NFL - Week Eight Review

The Los Angeles Rams (8-0) stayed undefeated with an exciting 29-27 win over the visiting Green Bay Packers.
Kicker Greg Zuerlein nailed a 34-yard field goal with 2:05 remaining to make the difference in the outcome. Packers kick returner Ty Montgomery fumbled away the ensuing kickoff and the Rams ran

Rams win a thriller over Aaron Rodgers and the Packers

out the clock.
Rams quarterback Jared Goff passed for 295 yards and three touchdown passes in the win. Green Bay had gone ahead midway through the fourth quarter, 27-26 when Packers QB Aaron Rodgers connected with Marquez Valdes-Scantling for a 40-yard scoring pass.
The New Orleans Saints (6-1) battled back with solid defense (getting two big turnovers, including a 32-yard interception return for TD by P.J. Williams) to beat the host Minnesota Vikings, 30-20 in the Sunday night game.
Minnesota led 13-10 with under a minute to go in the first half when wide receiver Adam Thielen fumbled deep in Saints territory. The Saints took advantage with a one-yard scoring run by running back Alvin Kamara (two TD in the game) to lead 17-13 at halftime. In the second half, the Saints eventually built up a 30-13 lead to pave the way for their sixth straight win.
The Kansas City Chiefs (7-1) beat the Denver Broncos for the second time this season, winning 30-23 as QB Patrick Mahomes had four more TD passes to lead the way. Two of the scoring passes were to WR Sammy Watkins, who had eight receptions in the game.
The Houston Texans throttled the visiting Miami Dolphins, 42-23 last Thursday night as QB Deshaun Watson, the Heftyinfo NFL Player of the Week, had five TD passes while RB Lamar Miller rushed for 133 yards and a score. DeAndre Hopkins and Jordan Thomas each had two touchdown receptions in the easy win, which was the fifth in a row for the Texans.
Carolina QB Cam Newton had two scoring passes and a 12-yard rushing touchdown as the host Panthers (5-2) beat the Baltimore Ravens, 36-21 to keep pace with the New Orleans Saints in the NFC South. The Ravens turned the ball over three times, including QB Joe Flacco getting intercepted twice.


                                              Elsewhere Around the NFL  . . . . . . .  


The Chicago Bears stopped a two-game skid with a methodical 24-10 home win against the New York Jets. The big play was a 70-yard TD screen pass from Mitch Trubisky to Tarik Cohen . . .  The Seattle Seahawks knocked off the Detroit Lions, 28-14 as QB Russell Wilson had three TD passes while the 'Hawks defense got three turnovers . . .   The Cincinnati Bengals won a wild one at home against Tampa Bay, 37-34 as kicker Randy Bullock drilled a 44-yard field goal as time expired. The Buccaneers stormed back with 18 fourth quarter points, led by backup QB Ryan Fitzpatrick (two TD passes) who replaced Jameis Winston, who threw four interceptions, one of which was a "pick six" 21-yard score by Jesse Bates. Bengals QB Andy Dalton had two TD passes . . .  The Washington Redskins knocked off the listless New York Giants, 20-13 as RB Adrian Peterson (149 rushing yards) scored two times, including a 64-yard romp to help seal the win . . .  The Pittsburgh Steelers buried the Cleveland Browns, 33-18 behind two TD passes from Ben Roethlisberger and two touchdowns by RB James Conner, who ran for 146 yards. Cleveland fired Head Coach Hue Jackson following this latest loss . . .  Over in London, the Philadelphia Eagles (4-4) beat the Jacksonville Jaguars, 24-18 as QB Carson Wentz had three TD passes to hand the Jags their fourth straight defeat . . .  The Indianapolis Colts won in Oakland, 42-28 as QB Andrew Luck had three TD tosses and RB Marlon Mack ran for 132 yards and a pair of TD runs. Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri set the new NFL record for scoring, eclipsing Morten Andersen's record of 2,544 career points. Raiders QB Derek Carr had three scoring passes and a rushing TD in the loss.  . . . The Arizona Cardinals scored two times in the fourth quarter on TD passes from Josh Rosen to beat the San Francisco 49ers, 18-15 . . .  In the Monday Night Football game, the New England Patriots beat the host Buffalo Bills, 25-6 for their fifth straight victory. Patriots running back James White scored on a one-yard run and Devin McCourty took an interception back 84 yards for another touchdown.


