NFL Picks Week 8: Brett Favre Plays, Wins And Predictions For Every Game
NFL picks for Week 8 are here already.
It's only Thursday, but it's never to early to predict some football.
And with burning questions like...will Brett Favre's consecutive games streak be snapped? Week 8 will provide plenty of intrigue.
There are plenty of tough matchups to call this week, but with teams like the Dallas Cowboys, Detroit Lions, and San Francisco 49ers favored to win, bettors will have ample opportunity to gain some cash.
Here are my predictions for every Week 8 game, and for the record, I've gone 7-5 each of the three weeks I've published picks, but this will be the week I buck that trend (in a positive way).
San Francisco 49ers (-1) Over Denver Broncos
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San Francisco 49ers (-1) Over Denver Broncos
The Broncos are a complete enigma at 2-5, taking out the Tennessee Titans, but losing 59-14 to the Raiders.
San Francisco beat those same Raiders but is otherwise winless, including a loss to the lowly Panthers.
It seems like a stretch that the 1-5 49ers are favored to win this neutral-site game in London, but I think the fact that Troy Smith is starting is a blessing in disguise for the 49ers.
It's easy to forget that Smith was a former Heisman-trophy winner, and if it weren't for an unfortunate case of tonsilitis, he would have started for the Ravens in 2008 over Joe Flacco.
No one has any faith in Smith, but I think he'll relish the opportunity to start his first game in three years.
I'm going out on a limb here, but I like Smith's underrated skill set and think he'll provide a spark to the lifeless 49ers.
The former Buckeye won't be spectacular, but he only turns the ball over once and the 49ers win, 27-21.
Oh, and the Broncos can't stop the run.
And the 49ers have Frank Gore.
Dallas Cowboys (-6.5) Over Jacksonville Jaguars
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Dallas Cowboys (-6.5) Over Jacksonville Jaguars
If the Cowboys were favored by 6.5 points against almost any other team, I'd bet my house on the underdog.
But the Jagars are a mess, even though their starting quarterback, David Garrard, will play this week.
The Cowboys can't say the same, as Jon Kitna will get the start.
At least Kitna has never been afraid to heave the ball downfield, and against the Jaguars secondary, that should be enough to earn a W.
You couldn't pay me to watch this one and it could go either way, but I'll pick the Cowboys to win, 34-20.
Detroit Lions (-2.5) Over Washington Redskins
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Detroit Lions (-2.5) Over Washington Redskins
The Lions being favored by 2.5 against any team, especially the underrated Redskins, should signal serious red flags if you have any knowledge of Detroit's history.
But there's a reason for this line, and the Lions potent offense, further boosted by Matthew Stafford's return, should really put up points against a bad Redskins secondary.
As long as DeAngelo Hall doesn't repeat his four-INT performance from last week and the Lions can keep their turnovers in check, they should be able to outscore the 'Skins.
Also, after another week of healing, Jahvid Best should return to form.
Lions win, 31-20.
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New York Jets (-6) Over Green Bay Packers
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New York Jets (-6) Over Green Bay Packers
This line is a little higher than I would have liked, but I still think the Jets are a solid pick.
Green Bay can't run the ball, is really banged up (Jermichael Finley, Ryan Grant, Nick Barnett...) and is just 4-3.
The Jets have looked great so far (although they barely escaped Denver in their last outing) and should continue to roll.
New York wins, 27-17.
St. Louis Rams (-3) Over Carolina Panthers
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St. Louis Rams (-3) Over Carolina Panthers
Carolina is just not a good team, and their lone win over the almost-as-bad 49ers proved nothing.
The Rams have missed some opportunities this year, but they are clearly improving and still have a solid three victories.
Look for Sam Bradford and Co. to take this one.
Rams win, 21-14.
Miami Dolphins (+2) Over Cincinnati Bengals
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Miami Dolphins (+2) Over Cincinnati Bengals
The Dolphins have been keeping games close all year by playing solid defense and smart football, but they are still just 3-3.
In theory, the Bengals receivers should be able to dominate the Dolphins secondary (outside of Vontae Davis), but I'm not convinced that Carson Palmer is accurate enough to get the job done.
Yes, he topped 400 yards last week, but other than that, he's been awful.
I just don't trust this Bengals team.
Dolphins win, 27-24.
Kansas City Chiefs (-7.5) Over Buffalo Bills
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Kansas City Chiefs (-7.5) Over Buffalo Bills
The Bills finally showed some signs of life last week, losing a heartbreaker in overtime to the Ravens.
