NFL 2019: Week 8

As we approach the midway point of the season, trade chatter is getting louder and teams are making moves. With the Trade Deadline next week, we've already seen several deals, and we'll likely see several more in the next few days. Here is who has been traded so far, and who might be traded in the coming days:

• Rams Ratchet it Up - A lot of movement occurred in the past two weeks, and it started when the L.A. Rams asked John Dorsey and the Browns if they'd be willing to trade guard Joel Bitonio for corner Marcus Peters. Cleveland said no, but Dorsey did send backup center Austin Corbett to Los Angeles for a draft pick. Following that deal, Les Snead sent Peters to Baltimore for Baltimore linebacker Kenny Young and a 2020 fifth-round pick. Les Snead and the Rams didn't stop there. They then pulled off a blockbuster for Jacksonville corner Jalen Ramsey, sending two first-round picks and a fourth-round pick to the Jaguars.

• The Trades Continued This Week - Tuesday, the Raiders sent corner Gareon Conley, a former first-round pick, to Houston for a third-round pick. That same day, the Patriots added to their wide receiver room, acquiring Mohamed Sanu from Atlanta for a second-round pick. But the day's trading was only halfway done. The 49ers also added to their receiving corps, acquiring Emmanuel Sanders from the Broncos in exchange for third- and fourth-round picks. Then Detroit made a surprising move by sending starting safety Quandre Diggs to Seattle for a fifth-round pick. 

• Who's Next? - There are several notable names on the trading block. Washington tackle Trent Williams, who is holding out, has been subject to trade rumors all season. Reports say that Bruce Allen is refusing to trade him right now, but multiple teams, namely Cleveland, are trying to change Allen's mind. Tampa Bay tight end O.J. Howard has also been rumored to potentially be on the move, as has Falcons linebacker Vic Beasley Jr. There may be more high-profile trades involving corners, as names like Arizona's Patrick Peterson and Denver's Chris Harris Jr. have appeared on the rumor mill as well. There will surely continue to be trade rumblings (and actual trades) all the way up until the 4:00 PM deadline next Tuesday.

Week 7 Superlatives

Best Performance: Chase Edmonds, RB, Cardinals (27 carries, 126 yards, 3 TD)

The 2018 fourth-rounder out of Fordham filled in for David Johnson, who was held back due to injury, and tore up the New York Giants defense to help propel Arizona to a 27-21 victory.

Best Play: Be Yourself, Unless you can be Eric Ebron

Colts tight end Eric Ebron made an incredible catch in the back of the endzone Sunday against Houston. Although he was originally called out of bounds, replay showed that he somehow got both feet down. The Colts went on to win, 30-20, and take over first place in the AFC South.

Best Quote: "I'm seeing ghosts" - Jets QB Sam Darnold

Apparently (*Googling...*) that kid from The Sixth Sense isn't the only one seeing dead people. Sam Darnold was mic'd up for New York's Monday Night Football game against New England, and he was getting haunted all night by the frightening Patriot defense.

Week 8 Games

Thursday

Redskins @ Vikings

(8:20 PM, FOX/NFL)

Plenty of narratives surround this game. There's the "revenge" narrative (Kirk Cousins, Case Keenum and Adrian Peterson are all playing their former team), the "Kirk Cousins in primetime" narrative, and the "Washington is bad" narrative. The last narrative will overwhelm the others.

Spread: WAS +16.5  O/U: Under 42

Prediction: Vikings 27, Redskins 13

Sunday

Seahawks @ Falcons

(1:00 PM, FOX)

The Seahawks fell to Baltimore last week, but they should bounce back this Sunday in Atlanta. Matt Ryan got hurt last week, so Atlanta might have to start Matt Schaub. It won't matter who starts, because the Falcons are a mess. I wouldn't be surprised if Dan Quinn gets fired on their bye week.

Spread: SEA -3.5  O/U: Under 54

Prediction: Seahawks 32, Falcons 17

Eagles @ Bills

(1:00 PM, FOX)

Speaking of birds, the Eagles will look to bounce back from a Sunday night loss in Dallas when they travel to Buffalo Sunday. This one could go in either team's favor, but I'll ride with the power of the Bills Mafia at home. No one circles the wagons like the Buffalo Bills.