WEEK EIGHT RESULTS
Houston 42, Miami 23
Philadelphia 24, Jacksonville 18
Chicago 24, NY Jets 10
Washington 20, NY Giants 13
Kansas City 30, Denver 23
Cincinnati 37, Tampa Bay 34
Pittsburgh 33, Cleveland 18
Carolina 36, Baltimore 21
Seattle 28, Detroit 14
LA Rams 29, Green Bay 27
Arizona 18, San Francisco 15
Indianapolis 42, Oakland 28
New Orleans 30, Minnesota 20
New England 25, Buffalo 6

Boston Red Sox Win World Series

The Boston Red Sox beat the Los Angeles Dodgers, 5-1 to wrap up the 2018 World Series in five games as first baseman Steve Pearce hit two home runs and was named the Most Valuable Player for the World Series.
It was Boston's fourth title since the 2004 season as they won four games to one with David Price getting the win in the deciding game. The Red Sox also won titles in the 2004, 2007 and 2013 seasons.
After steam rolling the New York Yankees (3 games to 1) in the Division Series, they blasted the Houston Astros four games to one in the ALCS to advance to the 2018 World Series
The Red Sox had baseball's best record (108-54) in the regular season, which was Alex Cora's first as manager.



CONGRATULATIONS TO BOSTON RED SOX - 2018 WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS !

College Football Top Ten

Heftyinfo College Football Top Ten                (Week ending October 28)      


1.  Alabama (8-0)
2.  Clemson (8-0)
3.  Notre Dame (8-0)
4.  LSU (7-1)
5.  Georgia (7-1)
6.  Michigan (7-1)
7.  Ohio State (7-1)
8.  UCF  (7-0)
9.  Oklahoma (7-1)
10.  West Virginia (6-1)

NFL - Week Eight Preview

There are some pretty good looking games this weekend, highlighted by the New Orleans playing the
Minnesota Vikings on Sunday Night Football. The last time the Saints played at U.S. Bank Stadium last January, the Vikings were getting a miracle play as the clock ran out and the Saints were eliminated from the NFC playoffs.
However, this season Saints quarterback Drew Brees has been on a mission and the team has ripped off five wins a row following the opening game loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Minnesota (4-2-1) has won three straight after stumbling out of the gate.
The Philadelphia Eagles take on the Jacksonville Jaguars in London, England. Both of these teams have been big time under achievers this season, sporting 3-4 records. The Jags defense has been getting shredded in recent weeks and their starting quarterback Blake Bortles was benched during last week's loss at home to the Houston Texans.
The Eagles lost again last week (at home) against the Carolina Panthers, 21-17 as they blew a 17-0 lead after three quarters were in the books.
Speaking of the Carolina Panthers, they will be hosting the Baltimore Ravens this weekend. The Ravens are coming off a very tough home loss to the Saints (24-23) as kicker Justin Tucker missed a potential game-tying extra point in the final seconds last week. It was the first time in his career that Tucker missed a PAT kick.
The Denver Broncos travel to play the red-hot Kansas City Chiefs (6-1) and QB Patrick Mahomes, who leads the NFL with 22 touchdown passes. This is a huge game for Denver as they trail the Chiefs by three games in the AFC West race. They lost to the Chiefs in Week Four by a 27-23 count.
The suddenly resurgent Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2-1) face the Cleveland Browns at Heinz Field in the Steel City. The last time these two teams played in Cleveland in the season opener, the game ended in a tie. The Browns have lost two straight games while the Steelers have won two in a row.
The Green Bay Packers (3-2-1) go out west to face the unbeaten Los Angeles Rams (7-0) in what could very well be a shootout between two of the better quarterbacks in the game. Aaron Rodgers has tossed 12 TD passes with just one interceptions so far this season while Rams QB Jared Goff has a 112.7 passer rating to go with his 14 TD passes and five interceptions.
Some really good looking games on tap for sure and the rest of the action is previewed in capsule style as well as the Heftyinfo predictions for Week Eight.

