NFL Week 8 Picks
The NFL season continues as we roll into week 8, so it is time to make the picks. Last week my locks of the week went 3-2 (10-5 YTD) and I went 7-6 overall (22-20-1). I'm living on the edge this week and riding the underdogs for the most part.
Panthers @ Falcons
The Pick: ATL -3
The Panthers have lost four games in a row and the offense is a dumpster fire. Darnold is seeing ghosts again and McCaffery's return could not be more needed. Unfortunately for Carolina, its star running back is still out so the offense can still be counted on to be a dumpster fire. Atlanta has won three out of four and is looking solid although those three wins came against the Giants, Jets, and Dolphins. However, at this moment the Panthers look just as bad as those teams. The Falcons' offense will continue to hum this week and Atlanta will move to 4-3 with a win over its division rival.
49ers @ Bears
The Pick: CHI +4
Both teams are coming into this game fresh off getting blown out in week seven. The teams are fairly evenly matched on paper and I would expect a gritty defensive struggle. However, the big X-factor is Justin Fields. I'm not a big believer in Fields, but I like him better than Garoppolo. I like the Bears to come out the gate with some fire and take an early lead in this one. I'm backing Chicago to bounce back after the ugly beatdown in Tampa last week and move back to .500 on the year.
Eagles @ Lions
The Pick: DET +3.5
Sadly, the Lions are still winless and have the pity of most people. The time has come for that to change though. Philidelphia rolls into town with a lifeless offense and no Miles Sanders. Things have gotten so bad that there was talk of the team benching Jalen Hurts. Who better to thrive on this disarray than the Detriot Lions? This will finally be the week that Dan Campbell gets his first win as an NFL head coach.
Titans @ Colts
The Pick: TEN +2.5
For some reason, Vegas just doesn't like the Titans. Tennessee has been undervalued in most games this season, but have proven time and time again that we need to respect them. The Colts are coming into this game fresh off a big win in San Fransico, but they won't be facing a dud offense this week. Derrick Henry is ready to run all over Indianapolis. The Titans will prove once again to the oddsmakers that they are a great team and take down the middling Colts in Indy.
Buccaneers @ Saints
The Pick: NO +4.5
This is my gutsiest lock of the week. It feels wrong to pick against Tom Brady at this point and time and doubly wrong to pick Jameis Winston to beat him. This is the first time that Winston is facing his former team though and should be playing with a chip on his shoulder. New Orleans is looking to shed its "inconsistent" label and will have a great opportunity to against Tampa. The Buccaneers' last four matchups have come against basement dwellers and this will be their biggest test since week three against the Rams. I like the Saints to upset the Bucs (or at least cover the spread) at the Superdome on Sunday.
The Best of the Rest:
Packers @ Cardinals: GB +6.5
Dolphins @ Bills: BUF -14
Steelers @ Browns: PIT +3.5
Rams @ Texans: LAR -14.5
Bengals @ Jets: CIN -10.5
Patriots @ Chargers: NE +4.5
Jaguars @ Seahawks: SEA -3.5
Football Team @ Broncos: DEN -3
Cowboys @ Vikings: MIN -2.5
Giants @ Chiefs: KC -9.5