NFL Week 8 Picks: Can Jon Kitna, Tavaris Jackson Be Cowboys and Vikings Saviors?

The NFL Week 8 picks are here as the Week 7 games have concluded and the league now may be without Tony Romo and Brett Favre.

With the halfway point in the season nearly reached, it's no easier making picks than it was in Week 2 with all the upsets and injuries this season. The Texans are a good team this year, and the Vikings just aren't.

But enough idle chit-chat, let's get to the picks.

Last Week: 8-6

Overall: 69-35

Week 1: 12-4  Week 2: 10-6  Week 3: 14-2  Week 4: 9-5  Week 5: 7-7  Week 6: 9-5  Week 7: 8-6

Denver Vs. San Francisco (In London)

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HERTFORD, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 25: Head Coach Mike Singletary of the San Francisco 49ers addresses a press conference ahead of The San Francisco 49ers meeting the Denver Broncos in the NFL International Series regular-season match at Wembley Stadium on Octo

The week kicks off with an overseas game as the San Francisco 49ers face off against the Denver Broncos.

The 49ers have one victory on the year and there are questions as to whether the starting quarterback and the head coach will be there a week from now.

Alex Smith has a left shoulder injury, and it's likely to keep him sidelined, meaning David Carr gets the start.

In Denver, they just came off of a debacle at home versus Oakland where the Raiders put 59 points on the board against them.

Both of these teams are desperate for a win, the question becomes: Does talent win out? Or does the more desperate team find a way to win?

Talent wins out, and Denver just has a little more talent right now.

Denver 28  49ers 24

Jacksonville Vs. Dallas

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SAN DIEGO - AUGUST 21: Quarterback Jon Kitna #3 of the Dallas Cowboys in action during the pre-season NFL football game against San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on August 21, 2010 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

Welcome to the Jon Kitna era in Dallas!

Even with the Cowboys problems behind center, the coaching issue, the discipline issues, and the possibility Wade Phillips will be packing up his office in the near future, the Cowboys still have an edge in this game.

The Jaguars have been awful this season, and even with David Garrard coming back, he only has a 84.7 QB rating. Also, the Jaguars still rank at the bottom of every defensive category.

Despite the Cowboys' troubles, Kitna still has Dez Bryant catching passes in a pass-heavy offense. And if, for some reason, the Cowboys actually decide to establish the run, there's so little film on it the Cowboys should catch the Jaguars off-guard.

Cowboys 35  Jaguars 21

Miami Vs. Cincinnati

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ATLANTA - OCTOBER 24: Quarterback Carson Palmer #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals looks to pass upfield against the Atlanta Falcons at Georgia Dome on October 24, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

This match-up features two teams coming off of tough losses. Carson Palmer threw for more than 400 yards last week versus the Falcons and still lost while the Dolphins came out on the short end of a controversial call at the end of the game versus the Steelers.

The Bengals had a great 2009 season, but they're finding out the hard way that it's not easy to win the AFC North two years in a row.

The Dolphins can't win at home, but can't lose on the road. Tony Sparano and the Dolphins still are a tough team to predict because they don't "wow" you with any one stat.

The Bengals are too inconsistent on both sides of the ball to get a good hunch on their performance either as Palmer very well could come out and throw four picks this week.

Dolphins road success continues.

Dolphins 21  Bengals 20

Buffalo Vs. Kansas City

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KANSAS CITY, MO - OCTOBER 24: Quarterback Matt Cassel #7 of the Kansas City Chiefs passes during the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on October 24, 2010 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Oh boy, Buffalo versus Kansas City.

This game should scare the heck out of Kansas City fans because this is EXACTLY the kind of game the Chiefs can lose.

Buffalo is win less, has an "us against the world" mentality, and somehow the Bills offense does well against one of the best defenses in the league last week, shredding Baltimore for 505 yards of total offense.

The Chiefs are definitely one of the most improved teams so far this season despite the two losses, and it's entirely possible they'll challenge for the AFC South title this year.

With last week in mind, defensive statistics for Kansas City don't mean much, but the Chiefs will be ready for what Buffalo has to offer.

At the end of the day, I'm not sure Buffalo has recovered from that heartbreaking loss in overtime and the Chiefs hold the Bills off from the win column another week.

Chiefs 30  Buffalo 27

Washington Vs. Detroit

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CHICAGO - SEPTEMBER 12: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions drops back to pass as Stephen Peterman #66 prepares to block Matt Toeaina #75 of the Chicago Bears during the NFL season opening game at Soldier Field on September 12, 2010 in Chicago, Illin

While it hasn't been announced as of this writing who will start at quarterback for the Lions this weekend, all indications are it will be Matthew Stafford.

The Redskins obviously will be starting Donovan McNabb, but McNabb hasn't looked like the McNabb of old. His play this year definitely has not been up to his usual standards.

The Lions are loaded with young talent in Stafford, Jahvid Best, Ndamukong Suh, and Calvin Johnson. While this team isn't ready to win a Super Bowl yet, the changes the Lions have made already are showing on the field.

The Redskins, though, just look old, and they were unable to really capitalize on five turnovers last week versus the Bears.

The young guys romp on the older guys.

Lions 17  Redskins 10

Carolina Vs. St. Louis

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TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 24: Quarterback Sam Bradford #8 of the St. Louis Rams hands the ball off against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game at Raymond James Stadium on October 24, 2010 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images)

The Rams already have three wins on the year and Sam Bradford is earning his giant contract by not losing games.

The Panthers earned their first victory of the season last week, but it was against the San Francisco 49ers, who have just as many issues as the Panthers do.

Rookie Jimmy Clausen was sent back to the bench while Matt Moore looked good.

The Rams have Steven Jackson and match-up against the Panthers better than the Niners did.