Spread: BUF -1.5  O/U: Under 43.5

Prediction: Bills 21, Eagles 17

Chargers @ Bears

(1:00 PM, FOX)

Da Bears looked reeeaaaal ugly last Sunday against New Orleans. Luckily for them, they host the Chargers this week. L.A. found a way to lose against Tennessee last week when Melvin Gordon fumbled at the goal line. I think the Bolts will find another way to lose this week in Chicago.

Spread: CHI -4  O/U: Over 41

Prediction: Bears 27, Chargers 20

Giants @ Lions

(1:00 PM, FOX)

After a controversial loss to the Packers, I thought Detroit would bounce back last Sunday at home against the Vikings. I was wrong. But I do think the Lions will bounce back this week, as they host the Giants, who have lost their last three games.

Spread: DET -7  O/U: Over 49.5

Prediction: Lions 30, Giants 21

Buccaneers @ Titans

(1:00 PM, FOX)

The Titans were lucky to escape with a victory last week. This week, they face jittery Jameis Winston and the Bucs. If Jameis plays like he did in London two weeks ago (where he threw five picks), there is no way Tampa wins. I think he'll just barely play well enough to not lose. 

Spread: TB +2.5  O/U: Over 45.5

Prediction: Buccaneers 25, Titans 21

Broncos @ Colts

(1:00 PM, CBS)

Joe Flacco looked worse than Matt Moore last Thursday during Denver's loss to the Chiefs. Meanwhile, the Colts overtook first place in the AFC South, and I think they are currently, at worst, the seventh-best team in the NFL. Indianapolis should breeze by the Broncos Sunday.

Spread: IND -5.5  O/U: Under 43 

Prediction: Colts 28, Broncos 13

Bengals vs. Rams

(London, 1:00 PM, CBS)

The race for the first overall pick in next year's draft is a heated one, and it might come down to a big Bengals-Dolphins matchup in Week 16. I think winless Cincinnati will keep pace with winless Miami this week, as the Rams should roll in England. Tally-ho!

Spread: LAR -13  O/U: Under 48

Prediction: Rams 31, Bengals 14

Cardinals @ Saints

(1:00 PM, FOX)

Don't look now, but the Cardinals have won three straight to get to .500. Don't look now, but the Saints have won five straight with Teddy Bridgewater at quarterback. You can look now. Considering Arizona's three wins came against the Bengals, Falcons and Giants, I'll take New Orleans in this one.

Spread: ARI +10.5  O/U: Over 48

Prediction: Saints 28, Cardinals 21

Jets @ Jaguars

(1:00 PM, CBS)

Hopefully, Sam Darnold won't be seeing as many ghosts when the Jets travel to Jacksonville Sunday. The Jags won last week, but Minshew Mania has faded a bit. There should be more mania surrounding Leonard Fournette, although I think Le'Veon Bell and the Jets will escape with the win.

Spread: NYJ +6.5  O/U: Over 41

Prediction: Jets 24, Jaguars 21

Panthers @ 49ers

(4:05 PM, FOX)

This may be the most compelling contest on the slate. The Panthers have an MVP candidate in Christian McCaffrey, but the undefeated 49ers have a ferocious defense. I've heard that offense wins games but defense wins championships. I think San Francisco's defense wins this game.

Spread: SF -5.5  O/U: Under 42

Prediction: 49ers 24, Panthers 17

Browns @ Patriots

(4:25 PM, CBS)

I enjoyed last week because I didn't have to watch the Browns be the Browns. Alas, they're back this week, and they play the best team in football. I do think Cleveland will make this surprisingly close, but I'm not about to pick against the Patriots. 

Spread: CLE +13  O/U: Over 45.5

Prediction: Patriots 31, Browns 23

Raiders @ Texans

(4:25 PM, CBS)

Both Oakland and Houston will be looking for bounce-back performances Sunday. The Texans fought hard, but relinquished first-place in the division to Indy. The Raiders got burnt by Aaron Rodgers and the Packers. I'll take host Houston to get back in the win column here.

