Upside Play Pick Em: Week 8

(Photo Via: Chaz Palla || Tribune Review)

Current Standings:

#1 Zach (26-14)

#2 Maher (25-15)

#3 Ryan (24-16)

#4 James (23-17)

#5 Vince (23-17)

#6 Patrick (22-18)

San Francisco 49ers (4-3) @ Seattle Seahawks (5-1)

Current Lines: SEA -3.0 / O/U 53

When I think of the 2019 regular season, I think of the intense playoff shaping final game between these two squads. Dre Greenlaw’s stop at the 1 yard line was a pivotal moment of the 49ers Super Bowl run , securing the #1 seed and reviving the rivalry between Seattle and San Francisco. The Niners have been anything but consistent this year, the injuries have destroyed them overall as this week (as of now) they’re slated to give the bulk of carries to 5th string running back Jamycal Hasty. 5 players for San Francisco are gametime decisions, this could be a repeat of 2019, or get ugly quick. Seattle was just beaten for the first time last week in a thrilling OT Sunday night game. Russell Wilson has been balling this year with 22 TD’s and almost 2000 yards already. The Seattle defense will need to help him out and cut down on the 444.5 yards a game they’ve allowed so far. We can’t wait for the first Shanahan vs Carroll matchup of 2020.

James: 49ers

Vince: Seahawks

Zach: Seahawks

Patrick: 49ers

Ryan: Seahawks

Maher: Seahawks

Pittsburgh Steelers (6-0) @ Baltimore Ravens (5-1)

Current Lines: BAL -4.0 / O/U 46.5

The Steelers are the last undefeated team in the league… and they enter the week as underdogs. Baltimore -4 is shocking to a lot of viewers but if Lamar is his MVP self on Sunday, the league won’t have a top dawg anymore. The Ravens defense has allowed the least PPG thus far at just 17.3 a game. The running game has been strong so far for Baltimore as they lead the league in yards per game at 164.3, mainly due to Lamar being able to escape the pocket and extend plays with his feet. Pittsburgh got into trouble late last week but was bailed out by a missed game-tying field goal against the Titans. A different player seems to step up each week for this Steeler offense as they’ve seen big weeks from each of their top 3 receivers. Their defense which seems to never fade, they average the most sacks per game at 4.3 and just 19.7 PPG. We have a potential playoff matchup preview between these two AFC North squads this Sunday.

James: Steelers

Vince: Steelers

Zach: Steelers

Patrick: Steelers

Ryan: Ravens

Maher: Ravens

New Orleans Saints (4-2) @ Chicago Bears (5-2)

Current Lines: NO -4.5 / O/U 43.5

The Bears looked like the team we thought they were on Monday against the Rams. Nick Foles couldn’t get the offense as they only put up 3 points in their 24-10 defeat. The Bears only average a low 19.7 PPG and 308 yards per game, their defense luckily has bailed them out thus far getting Chicago to a quick 5-2 record, good for 2nd in the NFC North. New Orleans had a disappointing start but has won 3 straight and look to continue their streak on Sunday. Star RB Alvin Kamara has 9 TD’s so far as well as a league high 868 all purpose yards, he’s been a monster for this Saints offense and a big reason they’ve been able to climb out of their 1-2 start on the season. Michael Thomas has been ruled out for another week, leaving more room for New Orleans route runners to make a name for themselves.

James: Saints

Vince: Saints

Zach: Saints

Patrick: Saints

Ryan: Saints

Maher: Saints

Dallas Cowboys (2-5) @ Philadelphia Eagles (2-4-1)

Current Lines: PHI -11.0 / O/U 43.5

The fact that Philly is 11 point favorites with all the injuries they’ve suffered this year is absolutely insane, but also tells you how bad these Cowboys have been lately. Andy Dalton is expected not to play this Sunday, making rookie QB Ben Dinucci the Cowboys official starter heading into Philadelphia. This is going to be an ugly contest, the Dallas defense hasn’t been able to string together any momentum and the offense is riding on the back of 3 great receivers being thrown to by a rookie out of James Madison. The Eagles are running low offensively as they have a ton of injuries to their receiving core and offensive line, Miles Sanders has been ruled out again, and Carson Wentz hasn’t looked great all year. Wentz has 10 TD’s and 10 Interceptions with a completion percentage of 58.6%. The Eagles could use an easy one at this point as the NFC East is a complete dumpster fire and will most likely be won by a team with a below .500 record.

James: Cowboys

Vince: Eagles

Zach: Eagles

Patrick: Eagles

Ryan: Eagles

Maher: Eagles

Tampa Bay Bucs (5-2) @ New York Giants (1-6)

Current Lines: TB -12.5 / O/U 45

Tom Brady is going back to New York to face off against the somehow best team of the city, the 1-6 Giants. Brady is having another great year as he’s got 18 TD’s and 272.8 yards per game so far in 2020. Star WR Chris Godwin is out this week with a fractured finger he recently had surgery on. Mike Evans and Scotty Miller will be the main guys for touchdown Tom on Monday night. The Tampa Bay defense has been great this year as they’re 3rd in sacks, 3rd in yards allowed, and 1st in rush yards allowed. The Giants are looking for a huge upset this week and to get their offense going as they have the second worst yards per game average at just 282.4. Daniel Jones is currently their leading rusher, and hasn’t been great slinging the rock as he has just 5 TD’s and 7 interceptions. Wayne Gallman owners look for a boost in action as Devonta Freeman has been ruled out for the Monday night showdown.

James: Bucs

Vince: Bucs

Zach: Bucs

Patrick: Bucs

Ryan: Bucs

Maher: Bucs

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* Cover Photo Via: Chaz Palla || Tribune Review