NFL Picks Against the Spread, Week 8: Take Buffalo and Houston Plus the Points

We are approaching Week 8 in the NFL season, and there have already been a number of surprises throughout this season. There have been some key trades and injuries throughout the league, with the latest occurring to Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo. 

The season has been an interesting one, with many players we thought would perform well underachieving. Here are picks for every game against the spread, which teams I think will win, as well as if they will cover the spread.

These picks are more difficult to make, because not only do you have to know who will win, but also how much they will win by.

If you need help picking games this week, here are picks for every game in Week 8 against the spread.

Without any further ado, here we go.

Cincinnati (-2) Over Miami

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

ATLANTA - OCTOBER 24: Terrell Owens #81 of the Cincinnati Bengals celebrates his touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons with Andrew Whitworth #77 at Georgia Dome on October 24, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

The Cincinnati Bengals have too much star power to be losing this many games. Their offense includes Carson Palmer, Cedric Benson, Terrell Owens, Chad Ochocinco and Jordan Shipley. If you have an offense that has that much firepower, then you should not be losing this many games.

Miami simply does not have the offense to stay with the Bengals. Even if the Bengals defense does not show up, which it normally does not, Miami still will not be able to stay with the Bengals offense.

Look for Palmer, Owens, Ochocinco and Shipley to have good games.

Cincinnati will easily cover the two-point spread this week. 

Dallas (-6.5) Over Jacksonville

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 25: Quarterback Tony Romo #9 of the Dallas Cowboys lies on the field after a left shoulder injury in the second quarter against the New York Giants at Cowboys Stadium on October 25, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Mart

The Jaguars have been probably the most inconsistent team this year, and their quarterback has been hurt the past few weeks. The good news is that David Garrard will be back this week. 

The Cowboys are 1-5, and watched their season go down the drain on Monday night against the Giants. Early in the second quarter, Romo went down with a fractured collarbone that is expected to keep him out six-to-eight weeks.

In spite of these setbacks, the Cowboys will get the win and cover the point spread this week. Call me crazy, but I believe that Jon Kitna will lead the Cowboys (who have something to prove) to victory this week.

Look for the Cowboys to take this game by a touchdown, barely covering the point spread.

Detroit (-2.5) Over Washington

Nick Laham/Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 17: Drew Stanton #5 of the Detroit Lions passes the ball against the New York Giants at New Meadowlands Stadium on October 17, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

The line in this game is a surprise, with the Lions having a 2.5 point advantage over the Redskins. The Lions, however, have one of the league's best offenses, and with Matthew Stafford set to return this week, the Lions are all set for a victory.

The Redskins are struggling this year, and a loss to the Lions is not far fetched, In fact, it is quite plausible. 

Look for the Lions to easily cover the point spread in this game, winning by double digits.

Buffalo (+7.5) Over Kansas City

Larry French/Getty Images

BALTIMORE, MD - OCTOBER 24: Ryan Fitzpatrick #14 of the Buffalo Bills hands off to Fred Jackson #22 against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on October 24, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens defeated the Bills 37-34. (Photo by Larry French/G

The Bills are finally going to put it together this week. Ryan Fitzpatrick can throw the ball, we know this. The Bills have had struggles running the ball though. The tandem of Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller will overcome the running difficulties this week.

The Chiefs are overrated coming into this game, and the point spread is a little far-fetched. The Bills can throw the ball, and will keep the game close. 

The Chiefs may end up coming away from this game with a victory, but they will not cover the point spread.

Look for Fitzpatrick to have a huge game.

Carolina (+3) Over St. Louis

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

CHARLOTTE, NC - OCTOBER 24: Steve Smith #89 of the Carolina Panthers against the San Francisco 49ers during their game at Bank of America Stadium on October 24, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

St. Louis has had a pretty good year so far, but Carolina has an extremely good pass defense. They will keep Sam Bradford for throwing the ball, forcing Steven Jackson to carry the ball excessively. 

This will not bode well for the Rams. Bradford will not be able to get going offensively and this could lead to rookie mistakes.

Carolina has only one win, and it was against a bad 49ers team, but the offense of DeAngelo Williams, Jonathan Stweart, Steve Smith and David Gettis will be too much for the Rams. 

Look for the Panthers to jump out to a big lead, and cruise from there.

New York Jets (-6) Over Green Bay

Justin Edmonds/Getty Images

DENVER - OCTOBER 17: Running back LaDainian Tomlinson #21 of the New York Jets celebrates his touchdown against the Denver Broncos at INVESCO Field at Mile High on October 17, 2010 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)

The Jets have not been great against the pass this season, but All-World cornerback Darrelle Revis is coming back to team up with Antonio Cromartie to form one of the most dynamic secondaries in the NFL.

The Packers are a good passing team, but the loss of TE Jermichael Finley plus Revis and Cromartie being at full health will prevent the Pack from having much offensive success.

Look for LaDainian Tomlinson and Shonn Greene to rush for 80 yards each against the weak Packers defense, and for the Jets to win by two touchdowns.

Denver (-1) Over San Francisco

Justin Edmonds/Getty Images

DENVER - OCTOBER 17: Quarterback Tim Tebow #15 of the Denver Broncos runs for a touchdown against the New York Jets at INVESCO Field at Mile High on October 17, 2010 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)

San Francisco is just bad. The 49ers are not good, and they will not be good any time this season (I am sorry 49ers fans, but it is the truth). They have no offense, no defense and just struggle in all aspects of the game.

