NFL Week 8 Picks: 10 Favorites That Will Sweat Right Up To the Final Minute
Week 8 NFL Picks are here, and I'm not sure I could do much worse than I did last week.
I'd like to thank the referees in the Steelers and Vikings games, the Rams defense and the Saints for making me go 7-7 in Week 7.
Anyway, I'm hoping to do a little better with my picks in Week 8, and at least there's one less game than usual because six teams—the Bears, Browns, Eagles, Falcons, Giants and Ravens—have byes.
But like last week with the Bills, Browns and Raiders, will there be surprisingly close games or shocking upsets?
It's the NFL, so you never know what's going to happen. But I'm betting on some more nail-biters this weekend.
I'm here to try to rebound from my .500 record last week, so I'll pick all 13 games in Week 8 and rank them from blowouts to close calls.
Carolina Panthers at St. Louis Rams
1 of 13
Carolina got its first win of the season last week, but they'll have a tough test on the road against Sam Bradford and the Rams this week.
Why the Panthers Will Win: Um, ya got me. I guess the Panthers will have a shot against the Rams because St. Louis blew a big lead in the second half in Week 7.
Why the Rams Will Win: Despite that shellacking against the Lions a few weeks ago, the Rams allow just just 18.7 points per game, and they're playing a very offensively challenged Panthers team.
Why It Will Be Close: It probably won't, but the Rams have had four games this season decided by four points or less, so this one could be closer than expected.
Prediction: Rams 37, Panthers 17
Denver Broncos at San Francisco 49ers
2 of 13
Hey Denver, where the hell were you on Sunday against the Raiders? Because you definitely weren't at the game.
And San Francisco, you brought your season to new lows when you gave the Panthers their first win of the season last week.
Why the Broncos Will Win: Denver may have played awful last week, but that offense probably isn't going to have two consecutive games like that. Even if they do, they're not going to be outscored by San Francisco's 31st-ranked scoring offense.
Why the 49ers Will Win: Frank Gore has two straight 100-yard games, and with the quarterback situation up in the air, he'll have to have another big day to keep Kyle Orton off the field.
Why It Will Be Close: Denver didn't show up last week at home, so will they do it on the road?
Prediction: Broncos 35, 49ers 20
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Arizona Cardinals
3 of 13
The Buccaneers continue to live on the edge after pulling out a last-second win against the Rams last week, and they'll take on the struggling Cardinals on the road in Week 8.
Why the Buccaneers Will Win: They're the best team in the NFC! Raheem Morris said so.
Why the Cardinals Will Win: Arizona may not be a good team this year, but they're undefeated at home. That's saying something, right?
Why It Will Be Close: The Bucs are 2-0 on the road. The Cardinals are 2-0 at home. What will give?
Prediction: Bucs 27, Cardinals 17
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10. Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts
4 of 13
The Texans upset the Colts to open the season, so Indianapolis is looking for a little revenge against its division rival.
Why the Texans Will Win: Arian Foster is a beast in the backfield, and the Colts' run defense gives up 137 yards per game. Foster could go off on Monday night.
Why the Colts Will Win: Even without Dallas Clark and Austin Collie, Peyton Manning should have no problem throwing against the worst pass defense in the league. The Texans also give up nearly 28 points per game.
Why It Will Be Close: This is a huge divisional game, so neither team is going to drop a big goose egg here.
Prediction: Colts 31, Texans 20
9. Green Bay Packers at New York Jets
5 of 13
I'm not so sure the Packers deserved to win against the Vikings last weekend, but they got the win nonetheless.
Green Bay will travel to New York to play the Jets, who just might be the best team in football. Shh, don't tell Steelers fans I said that.
Why the Packers Will Win: Aaron Rodgers and the Packers clearly rely on throwing the ball to win, and the Jets rank 22nd in the league against the pass, allowing 229 passing yards per game.
Why the Jets Will Win: Revis Island has been closed down the last few weeks, but it should be open and fully ready to go against the Packers. It won't be easy for Rodgers to throw the ball, and we all know the Packers don't have a running game.
Why It Will Be Close: The Jets score 26.5 points per game, and the Packers drop 23.9 on their opponents. This one could be a shootout.
Prediction: Jets 34, Packers 24
8. Buffalo Bills at Kansas City Chiefs
6 of 13
The Bills nearly shocked the world with a win against the Ravens last week but couldn't pull out the overtime win.
The Chiefs enter the game coming off a big win over the Jaguars following two straight tough losses.
Why the Bills Will Win: Ryan Fitzpatrick has been stellar since taking over as the team's starter, with 11 touchdowns in just four games behind center, and the Chiefs pass defense gives up 243.8 yards per game.
Why the Chiefs Will Win: Matt Cassel has thrown eight touchdowns and just one pick in the last four games, while Kansas City's rushing attack is tops in the league at 176.5 yards per game.
Why It Will Be Close: As I mentioned above, these are two teams with two hot quarterbacks. If they both continue playing well, this one could come down to which one outplays the other.
