Boys and girls, buckle your seat belts, because we're now officially less than one week away from the trade deadline. Week 8 is also on the horizon, so we've got plenty to talk about. John Breech is in the middle of a cross-country trek, visiting Associated Press employees to lobby for Joe Burrow MVP votes, so you've got me, Cody Benjamin, here to guide you around the NFL.
This is the Pick Six Newsletter. Now let's get to it. (And please, do yourself a favor and make sure you're signed up to receive this newsletter every day! You don't want to miss our daily offerings of everything you need to know around the NFL.)
We've got Week 8 picks, QB power rankings, trade rumors and much more:
Today's show: Top trade deadline candidates, landing spotsBrady Quinn joined Will Brinson for Wednesday's "Pick Six NFL Podcast," and one of their hottest topics involved big-name trade candidates ahead of the Nov. 2 deadline. Some trade chips on their radar:
Deshaun Watson: Brady believes the Eagles could still be lurking in the shadows as a suitor, especially if the Texans can't get what they're looking for from the Dolphins. Allen Robinson: Brady thinks the Chiefs and Ravens would be smart to buy, but doesn't necessarily think the Bears will be motivated to sell because their coach and general manager are fighting for their jobs. Will likes the Saints as logical fit, too. Xavien Howard: Will is fairly confident the Dolphins could get premium picks for the cornerback, perhaps even a first-rounder. Brandin Cooks: Brady thinks a Patriots reunion would make sense, as would a move to the 49ers or Packers.Catch the entire discussion (and subscribe for all kinds of daily NFL talk) right here.
2. Prisco's Picks: Saints upset Buccaneers, Vikings stun CowboysPete Prisco went 9-4 straight-up making picks last week. Now that he's hot, he's back with predictions for every Week 8 game. Here are some of his most notable projections:
Titans 23, Colts 17: This Colts group is much improved from (earlier this year). But I still think the Tennessee run game will be too much for the Indianapolis defense. Derrick Henry comes up big as the Titans take a stronghold on the division. Saints 26, Buccaneers 20: The Bucs won in New Orleans in the playoffs. This crowd will be a lot different, making it even more of a challenge. I think Jameis Winston will get revenge on his old team thanks to the defense. Saints win it outright. Vikings 28, Cowboys 27: Both teams are coming off a bye, so they will be rested. ... Look for a lot of points in this one, but I will go with a home-team upset. 3. Insider notes: Burying 14 teams who have no shot at playoffsJason La Canfora is wasting no time declaring teams out of the postseason picture as we approach the midway point of the 2021 season. In fact, he's burying almost half the league as we enter Week 8. Here are some of the most notable teams he's out on:
Carolina (3-4): You need to have at least a QB worthy of being able to start on half the teams in the league, at a minimum, to make the playoffs most years. They have nothing close to that. The offense is brutal. Christian McCaffrey ain't enough to save the day when he comes back. Four straight humbling losses have major questions being asked of Matt Rhule.Seattle (2-5): It's too late. Monday's loss cements it. Whenever Russell Wilson comes back (and Week 11 is likely the earliest we'll see him), it's too late. The defense is terrible. Can't cover or rush the passer. The offense is erratic at best.
San Francisco (2-4): Kyle Shanahan is taking serious heat, and justifiably so. Wins are how coaches are measured; he doesn't do it nearly consistently enough. Injuries are a factor, sure, but now he has a QB controversy on his hands.
4. Panthers no longer pursuing Deshaun Watson trade
Carolina had been sniffing around Watson for a while, as senior reporter Jonathan Jones notes. But with Watson reportedly only waiving his no-trade clause for the Dolphins up to this point, the Panthers appear to be out of the running for the Texans QB. Coach Matt Rhule has repeatedly said Sam Darnold will remain the starting QB moving forward, despite the ex-Jets signal-caller being benched in Week 7, and while Carolina likely still has interest in an upgrade, it seems Watson is either not willing to leave for any team except Miami, not available for the Panthers' preferred price, or unable to resolve his outstanding legal issues.
5. QB Power Rankings: Kyler Murray surges into top 3Every week, we rank all 32 starting QBs from worst to first. As we enter Week 8, Cardinals star Kyler Murray is one of the fastest risers, now sitting behind only Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers. Here's our latest top 10:
Tom Brady Aaron Rodgers Kyler Murray (+3) Lamar Jackson (+1) Dak Prescott (-2) Josh Allen (+1) Patrick Mahomes (-3) Matthew Stafford Justin Herbert Joe Burrow 6. Rapid-fire roundup: Trade buzz, injury and COVID updatesHungry for more NFL content? Here are a
