NFL Picks Week 8: Arian Foster and Biggest Difference Makers for Heavy Favorites

Five games have a spread of nine or more points this week.

That is a rather ugly and precarious number for bettors.

But all five teams are more than capable of covering. And yes, that even means the Titans.

Here are the biggest difference makers for the five heavy favorites this week.

Titans (-9) vs. Colts: Chris Johnson, RB

Do you remember Chris Johnson, the guy who once said he was going to rush for 2,500 yards?

Yeah, well, he's averaging less than three yards per carry this year.

It is obvious his offseason and preseason would have been better spent working out rather than worrying about his payday, but this is one week where he should get it together.

The Colts are 31st in the league in rush defense and don't look to be getting any better.

If Chris Johnson doesn't wake up this week then he never will.

Texans (-9.5) vs. Jaguars: Arian Foster, RB

The Jacksonville Jaguars not only covered and beat the Baltimore Ravens on Monday Night Football, but they also dominated Ray Rice.

Now, the odds of that happening twice in a row with Arian Foster carrying the ball are unlikely.

And, Foster is almost as dangerous as a No. 2 receiver out of the backfield. 

Even if the Jags can shut down the run, they don't have the ability to contain him in the pass game.

Look for Foster and the Texans to take care of business and cover a 9.5-point spread at home.

Saints (-13) vs. Rams: Drew Brees, QB

Drew Brees can be downright scary at times and it appears he's approaching that level.

The 62-7 shellacking they gave Indianapolis was almost cruel.

Brees has thrown six interceptions in the month of October, but he only has eight overall and is completing 70 percent of his passes.

The Rams, who typically get gashed in the run game (ranked dead last in the league in run defense) don't have a great secondary either.

St. Louis has given up the second most passing touchdowns in the league.

Giants (-10) vs. Dolphins: Justin Tuck, DE

The New York Giants host the dismal Miami Dolphins this week at MetLife Stadium.

Big Blue is coming off a bye week in which they should  get players back on the field. One of those players is defensive captain, Justin Tuck.

The Giants are tied for the league lead in sacks and have been playing without Tuck for several weeks now.

Add him into the mix against a Dolphins offensive line that has given up the second most sacks in the league and every quarterback on the Miami roster should be scared.

The Giants are notorious for knocking quarterbacks out of games in recent seasons and Matt Moore just happens to be one of the those who felt the wrath last year.

Don't be shocked if the Giants defense scores more points than the Dolphins offense this week.

49ers (-9) vs. Browns

A trip out West will not do the Browns any good.

Having to face Frank Gore, one of the league's top rushers, makes things even more difficult.

Gore is on a tear since returning to the lineup and has three straight 100-yard games to his name.

The Browns, who are coming off a 6-3 "is this a JV game?" win over the Seahawks, were beat up by the Raiders for 150 yards on the ground two weeks ago in the Bay area.

Expect much of the same from Gore and 49ers.