Prediction: Chiefs 31, Bills 23
7. Seattle Seahawks at Oakland Raiders
7 of 13
Will someone please explain to me what the Seahawks do well besides stop the run?
Anyway, they better be ready to do that against Darren McFadden and the Raiders this week.
Why the Seahawks Will Win: They're 4-2, and they hold their opponents to just 17.8 points per game despite getting torched through the air.
Why the Raiders Will Win: McFadden exploded with a monstrous day last week, rushing for 165 yards and scoring four total touchdowns. It'll be tough to stop him, even for the Seahawks.
Why It Will Be Close: Seattle doesn't give up a lot of points, but the Raiders score a bunch—25.6 points per game.
Prediction: Raiders 35, Seahawks 27
6. Washington Redskins at Detroit Lions
8 of 13
I wonder if the Redskins realize how pathetic of a game their team—except for DeAngelo Hall—just played against the Bears.
They shouldn't overlook the Lions, who will probably have Matthew Stafford back under center for the first time since injuring his shoulder early in the season.
Why the Redskins Will Win: Ryan Torain has two straight 100-yard performances, and the Lions are pretty bad against the run, giving up 138.8 yards per game.
Why the Lions Will Win: Despite Hall's record performance, the Redskins secondary is still not good. Washington gives up 292 passing yards per game, and that Calvin Johnson guy is a decent receiver, I think.
Why It Will Be Close: Both defenses give up a ton of yardage, so this could come down to whichever defense doesn't give up too much.
Prediction: Lions 27, Redskins 20
5. Minnesota Vikings at New England Patriots
9 of 13
Brett Favre looks like he might need a cane to get around these days, and the Vikings season is on the line with every game.
They'll have a huge test in Week 8 as Randy Moss makes his return to New England.
Why the Vikings Will Win: The Patriots secondary gets shredded for more than 280 yards per game, so whoever is under center for Minnesota could have a field day against New England.
Why the Patriots Will Win: If it wasn't for his consecutive starts streak, Brett Favre wouldn't be playing because the dude's ankle is screwed up big time. Even if he does decide to sit out, that means Tarvaris Jackson will play quarterback for the Vikings.
Why It Will Be Close: New England's last two games—both against good offenses—have been decided by three points or less.
Prediction: Patriots 33, Vikings 27
4. Jacksonville Jaguars at Dallas Cowboys
10 of 13
Wade Phillips is officially crapping himself because he realizes he's probably finished in Dallas unless the team has a magical turnaround.
Meanwhile, the Jaguars' 3-2 start is looking more and more like a mirage after the team was blown out of the stadium the last two weeks.
Why the Jaguars Will Win: Even with Tony Romo out, Dallas will still probably throw the ball 40-plus times. Maurice Jones-Drew should run the ball 25 times to keep the Cowboys offense off the field.
Why the Cowboys Will Win: The Jaguars will be playing David Garrard, Trent Edwards or Todd Bouman at quarterback. None of those guys is going to beat you.
Why It Will Be Close: Jon Kitna is making his first start in two years, and the Cowboys have disappointed all season.
Prediction: Cowboys 27, Jaguars 23
3. Miami Dolphins at Cincinnati Bengals
11 of 13
Miami probably should have won the game against Pittsburgh this week, but another stupid NFL rule affected the outcome of a game.
Now, the Dolphins hit the road to face the Bengals, who haven't won a game since Week 3.
Why the Dolphins Will Win: Did you see what Matt Ryan and Roddy White did to the Bengals secondary last week? Plus, cornerback Adam Jones is out for the season.
Why the Bengals Will Win: Terrell Owens looks like he's in his prime, and Carson Palmer is coming off of a 400-yard, three-touchdown performance against the Falcons.
Why It Will Be Close: The Dolphins give up more points than they score, but so do the Bengals.
Prediction: Bengals 28, Dolphins 24
2. Pittsburgh Steelers at New Orleans Saints
12 of 13
Pittsburgh escaped Miami with a narrow win in Week 8, and the Saints were embarrassed at home by the Browns this week. Ouch.
Why the Steelers Will Win: Ben Roethlisberger has finally given the Steelers a formidable passing threat to go along with the league's best run defense.
Why the Saints Will Win: The Steelers rank 24th in passing yards allowed, and I'm pretty sure that Drew Brees and the Saints have a solid passing attack.
Why It Will Be Close: These are two good offenses, but more importantly, it's a battle of two of the league's top five defenses.
Prediction: Saints 23, Steelers 20
1. Tennessee Titans at San Diego Chargers
13 of 13
San Diego continues to be a very good team statistically, but let's cut to the chase: They're still 2-5.
They play a Titans team that showed against the Eagles it could win without relying on Chris Johnson.
Why the Titans Will Win: Wide receiver Kenny Britt finally gives the Titans another offensive weapon. After his monster game last week, he has scored in five consecutive games and has seven touchdowns on the season.
Why the Chargers Will Win: They are a top five team on both sides of the ball. They have to put together a complete game game sooner or later, right?
Why It Will Be Close: Both teams score a ton of points. The only question is what team will score more.
Prediction: Chargers 28, Titans 27
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