NFL Betting: Week 8 & What We Learned

Rocketman Sports has long been celebrated as one of the best football handicappers in the industry. Take a look at his article on what we should have learned in week 8 of the year if you want to stay ahead with your football gambling for this weekend.

Denver finally falls from the ranks of the unbeaten:

The Broncos lost their first game of the year this past Sunday as they were pounded by the Baltimore Ravens 30-7. The offense sputtered all game long as they just couldn’t get into any kind of rhythm against the predatory Raven defense. Kyle Orton threw for just 152 yards and the run game didn’t get the job done either. The Broncos toted the ball 19 times for just 66 yards. Defensively, the stats weren’t terrible as they really kept Joe Flacco in check. The second year man out of Delaware only tossed for 175 yards and 1 touchdown. The Ravens did rush for 125 yards and they got a boost as the Ravens returned a kickoff for a touchdown. All in all, Denver looked rusty coming off a bye week but it is only one loss and they still have a controlling lead atop their division. The docket doesn’t get any less problematic this week as Denver must bounce back against a Steeler team that is beginning to play sound football.

Giants lose once more to a top-notch opponent:

It seems as if the New York Giants can only beat terrible teams so far this year. This past Sunday they suffered their third straight loss to a very good Eagles squad. Not only did they get beat but they got utterly blasted by Donovan McNabb and company. There are decided concerns about this football team right now as they have struggled mightily against quality teams like the New Orleans Saints, Arizona Cardinals, and Philadelphia Eagles. McNabb was on his A game, passing for 240 yards and 3 scores. What’s even more amazing was how the Eagles were able to run the ball without Brian Westbrook on the field. The Eagles ran for 180 yards on just 24 carries. LeSean McCoy filled in nicely rushing for 82 yards on 11 carries and a touchdown. The offense was able to move the ball but turnovers downed them as Eli Manning threw 2 picks and they also lost a fumble. The important worry is on the defensive side of the ball. In order for New York to be contenders in the NFC East, they have got to play better defense against sound opponents.

Favre wins in his return to Lambeau:

The Minnesota Vikings made it clear last weekend that they are the team to chase in the NFC North Division. They compiled their second win against the Green Bay Packers this season by a final of 38-26. The Vikings led 24-3 early in the second half but Green Bay was able to have some big plays on offense to close the spread a little bit but Brett Favre and the Minnesota offense was just too strong. Favre was formidable in his first game as a Viking at Lambeau Field as he tossed for 244 yards and 4 scores. Adrian Peterson ran for 98 yards on the ground as the Viking offense was able to do anything they wanted on the Packer defense. Much like in the first meeting, Aaron Rodgers played well as he tossed for 287 yards against the Minnesota secondary that was without Antoine Winfield but once more it wasn’t enough to beat the Vikings. Minnesota is a major threat in the NFC but they have got to get Winfield back in full shape in order to better a secondary that has shown some vulnerability.