The last time these teams squared off, the Cards were paving the way to a Super Bowl appearance by snagging five picks in drilling the Panthers, 33-13. There's a good chance that history will repeat. But maybe the Cardinals have finally found a running back in Chris "Beanie" Wells. Wells carved through the #1 ranked Giants defense for 67 yards and a TD on only 14 carries. We saw why he was Arizona's first round draft choice. If Wells can have a repeat performance, QB Kurt Warner should be able to find holes in the #1 ranked pass defense of the Panthers. Playing at home doesn't hurt either.

Minnesota (6-1) @ Green Bay (4-2)

Vikings: RB Adrian Peterson, not QB Brett Favre, will be the key on offense. When these two teams went at it in week 4, Peterson was held to 55 yards on 25 carries (2.2 yards a carry). His production must be better at Lambeau or Favre's return will be nothing but a painful memory. Easier said than done against a vastly improved Packer defense under Dom Capers (4th in pass D, 12th in run D, 5th in scoring D). If the Vikes do not get a ground game, TE Visanthe Shaincoe must provide the outlet for the pass attack. People talk about what a great defense the Vikings have. It's only average except for their sacks. Just a few numbers: 20th against the pass, 10th against the run, and 17th in scoring defense. Would those stats make you think of a great D? You can also add that CB Antione Winfield will miss the game. One saving grace for the Vikings is that they can put the ball in the endzone to the tune of 29.4 points a game, 3rd in the NFL.

Packers: Renaming Minnesota Ave. Aaron Rodgers Dr. Making the snack for Saturday "waffle" fries. Don't believe me? Check this out.



Now, the game. Favre will get booed. Rodgers will throw for over 300 yards and have 3 TD and will indirectly tell Favre (through his performance) that Green Bay is now his town. I am hoping this comes true since Rodgers in on my fantasy team. But I really do believe that the Packe faithful will play a role. Rodgers' ability to throw is critical. But WR Greg Jennings must show up this week. His history of having a "hit or miss" label must disappear and that must start...with this game.

If you didn't catch my look at the early games, you can now by going here.

One last thing, if you are a fantasy player, the teams on byes this week are Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Washington, Tampa Bay, New England, and Kansas City.