Section 400’s Week 8 Monday Night Football Roundtable

Week 8 of the NFL season concludes on Monday night when the 5-2 Detroit Lions host the 3-4 Las Vegas Raiders who have somehow found themselves in another prime time game.

The Lions have looked like one of the better teams in football all year long, but did have their first major trip up last week in a blowout road loss to the Ravens. The Raiders on the other hand just suck and we are sick of watching them play football games.

As will be the case every Monday during the NFL season, the guys from Section 400 are here to give their takes on the game.

Here is what Section 400 writers Brian Hauch, Jack Albanese, and Matt Kolen are thinking heading into this Monday night matchup.

Built Tough?

These two franchises are going in completely different directions. Is it crazy to say the Lions are Super Bowl contenders?

BH: It’s crazy to think the Lions are even in discussion for a playoff spot, let alone Super Bowl contenders but here we are. This team is very good in all facets of the game thanks to head coach Dan Campbell. The one gripe I could have with the Lions is quarterback play, but Jared Goff has looked great the last two years and has a Super Bowl appearance already so screw it, I’m a believer.

JA: These aren’t your grandmother’s Lions. It sounds crazy, but the Detroit Lions have arrived as Super Bowl contenders. They’ve consistently been in the top 10 of my power rankings for a reason.

MK: The Lions just aren’t on the same level as the Eagles or the 49ers in terms of sheer talent on the roster. I think they’ll be a strong team for years to come, but they have some holes that still need to be filled in the short term. Those holes will cause issues later in the season.

Sellin’ Dreams

The Raiders are in disarray. Is it time to trade Devante Adams, Josh Jacobs, and pretty much everyone worth a damn ahead of Tuesday’s deadline?

BH: How does Josh McDaniels keep getting away with this?! It doesn’t feel like that long ago that the Raiders were a fringe playoff team with a fun offense every year. Now… they stink more than the city of Detroit on a hot summer afternoon. Trade everybody.

JA: Yes! Trade these guys and give your franchise a chance with draft picks or young players. The Raiders need to get out of whatever weird Josh McDaniels-Jimmy G-purgatory they are in and rebuild.

MK: They don’t need to blow it up just yet. Give Josh Jacobs his money and go invest in a legitimate quarterback in the draft or via free agency. If I were the Raiders general manager, I’d draft a quarterback this year, invest in the offensive line, re-sign Josh Jacobs to a long-term deal, and find a way to keep Davante Adams in “Silver & Black”.

Won’t back down

The Lions defense had been good all year before last week’s shit-pumping. Which version of “Detroit’s D” is the actual one?

BH: I own the Lions’ defense in fantasy football for a reason. I really like this unit. They’ll be fine.

JA: I believe in the Lions and Dan Campbell. I’ll leave it at that.

MK: Considering the Raiders quarterback play is pretty trash, I’d say we see the Lions’ defense play well and possibly create some turnovers tonight. They are a fine unit but don’t really excite me.

If You Know You Know

Best bet for tonight?

BH: I’m going to buy a half point and grab Lions -6.5. This team is going to be angry after last week’s debacle, and Dan Campbell will have them ready to go.

JA: I’ll go the player prop route here. Let’s take Jahmyr Gibbs any time touchdown.

MK: I’m going the prop route as well. Jimmy Garoppolo is not that guy. I’ll take his under 256.5 passing yards.

Final Score.

Final Score Prediction?

BH: Lions win handily, 31-13.

JA: Lions win it, 24-16

MK: This game won’t be close. Lions win 28-13.