This won't be a pretty game, but Bradford should have a good day over the Panthers defense.

Rams 28  Panthers 17

Green Bay Vs. New York Jets

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 11: Mark Sanchez #6 of the New York Jets looks to pass against the Minnesota Vikings at New Meadowlands Stadium on October 11, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images)

This is another dangerous game to predict because of the intangibles going into the game.

The Jets are coming off of a bye week and therefore have had two weeks to prepare for the Packers. In addition, Darrelle Revis should be healthy and ready to go.

The Packers are getting healthier again and appear to have corrected the mental mistakes that resulted in early season losses, including an 18-penalty debacle to the Chicago Bears.

The Packers are coming off of a home win against division rival Minnesota Vikings and former hero Brett Favre.

The Jets have a great defense, but the rankings show a vulnerability to the pass that may no longer be there now that Revis is full speed again.

The Packers running game is not as strong as their passing game, but the Packers overall have a good offensive unit, and Clay Matthews already is turning into one of the league's best defensive players.

The Jets are good, but they're due for a loss, and the Packers are riding high after the Sunday night victory

Packers 30  Jets 24

Tennessee Vs. San Diego

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NASHVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 24: Chris Johnson #28 of the Tennessee Titans runs with the ball during the NFL game against the Philadelphia Eagles at LP Field on October 24, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Titans won 37-19. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images

The Tennessee Titans have proved they left the troubles of 2009 back in 2009.

The offense clicks with either Vince Young or Kerry Collins behind center, and Chris Johnson will get yards.

Meanwhile, the Chargers offense is an almost unstoppable juggernaut. But none of that seems to matter this year for the Chargers, who find new ways to lose, especially last week versus the New England Patriots.

This is going to be a high-scoring game, as the Titans pass defense is ranked 23rd in the league.

However, the Titans find ways to win games this year, and that will continue as the Chargers still have to figure out what's gone wrong.

Titans 35  Chargers 32

Minnesota Vs. New England

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GREEN BAY, WI - OCTOBER 24: Brett Favre #4 of the Minnesota Vikings reacts as Desmond Bishop #55 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates his interception for a touchdown at Lambeau Field on October 24, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Jim Prisching/Ge

Somehow, I don't think Bill Belichick really even cares who starts behind center for the Minnesota Vikings.

If Favre somehow makes it on the field, he's still going to be somewhat hobbled, and he's been playing poorly, forcing throws and making bad decisions.

If Tarvaris Jackson starts, Belichick knows how to make adjustments and will prepare for a lot of Adrian Peterson, even though "All Day" hasn't got a lot of use this year.

The Patriots defense hasn't played well at all this year, though, giving up big points to Buffalo and barely holding on versus the Chargers last week.

Bottom line here is the Vikings are a team with too many injuries and not enough weapons to beat a team like the Patriots right now.

I didn't bring up Randy Moss because I'm assuming he'll be neutralized early and often, and probably will start giving up on plays in the second half.

Patriots 21  Vikings 10

Tampa Bay Vs. Arizona

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TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 17: Quarterback Josh Freeman #5 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throws a pass against the New Orleans Saints during the game at Raymond James Stadium on October 17, 2010 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images)

This game comes down to the quarterbacks.

Arizona really doesn't have one right now, and receiver Larry Fitzgerald is becoming the most underutilized player in the game. Running Back Beanie Wells isn't producing and the defense can't stay on the field the whole game and expect to be fresh by the fourth quarter.

Tampa Bay has Josh Freeman, who rallied his team last week at the end of the fourth quarter to get the win over St. Louis.

No fourth quarter heroics required here.

Tampa Bay  24  Arizona 13

Seattle Vs. Oakland

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DENVER - OCTOBER 24: Running back Darren McFadden #20 of the Oakland Raiders runs against the Denver Broncos at INVESCO Field at Mile High on October 24, 2010 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)

Are the Raiders an offensive juggernaut that exploded on the league last week?

Probably not, but Darren McFadden certainly made his presence felt, and the Seahawks are going to have to be ready for him, which they should be with the 2nd-ranked rushing defense in the league.

However, the Seahawks offense only could manage one touchdown and five field goals last week.

This game is going to be sbout the Raiders offense, and Mcfadden is going to have another good day.

Raiders 34  Seahawks 17

Pittsburgh Vs. New Orleans

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NEW ORLEANS - OCTOBER 24: Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints in action during the game against the Cleveland Browns at the Louisiana Superdome on October 24, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

This game is going to be fun.

The Saints are angry after being upset by the Cleveland Browns. Upset teams tend to come out with a chip n their shoulder the next week.

The Steelers escaped Miami with a one-point victory after a controversial call went their way.

The Steelers have Ben Roethlisberger and one of the best defenses in the league, but Brees will be out to prove last week was a fluke.

The Saints humble the Steelers

Saints 28  Steelers 21

Houston Vs. Indianapolis

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - OCTOBER 03: Quarterback Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts warms up prior to taking on the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field on October 3, 2010 in Jacksonville, Florida. The Jaguars won 31-28. (Photo by Marc Serota/Gett

Can Peyton Manning do it by himself?

Dallas Clark is out for the year, Joseph Addai is hurting, and that's just the tip of the injuries the Colt's have suffered this year.

The Texans have Matt Schaub and an offense that no features Arian Foster at running back.

The Colts are 0-2 in their division, including a loss to Houston, and will be playing hard on Monday night to avoid going 0-3 in the division.

The Texans offense is good, but their passing defense is last in the league. With one actual game between them now, plus the injuries to the Texans' line, the Colts may put up a better showing than the first meeting between the two would indicate.

Manning rallies and the Colts win.

Colts 35  Texans 31