Spread: OAK +7  O/U: Under 51.5

Prediction: Texans 27, Raiders 24

Packers @ Chiefs

(8:20 PM, NBC)

Apparently, Patrick Mahomes is already back at practice despite a messed-up kneecap, and he has yet to be ruled out for this game. Obviously, his availability will play a key role in the outcome. I'm going to take the safe bet and pick Aaron squared and the Packers.

Spread: GB -3.5  O/U: Over 48

Prediction: Packers 32, Chiefs 24

Monday

Dolphins @ Steelers

(8:15 PM, ESPN)

What a Monday night matchup we have this week! I can't wait to see this quarterback showdown between Devlin Hodges (who is apparently the king of Dave & Buster's) and Ryan Fitzpatrick (who went to Harvard). I'll take the buck/duck hunter over the Ivy League graduate.

Spread: MIA +14  O/U: Over 43

Prediction: Steelers 28, Dolphins 17

Last Week: 11-3  vs. Spread: 7-7  Over/Under: 4-9-1

Season: 63-42-1  vs. Spread: 43-62-1  Over/Under: 44-58-4

My Week 8 Daily Fantasy Lineup

QB: Deshaun Watson, Texans (vs OAK)

Aaron Rodgers tore up the Oakland defense last week, throwing for 429 yards and five touchdowns. Watson, who also has thrown five touchdown passes in a game this season (against Atlanta), gets that defense this week. I also considered Rodgers against Kansas City.

RB: Aaron Jones, Packers (@ KC)

The second-most famous Aaron on the Green Bay offense is having a great year. He has found the endzone in every game but the first one. I think he'll find the endzone again this week against one of the worst rushing defenses in the league. Leonard Fournette vs. the Jets is also a solid option.

RB: Chris Carson, Seahawks (@ ATL)

Carson was quieted by Baltimore last week, but I think he'll bounce back in Atlanta. The Seahawks should be able to run all over the Falcon defense in a game that probably won't be very close. If you can afford him, Saquon Barkley is also a strong choice.

WR: Tyrell Williams, Raiders (@ HOU)

Williams is trending toward returning this week after missing two games due to injury. He has scored a touchdown in each of the four games he has played in. If he returns this week, I can see him getting into the endzone again. If Williams doesn't play, I might go with Courtland Sutton vs. Indy.

WR: John Brown (vs. PHI)

The Philadelphia secondary has been less than stellar this season, setting up a strong matchup for Buffalo's number one receiver. Brown's lowest yard total in a game this season is 51. He'll surpass that this week. With Adam Theilen out, Olabisi Johnson vs. Washington is another consideration.

WR: Kenny Golladay, Lions (vs. NYG)

Detroit's top receiver was almost nonexistent against Minnesota last week, but that's likely an anomaly. Golladay has been targeted at least eight times in each of his other five games this season. Depending on Devante Adam's status, Marquez Valdes-Scantling should get a look vs. the Chiefs.

TE: Austin Hooper, Falcons (vs. SEA)

Although most of the team has been a complete mess this season, Austin Hooper has been a consistent producer for the Falcons. On FanDuel, he has scored double-digit fantasy points in every game but one. I also considered Josh Hill vs. Arizona if Jared Cook is unable to go.

FLEX: Chase Edmonds, Cardinals (@ NO)

Edmonds went off last week, and it appears as though he'll get the bulk of the work again this week, with David Johnson still nursing an injury. If he even comes within the same stratosphere of last week's production, he's a good pick. You could also look at James White vs. Cleveland.

DEF: Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. MIA)

The Pittsburgh defense has been quite strong, aside from its first-week loss against New England. Monday, the Steelers host the winless Dolphins. That's about as good of a matchup as you can get. I also considered Tennessee's defense against the Buccaneers.

