NFL Week 8 Predictions: Latest Odds and Picks Against the Spread

An NFL season wouldn't be an NFL season without an abundance of weekly predictions and Week 8 is no different, my friends.

Highlighted by Sunday night's quarterback showdown where the Peyton Manning-led Broncos will try to outscore Drew Brees and the high-octane New Orleans Saints in Mile High Stadium, this week is sure to have it's fair share of upsets and sure bets.

With the latest spreads in mind, let's take a look into my crystal ball and make some picks.

*All spreads come courtesy of FootballLocks.com

Vikings vs. Buccaneers, Patriots at Rams, Titans vs. Colts

Vikings (-6.5) vs. Buccaneers

Tampa Bay has one of the best rush defenses and one of the worst pass defenses in the league.

Minnesota has a monster at running back in Adrian Peterson, but the Vikings' best bet is letting their young stud at quarterback get it done through the air.

Christian Ponder leads his team to victory with some impressive stats to go along with it.

Take the Vikings against the spread

Patriots (-7) at Rams (in London)

New England's secondary made Mark Sanchez look like Joe Montana last weekend, and at times, the Patriots' offense looked like, well, the Jets' offense.

The Pats still managed to get the "W" in overtime with Rob Ninkovich strip-sacking Sanchez and recovering the football to seal the deal.

It wasn't pretty, but a win is a win.

I think the Patriots are tired of playing in tight games. Look for an offensive explosion from Tom Brady and company.

Take the Patriots against the spread

Titans (-3.5) vs. Colts 

Since Matt Hasselbeck took over at quarterback, the Titans have looked like a completely different team (in a good way).

Not to mention, Chris Johnson is starting to look like CJY2K again after rushing for nearly 200 yards against the Bills.

Tennessee wins at home. 

Take the Titans against the spread

Packers vs. Jaguars, Chargers at Browns, Eagles vs. Falcons

Packers (-13) vs. Jaguars

Aaron Rodgers is starting to play out of his mind again.

There's no way the Jags—who own the league's worst offense—can keep up, even if they are throwing the football against a suspect, and now Charles Woodson-less (per ESPN.com), Packers pass defense.

Take the Packers against the spread

Chargers (-3) at Browns

The Chargers are coming off of a tough loss to the Broncos despite going into halftime with a 24-point lead.

As often as the Chargers shoot themselves in the foot, there's no chance they make enough mistakes to lose to the Cleveland Browns.

It's plain and simple: The Browns aren't good enough to beat the Chargers.

Take the Chargers against the spread

Eagles (-2.5) vs. Falcons 

Michael Vick has been a turnover machine this season and the Falcons have a defense stacked with ball hawks and strip artists. 

Philly's defense is the real deal, but Matty Ice has more than enough firepower to get the job done. 

Take the Falcons and the points

Lions vs. Seahawks, Jets vs. Dolphins, Bears vs. Panthers

Lions (-3) vs. Seahawks

Detroit's offense was stifled by an elite Bears defense on Monday Night Football. Unfortunately for the Lions, Week 8 will be more of the same as they face a terrific Seahawks defense.

Coming off a Thursday-night game, the well-rested Seahawks will face an exhausted Lions team coming off a short week.

Seahawks get it done on the road. 

Take the Seahawks and the points 

Jets (-2.5) vs. Dolphins

If not for a couple of missed opportunities, the Jets could have left Gillette Stadium atop the AFC East last weekend.

Despite missing key players on defense, including shutdown corner Darrelle Revis, the Jets still kept New England's offense—the league's best offense—in check.

Rex Ryan has to feel pretty good about his team right now.

The Dolphins are surprisingly competitive this year and Ryan Tannehill looks more and more like a great pick at No. 8 overall, but the Jets still take this one at home.

Take the Jets against the spread

Bears (-7.5) vs. Panthers

We know the Bears are good on defense, but if the Bears can continue to keep Jay Cutler upright, these guys might be legitimate contenders. The Cutler-to-Marshall connection looks more lethal every week.

The Panthers are going nowhere fast sitting at the bottom of the NFC South at 1-5.

Make it five losses in a row for the Panthers. 

Take the Bears against the spread

Steelers vs. Redskins, Chiefs vs. Raiders, Giants at Cowboys

Steelers (-5) vs. Redskins

This RGIII kid is pretty good.

The Redskins were this close to taking down the Super Bowl champs in MetLife Stadium and are certainly better than their 3-4 record indicates.

However, Washington has one of the worst defenses in the league and won't be able to stop Big Ben and the guys in black and yellow.

Take the Steelers against the spread.

Chiefs (-2) vs. Raiders

Neither of these teams are very good on either side of the ball.

Kansas City gets the edge with home-field advantage.

Take the Chiefs against the spread.

Giants (-1) at Cowboys

The defending Super Bowl champs are cruising with three straight wins under their belt.

The Cowboys have a solid defense, but lack mental toughness and clutch playmakers on offense.

This is an easy pick.

Take the Giants against the spread.

Denver vs. Saints, 49ers at Cardinals

Denver (-6) vs. Saints

Peyton Manning vs. Drew Brees.

Something tells me this is going to be a high-scoring affair. It's going to be a close one, but will ultimately come down to which team plays best on defense.

We all know the Saints don't play much defense.

Take the Broncos against the spread.

49ers (-6.5) at Cardinals

San Francisco's defense vs. Arizona's defense.

Something tells me this is going to be a low-scoring affair; another tight game with two heavyweight defenses going at it. It's going to come down to which quarterback, Alex Smith or John Skelton, plays his best.

I'll take Alex Smith, thank you.

Take the 49ers against the spread.