NFL Week 8 NFC West Power Rankings: Which Team will be Best of the Best in the NFC West?

The hot talk amidst the NFL is that the Seattle Seahawks are the best well rounded team on offense and defense.

The Seahawks first loss of the season came by the hands of the Indianapolis Colts. The Seahawks and the Colts were evenly matched-up on both sides of the ball, but the Colts had the upper hand in their week one 34-24 victory.

Several key wins have help move Andrew Luck up a notch or two in the QB power rankings category.

Will the Seahawks remain best of the best when week 8 comes to a close in the NFC West?

The 49ers have got their so called swagger back by trouncing on the neck of the Tennessee Titans alter ego in week 7. The 49ers were tested in week 2 and 3 when they felt prey to the Seahawks and Colts – losing both games by 20 or more points.

Are the 49ers the best of the best in the NFC West?

The Rams and the Cardinals are in similar territory relating to what's left of their 2013 scarce run for wins. Neither team has proven they can consistently win big games, part of this is due to injuries that have hampered their efforts to compete in the NFC Western Division.

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Week 7 NFL Hot Pick Predictions

As NFL fans gear up for week 7, the second half of the season is right around the corner. There are a few NFL teams that are in desperate need of another win to stay above 500. The Raiders and the Saints both have this week off and that means trouble for the Saints next opponent, but the Raiders may not fare as well in their next match up.

Seattle Seahawks 31 – Arizona Cardinals 17

Russell Wilson, in his second year is still in a learning mode, but he is steadily improving with each game he plays and this means trouble for an unpredictable Arizona defense. The Seahawks D will make it a long night for Carson Palmer.

New England Patriots 28 – New York Jets 19

Tom Brady keeps finding ways to win close games, and the Pats D is playing consistent power football. Inexperience will hurt Gino Smith as he has to face Coach Bill Belichick's unforgiving defense.

St. Louis Rams 26 – Carolina Panthers 31

Cam Newton is starting to click on all cylinders at the right time and playing error free football will help the Panthers get back to 500.

Chicago Bears 23 – Washington Redskins 20

Is this the year Jay Cutler finally gets the proverbial monkey off his back? RG3 will make it a close game, but a costly interception will make it a heartbreaking loss for the Redskins.

Cincinnati Bengals 28 – Detroit Lions 31

Two evenly matched teams pair up for what is to be a battle royal. Matthew Stafford has matured at his position and he is beginning to play smart great football. The Lions key receivers are clicking at the right time. This win will help keep the Lions remain even in the NFC North.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 17 – Atlanta Falcons 28

The Atlanta Falcons will win a game against the disintegrating Buccaneers that will mean nothing until they prove they can win the big one.

Dallas Cowboys 31 – Philadelphia Eagles 27

Tony Romo and the Dallas defense are hungry for another win, and this means trouble for Nick Foles and the Birds

Buffalo Bills 21 – Miami Dolphins 28

One more win for the Dolphins keep them on the heels of the Patriots in a competitive race in the AFC East.

San Diego Chargers 35 – Jacksonville Jaguars 14

Phillip Rivers deals a knockout blow to a depleted, awful Jacksonville Jaguars team.

San Francisco 49ers 31 – Tennessee Titans 23

Colin Kaepernick has taken some heat lately for not winning more fantasy points, but all-in-all, with each game Kaepernick plays - he is becoming a great game manager.

Cleveland Browns 27 – Green Bay Packers 35

Aaron Rodgers will not be denied in week 7..,-enough said.

Baltimore Ravens 27 – Pittsburgh Steelers 20

Both of these teams are familiar with each others respective game plans. This will be a knock down slug fest. Joe Flacco plays almost error-free football to gain a victory over a still struggling Pittsburgh team.

Houston Texans 13 – Kansas City Chiefs 31

Another win places the Kansas City Chiefs neck and neck with the Broncos in the AFC West.

Denver Broncos 42 – Indianapolis Colts 31

GAME OF THE WEEK. Peyton Manning returns to his old stomping ground, and Andrew Luck faces his new rival. This game will be a battle on both fronts, and Peyton Manning has quietly awaited this match up, even if he will not admit this to be true. The Colts former signal caller will dish out a little payback to Colts owner Jim Irsay by defeating his former team in a place he once called home.

Minnesota Vikings 23 – New York Giants 28

The Giants finally get their first win of the season due to the Eli Manning’s patience in the pocket. “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde", Manning will help his Giants get a feel good win for the G-Men fans everywhere.

Peyton Manning Stats

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Top 6 Worst Beat Down Week 3 NFL Games Recap

The misery in losing to an NFL team you were supposed to beat in week 3 has now become the talk of the town amongst loyal fans that have seen 6 teams play more poorly than ever before. Week 3 of the NFL season has proven that even a fan favorite team can fall from grace.

Here is a recap on the top 6 worst beat down week 3 NFL games.

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St. Louis Rams 7 – Dallas Cowboys 31

The Cowboys defense shut down a sluggish Rams offensive line, and their QB faired no better on his own accord. Tony Romo rebounded back from taking a beating in week 2 against a stout Kansas City defense in which the Cowboys were defeated by only one point.

Houston Texans 9 – Baltimore Ravens 30

It came to no surprise to Ravens Fans that it would be a matter of time before the Ravens defense would rise to the occasion, but it came at an unfortunate time for the Texans – as they shut down Matt Schaub air attack.

