Barring significant injuries, the likes of Kansas City, Buffalo, Baltimore and Detroit look to be managing the expectations that would have been around those teams in the build to the 2024 season. All four look capable Super Bowl Champions and it would take significant injuries to Quarter Backs to prevent those teams making the Playoffs at the very least.
Strong trades have been made by a couple of those teams to further their ambitions for the season, and more moves are expected ahead of the deadline which will have the fans of those four teams planning a trip to New Orleans in February.
Others like the Green Bay Packers, Houston Texans and Philadelphia Eagles may be comfortable with their current positions, while surprises develop every year in the NFL.
Despite their loss to the Lions, the Minnesota Vikings remain on a good path and you can only be excited by what Russell Wilson brought to the Pittsburgh Steelers in their blowout win over the New York Jets. If they are able to bring in Cooper Kuup in a trade from the Los Angeles Rams, the Steelers will be all in for the season and the League is shaping up nicely.
Some teams have reached the level expected, but there are some, like my Miami Dolphins, that have a lot of work to do- Tua Tagovailoa looks set to return this weekend, but there will be concerns about the Quarter Back who cannot afford too many more big blows to the head. Mike McDaniels tenure as Head Coach looks to be linked with how well Tagovailoa can recover from his latest concussion, although the team have shown excitement about having their Quarter Back return and there is still time for Miami to turn things around.
That will also be the hope for teams like San Francisco, New York Jets and Cincinnati who have underachieved early on, but who have time to just turn things around. The Bengals at least have some momentum, and that is what the Dolphins, Jets and 49ers will be hoping as we move into Week 8 of the regular season.
Week 7 continued the really strong start to the 2024 season, although some meat was left on the bone.
The Cleveland Browns should have really turned things over to Jameis Winston instead of Dorian Thompson-Robinson when Deshaun Watson went down with an injury that will rule him out for the remainder of 2024. If they had done that, they would have covered, while the injury to Tyler Huntley meant the Miami Dolphins were unable to cover.
In reality, there is no way I would have picked the Dolphins if I had known that Tim Boyle was going to be needed at Quarter Back.
Denver, Jacksonville and Philadelphia covered easily and a late Field Goal helped Arizona beat the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday Night Football to keep the positive momentum going.
Seven weeks are in the books and six of those have returned with a plus number, which really cannot be seen as anything but a good start to the year.
The first selections from Week 8 will be from the Sunday games- with trade rumours around the Los Angeles Rams, I did consider backing the Minnesota Vikings. However, teams that have a long winning run snapped can struggle to pick themselves up and the short week will make it more difficult for the Vikings, who have been rumoured to make a move for Matthew Stafford if the Rams are in selling mode.
Ultimately there are too many uncertainties about Thursday Night Football and better picks can be made later in this week.
This thread will have those selections added to it and hopefully it will be another week of more winners than losers to keep the strong opening to 2024 going.
Arizona Cardinals @ Miami Dolphins Pick: After watching some of the Quarter Back play produced over the four games, you can understand why there is so much excitement within the Miami Dolphins (2-4) locker room that Tua Tagovailoa has been cleared from concussion protocol. Keeping Tagovailoa healthy was something that Miami managed to do in 2023, but questions remain about the long-term health of a player that has had far too many concussions already.
The Quarter Back will need to spark things for the Miami Dolphins who have lost four of their last five games and been a mess Offensively.
You cannot be that surprised about that when Tim Boyle is taking snaps for your team, but Miami want to be careful about asking too much of a player that is only just returning after a concussion. For most players that is challenging, but there is extra caution around Tua Tagovailoa because of his history and you can only hope that he can stay healthy, even if it eventually means retirement is better for his long-term well-being.
This may be a decent opponent to face on his return when the Arizona Cardinals (3-4) make the long trip east after playing on Monday Night Football and also in the early Eastern Time slot. A late win over the Los Angeles Chargers has just given the Cardinals momentum within the NFC West with just a game between the Cardinals and Divisional leaders Seattle Seahawks, but this is a tough scheduling spot.
Defensively there have been issues for the Arizona Cardinals and facing this Miami Dolphins team is going to be a lot different with Tua Tagovailoa at Quarter Back rather than those that have been starting of late.
It is important for the Offensive Line to continue opening up the running lanes to ease some of the pressure on Tua Tagovailoa, who will be playing with serious expectations after the way the season has been developing for Miami without him. The Dolphins should be able to hand the ball off to De'Von Achane to pick up some big yards on the ground and playing from third and manageable would make Miami very dangerous.
