Gridiron Great Top 11 (Week 8)
The top two teams look very familiar again this season and Week 8 had another major upset. Here’s a dive into our Gridiron Great 11 heading into week 8.
Gridiron Great Top 11 (Week 8)
#11. Cincinnati Bengals 3-3 (+1500/+2500) - The Bengals had a bye week which meant another week of rest for quarterback Joe Burrow and more time to get their offensive line issues sorted out. The Bengals' defense has carried the day thus far and, if the offense gets going, they have the ability to fall in line right behind the Chiefs in the AFC. Last Week’s Rank: 9th
#10. Buffalo Bills 4-3 (+700/+1400) - Something isn’t working in Buffalo at the moment. They barely survived at home last Sunday night against the Giants and then dropped a game to the struggling Patriots on the road this week. The Bills may need to address some needs at the trade deadline if they hope to go deep into the playoffs. Last Week’s Rank: 6th
#9. Seattle Seahawks 4-2 (+2000/+3500) - Seattle bounced back this week with a win in a game that had must-win written all over it against the Cardinals. The Seahawks are now just a ½ game behind SF in the NFC West. Last Week’s Rank: 11th
#8. Jacksonville Jaguars 5-2 (+1100/+2200) - The Jags looked like a true playoff contender on Thursday night in taking out the Saints despite not playing their best. They should be able to roll to the AFC South title. Last Week’s Rank: 10th
#7. Dallas Cowboys 4-2 (+500/+1000) - The bye week came at the perfect time for the Cowboys. They were allowed to lick their wounds and refresh as they ready for the rest of the season. Watch the Cowboys at the deadline. They will be looking for help in the secondary and at linebacker. Last Week’s Rank: 8th
#6. Detroit Lions 5-2 (+550/+1500) - The Lions had their first full-fledged clunker on Sunday in Baltimore. Every team is allowed one in a season. The Lions’ response in the next game will tell us more. Last Week’s Rank: 5th
#5. Miami Dolphins 5-2 (+400/+900) - The Dolphins have played two good teams thus far, the Bills and Eagles, and were manhandled each time. That should be cause for concern in South Beach. Help is on the way, however, with defensive players on the mend. Last Week’s Rank: 4th
#4. SF 49ers 5-2 (+200/+475) - The Niners have now lost two straight games, both on the road. The 49ers defense struggled for the first time all year, particularly in their inability to stop yards after catch, usually a feature of their own offense. Last Week’s Rank: 2nd
#3. Baltimore Ravens 5-2 (+700/+1400) - Baltimore dominated a very good Lions team at home this week and QB Jackson was in MVP form. More importantly, the Ravens’ defense dominated the Lions from start to finish. Last Week’s Rank: 7th
#2. Philadelphia Eagles 5-1 (+240/+600) - The Eagles’ offense was slowed by the speedy Jets defense on Sunday. They now welcome the speedy Dolphins’ offense on Sunday. Last Week’s Rank: 3rd
#1. Kansas City Chiefs 6-1 (+210/+450) - Kansas City has steadily risen to the top and looks like the surest thing in the NFL at the moment. Mahomes continues his magic and KC’s defense looks as good as it has in any year of this run. Last Week’s Rank: 1st
Upset Alert for Week 3: We are now 6-2 in our upset specials on the season after going 1-1 this week, winning with the Vikings (+7) outright win over the Niners while losing out on the Chargers (+5.5) at Kansas City.
#1. Cleveland at Seattle (-3): The Browns’ defense struggled against the Colts this past week, allowing a ton of big plays. Still, they pulled out a victory and are now 2-0 without Watson at QB, after he missed much of the game in Indy. Watson will return on Sunday and, if he can be protected, should have multiple chances to take shots down the field against the vulnerable Seahawks’ secondary. Seattle QB Smith may want to prepare for several up close and personal meetings with the Browns’ Myles Garrett.
#2. Cincinnati at SF (-5.5): Yes, we are putting the Niners on Upset Alert for the third straight week. While everyone was singing the praises of Brock Purdy as the Niners raced out to a 5-0 record, not much has been said over the past two weeks as both the Browns and Vikings have been able to pressure him and get him off his spot in the pocket. Here comes the Bengals and a defensive line that has been able to live in the opposition’s backfield all season. They’ve had two weeks to prepare for the Niners' offense and have a chance to steal one on the road here.
*All odds courtesy of Draftkings.com
By Mark Ruelle
