NFL Week 8 Picks: Will Two NFC Favorites Fall To 4-4?

It's been a wild and unpredictable season for the NFC in 2010, and in week 8 of the NFL season, the conference once again has a few prime time matchups against the AFC. 

Will the Packers, Saints, and Vikings be able to beat tough AFC contenders to help jump start their respective seasons?

Or will the AFC once again prove that the majority of the elite teams in the NFL reside in their conference? 

Week 8 will give a better insight into those questions. 

Denver Broncos Vs. San Francisco 49ers

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HERTFORD, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 27: Troy Smith of San Francisco 49ers talks to the media outside The Grove Hotel on October 27, 2010 in Hertford, England. The San Francisco 49ers will meet the Denver Broncos in the NFL International Series regular-season mat

Ah, those poor Londoners. Is the Broncos vs. the 49ers really the best NFL game we could send them this year? These two teams have three combined wins this season.

But one good thing about sending 2-5 Denver and 1-6 San Francisco? The native soccer fans in England should get plenty of punts and field goal opportunities, making this game feel much similar to the type of football they are accustomed to. 

Former Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith will start for the Niners, but it will be the combination of Kyle Orton-to-Brandon Lloyd that gets it done overseas. 

Broncos 28, 49ers 17

Jacksonville Jaguars @ Dallas Cowboys

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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)

Does anyone outside the state of Texas really feel bad for the Dallas Cowboys? I feel like the majority of America has enjoyed watching the rise and fall of the Cowboys over the course of the season. 

With a 1-5 record, and their starting quarterback out 6-to-8 weeks, the Cowboys' season is probably over. But that doesn't mean that beating up on the Jaguars isn't out of the cards. 

Cowboys' backup quarterback is still probably better then what the Jags can throw out at that position, so look for Dallas to get their second win is a big way. 

Cowboys 31, Jaguars 13

Miami Dolphins @ Cincinnati Bengals

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MIAMI - OCTOBER 24: Receiver Davone Bess #15 scores a touchdown against linebacker Lawrence Timmons #94 of the Pittsburgh Steelers at Sun Life Stadium on October 24, 2010 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images)

That loss last week is going to sting for a while in South Beach. In my opinion, the Dolphins were clearly jobbed out of a win against the Steelers and have a right to complain about being 3-3. 

But it's a new week for the Fins, and a trip to play the unpredictable Bengals could be just what the doctor ordered. 

Because really, is there a more overrated quarterback in the NFL than Carson Palmer? He's been a garbage time QB this season. 

Dolphins 24, Bengals 21

Buffalo Bills @ Kansas City Chiefs

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KANSAS CITY, MO - SEPTEMBER 26: Dexter McCluster #22 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates with Chris Chambers #84 after a 31-yard touchdown reception against the San Francisco 49ers at Arrowhead Stadium on September 26, 2010 in Kansas City, Missouri. The

I was glad to see the Bills show some life last week after reading pregame that some reporters were asking players if they thought they could beat a UFL team. 

A UFL team? Seriously? 

But the Bills still found a way to lose to the heavily favored Ravens, and heading to Arrowhead isn't an easy task either. 

Look for both Jamaal Charles and Dexter McCluster to make a big play with their blazing speed. 

Chiefs 27, Bills 20

Carolina Panthers @ St. Louis Rams

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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)

This game would have had more interest with me if both Sam Bradford and Jimmy Clausen were starting at quarterback for their respective teams. 

But because Matt Moore is getting another start this week, this game is hardly a game I'll be keeping my eye on. 

I think the Rams have been tough at home this season, however, and you have to like how Bradford has played in his first NFL season. He might be the real deal—St. Louis in a close one. 

Rams 17, Panthers 14

Washington Redskins @ Detroit Lions

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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

I first want to say this observation: wasn't the Redskins-Bears matchup last week the single worst game of the 2010 NFL season?

I think those who watched that full game would fully understand what I'm talking about. Both of those teams looked like they had no business winning the game Sunday.

So with Matthew Stafford finally coming back for the Lions, look for Detroit to get their second win of the season. 