And it is not as if the Cardinals Secondary have played so well that they can sell out to try and stop the run and see if that can slow down the Offensive units being played. Instead the pass rush has been struggling to get going and the last few weeks has seen Quarter Backs pile up the numbers against the Arizona Cardinals, which can only be good news for Tyreek Hill and Jayden Waddle with a competent Quarter Back returning to take the snaps.
Miami's Defensive unit have kept the team competitive without their Quarter Back, although they have not been facing too many top Offensive teams. Much like Arizona, Miami have struggled to stop the run and James Connor is expected to have a big outing for the Cardinals and give the team an opportunity.
It also feels like a game in which Kyler Murray can have an impact as a runner out of the Quarter Back position, although Arizona will want his arm to do some of the heavy lifting too. Like Arizona, Miami have struggled to generate much of a pass rush of late and this Cardinals Offensive Line have offered protection when Murray has stepped back to throw, although the Miami Secondary have been able to deal with the limited passing threat offered by the likes of Will Levis, Mason Rudolph and Jacoby Brissett.
Kyler Murray will offer more and he does have some solid Receiving options as Arizona look to get Marvin Harrison Jr going. Everything depends on the run game though and Arizona should have their successes in this one too, which should make it a fun watch.
However, the schedule spot looks tough for Arizona and the Dolphins may have the balance Offensively that has been missing of late.
Backing a Quarter Back on his return from concussion is never idea, but the Miami Dolphins just need someone competent to play the position and Tua Tagovailoa might just make enough plays to see them to a win by around a Touchdown mark.
Atlanta Falcons @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers Pick: At the beginning of October, the Atlanta Falcons (4-3) were able to get the better of a shootout with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-3).
They meet again in another NFC South Divisional game before the end of the month and this is a big opportunity for the Falcons to secure a tie-breaker, which could be crucial in what is expected to be a tight Divisional race. The injuries that the Buccaneers have suffered on Monday Night Football are going to have a big impact on the next few weeks and it may be tough for Tampa Bay to keep up if this develops into another high-scoring battle.
Both Chris Godwin and Mike Evans have picked up serious injuries- Evans may return around Week 11/12, but Godwin is expected to miss the rest of the season and so the Buccaneers passing game is going to need new faces to step up. There is some talent here, but those players can show up in spots when Defensive Backs are focusing on the big name Receivers.
Without them it will be tougher for Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers, although they may be able to lean on Rachaad White and Bucky Irving to move the ball on the ground. That may be the game plan to keep the Atlanta Falcons Offensive unit on the sidelines, while the weakness of the Falcons Defensive unit has been stopping the run rather than the pass.
It has been possible to have success throwing the ball against the Falcons, but finding consistency through the air against them has not been so easy. This would have been a challenge even with Mike Evans and Chris Godwin in the lineup, especially when adding the fact that Tampa Bay had less than 175 passing yards in the first game against the Falcons with those two Receivers available.
Baker Mayfield will have time to attack the Falcons and the running game will help, but this could be another tough match up against Atlanta unless the Defensive unit can pick up their level.
The Falcons put up 550 Offensive yards in the win over the Buccaneers and Tampa Bay just allowed the Baltimore Ravens to score 41 points.
The majority of the yards in the first game came courtesy of Kirk Cousins, but this should be a game in which Bijan Robinson can have a bigger impact than in the first meeting. Atlanta's Offensive Line have played well and we just saw the Baltimore Ravens run all over the Buccaneers, which should be music to the ears of Robinson and Tyler Allgeier, while also making sure Cousins is able to have a bit of pressure eased from his shoulders.
Atlanta were battered by the Seattle Seahawks last week and so this is a big bounce back spot for them.
Kirk Cousins threw two Interceptions in that defeat, but had four Touchdown passes and a single Interception in the win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Running the ball should mean the Falcons are playing in front of the chains, which will open up the passing game for the Quarter Back, and Kirk Cousins should have a performance that is similar to the one he did earlier this month.
You do have to expect the Buccaneers to try and step up and cover for the absence of their two top Receivers, but this may not be a good match up for them.
Both teams should be able to run the ball, but Kirk Cousins might outplay Baker Mayfield and another win for the Falcons over the Buccaneers would mean taking command of the NFC South, even at this early stage of the season.
Atlanta have found a bit of form, even accounting for the loss to Seattle, and the short week for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers may see them come up a little short at home against their main rival within this Division.