Stats and info via ESPN.com, YouTube.com, OddsShark.com, BleacherReport.com, CBSSports.com, USAToday.com, and Forbes.com

Lines via OddsShark.com

Lines as of Thursday afternoon 

College Football 2019: Week 9

Every week of the 2019 college football season so far has brought us ridiculous plays, surprising outcomes and hilarious events. But Week 8 was the wildest one yet. So much happened last week (both football-related and not). I don't know where to begin. I suppose I'll begin at the beginning.

• Former Oregon Star Stops Gunman - Ex-Oregon receiver Keanon Lowe, a football and track coach at Parkrose High School in Portland, was credited with tackling an armed student after footage was released on Friday showing him disarming a man a few months ago, preventing potential injuries and/or deaths. Lowe played for the Ducks from 2011-2014, but his efforts at Oregon pale in comparison to his heroic effort in May.

• Worst Fake Punt of All-Time? - Before Saturday, it was clear that the Indianapolis Colts held the title of "Worst Fake Punt of All-Time". But Arkansas decided to take a shot at that title last weekend, and the Razorbacks may have done enough to snatch the belt. Down 17-0 to Auburn in the second quarter, Arkansas decided to try a fake punt on 4th-and-11 from its own 41-yard-line. Punter Sam Loy acted like he was going to punt, then tried the "Dr. Pepper Tuition Giveaway" throwing strategy, which resulted in an easy Auburn interception. The Tigers went on to win, 51-10.

• Sooner Schooner Stumbles - During a break in Saturday's West Virginia-Oklahoma game, Oklahoma's famous horse-drawn carriage, the Sooner Schooner, went out onto the field. As it was turning around, it took a spill. Luckily, nobody was hurt. Unluckily, the Sooner Schooner will be retired for the remainder of the season due to the incident. I should've taken the crash as a sign of how my picks against the spread were going to go this weekend.

• Long Live Lovie - Week 7 gave us the first big upset of the 2019 college football season. Week 8 saw Week 7 and said, "Hold my beer". Illinois, one of the worst teams in the Big Ten, was a 30-point underdog against a Wisconsin team that had looked unstoppable in the first seven weeks of the season. Somehow, the Fighting Illini came back and beat the Badgers, 24-23, on a game-winning field goal as time expired. This was a big win for Illinois head coach Lovie Smith, who looks like he could be either 50 years old or 200 years old.

• Trouble with Tua? - Tennessee hung with the first-ranked Crimson Tide for a half Saturday night, but Alabama pulled away and won easily. The biggest story was Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who suffered a high ankle sprain during the game and could be out a few weeks. The Tide play second-ranked LSU in two weeks. It remains to be seen whether Tua will be back for the big SEC matchup. If he's not, Bama will count on backup Mac Jones, who does have a history of success coaching women's intramural flag football teams.

• Sports are Often Bad, but They're also Often Good - There was nothing inherently exciting about the Rutgers-Minnesota game last Saturday. Any game featuring Rutgers is not inherently exciting. But something noteworthy did happen during the game. Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck sent out walk-on placeholder Casey O'Brien to hold the snap on an extra point early in the fourth quarter. O'Brien got the hold down, and the extra point went through the uprights to make it 28-0, Minnesota. Why am I talking about this seemingly insignificant moment? Well, Casey O'Brien is a four-time cancer survivor. He finally got into a game last weekend, and it was such an emotional moment that it had his head coach was in tears on the sideline. 

Week 8 Superlatives

Best Performance: Shane Buechele, QB, SMU (30-53, 457 yards, 6 TD, 1 INT)

The SMU quarterback had a day in a 45-21 win over Temple, throwing for 457 yards (250 of them to receiver Reggie Roberson Jr.) and six touchdowns (three of them to Roberson Jr.) to propel the Mustangs to 7-0.

Best Play: Using Your (or Someone Else's) Head

It is extremely difficult to execute a successful onside kick. Ohio kicker Michael Farkas managed to do it Saturday in the second quarter of a game against Kent State. Farkas kicked the ball right off the helmet of Kent State up-man Isaac Vance. It bounced off the helmet and back to the Bobcats. That's how you execute a successful onside kick. Ohio went on to win, 45-38.

