When the Texans won their final game of the 2022 season, many Texan fans were disappointed that they had lost out on the overall first pick of the 2023 NFL Draft. Houston fans badly wanted the team to draft Alabama QB Bryce Young, considered by many draft experts as the top quarterback in last spring’s draft.
The Texans selected Ohio State QB C.J. Stroud with the No. 2 overall pick. I think Texans fans are now happy with the selection.
After their first six games, Stroud has led his team to a 3-3 record and the Texans are serious contenders in the AFC South race and are also in the Wild Card hunt. Things haven’t worked out as well for Young and the Carolina Panthers. Young and Carolina lost their first six games and looks like they could very well be drafting first in 2024.
Stroud and Young meet on Sunday in Charlotte when the Texans visit the Panthers. This is a very winnable game for the Texans and if they hope to remain in the playoff hunt, they can’t take the Panthers lightly. Young has done some good things thus far, but has thrown four interceptions in his first six games as a pro. Stroud threw his first interception two weeks ago in the Texans 20-13 win over the Saints. Ironically, Stroud’s interception was returned to his team when the Saints defender fumbled and offensive lineman Tytus Howard recoverd it.
Talk about being at the right place at the right time!
While the Texans, who had last week off, take on the Panthers, the Cowboys, who also had their bye last week, host an improved Rams team on Sunday at AT&T Stadium. The Cowboys need to win this one to keep within range of the Eagles in the NFC East race. Philly saw its undefeated season come to an end two weeks ago when they lost to the Jets.
Other interesting games on the NFL schedule in Week 8 has Tampa Bay visiting Buffalo on Thursday Night Football. The Bengals visit the 49ers, who also saw their undefeated season come to an end two weeks ago when they were upset by the Browns in Cleveland. Week 8 concludes on Monday Night Football with the Raiders visiting the red hot Detroit Lions.
In college action, No. 6-ranked Oklahoma plays at Kansas in what could be a tough environment for Brent Venable’s team. No. 9-ranked Oregon visits No. 14-ranked Utah in a key Pac 12 game while No. 1-ranked Georgia takes on arch-rival Florida in Jacksonville in what is dubbed as the world’s Largest Cocktail Party.
The District 14-6A season is winding down and a host of teams are battling for the four playoff berths. Westfield leads the league, with Nimitz, Dekaney and Spring are jockeying for the remaining three seeds. Nimitz and Spring meet on Friday night at George Stadium in an important game for both teams. Other games on tap this weekend have MacArthur visiting Dekaney on Thursday night, while Eisenhower will take on Aldine, also on Thursday night. Davis will take on Westfield on Friday night.
Before we take a look at this week’s schedule, let’s review last week’s record. A 10-2 week (finally!) brought the season record to 44-30 (59%). Now, onto this week’s games.
HIGH SCHOOL
Eisenhower vs. Aldine: Odell James’ Eagles take on Cirilo Ojeda’s Mustangs on Thursday night at George Stadium. Two weeks ago, the Eagles fell to Westfield, while the Mustangs lost to Dekaney. The Eagles will look to QB Jared Guter (559 yards, 3 TDs) to make plays to wideout Ulysses Thibodeaux (15 receptions, 193yards), while the Mustangs will rely on running back Rory Hernandez (210 yards, 4 TDs). My pick, Eisenhower 31, Aldine 18
MacArthur at Dekaney: Wayne Crawford’s Mustangs take on Dekaney on Thursday night at Planet Ford Stadium in Spring ISD. Two weeks ago, the Generals lost to Spring, while Dekaney defeated Aldine. The MacArthur defense will try and slow down Dekaney running back Dylan Jones (823 yards, 11 TDs), QB Quinten Foster (852 yards, 9 TDs) and wide receiver David Edmondson (14 receptions, 171 yards.) The Generals will count on QB Derrick McNeil (81 yards, 1 TD) to make plays downfield. My pick, Dekaney 26, MacArthur 18
Davis at Westfield: Kelvin’s Chatman’s Falcons take on Westfield on Friday night at Planet Ford Stadium in Spring ISD. Two weeks ago, Davis fell to Nimitz, 42-28, while Westfield defeated Eisenhower. The Falcons will look to QB Kamryn Jackson (1,303 passing yard, 13 TDs/218 rushing yards), wide receiver J’Marcus Hopes (32 receptions, 529yards) and Treveon Bossier (14 receptions, 203 yards) to make plays downfield, while Westfield will be led by running back Taji Atkins (479 yards). My pick, Westfield 33, Davis 21
