The Once-Over: Week 8

The Early Games

New York Giants (5-2) at Philadelphia (4-2): The Giants are supposed to have one of the best pass rushes in the league, but they just haven't shown up in the past two games, with zero sacks over that time. They must get pressure on Donovan McNabb to have a chance on Sunday. Eli Manning also must figure out how to rebound from his four interceptions over the past two games.

The Eagles are not without their problems. Injuries aside to key offensive personnel, McNabb just hasn't been terribly accurate of late. When he gets pressured, he makes mistakes with his arm, which is why Philadelphia is still inserting Wildcat plays into its offense.

Pick: Philadelphia

Miami (2-4) at New York Jets (4-3): In their last meeting, the Dolphins used the Wildcat to confuse and obliterate the Jets defense. Expect more of the same from a Miami offense that is 2nd in the NFL in time of possession and 2nd in rushing yards on first down. By keeping their offense on the field, the Dolphins control the game and give Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown opportunities to score.

The Jets are averaging 184.9 yards per game rushing this season, which is best in the league. But, they lost Leon Washington for the season, and for that not to be a devastating loss, Shonn Greene needs to continue to run the ball like he did last week when he was forced into action. Watch how Mark Sanchez reacts to the top-notch Miami pass rush. If he falters, so will the Jets.

Pick: Miami

San Francisco (3-3) at Indianapolis (6-0): Michael Crabtree gave glimpses in his first NFL action last week why he felt he was right to hold out. And he's only going to get better each week, especially with the rapport he's developing with Alex Smith. But Smith isn't as good as he showed everyone last week, so temper expectations and expect this week, at times, to see why he's wasn't handed the starting job in the first place.

Peyton Manning is the best quarterback in the league right now, and he might be playing better this season than he ever has in his illustrious career. He's also enjoying the fact that the Colts are running the ball well. A positive ground game only gives more credibility to Manning's play fakes.

Pick: Indianapolis

St. Louis (0-7) at Detroit (1-5): The Lions are very vulnerable versus the pass and play lots of one-on-one, which may turn out to be a negative this week. Donnie Avery should be able to exploit the one-on-one coverage and see great gains down the field. The best player on the field though, will be Rams running back Steven Jackson. He has 804 all-purpose yards but doesn't have a touchdown. He may get one this week.

The Lions have been without rookie Matthew Stafford and No. 1 receiver Calvin Johnson. Stafford may play this week, which would be nice against the Rams 29th-ranked pass defense, but Johnson is more of a question mark. While the Lions may be able to score, their defense likely won't be able to stop St. Louis.

Pick: St. Louis

Seattle (2-4) at Dallas (4-2): Seattle's offensive line has been suspect in pass protection for Matt Hasselbeck. He was roughed up last week and he'll be hurried and under pressure more this week in Dallas against a much better front seven. Expect Hasselbeck to be frustrated all day.

Miles Austin has officially taken over at wide receiver in Dallas. He was targeted 23 times over the past two games, 10 more times than Jason Witten. The offense is on fire and Tony Romo is grateful to finally have a true No. 1 receiving option to throw towards.

Pick: Dallas

Cleveland (1-6) at Chicago (3-3): The Browns have been miserable on offense this season. Four times out of seven they've scored less than 10 points in a game and they do not have a rushing touchdown from a running back yet.

It's difficult to determine who's at fault for the Bears rushing woes, but I'm going to lay blame directly on the offensive line. They must stick to blocks and open lanes for Matt Forte if this offense is going to get on track. The Bears also didn't adjust well to an unbalanced line from Cincinnati and Cedric Benson made them pay last week. Fortunately for Chicago, they get a home game against Cleveland -- there couldn't be a better prescription for fixing what's wrong.

Pick: Chicago

Houston (4-3) at Buffalo (3-4): Andre Johnson suffered a bruised lung but is expected to play on Sunday. That's good news for Houston and Owen Daniels, who can go back to quietly leading the Texans in touchdown receptions. Steve Slaton, after a few poor rushing performances, has found a way to be a game-changer -- it's in the receiving game. Matt Schaub is hitting him a lot and it's really opened things up for Houston.