Best Gameday Sign: Jim Harbaugh gets the Dinkleburg Treatment

Yes, I know this is the second time I have changed this superlative. But I think I've settled on highlighting the best College Gameday sign each week. Last weekend, Gameday was in State College, PA, for Penn State-Michigan. Most of the signs I saw made fun of Jim Harbaugh and/or Michigan's ineffective offense in some way, including this Fairly OddParents-inspired one.

Week 9 Picks

Thursday

#16 SMU @ Houston

(7:30 PM, ESPN)

The highest-ranked Group of Five team at the end of the season gets an automatic berth in a New Year's Six bowl, and right now, SMU is that team. The Mustangs have scored over 40 points in every game this season. No reason to think that won't continue against 3-4 Houston.

Spread: SMU -14  Over/Under: Over 65.5

Prediction: SMU 45, Houston 21

Saturday

#13 Wisconsin @ #3 Ohio State

(Noon, FOX)

This Big Ten battle lost a little luster when Wisconsin fell to Illinois, but it's still a matchup between two of the most talented teams in the country. I wouldn't be surprised if the Badgers make it a close game, but Illinois exposed weaknesses last week, and Ohio State is a whole lot better than Illinois.

Spread: OSU -14  Over/Under: Over 49.5

Prediction: Ohio State 38, Wisconsin 21

#5 Oklahoma @ Kansas State

(Noon, ABC)

Although their literal wagon crashed last week, The metaphorical Sooner Schooner continued to roll on. Oklahoma has only scored less than 48 points in just one of its seven games this season. In three Big 12 games, Kansas State has scored a total of 49 points. The Wildcats won't be able to keep up.

Spread: OKLA -23.5  Over/Under: Over 57.5

Prediction: Oklahoma 48, Kansas State 21

#20 Iowa @ Northwestern

(Noon, ESPN2)

Speaking of Oklahoma, this is the opposite of an Oklahoma game. Both of these teams struggle offensively and don't give up a lot of points defensively. The Wildcats will be lucky to score more than two touchdowns on the Hawkeyes, though it's worth noting that Iowa is 2-5 against the spread.

Spread: NW +10  Over/Under: Under 37.5

Prediction: Iowa 21, Northwestern 13

#21 Appalachian State @ South Alabama

(Noon, ESPNU)

App State is among the three teams vying for the Group of Five spot in a New Year's Six bowl, behind SMU and Cincinnati. All the Mountaineers can do is just keep winning, and they will win this Saturday against 1-6 South Alabama, the second-most embarrassing USA team right now.

Spread: APP -26  Over/Under: Over 52

Prediction: Appalachian State 42, South Alabama 13

#9 Auburn @ #2 LSU

(3:30 PM, CBS)

After a nice bye week... I mean, win over Mississippi State... LSU goes back at it against a top team. Auburn has wins over Oregon and Texas A&M, but couldn't do anything against Florida the week before LSU beat the Gators. I think the Tigers will win by double digits (and show less skin).

Spread: LSU -10.5  Over/Under: Under 58.5

Prediction: LSU 35, Auburn 21

#6 Penn State @ Michigan State

(3:30 PM, ABC)

Penn State dispatched of Michigan last Saturday night to remain unbeaten, although the Wolverines made it closer than a lot of people thought. After scoring a combined 10 points against Ohio State and Wisconsin, the Spartans will have a hard time putting points on the board against the Nittany Lions.

Spread: PSU -6.5  Over/Under: Under 44.5

Prediction: Penn State 30, Michigan State 13

#15 Texas @ TCU

(3:30 PM, FOX)

Texas almost lost to Kansas (again) last week. But the important thing is that Texas didn't lose to Kansas last week. The Longhorns will have to play a lot better on the road against TCU, especially on defense (they gave up 48 points to Kansas). I think they will.

