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Sports Interaction betting analyst Frank Doyle provides his Week 8 NFL picks. He is 11-6-1, .647, for the season so far. Be sure to claim your FREE $116 CASH BONUS when you open your online sportsbook account today at Sports Interaction.com.
Vikings at Packers is the most anticipated game of the NFL season so far. All the talk is about Favre's return to Green Bay and what that entails, and what it'll be like, and all the rest of it. And if you have any interest in football you're sitting down in front of the TV for that one with the phone powered off and all other engagements cancelled.
But while the hype is about Favre, I think the key to the game is Adrian Peterson. Green Bay has recovered from a shaky start and has moved quickly to repair its offensive line, which cost the Packers so badly against the Vikings in Minnesota. Aaron Rodgers had a torrid time in the Metrodome when the teams met earlier this year, and the Pack took steps to rectify that.
But although they were successful in shutting down Peterson that day - he had only 55 yards off 25 carries, easily his worst day of the season so far - I don't see it happening twice. I know it's in Green Bay and the Packers are fired up but I have a feeling that Favre may be a distraction - because we're all only human after all - for the Packers. I think in their eagerness to plant Favre, the Packers could be vulnerable to Peterson. If he doesn't get injured, Peterson is going to the Hall of Fame. Guys with that level of talent don't get held to 2.2 yards a carry in two games straight. They guy is due. Also, I'm getting points. Minnesota +3 with Sports Interaction is the first of my Week 8 NFL picks.
Elsewhere, the total for Jacksonville at Tennessee seems high to me. Both these teams have been involved in blowouts defeats and that throws off the numbers a bit in terms of averages. It gives a false perspective. The game in Jacksonville on October 4th finished 37-17 Jacksonville, with Jacksonville scoring on five of their first six drives. I don't see that happening in Tennessee, with the Titans coming off a bye. For this game to go over, both teams have to find more than six touchdowns and a field goal between them. I can't see it. Under 45 total points scored with Sports Interaction when Jacksonville visits Tennessee is the second pick of the week.
Finally, the Dolphins will have spent the week discovering what they're made of after that shattering loss to New Orleans. I think it's interesting that Tony Sparano put his hand up during the week and said it was his blown timeout just before half-time against the Saints that cost the Dolphins that game.
That's interesting because it means that he's taking the blame from the players. He's telling the players that the New Orleans comeback isn't their fault, and that's vital. Losing like that can break a team, and if the Dolphins don't bounce back their season is gone. Sparano is doing all he can to limit the psychological damage, and to give the Dolphins credit for doing as much damage to the Saints as anybody has this year. The other thing that the Dolphins have in their favor is that Mark Sanchez is not Drew Brees. I like the fish to bounce back - Miami +3.5 at the New York Jets with Sports Interaction is the third and final of my Week 8 NFL picks.
Frank Doyle, Gambling911.com (Sports Interaction Gambling Analyst)
