NFL - Week Eight Preview

The NFL is entering the midway point of the 2012 season already and the AFC has just three teams (Houston, Baltimore and New England) with winning records.

The NFC has shown to be a stronger conference so far with the likes of defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants, the Chicago Bears, San Francisco 49ers and the unbeaten Atlanta Falcons. Not to mention the Green Bay Packers seem to be awakening from their early season funk to improve to a 4-3 record entering this weekend.
The bigger matchups this week have the Falcons traveling to Philadelphia to face the Eagles, quarterbacked by Michael Vick and himself a former Falcons' quarterback in the early 2000's.
The New Orleans Saints face Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos in the Mile High City on Sunday Night Football while the Dallas Cowboys host the Giants, a team they beat in the season opener.
The rest of the schedule has some interesting games and some potential yawners as well. With that in view, here's a capsule style break down of the games for Week Eight around the NFL.

Carolina (1-5) at Chicago (5-1) - Can the Panthers and Cam Newton get off the snide? Not against the strong Bears' defense.

San Diego (3-3) at Cleveland (1-6) - The Chargers have blown big leads in the second half in their last two games, but not this week against the Browns.

Seattle (4-3) at Detroit (2-4) - The Seahawks are strong at home, but this week they are on the road against an angry Lions' team that has struggled so far this season.

Jacksonville (1-5) at Green Bay (4-3) - The mismatch of the week. Packers roll!

Indianapolis (3-3) at Tennessee (3-4) - The Titans have been hot and they face a Colts team that struggles on the road.

New England (4-3) vs. St. Louis (3-4) in London, England - The Patriots face the Rams in a rematch of Super Bowl 36. Tom Brady and Head Coach Bill Belichick still remain from that New England squad that won it all.

Miami (3-3) at New York Jets (3-4) - Who cares?

Atlanta (6-0) at Philadelphia (3-3) - Can the Eagles soar above the Falcons in this battle of the birds?

Washington (3-4) at Pittsburgh (3-3) - The Steelers showed integrity in a come from behind win on the road last week and now they face the RG3 show.

Oakland (2-4) at Kansas City (1-5) - The Chiefs can win this game and potentially be just one game out of first place in the NFL's saddest division.

New York Giants (5-2) at Dallas (3-3) - Eli Manning and company travel to Big D trying to get revenge for the season opening loss.

New Orleans (2-4) at Denver (3-3) - The Broncos were fortunate to win their last game and now face Drew Brees and the Saints, who seem to be getting their mojo back.

San Francisco (5-2) at Arizona (4-3) - The  Monday Night Football Game in the desert ... with first place in the NFC West at stake.

The Heftyinfo picks for this week  . . .   (Home teams are listed in BOLD)

Minnesota over Tampa Bay
Chicago over Carolina
San Diego over Cleveland
Detroit over Seattle
Green Bay over Jacksonville
Tennessee over Indianapolis
New England over St. Louis (game in London, England)
Miami over New York Jets
Philadelphia over Atlanta
Pittsburgh over Washington
Oakland over Kansas City
New York Giants over Dallas
New Orleans over Denver
San Francisco over Arizona

Last Week's Record:  12-1

SEASON RECORD:  64-40