Green Bay Packers @ Jacksonville Jaguars Pick: There was a fear that the return from playing two games in London would have been at a time when a new Head Coach would be needed, but the Jacksonville Jaguars (2-5) were able to get the better of the New England Patriots in Week 7. That was important for Head Coach Doug Pederson just seven days after a pretty poor showing against the Chicago Bears, but the Jaguars have plenty of work to do if they are going to get back into contention in the AFC South.
It really does not help that the Jaguars are about to embark on a really tough portion of their regular season schedule.
Losing to one NFC North team in London will just underline the challenges that the Jacksonville Jaguars are going to be facing over the coming weeks with the other three teams from that Division coming up. They also play the Philadelphia Eagles and it will take something special for the Jaguars to go 2-2 across their next four games, never mind putting a winning record on the board in their bid to close on the Houston Texans.
First up is the Green Bay Packers (5-2) who are a part of the NFC North and join the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings with five wins secured. They have won three in a row and Jordan Love is playing like one of the better Quarter Backs in the NFL, although he will be the first to admit that he needs to clean up some of the turnovers that have been down to Love's mistakes.
This looks a very good chance for Jordan Love to have another strong game at Quarter Back and the Green Bay Packers have a team that should be balanced on this side of the ball.
Josh Jacobs has come in to replace and Aaron Jones and the Running Back has shown his qualities, but with an added crease of catching the ball out of the backfield. Behind this Green Bay Offensive Line, Josh Jacobs has been able to rip off some solid gains on the ground and he should be able to keep the Packers in third and manageable spots.
It should lead to spaces to open up in the passing game and Jordan Love will be able to expose this Jaguars team as long as he can avoid the Interceptions that have been too much of a feature of the recent performances. The Jaguars have struggled to stop passer that are a level below the standard that Jordan Love has been able to set and so there is a strong chance the Green Bay Packers can keep this scoreboard ticking over efficiently.
Doug Pederson and the Jacksonville Jaguars will know they will have to call and execute a really strong game plan if they are going to win this one. Trevor Lawrence has flashed his talent at times, but the consistency has been lacking and this Green Bay Defensive unit is still under-rated.
You can run the ball against the Packers and that has to be the Offensive approach- if the Jaguars can do this effectively, they can shorten the game and make sure they are keeping the Packers on the sideline to warm up in the Florida sun. As long as this game is competitive, the Jaguars can lean on the run, but the problem will be if they are having to chase points.
Trevor Lawrence has not lived up to the contract extension numbers, but this is a Quarter Back with plenty of talent. However, challenging this Packers Secondary through the air has been tough for Quarter Backs all season and Lawrence will have to be aware of the ball-hawking nature of the Defensive Backs.
Pressure up front has really helped the Packers and they have helped Jordan Love overcome the turnovers by largely containing the threats against them through the air.
This is likely going to be the case in Week 8 of the regular season and the Green Bay Packers can make it four wins in succession.
Backing a road favourite is not always ideal, but the Green Bay Packers look the stronger team on both sides of the ball and they should be motivated to retain momentum before a big game with the Detroit Lions to be played next week. Returning to the United States after two weeks in London is not an ideal situation for the Jaguars and the NFC North team can underline their talent edge with a win and cover here.
MY PICKS: Miami Dolphins - 4.5 Points @ 1.95 Bet Victor (1 Unit)
Atlanta Falcons - 2.5 Points @ 1.91 Paddy Power (1 Unit)
Green Bay Packers - 3.5 Points @ 1.91 Paddy Power (1 Unit)
Philadelphia Eagles + 2.5 Points @ 1.95 Bet Victor (1 Unit)
Washington Commanders + 2.5 Points @ 1.95 Bet365 (1 Unit)
Denver Broncos - 10.5 Points @ 1.91 Paddy Power (1 Unit)
Week 7: 4-3, + 0.73 Units (7 Units Staked, + 10.43% Yield)
Week 6: 4-2, + 1.67 Units (6 Units Staked, + 27.83% Yield)
Week 5: 4-2, + 1.64 Units (6 Units Staked, + 27.33% Yield)
Week 4: 6-2, + 3.45 Units (8 Units Staked, + 43.13% Yield)
Week 3: 3-3, - 0.23 Units (6 Units Staked, - 3.83% Yield)
Week 2: 4-2, + 1.62 Units (6 Units Staked, + 27% Yield)
Week 1: 5-2, + 2.67 Units (7 Units Staked, + 38.14% Yield)
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