NFL Picks Week 8: Patriots Will Destroy Steelers and More Locks

The best game of Week 8 will be between the New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field. More appropriately, it is the best game on paper. In execution, the Patriots are going to steamroll the Steelers in this game.

Steelers fans are not going to like hearing this, but the team just isn’t that good right now. I know they have the nice 5-2 record and are in second place in the AFC North, but dig deeper and really look at what they have done this season.

Their best win of the season was probably against Tennessee in Week 5. That would be the same Tennessee team that just got blown out by 34 points against the mighty Houston Texans.

The Patriots have at least beaten good teams and have looked impressive in doing so. The defense has gotten better since losing to Buffalo in Week 3. They haven't allowed more than 21 points in the three games since. 

And, as Chris Forsberg of ESPNBoston.com wrote, the Patriots have owned the Steelers over the last 10 years.

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Sure, New England has dominated the series against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Belichick era, winning six of eight meetings since 2001, including AFC Championship games during the Super Bowl seasons of 2001 and 2004...

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So you see, the Patriots not only have the advantage based on performance this season. They also have the edge based on the recent history between these two teams.

The question is not whether or not the Patriots will win this game but by how much.

The Steelers do have one player—Mike Wallace—capable of breaking a big play or two, but the Patriots have so many weapons, and they all get involved in the game plan.

Brady can take the best defense and make them look pedestrian, and just in case he is not having success, the running game will step up and help him out. BenJarvus Green-Ellis has bounced back nicely from a slow start. He has averaged at least 4.1 yards per carry in five of the first six games.

The Steelers might make the playoffs because they can beat the cupcakes on their schedule, but they have to start beating good teams to get back to being the team they were last season when they won the AFC Championship.

They will have to start in Week 9, because they don’t stand a chance against the Patriots.

Patriots 34, Steelers 17 

Here are two more games to bet the house on in Week 8.

Detroit Lions at Denver Broncos

The Lions need a spark after two consecutive losses, and a game against Denver will be just what the doctor ordered. 

The Broncos, even with Tim Tebow leading the charge, are a terrible team. They proved that last week against Miami. That was one of the worst victories of the season, but since Tebow led the charge we are going to hear about how amazing it was for seven days. 

Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford is expected to play, but even if he didn't they would still win this game.

Calvin Johnson is going to go off on the Broncos' weak secondary. 

Lions 30, Broncos 13

New Orleans Saints at St. Louis Rams

The Saints bounced back after their loss to Tampa Bay in a big way last week against the Colts, scoring 62 points and gaining 557 yards of total offense. 

For perspective on the Saints' performance, the Rams have only scored 56 points all season. This one will get ugly in a hurry. 

While I don't think the Saints will put up that many points against the Rams, I wouldn't put it past them. 

Drew Brees will be like a cat toying with a mouse against this defense. 

Saints 38, Rams 10