But there is no way this defense (dead-last in rushing yards allowed) can contain the Chiefs' two-headed monster of Thomas Jones and Jamaal Charles.
Watch Charles break several long runs and Jones to grind the Bills into oblivion as the Chiefs build an early lead and cruise to victory.
Chiefs win, 34-23.
San Diego Chargers (-3.5) Over Tennessee Titans
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San Diego Chargers (-3.5) Over Tennessee Titans
The Chargers have been brutal to watch this year.
They drive down the field at will and stifle opponents, but lose games on stupid mistakes.
Tennessee does just the opposite, not wowing you, but getting the job done.
Conventional wisdom would tell you that the Titans should win this game with ease, since they don't beat themselves.
But I'm giving the Chargers one more chance, and I think they will finally turn things around this week.
It's a gamble, and I really don't think San Diego deserves to be the favorite, but I still think they'll cover.
San Diego blows up in this one, winning 41-20.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+3) Over Arizona Cardinals
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+3) Over Arizona Cardinals
With the way Max Hall looked last week, there's no way the Cardinals will win this game with their offense.
The only chance I see them having is if they force a boatload of turnovers, and with Josh Freeman's apparent allergy to turning the ball over (just three this year), this looks like a surefire Bucs victory.
For the record, the Bucs are wildly underrated and will not go away this year.
Tampa Bay wins, 17-10.
Oakland Raiders (-2.5) Over Seattle Seahawks
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Oakland Raiders (-2.5) Over Seattle Seahawks
The Raiders (3-4) are an elite running team (third in the NFL) and can stop the pass (fifth in the NFL).
Seattle (4-2) has the league's second-ranked rush defense and exceptional special teams led by Leon Washington's explosive kick return abilities.
Both teams are about average in turnover margin.
This game will come down to Oakland running the ball against the stout Seattle front seven.
Seattle hasn't faced an elite rushing team yet this year, so it wouldn't be a shock to see the Raiders find some running room despite Seattle's stout numbers.
I think Darren McFadden and Michael Bush will allow the Raiders to control the clock, as they win a close contest.
Oakland wins, 24-20.
Minnesota Vikings (+6.5) Over New England Patriots
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Minnesota Vikings (+6.5) Over New England Patriots
Do you really think Brett Favre is going to miss this game?
With his consecutive starts streak on the line, Favre will suck it up like he always does and give it a go.
You can question his decision-making skills (on and off the field), but you can't question his pain tolerance.
And with hate at an all-time high for Brett, he'll go off on a very weak New England secondary.
Also, in a minor storyline, Randy Moss returns to New England, where he will be angry, and may put in more than his usual effort.
And when Randy tries, he usually performs.
Favre and Moss will quite the haters and rout the Pats in this one.
Minnesota wins, 38-24.
New Orleans Saints (-1) Over Pittsburgh Steelers
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New Orleans Saints (-1) Over Pittsburgh Steelers
A matchup between the near-consensus best team in the NFL right now and the defending Super Bowl Champs.
This is going to be a fun game to watch.
Pittsburgh's defense is getting a lot of attention, but they aren't great against the pass (24th in the NFL).
And if you haven't heard, Drew Brees is really, really good.
New Orleans can't run on Pittsburgh, but they can barely run on the Bills, so who cares?
Brees will throw about 90 times in this one, and outscore the Steelers in a close win.
New Orleans wins, 30-28.
Houston Texans (+5.5) Over Indianapolis Colts
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Houston Texans (+5.5) Over Indianapolis Colts
Peyton Manning, on Monday night, in a divisional matchup, against the worst pass defense in the league.
This seems like a no-brainer, but don't forget the Colts lost to the Texans in Week 1.
I wouldn't overthink things, though, as it seems hard to believe that Peyton would lose twice to Houston in one season.
That being said, Arian Foster should carve up this defense again, and the Texans won't go down without a fight.
I think the line is just about right, as I see Houston losing by less than a touchdown.
And when things are this close, pick the points.
Indianapolis wins, 35-30, but Houston covers.
My Picks
14 of 14
Last Week: 7-5
Overall: 21-15.
Do you think I'll turn things around after three straight 7-5 weeks?
Let me know how stupid or smart I am in the comments.
Matt Rudnitsky is a student at the University of Michigan and a writing intern at Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter at https://twitter.com/Mattrud
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