5 NFL Week 8 JB Locks Against The Spread
by Jake Brown (@JBSportsRadio)
Last week may have been the wildest, most surprising week of the 2014 NFL season. Well, at least it was for my JB Locks. I went an unacceptable 1-4 in Week 7, bringing my overall record to 19-16. While still over .500, 1-4 can not and will not happen again this season. I guarantee it. Week 8 features many games that really could go either way with the spread. Let's tackle it as best as I can. Here's my JB Locks for NFL Week 8 against the spread.
1. Lions (5-2) @ Falcons (2-5) (+3.5)
The Falcons have just imploded this season, and they have the surging Lions coming to their building. Detroit's defense has been stellar this season and has had no problems forcing turnovers. The Falcons run game has been dreadful. Matt Ryan badly misses Tony Gonzalez in this offense. The defense has played poorly. It's hard to see them beating anyone, let alone the Lions right now. Lock in Detroit by a touchdown.
LOCK: LIONS
2. Rams (2-4) @ Chiefs (3-3) (-7.5)
The Rams shocked the world by beating the Seahawks last week. They made calls on special teams that took some guts. Playing at home against a struggling Seahawks team is a whole different story than going to a rowdy Arrowhead to take on a Chiefs team playing well. The Chiefs are riding high off a road win against the Chargers, and they are going to attack the young Austin Davis Sunday. The Rams offense has some question marks in the backfield. The Chiefs should win this in a blowout at home. Lock it in.
LOCK: CHIEFS
3. Texans (3-4) @ Titans (2-5) (+2.5)
The Titans are a train wreck right now. They have absolutely no clue where they want to go at the quarterback position. This week, they will turn away from Jake Locker and Charlie Whitehurst and go with rookie Zach Mettenberger. The sixth-round pick will try to solidify what has been one of the NFL's worst QB situations. Mettenberger has been third on the depth chart all season. For him to come in and win his debut would likely take a miracle, especially with Jadaveon Clowney returning opposite J.J. Watt. The Texans don't have the best QB scenario with Ryan Fitzpatrick either, but this still has all the makings of a blowout Texans win. Lock in the Texans to win by at least a touchdown.
LOCK: TEXANS
4. Seahawks (3-3) @ Panthers (3-3-1) (+5.5)
The Seahawks are in dire need of a victory. Percy Harvin is no longer there, which means any excuse of locker room issues should be thrown out the window. Pete Carroll is too good of a head coach to let this team lose to the Panthers this week. The defense needs to lock down and get back to their championship ways, because the Cardinals and 49ers are both playing better and the NFC is much improved. The Panthers defense is giving up lots of points; don't expect that to change this weekend. This team is not the same one that won the NFC South last year. Expect the Seahawks to get a much-needed road win by a touchdown. Lock it up.
LOCK: SEAHAWKS
5. Colts (5-2) @ Steelers (4-3) (+3.5)
Don't get fooled into thinking the Steelers will turn their season around now after squeezing by the Texans. This just isn't the same defensive team under Dick LeBeau anymore. They are too old on defense and can't keep up with the the talent level of Indianapolis. The Colts are just a much better team. Andrew Luck is playing at an elite level. Their defense is coming off a shutout of the Bengals. It doesn't look like anyone can touch this Colts team right now. Lock in the Colts by a touchdown.
LOCK: COLTS