Philadelphia (3-4) at Jacksonville (3-4) (in London, England) - Two under achievers go at it halfway across the globe. Toss up in this one.

Baltimore (4-3) at Carolina (4-2) - This game could come down to the last possession. Panthers pull it out.

NY Jets (3-4) at Chicago (3-3) - Banged up Bears defense needs to rebound after being lit up for 30-plus points in successive weeks.

Tampa Bay (3-3) at Cincinnati (4-3) - The Bengals have been reeling after a hot start this season. Bucs snapped a three-game losing streak last week in OT win against the Browns.

Seattle (3-3) at Detroit (3-3) - Two .500 teams battle it out to get back into the NFC playoff race.

Denver (3-4) at Kansas City (6-1) - The Chiefs struggled in Denver for a victory last month . . . not this time.

Washington (4-2) at NY Giants (1-5) - Will the Giants start the season at 1-7?  Possibly.

Cleveland (2-4-1) at Pittsburgh (3-2-1) - Here we go Steelers, here we go.

Indianapolis (2-5) at Oakland (1-5) -  Who cares?

San Francisco (1-6) at Arizona (1-6) - See above comment.

Green Bay (3-2-1) at LA Rams (7-0) - This game should be a shoot out with the Rams remaining undefeated.

New Orleans (5-1) at Minnesota (4-2-1) - The game of the week without a doubt. Can it live up to the hype? You bet it will.

New England (5-2) at Buffalo (2-5) - Two teams going in opposite directions . . . Patriots roll in this one on Monday Night Football.


The Heftyinfo predictions for Week Eight . . . . . . .    (Home teams listed in bold; Lock of the Week is listed in BOLD CAPS)

Houston over Miami
Philadelphia over Jacksonville (London, England) 
Carolina over Baltimore
Chicago over NY Jets
Cincinnati over Tampa Bay
Detroit over Seattle
Kansas City over Denver
NY Giants over Washington
Pittsburgh over Cleveland
Oakland over Indianapolis
San Francisco over Arizona 
LA Rams over Green Bay
Minnesota over New Orleans
NEW ENGLAND over Buffalo 

Last Week's Record -  10-4

SEASON RECORD -  71-34-2

Lock of the Week Record -  5-2 

NFL - Week Seven Review

The Los Angeles Rams (7-0) remained the NFL's only undefeated team as they dismantled the San Francisco 49ers, 39-10 as running back Todd Gurley had three touchdowns (two rushing, one receiving) while their defense forced four turnovers.
The New England Patriots (5-2) won a wild game on the road against the Chicago Bears, 38-31 as quarterback Tom Brady had three touchdown passes and the special teams scored twice, including a 95-yard kickoff return by Cordarrelle Patterson after Chicago had taken a 17-7 lead.
The Patriots opened up a 14-point lead (38-24) in the fourth quarter on the second TD pass from Brady to running back James White. Bears QB Mitch Trubisky had 333 passing yards with two TD and two interceptions as well as a scoring run in the loss.

Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes had another big game.

The Kansas City Chiefs (6-1) crushed the visiting Cincinnati Bengals, 45-10 in the Sunday night game as QB Patrick Mahomes, the Heftyinfo NFL Player of the Week, had four touchdown passes, giving him a league leading 22 this season.
Mahomes also passed for 358 yards while Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt scored three touchdowns to help lead the rout. The Kansas City defense limited the Bengals to only 65 yards rushing as they built a huge lead entering the final quarter.