Spread: TEX -1.5  Over/Under: Over 59

Prediction: Texas 38, TCU 24

Maryland @ #17 Minnesota

(3:30 PM, ESPN)

PJ Fleck's team continues to row the undefeated boat. Maryland couldn't beat IU last week and got destroyed by Purdue the week before. The good news is that this week's opponent is not from the state of Indiana. But that's the only good news.

Spread: MINN -16.5  Over/Under: Under 57

Prediction: Minnesota 35, Maryland 17

Oklahoma State @ #23 Iowa State

(3:30 PM, FS1)

Two weeks ago, Oklahoma State was a ranked one-loss team, with that one loss coming by six points to Texas. Now the Cowboys are on a two-game losing streak that will likely turn into a three-game losing streak on the road against a hot Iowa State team. Life comes at you fast.

Spread: OSU +10.5  Over/Under: Over 63.5 

Prediction: Iowa State 38, Oklahoma State 28

Arkansas @ #1 Alabama

(7:00 PM, ESPN)

Alabama will not have Tua this weekend, but they won't need Tua against Arkansas. Mac Jones, Julio Jones, Jim Jones, Return of the Mack, Big Mac, Bernie Mac, Fat Mac, it don't matter, the Crimson Tide are still gonna roll at home against the Razorbacks.

Spread: ALA -31.5  Over/Under: Over 55.5

Prediction: Alabama 48, Arkansas 14


UCF @ Temple
(7:00 PM, ESPN2)

Two American teams that have spent time in the Top 25 this season meet in my Unranked Game of the Week. Both teams sit at 5-2, with both hoping for a Cincinnati slip up so they can claim a spot in the AAC championship. I'll take Central Florida in a hard-fought battle.

Spread: TEMP +10.5  Over/Under: Over 60

Prediction: UCF 35, Temple 28

Boston College @ #4 Clemson

(7:30 PM, ACCN)

Of all the teams vying for a spot in the College Football Playoff, Clemson has the easiest schedule the rest of the season. But that doesn't mean the Tigers won't get upset, especially if Trevor Lawrence continues throwing bad interceptions. I don't think they'll get upset by Boston College.

Spread: BC +34  Over/Under: Under 59

Prediction: Clemson 44, Boston College 14

#8 Notre Dame @ #19 Michigan

(7:30 PM, ABC)

This is my Game of the Week. Michigan suffered its second loss of the season last week, but they stuck with Penn State in Happy Valley. Notre Dame comes in with just one loss, a close one to Georgia. This could go either way, but I'll go with Michigan, meaning this is also my Upset Alert.

Spread: MICH +1  Over/Under: Under 51

Prediction: Michigan 24, Notre Dame 21

#24 Arizona State @ UCLA

(7:30 PM, PAC12)

After failing to get anything going against Utah last week, Arizona State travels to L.A. to face a UCLA team that blew out Stanford last week. Despite last week's vastly different results, I think ASU is the better team, and I think the Sun Devils will win behind their defense.

Spread: ASU -3.5  Over/Under: Under 55.5

Prediction: Arizona State 30, UCLA 21

California @ #12 Utah

(10:00 PM, FS1)

Speaking of the Utes, they also play a California team this weekend, but they do so at home. The Golden Bears have lost three straight, including last week against Oregon State, which had just been killed by Utah. Utah should beat Cal, but it could be a low-scoring game.

Spread: CAL +21.5  Over/Under: Over 37.5

Prediction: Utah 28, California 13

Washington State @ #11 Oregon

(10:30 PM, ESPN)

Washington State ended a three-game losing skid last week with a rout of Colorado. The one-game winning streak will probably end this week against the Ducks, who have won six straight since an opening loss to Auburn, including last week on the road against Washington.

Spread: WSU +14  Over/Under: Under 65

Prediction: Oregon 35, Washington State 24

Last Week: 18-4  vs. Spread: 9-13  Over/Under: 8-14

Season: 134-36  vs. Spread: 74-94-2  Over/Under: 86-83-1

Stats and info via ESPN.com, BleacherReport.com, Twitter.com, SportingNews.com, OddsShark.com, and CBSSports.com

Lines via OddsShark.com

Lines as of Wednesday evening