Beat up QBs and picks for NFL Week 8

Go figure that during the Week that the NFL cracks down on helmet-to-helmet hits and concussions, two of the league’s premier QBs go down with unrelated injuries. One suffered multiple fractures to his ankle, the other broke his clavicle. And if you didn’t know that I was talking about Brett Favre and Tony Romo, respectively, you’re probably not the biggest football fan out there.
 
Favre finished the game with Green Bay, but must have been in some pain considering he suffered a stress fracture and an avulsion fracture – when the tendon or ligament tears away a piece of bone – in his left ankle.
 
Some talking heads think that Favre won’t miss any time and that these injuries amount to a “glorified ankle sprain,” as noted in SI’s Peter King’s Monday column. But now analyst Chris Collinsworth has speculated that Favre, in fact, could sit and end his ironman streak.
 
The key, I think, is that Favre was once addicted to painkillers, so you would think that he would have to reluctant to use them to play through this pain. Either way, he’s in a lot better shape than Romo.
 
Yes, when Romo was slammed into the turf by a Giants defender, he broke his left collarbone and effective dashed the hopes of the Cowboys season. The best case scenario would see veteran Jon Kitna hold the fort for the team and win a few games – something this team hasn’t demonstrated it can do – and then Romo could possibly return in six weeks.
 
Or, there’s the likely scenario, where Kitna does decent, but not enough to put the Boys into the playoff hunt. Then, Romo misses eight weeks and the team has to debate putting him back into the lineup for games that mean nothing.
 
Of course, there’s the worst case scenario, where Dallas replicates their 1989 season and goes 1-15, too. But at least they would be able to grab a solid tackle to beef up their lacking pass protection.

All lines are straight from Vegas and the home teams are in CAPS.

Denver +1 over SAN FRANCISCO * — At London, England
So the NFL is sending two teams to the UK that have a combined three wins? Way to sell the game, NFL. Broncos are better.

Jacksonville +6.5 over DALLAS
Jon Kitna starts at QB and the Cowboys haven’t won at home yet. Plus, the Jags get David Garrard back.

Washington +2.5 over DETROIT
I’m not sure how a 4-3 team with no major injuries is an underdog to a 1-5 team. Look for Ryan Torain to have a huge day.

NEW YORK JETS -6 over Green Bay
The Jets are coming off their bye and Darrelle Revis should be up to the challenge of shutting down Greg Jennings.

ST. LOUIS -3 over Carolina
The Rams are quite frisky at home and the Panthers were really lucky to come out with a win last week.

Miami +1.5 over CINCINNATI
The Dolphins are undefeated on the road and the superior team here. Carson Palmer’s stats are only coming in garbage

KANSAS CITY -7.5 over Buffalo
It’s technically not a let down game after a team loses, but last week’s duel with Baltimore is the closest the Bills are getting this season to a W.

Tennessee +3.5 over SAN DIEGO
The Titans would have been able to easily gain that yard the Pats needed on 4th down last week. The Chargers are in shambles.

Tampa Bay +3 over ARIZONA
Max Hall is starting at QB for the Cardinals, again. At least he’s getting experience — at how to handle losses.

OAKLAND -2.5 over Seattle
Two weird teams, but only one can win and Oakland was red hot last week. Darren McFadden finally looks like the back we though he would be.

NEW ENGLAND -5 over Minnesota
Randy Moss returns to New England, where he probably wishes he was still playing now. It hasn’t been a pleasant return for Randy so far.

Pittsburgh (pick) over NEW ORLEANS
This Halloween night game will be scary thanks to Pittsburgh’s defence. If the Browns can pick off Brees four times, how about the Steelers menacing D?

INDIANAPOLIS -5.5 over Houston
The Colts will get their revenge from the Texans Week 1 win. Plus, you never, ever want to bet against Peyton Manning in prime time.

Last week: 7-7
This season: 55-46-3