Arizona Cardinals 7 – New Orleans Saints 31

Drew Brees air attack proved to be doom for a struggling defensive line in week 3. The Saints are getting back to their old style of whip ‘em up defense and that only means trouble for their next opponent in week 4.

New York Giants 0 – Carolina Panthers 38

The New Giants whole team put on a pitiful display in week 3 – as their lackluster performance against the Panthers is one of their worst outings since Eli Manning took over the QB helm in 2004. The Panthers defense played a sparkling game, and they will have time to cherish this whip down as they take this upcoming bye week to study film for their bout against the Arizona Cardinals.

Jacksonville Jaguars 17 – Seattle Seahawks 45

When you have a quarterback such as Russell Wilson that can throw on the run, and is also very mobile in the pocket, it was a disaster in the making for the Jaguars offensive linemen. The Seahawks are a complete team both on offense and defense, but their next matchup against a solid Houston Texans defense in week 4 will be another test for Russell Wilson.

Chicago Bears 40 – Pittsburgh Steelers 23

Jay Cutler has taken a lot of flak throughout his playing time in Chicago, but somehow he has managed to help his team win some really thrilling games in 2013. The Bears defense has risen to the occasion several times this season, and that is why they remain undefeated. 

Hot Finger Louie Week 1 NFL Predictions

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 24 - New York Jets 10

Buccaneers pass rush will be to much for rookie QB Gino Smith to handle, fumbles and turnovers will play a big part in the win for the Buccaneers.

New England Patriots 38 – Buffalo Bills 17

Even though Tom Brady has lost 5 key receivers, he will manage the game at a super efficient pace – as he will connect with his young receivers. The Patriots defense will do a good job on controlling rookie E.J. Manuel, it will be a frustrating day for the rookie QB - as his passer rating will be 79.5 percent.

Minnesota Vikings 28 – Detroit Lions 24

Adrian Peterson will be the key in defeating the Lions; the work horse will rush for 2 touchdowns. Matthew Safford 3 touchdowns and Calvin Johnson big plays will not be enough to overcome some bad happenings in the second half of the game.

Oakland Raiders 13 – Indianapolis Colts 35

The pitiful Oakland Raiders defense will be no match for second year marvel Andrew Luck. The Raiders offense will be snuffed out by a stingy Indy defense that will make it a long day for Terrelle Pryor.

Tennessee Titans 17 – Pittsburgh Steelers 27

Not much talk of Big Ben Roethlisberger since the beginning of the 2013 season, but all of that will become old news as Big Ben shreds the Titans defense by throwing 3 touchdowns. Pittsburgh defense will shut down Ryan Fitzpatrick, turnovers will dictate Pittsburgh win over the Titans.

Kansas City Chiefs 23 – Jacksonville Jaguars 17

Alex Smith field general skills will help his struggling defense overcome a close game. Blaine Gabbert will have an efficient game, but Kansas City’s defense will make it a learning lesson for the young QB.

Seattle Seahawks 42 – Carolina Panthers 38

This will be a grand game to remember – as Russell Wilson and Cam Newton will both have great stats when the game is over. Russell Wilson will bring out the best in Marshawn Lynch as he will have a huge game to help defeat the Panthers at home.

Photo Credit: Larry Maurer

Cincinnati Bengals 17 – Chicago Bears 24

Jay Cutler will best Andy Dalton in a gun slinging duel that will be an exciting game. Chicago Bears defense will force Dalton to throw some unwanted picks. The Bears and Cutler need to start the season off with a win.

Atlanta Falcons 35 – New Orleans Saints 38

The return of Head Coach Sean Payton is just what the Saints need to help defeat the Falcons high powered offense. The Saints new defensive coordinator Rob Ryan play schemes will give the defense the edge to contain the Falcons run game. The acquisition of Steven Jackson will give Matt Ryan more air attack, but Drew Brees is seeking revenge for his teams sub-par last season.

Miami Dolphins 20 – Cleveland Browns 13

Will the new Miami Dolphins uniform help second year QB Ryan Tannehill play better? Dolphins’ fans would hope so, but they know in reality if Tannehill can throw TD’s instead of INT’s - it will give the Dolphins a much needed win. Brandon Weeden will have his hands filled due to the Dolphins revamped defense.

Green Bay Packers 34 – San Francisco 49ers 24

Week 1 will prove to be a week of super match-ups, and this game may be one that goes in the record books as one of the most exciting games to date. Aaron Rodgers air attack will lead to 4 TD scores. Colin Kaepernick will be contained by San Francisco’s defense, but he will have a great game, although a costly pick will cost San Francisco the game.

Arizona Cardinals 20 – St. Louis Rams 24

Sam Bradford has something to prove this season, and he knows that a first season win will help him and his team as a confidence booster. Carson Palmer is a feel good comeback story in the NFL, but an opening season loss will be an uphill battle for an already struggling Cardinals team.

New York Giants 31 – Dallas Cowboys 27

The New York Giants own the Dallas Cowboys in the win category, and even though the Cowboys have home field advantage – the Giants defense will prove to be too much for Tony Romo to Handle. This is a game that Eli Manning needs to win from a team perspective. This will be a hard fought battle in the trenches, but a heartbreaking loss for Tony Romo and his Dallas team.

Photo Credit: Mike Morbeck - Wikimedia Commons