Midterm exams coming up

Week 8 on the NFL calendar is upon us, which means we’re nearly halfway through the 2007 season. So far its safe to say only one team in the AFC East can be truly happy thus far, while two teams have to be beyond disappointed and the other is probably right about where they expected to be. At the start of the season it looked like the Patriots division to lose, and nothing has happened to change that forecast.

In Week 8, we get an interdivisional matchup (Buffalo at New York Jets), a non-conference matchup (Washington at New England)and an international matchup (New York Giants at Miami, via London, England).

In the Meadowlands, the Jets will look to avenge their earlier loss to Buffalo, while the Bills will look to win back-to-back games after upsetting Baltimore last weekend. The Jets are truly reeling, and a home loss to a division rival would do little to soften the critics of head coach Eric Mangini and quarterback Chad Pennington. In order to win, the Jets will have to force the Bills offense into some turnovers, something that neither the Jets defense or Bills offense has been doing with much frequency lately. RB Thomas Jones needs a big day to keep the pressure off Pennington, both from the Bills defense and the Jets fans.

For the Bills, they need to keep doing whats been working, namely protecting the ball and playing solid defense. If they can keep the Jets out of the end zone and force them to settle for field goals they can escape New Jersey with another divisional win. The Bills D was impressive against the Ravens offense, but then again who isnt? Punter Brian Moorman will be called upon once again to help Buffalo win the all important field position battle since points will be at a premium. Rookie RB Marshawn Lynch could have a breakout performance against a struggling Jets D.

Patriots QB Tom Brady looks to set yet another record this weekend against the Redskins. In Brady’s career he has defeated 30 of the NFL’s 32 teams. The only two teams he has yet to defeat? The New England Patriots (duh) and the Washington Redskins. In a funny twist of fate, Indianapolis QB Peyton Manning tries to set the same mark this weekend against Carolina, too. The Redskins defense should offer the toughest test for the Patriots offense thus far this season. The Skins secondary is physical and not afraid to put their noses in wherever the ball goes. Pats WRs will have their hands full finding open spaces downfield this weekend. If the Pats running game can get on track it would greatly help matters. On the defensive side of the ball, the Patriots will try and get back on track after a weak second half performance in Miami. Redskins QB Jason Campbell doesn’t have the best stats in the world, but he can be deadly if given enough time to throw. New England will also have to contend with Skins RB Clinton Portis who is one of the better backs in the NFL. I don’t expect to see the Patriots putting up another 48 or 49 point performance this weekend, but they should still score enough to win comfortably.

Over in merry old England the New York Giants “visit” the Miami Dolphins for “a competitive fixture at Wembley [Stadium] on Sunday”. All the pomp and circumstance aside, this looks to be another long day for Phins fans. The Giants defense comes into the game on a hot streak, and combined with the Phins struggles on the offensive line it could get very ugly very fast. Added to that is the loss of star RB Ronnie Brown who has been Miami’s only source of offense this season and things really look bad for the Dolphins. But there is a reason they play the games after all, and if the Phins defense can step up and force Eli Manning into some bad decisions they could steal enough momentum and field position to put themselves in a position to pull a big upset.