Nimitz vs. Spring: Cornelius Harmon’s Cougars face off against Spring in a key game for both teams on Friday night at George Stadium. This should be a high-scoring affair. The Cougars are led by QB Albert Brown (1,355 yards, 13 TDs), running back Brashard Miles (334 yards) and wide receivers Malachi Augustus (29 receptions, 521 yards), and Kaden Phillips (16 receptions, 229 yards). Spring is led by quarterback Ahran Ogbar (347 passing yards, 3 TDs/651 rushing yards), and running back Delonte Henderson (571 yards). My pick, Nimitz 34, Spring 31
NCAA
Oklahoma at Kansas: The Sooners need to be wary of this game. They should enter with a 7-0 record (they played Central Florida last week) and in first place in the Big 12. Kansas is a dangerous team that can put points on the board and you can bet KU head coach Lance Leipold will have his Jayhawks fired up for this one. This could turn into another Big 12 shootout as the Sooners have a potent offense led by QB Dillon Gabriel (1,878 yards, 16 TDs), running back Tawe Walker (239 yards, 4 TDs) and wide receiver Jalil Farouq (20 receptions, 415 yards, 2 TDs). The OU offense will be without its top wide receiver who suffered a season-ending injury two weeks ago. The Jayhawks have also been hit hard by the injury bug, most notably to dual-threat QB Jalen Daniels (705 passing yards, 5 TDs/74 rushing yards in three games). His backup, Jason Bean (913 yards, 9 TDS) has experience and the Jayhawks also have a strong running back in Devin Neal (659 yards, 6 TDs). Look for plenty of points in this one, but the OU defense will make a play or two down the stretch to keep the Sooners unbeaten. My pick, Oklahoma 34, Kansas 31
Oregon at Utah: Another tough road test for the No. 9- ranked Oregon Ducks as they take on a defensive-minded Utah team on Saturday. Two weeks ago, Oregon lost a tough, 36-33 decision at Washington. This week, they face a Utah defense that allows just 9 points per game. Oregon has an explosive offense led by QB Bo Nix (1,796 yards, 17 TDs), running backs Bucky Irving (520 yards, 5 TDs) and Jordan James (360 yards, 8 TDs) and big-play wide receiver Troy Franklin (40 receptions, 689 yards, 8 TDs). Utah is hoping to have Cameron Rising (3,034 passing yards, 26 TDs/333 rushing yards, 1 TD in 2022) who has missed most of the season recovering from a torn ACL he suffered in the Rose Bowl in January. If Rising is back, he could be a difference maker in this game, but that’s a big “if.” The Utes will try to control the clock with the running game led by Ja’Quinden Jackson (333 yards, 1 TD). Oregon will provide a real test to the Utah defense. Look for the Oregon offense to roll in Utah on Saturday. My pick, Oregon 31, Utah 18
Georgia vs. Florida: These two long-time rivals meet once again at a neutral site in Jacksonville in an SEC East battle. The No. 1-ranked Bulldogs will be without their best offensive player for the rest of the regular season as tight end Brock Bowers (41 receptions, 566 yards, 4 TDs) sustained an ankle injury two weeks ago against Vanderbilt that required surgery. Bowers should return for the College Football Playoffs (CFP) should the Dogs advance to it. With Bowers out, sophomore QB Carson Beck (2,147 yards, 12 TDs) will have to rely on his running game led by Daijun Edwards (460 yards, 6 TDs) and wide receiver Marcus Rosemy- Jacksaint (18 receptions, 333 yards, 2 TDs) will need to step up his game. The Gators have been up and down this year, but they will be up for this one. If they hope to pull off the upset, QB Graham Mertz (1,872 yards, 12 TDs) will need to play his best game of the season. He will need help from running back Montrell Johnson Jr. (438 yards, 4 TDs) and Ricky Pearsall (43 receptions, 624 yards, 3 TDs). Look for the Georgia defense to step up and be the difference maker in this one. My pick, Georgia 30, Florida 16
NFL
Tampa Bay at Buffalo: Week 8 of the NFL season kicks off with Thursday Night Football with the Bucs visiting the Bills. Two weeks ago, TB lost at home to Detroit, while Buffalo rallied for a win over the Giants. The Bucs have been one of the surprise teams this year and are squarely in the hunt in the NFC South. QB Baker Mayfield (1,088 yards, 7 TDs) has been steady and he has two quality targets to throw to in wide receivers Mike Evans (24 receptions, 386 yards, 3 TDs) and Chris Godwin (27 receptions, 332 yards). The Bills will go as far as QB Josh Allen (1,576 yards, 13 TDs/131 rushing yards, 3 TDs) and wide receiver Stefon Diggs (49 receptions, 620 yards, 5 TDs) take them. The Buffalo defense has been playing well thus far and look for them to force a turnover or two as they get the win on Thursday night. My pick, Buffalo 24, Tampa Bay 20
