Packers (4-3) @ Jets (5-1), 1:00PM ET
Beating the Vikings last week was huge, but the Packers have a long ways to go if they want to separate themselves from Minnesota and Chicago in the NFC North. A win over a well-rested Jets team coming off its bye would be a start, but that won’t be an easy feat. After losing to the Ravens in Week 1, the Jets have rattled off five in a row and now have a healthy Darrelle Revis (hamstring) back in the fold. It could be a long day for the Packers on Sunday if their O-line can’t protect Aaron Rodgers. It’ll also be interesting to see if Mark Sanchez can continue to develop or if he’ll eventually revert back to the limited, ineffective quarterback he was last year and against Baltimore in the opener.
CURRENT ODDS: JETS –6
Titans (5-2) @ Chargers (2-5), 4:05PM ET
You get the sense that people are still waiting for the Chargers to turn things around. That they’re not as bad as their 2-5 record and their last place (yes, last place) standing in the AFC West. But there’s a very good possibility that San Diego is as bad as it’s played and if the Titans beat the Bolts on their home field, it might be all she wrote for the Chargers. On the other side, if Tennessee can get a big road win this week, then the skies the limit for this team. Vince Young is fully practicing after missing the past two games with a knee injury, so the Chargers will have to do deal with both of the Titans’ key offensive playmakers on Sunday. Oh, joy.
CURRENT ODDS: CHARGERS -3
Vikings (2-4) @ Patriots (5-1), 4:15PM ET
Brett Favre’s consecutive starts streak isn’t the only thing on the line this Sunday for the Vikings. Another loss would drop them to 2-5 and even though the Packers and Bears have their fair share of problems, Minnesota would be putting itself in quite a whole. Whether it’s Favre or Tarvaris Jackson that lines up under center, the Vikes will need a huge effort out of Adrian Peterson this week. The Patriots’ defense can be had, but not if AP doesn’t find room to run. New England needs a victory to keep pace with the red-hot Jets, who have already beaten the Pats once this year.
CURRENT ODDS: PATRIOTS –5.5
Steelers (5-1) @ Saints (4-3), 8:20PM ET
It’s amazing to think that the defending Super Bowl champs may be .500 at the end of eight weeks. But without Reggie Bush (who is expected to miss another week due to injury), the Saints might be headed for their fourth loss this season. After losing to the Browns last week, things don’t get any easier for New Orleans this Sunday, as the Steelers’ vaunted defense comes to town. The good news for Sean Payton and company is that Pittsburgh might be a little road weary after playing at Miami last week. The bad news is that outside of the Jets and Patriots, no team is hotter right now than the Steelers.
CURRENT ODDS: SAINTS -1
2010 NFL Week 8 Opening Odds:
207 Denver Broncos +1 (41.5)
208 San Francisco 49ers -1 (41.5)
209 Jacksonville Jaguars +6.5 (42.5)
210 Dallas Cowboys -6.5 (42.5)
211 Washington Redskins +1 (44)
212 Detroit Lions –1 (44)
213 Green Bay Packers +6 (43)
214 New York Jets –6 (43)
215 Carolina Panthers +3 (37)
216 St. Louis Rams –3 (37)
217 Miami Dolphins +2.5 (43.5)
218 Cincinnati Bengals –2.5 (43.5)
219 Buffalo Bills +7.5 (44)
220 Kansas City Chiefs –7.5 (44)
221 Tennessee Titans +3.5 (44)
222 San Diego Chargers –3.5 (44)
223 Tampa Bay Buccaneers +3 (39.5)
224 Arizona Cardinals –3 (39.5)
225 Seattle Seahawks +1 (41.5)
226 Oakland Raiders –1 (41.5)
227 Minnesota Vikings +4.5 (44)
228 New England Patriots –4.5 (44)
229 Pittsburgh Steelers –1 (43.5)
230 New Orleans Saints +1 (43.5)
231 Houston Texans +5.5 (49.5)
232 Indianapolis Colts –5.5 (49.5)
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