In the game played over in London, England, the Los Angeles Chargers held off the Tennessee Titans, 20-19 as their defense thwarted a two-point conversion try by the Titans with 31 seconds left to play. Chargers QB Philip Rivers had two long scoring passes (75 and 55 yards) to lead the offense.
The New Orleans Saints won a thriller at Baltimore, 24-23 as QB Drew Brees (two TD passes) threw his 500th career TD pass. The Ravens scored on a 14-yard TD pass from Joe Flacco to wide receiver John Brown with only 24 seconds remaining. However, kicker Justin Tucker missed the PAT kick, the first time in his career after making 222 consecutive kicks and that was the difference in the outcome.


                                                        Elsewhere Around the NFL  . . . . . . . 


The Washington Redskins (4-2) outlasted the Dallas Cowboys, 20-17 as 'Pokes kicker Brett Maher missed a 52-yard field goal as time expired . . .  The Carolina Panthers overcame a 17-0 deficit with a huge fourth quarter to gain a 21-17 victory over the host Philadelphia Eagles, who dropped to 3-4 with the loss. Panthers QB Cam Newton had two TD passes, including the game winner to tight end Greg Olsen with just over one minute remaining . . .  The Houston Texans (4-3) took over first place in the AFC South with a 20-7 victory over Jacksonville, sending the Jaguars to their third straight defeat. Jags QB Blake Bortles was benched in the loss . . .  The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (despite four turnovers) halted a three-game losing streak with a 26-23 win in OT against the visiting Cleveland Browns when kicker Chandler Cantanzaro hit a 59-yard field goal after he missed a 40-yarder at the end of regulation . . .  The Detroit Lions beat the host Miami Dolphins, 32-21 as they rushed for 248 yards, which included Kerryon Johnson rushing for 158 yards. Lions kicker Matt Prater made four field goals to help make the difference . . .   Minnesota rolled past the host New York Jets, 37-17 as RB Latavius Murray had two rushing touchdowns and QB Kirk Cousins threw two TD passes while the Vikings defense forced four turnovers, including three interceptions . . .  The Indianapolis Colts manhandled the Buffalo Bills, 37-5 as QB Andrew Luck threw four scoring passes and the Indy defense gathered five turnovers . . .  In the Thursday night game, the Denver Broncos routed the host Arizona Cardinals, 45-10 behind solid defense (five turnovers including three picks, two for touchdowns and six QB sacks) and a balanced offense (178 passing yards, 131 rushing yards and four touchdowns) to snap a four-game losing streak . . .  The Atlanta Falcons won a close game, 23-20 against the New York Giants on Monday Night Football. Falcons QB Matt Ryan passed for 379 yards with a TD pass while Giants QB Eli Manning also had a TD pass along with 399 yards through the air.


WEEK SEVEN RESULTS
Denver 45, Arizona 10
LA Chargers 20, Tennessee 19
New England 38, Chicago 31
Tampa Bay 26, Cleveland 23 (OT)
Houston 20, Jacksonville 7
Detroit 32, Miami 21
Indianapolis 37, Buffalo 5
Minnesota 37, NY Jets 17
Carolina 21, Philadelphia 17
LA Rams 39, San Francisco 10
Washington 20, Dallas 17
New Orleans 24, Baltimore 23
Kansas City 45, Cincinnati 10
Atlanta 23, NY Giants 20 

College Football Top Ten

Heftyinfo College Football Top Ten           (Week ending October 21)         

1.  Alabama (8-0)
2.  Clemson (7-0)
3.  Notre Dame (7-0)
4.  LSU (7-1)
5.  Georgia (6-1)
6.  Michigan (7-1)
7.  Ohio State (7-1)
8.  UCF  (7-0)
9.  Texas (6-1)
10.  Oklahoma (6-1)

2018 WORLD SERIES

It will be the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Boston Red Sox in the 2018 World Series.
Boston had the best record in the majors this season while the Dodgers finally got it going after the All Star break and are in their second consecutive Fall Classic.







PREDICTION -- Boston Red Sox over Los Angeles Dodgers in SIX GAMES