Houston at Carolina: C.J. Stroud (1,660 yards, 9 TDs) and Bryce Young (967 yards, 6 TDs/4 interceptions) meet for the first time as the No. 2 overall pick (Stroud) and the No. 1 overall pick (Young) faceoff in Charlotte on Sunday. Stroud has been more consistent than Young has thus far in their young careers. Stroud is a big reason the Texans are 3-3 and in second place in the AFC South. Houston had a week off to prepare for this game and heal up. They should have a number of players back who missed the early portion of the season with injuries. Stroud has done a good job of spreading the ball around, especially to his top two targets, Nico Collins (29 receptions, 547 yards, 3 TDs) and Tank Dell (19 receptions, 324 yards, 2 TDs). DeMeco Ryan’s defense has been a pleasant surprise and was a big reason why Houston upset New Orleans 20-13 two weeks ago. Young and the Panthers have had a rough start, losing their first six games. Wide receiver Adam Thielen (49 receptions, 509 yards, 4 TDs) has become Young’s go-to guy, so look for the Texans secondary to try and take him out of the game. Houston is young and can’t afford to take the Panthers for granted. If they hope to remain in the AFC South and Wild Card race, they must win games like this one. My pick, Houston 26, Carolina 20
Los Angeles Rams at Dallas: The Cowboys come off their bye week and host a muchimproved Rams team on Sunday at AT&T Stadium. Two weeks ago, Dallas picked up a big road win with a 20-17 win over the Chargers on Monday Night Football. That was a big win considering the week before the Pokes were embarrassed on Sunday Night Football by the 49ers. The win over the Chargers, coupled with the Eagles loss to the Jets, left the Cowboys just one game behind Philly in the NFC East race. Dak Prescott (1,333 yards, 6 TDs) had a solid game in the win over the Chargers (227 passing yards, 1 passing TD, 1 rushing TD). If he will take what the defense gives him and not force things, the Dallas offense will be better off. The Cowboys need to get running back Tony Pollard (370 yards, 2 TDs) going. It appears wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (34 receptions, 475 yards, 1 TD) is poised for another big year. The Dallas defense will have its hands full with QB Matthew Stafford (1,677 yards, 6 TDs), running back Kryen Williams (456 yards, 6 TDs) and wide receivers Puka Nacua (50 receptions, 598 yards, 2 TDs) and Cooper Kupp (15 receptions, 266 yards, 1 TD in 2 games). Look for the Dallas defense to get after Stafford and be the difference maker in this one. My pick, Dallas 26, Los Angeles Rams 18
Cincinnati at San Francisco: This should be an interesting game as the red hot Bengals (winners of three of their last four games) visit the 49ers. Two weeks ago, Joe Burrow (1,240 yards, 7 TDs) led Cinci to a home win over Seattle, while the 49ers lost at Cleveland. Burrow appears fully healed from a calf injury that slowed the start of his season. He and wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase (50 receptions, 556 yards, 3 TDs) and Tyler Boyd (30 receptions, 204 yards, 1 TD) by a good SF defense. The 49er offense led by QB Brock Purdy (1,396 yards, 10 TDS), running back Christian McCaffrey (553 rushing yards/23 receptions, 177 yards, 10 total TDs) and wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (25 receptions, 454 yards, 2 TDs) should be able to make plays against a so-so Bengal defense. Look for Purdy to have a big day as the 49ers get the win at home. My pick, San Francisco 30, Cincinnati 26
Las Vegas at Detroit: Week 8 concludes on Monday Night Football with the Raiders visiting the Lions. Detroit is playing as well as any team in the NFL and are serious Super Bowl contenders led by QB Jared Goff (1,618 yards, 11 TDs), wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (35 receptions, 455 yards, 3 TDs) and rookie tight end Sam LaPorta (19 receptions, 341 yards, 3 TDs). The Lions might be without leading rusher David Montgomery (385 yards, 6 TDs) who suffered a rib injury two weeks ago in their win over Tampa Bay. The Raiders should be 4-3 when they visit the Motor City behind QB Jimmy Garoppolo (1,079 yards, 7 TDS), running back Josh Jacobs (312 yards, 2 TDs) and wide receiver Davante Adams (39 receptions, 471 yards, 3 TDs). Ford Field will be rocking as the Lions get some prime time love. Look for a big win on Monday night for the Lions. My pick, Detroit 31, Las Vegas 17