The Broncos, however, looked decent to me before last week. I thought that they had a legitimate shot at a playoff berth because of Brandon Lloyd and Kyle Orton. Last week, however, the Broncos were absolutely demoralized by THE RAIDERS!

I never saw that coming, and now I wonder if Orton is really the QB of the future for the Broncos. 

This week will be ugly, with Troy Smith playing QB for the 49ers, and Orton for the Broncos.

The wild card in this game will be Tim Tebow. He will score a touchdown from the Wildcat, and the Broncos will pull out an ugly win.

Tennessee (+4) Over San Diego

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 10: Quarterback Vince Young #10 of the Tennessee Titans drops back to pass against the Dallas Cowboys at Cowboys Stadium on October 10, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

If you are looking for my surest pick of the week, this is it. San Diego is struggling, and the Titans are hot. I honestly do not know how the point spread came about for this week. I do not have a lot to say for this game, and here is my reasoning.

With Vince Young coming back, the Titans will dominate this game. Kenny Britt is absolutely on fire, and Chris Johnson is well, Chris Johnson.

The Titans can score quickly and in a bunch. Look for the Titans offense to explode.

The Titans will win this game by double digits.

Seattle (+2.5) Over Oakland

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

SEATTLE - OCTOBER 24: Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck #8 of the Seattle Seahawks rushes against the Arizona Cardinals at Qwest Field on October 24, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

This is not the most exciting matchup of the week, but it still will be an easy one to predict. Oakland is coming into a trap game, coming off a huge win against the Broncos last week. Raise your hand if you predicted that game last week. Only maybe the parents of the Raider players did.

There is no one in the world who believes that Oakland can do that again, and I fall into that category. I base my pick for this game almost solely on that.

Marshawn Lynch will have a good game, and Seattle will win the game easily.

New England (-6.5) Over Minnesota

Donald Miralle/Getty Images

SAN DIEGO - OCTOBER 24: Quarterback Tom Brady #12 of the New England throws the ball against the San Diego Chargers during their NFL game on October 24, 2010 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)

This is my pick for most interesting game of the week, and rightfully so. Randy Moss is coming back to New England, and you can be guaranteed that Moss will be ready for this game, but there is just one problem. Randy Moss cannot throw the ball to himself. Brett Favre may not even play, and if he does he will be limited.

There is no way the Patriots will let Moss beat them, and he will be covered on every play.

This game will go right down to the wire, with Favre getting picked off late in the fourth and the Patriots driving down and winning by seven on a Tom Brady to Deion Branch touchdown.

Tampa Bay (+3) Over Arizona

J. Meric/Getty Images

TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 24: Running back LeGarrette Blount #27 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers straight arms safety Oshiomogho Atogwe #21 of the St. Louis Rams during the game at Raymond James Stadium on October 24, 2010 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by J. Meric/Ge

This is not the pick for most exciting game of the week. Tampa Bay has got off to a relatively good start, but they are still not that great of a team. Their offense however can put up points occasionally.

Arizona, however, is horribly bad. They have no one who can play QB. Can you honestly tell me that having Matt Leinart would have been worse than this?

I am picking Tampa Bay in this game because the Bucs are not as bad as Arizona, even though they are bad.

The Bucs will win in an ugly game.

Next Pittsburgh (+1) Over New Orleans

Marc Serota/Getty Images

MIAMI - OCTOBER 24: Running back Isaac Redman #33 is tackled by cornerback Jason Allen #32 of the Miami Dolphins at Sun Life Stadium on October 24, 2010 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images)

The Saints have struggled offensively this year. Whether it is a Super Bowl hangover or the "Madden cover" curse, they have not been able to get it going offensively.

Reggie Bush is still out this week with a leg injury. This makes this an easy game to pick.

Rothlisberger is back as the QB for the Steelers, and he will lead the Steelers offense to enough points to win. The Steelers will shut the Saints down, and will cruise to a relatively easy win.

Houston (+5.5) Over Indianapolis

Win McNamee/Getty Images

LANDOVER, MD - OCTOBER 17: Quarterback Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts throws a pass against the Washington Redskins at FedExField on October 17, 2010 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

*Upset of the week*

The Texans have already beat the Colts once this season, and they will do it again for the same reason. 

The Colts do not have a good run defense, and Arian Foster has been a monster this season. Foster may have another 200-yard game this week, and they could pull off the upset again.

The Colts need to watch out, or they could take a stumble this week against their division rival.

Look for the Texans to win by a field goal.

Prediction For MVP of the Week

Scott Boehm/Getty Images

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - OCTOBER 10: Jamaal Charles #25 of the Kansas City Chiefs runs with the football against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 10, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Scott Boehm/Getty Images)

Jammal Charles is my prediction for MVP of the week.

If you have him on your fantasy team, you will want to start him this week.

Jammal Charles is poised for a breakout game, capped off by some long runs. Do not be the one who leaves Charles on the bench this week.

For questions regarding the article, please comment or send me an e-mail.

Paul Ferguson is an intern at Bleacher Report.

Visit www.cleefacts.com

Follow him on twitter at: @paulwall5