Ryan Fitzpatrick is starting for Trent Edwards who still hasn't recovered fully from a concussion. The one person who will really like that is Lee Evans who has developed a special bond with Fitzpatrick. Rookie Jarius Byrd has five interceptions over the last three weeks. He's going to see a lot of passes thrown into the secondary on Sunday. His ability to continue picking off throws is crucial to Buffalo's chances.

Pick: Houston

Denver (6-0) at Baltimore (3-3): Both teams are coming off of bye weeks and will be well rested. Hopefully that won't be a momentum killer for Brandon Marshall, who has awoken lately with four touchdowns over the last four games. Denver, on defense, needs to pay special attention to the play action, an area of trouble for Denver but a play Baltimore runs very well.

Ray Rice has emerged as a powerful back with great speed, an enviable combination. But, Baltimore will win this game if they are able to force Denver into a few turnovers. Kyle Orton has only thrown one interception and that has lent so much towards his success. If Ed Reed can force Orton into a few mistakes, the Ravens will win this game.

Pick: Baltimore

The Late Games

Jacksonville (3-3) at Tennessee (0-6): When the Jaguars run the ball well, especially when Maurice Jones-Drew is at the top of his game, the team wins. But don't hang all of Jacksonville's hopes on its ground attack. David Garrard can hurt defenses with mobility as well as his pocket presence.

Tennessee is a run-first kind of team, and that will be even more evident this week as Vince Young takes over at quarterback. Jacksonville has only allowed three touchdowns this season on the ground and caused a league-leading seven fumbles. Young is going to have to beat the Jaguars through the air.

Pick: Jacksonville

Oakland (2-5) at San Diego (3-3): Oakland's shut-down corner Nnamdi Asomugha has only been thrown towards seven times this season. That's an incredible figure, but also a sad fact as it's one of the few things the Raiders can brag about.

With the Chargers rushing attack stagnant, Phillip Rivers is having to beat teams through the air -- something he's very comfortable doing. San Diego ranks third in the league in pass plays of 25 yards or more with 16 this season. Whether they throw towards Asomugha or not, San Diego will throw, and do it effectively against Oakland.

Pick: San Diego

Carolina (2-4) at Arizona (4-2): You may look at all of Jake Delhomme's interceptions and see a struggling quarterback, and you'd be accurate in that assessment. But his errant throws are also negatively effecting the Panthers' defense by given opposing offenses a very short field to work with.

Teams just don't fear Delhomme any longer and Arizona will be able to bring its safeties up to help with the run. That's bad news for Carolina, which is already facing the top run defense in the league in Arizona. If Delhomme can't fire down field to open up the run game, Arizona will sit in the box all day and crush Carolina.

Pick: Arizona

Minnesota (6-1) at Green Bay (4-2): Brett Favre finally gets to return to Green Bay and, as much as he tries to downplay this storyline, it just keeps growing. Favre has been sacked nine times over the last three weeks and he will be facing a better pass rush this week than he saw the last time he faced the Packers.

Aaron Rodgers threw for 384 yards in a losing effort against Minnesota earlier this season. The Vikings are still vulnerable to the pass and Rodgers should do well this week in Lambeau. Also look for A.J. Hawk and Cullen Jenkins to really get pressure on Favre and force a mistake or two.

Pick: Green Bay

MNF

Atlanta (4-2) at New Orleans (6-0): Week 7 in Dallas was a tough one for the Falcons, and especially Matt Ryan, who was finally sacked a few times. New Orleans can bring the pass rush too and their pass defense is very stingy, only allowing five passing touchdowns this year. Michael Turner will need to accelerate his game as the lack of the big play is holding him back. In 2008, through six games, Turner had six rushing plays of 20 yards or more. This season he only has one.

The Saints have scored 45 points or more four times this season and the Falcons' defense shouldn't be able to do too much to keep New Orleans from making if five. Drew Brees should have a field day throwing into the Atlanta secondary -- especially since the Falcons will likely blitz to get pressure on Brees, leaving their cornerbacks vulnerable.

Pick: New Orleans