Lions 23, Redskins 17

Green Bay Packers @ New York Jets

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 11: Quarterback Mark Sanchez #6 of the New York Jets stands behind the line of scrimmage against the Minnesota Vikings at New Meadowlands Stadium on October 11, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Andrew Burton/G

If you look into this game, it really has blow out written all over it. 

Jets are 5-1, coming off a bye, no glaring injuries, and have a blitz and turnover crazed defense. 

Packers are 4-3, coming off an emotional win, 10 players on IR, numerous others might miss the game, and have a n offense that has struggled with sacks and turnovers. 

That looks like a bad combination. I'm a Packers' homer, but I give them little chance in this one. 

Jets 31, Packers 21

Tennessee Titans @ San Diego Chargers

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OAKLAND, CA - OCTOBER 10: Ryan Mathews #24 of the San Diego Chargers runs with the ball during their game against the Oakland Raiders at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on October 10, 2010 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Is there a harder team to figure out than the Chargers? That's another team that should be better then they've shown in 2010. 

While the Titans are a good football team, never underestimate a desperate squad that has to have a victory. 

The Chargers will finally put together 60 minutes of good play, and rookie Ryan Mathews will finally have a game that fantasy owners thought he'd be having many of. 

Chargers 30, Titans 23

Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Arizona Cardinals

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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)

As a Packers' fan, it's hard to believe that the Cardinals went from hanging 51 points on Green Bay last year in the playoffs to the 32nd ranked offense in the NFL. 

What a difference Kurt Warner makes. 

On the other side, the Bucs appear to have a franchise quarterback in Josh Freeman. He'll be the difference as the Cards will struggle to move the football. 

Buccaneers 23, Cardinals 13

Minnesota Vikings @ New England Patriots

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GREEN BAY, WI - OCTOBER 24: Brett Favre #4 of the Minnesota Vikings scrambles away from Frank Zombo #58 of the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on October 24, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated the Vikings 28-24. (Photo by Jim Prischin

What a dramatic comedy the 2010 Minnesota Vikings have turned into. 

You could have never predicted that before the season with such a golden boy at quarterback, could you? 

All jokes aside, the Vikes are a mess in a lot of ways, and the Patriots are surely excited to shut down Randy Moss in his homecoming to Foxborough. 

And I hope you didn't think I was going to pick a hobbled Favre and the Vikings...

Patriots 27, Vikings 17

Seattle Seahawks @ Oakland Raiders

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GLENDALE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 26: Runningback Darren McFadden #20 of the Oakland Raiders sits on the sidelines during the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on September 26, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals de

It's still hard to comprehend how the Raiders put up 59 points last week. Wouldn't that number almost seem high over a three week span for Oakland? 

Nevertheless, the NFC West leading Seahawks come to the Bay Area for another NFC-AFC matchup. 

And once again, the AFC is taking another win. Look for Darren McFadden to feast on the Seahawks who are vulnerable outside Qwest Field. 

Raiders 20, Seahawks 17

Pittsburgh Steelers @ New Orleans Saints

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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)

What a great job of scheduling by the NFL. Steelers-Saints on Halloween in New Orleans? Genius. 

The Saints have to be a little desperate for a win after getting beat handily by the Browns last week, and the Steelers have to feel lucky after sneaking out of Miami with a win.

If I thought Reggie Bush would be 100 percent healthy, I'd pick the Saints. But I'm not convinced he will be, and the Steelers have a scarier-than-Halloween defense.

Steelers 24, Saints 21 

Houston Texans @Indianapolis Colts

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - OCTOBER 03: Quarterback Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts throws while taking on the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field on October 3, 2010 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images)

This would seem like a great time for the Texans to travel to Indy for an important rematch, as the Colts are a wounded bunch. 

One rule of thumb, however: never bet against Peyton Manning at home in nationally televised night games. Trust me, don't do it. He'll take your money everytime. 

Come Sunday night, I'm sure they'll be a Colts' receiver you don't know now that will make a couple of big plays. That's a lot safer bet. 

Colts 31, Texans 27