in NFL Free Picks

Like any successful offense on the football field rhythm, tempo and consistency are the keys to making picks that deliver. The trends are starting to become crystal clear for me now. If you think back to the character Neo in the film the Matrix when the entire grid of the matrix appears in front of his eyes, that’s become my comfort zone. I’ve taken to sitting back in my lazy boy chair, sipping a gin and tonic and listening to some reggae music and the picks simply come to me. No more visits to the Oracle – just read what follows. Good luck to agents Butterfield and Oxley in Week 8.

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS + 7 vs. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES -7

After looking like the top of the class in the NFC East, the Eagles suffered a pair of frustrating defeats on the road and find themselves behind the surging Giants. Andy Reid called a special practice on Monday forcing the team to painfully watch video featuring the all the miscues that plagued the team in their two losses. The Eagles are happy to be home and you can guarantee Reid will have his team ready to rebound. The return of receiver Donte’ Stallworth means another big target for quarterback Donovan McNabb which will make the Eagles league-leading passing attack even more dangerous. It’s looking like the Jags will be playing without starting quarterback Byron Leftwich who struggled due to a sprained ankle in their loss to the Texans last week. If Leftwich can’t go, he’ll be replaced by competent backup David Garrard. The Jags defense has allowed 367.3 total yards and 28.0 points a game on the road this season and safety Donovin Darius missed practice on Thursday.

PREDICTION: Eagles to cover

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS -3 vs. MINNESOTA VIKINGS +3

Somewhat lost in the NFC North headlines as a result of the Bears’ glorious undefeated record is the success Brad Childress has had in his first year coaching the now 4-2 Vikings. Heading into Week 8, the Vikings own the league’s best defense against the run, limiting opponents to 70.8 yards a game. Kevin Williams and Pat Williams are the run stuffers while E.J. Henderson is developing into a talented linebacker. The Vikings secondary is also an experienced and aggressive group with corners Antoine Winfield and Fred Smoot and ball hawk Darren Sharper. In Week 3, for more than 3½ quarters, Minnesota was beating Chicago at its own defensive game before losing by a field goal. Like the Vikings, the Patriots are also quietly building chemistry and momentum while Tom Brady gets cozy with the new offense. This could be a low scoring affair that hinges on a key late turnover by one of the teams. Chester Taylor is second in the NFL with 590 yards rushing. The Patriots may be without Pro Bowl defensive end Richard Seymour when they visit the Metrodome.

PREDICTION: Vikings to cover

NEW YORK JETS (PK) vs. CLEVELAND BROWNS (PK)

At 4-3, head coach Eric Mangini has the Jets playing good football. The Jets have beaten the weaker teams they’ve faced while playing quality teams like Indianapolis and New England tough. Their one blemish was the ugly 41-0 beating they took in Jacksonville – young teams will have their off-days. Both these teams have defensive shortcomings and give up chunks of yards, so this game could very well turn into a shootout. Chad Pennington continues to have success, hooking up with Laveranues Coles and Jerricho Cotchery, and the Jets have found a legitimate running game thanks to rookie Leon Washington, who has delivered 100-yards efforts in two of their last three games. The Browns fired offensive coordinator Maurice Carthon as a result of a feeble rushing attack, averaging 68.2 yards a game. It didn’t help that Kellen Winslow criticized the team’s underachieving offense in the media. Quarterback Charlie Frye struggled the last two weeks against the strong defenses of Carolina and Denver but should find it easier going against a Jets defense that gives up 230 yards a game through the air.

PREDICTION: Browns to win

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS +1.5 vs. DENVER BRONCOS -1.5

This is without doubt a game football fans near and far will be tuning into come Sunday. Peyton Manning’s level of play is so consistently high it’s easy to take him for granted – his twelve touchdowns and only two interceptions put him in a class of his own. Denver’s fourth-ranked defense has been outstanding having given up only 44 points over six games and an average of 7.3 points a game; they have conceded two passing scores, but no team has rushed for a touchdown against the Broncos. They are an aggressive unit with speed all over the field – which makes it very difficult for any offense to exploit. Champ Bailey is having a strong campaign with three interceptions heading into this game. Manning spreads the ball to receivers all over the field and gets rid of it in a hurry (he has only been sacked seven times) so the key for Denver will be to pressure Manning and disrupt his timing. Manning will use the no-huddle to try and create mismatches for some big plays. Denver will need to run the ball successfully against a defense that gives up 158 yards a game – Tatum Bell will run hard between the tackles to negate the Indy’s speed on the perimeters. Jake Plummer needs to avoid any turnovers and make some plays downfield.

PREDICTION: Colts to cover