NFL Picks Week 8: Why Ravens and Titans Will Bounce Back in a Big Way

Week 7 needed to be quickly erased from the memory banks of the Baltimore Ravens and the Tennessee Titans. Both teams were shockingly upset and are now dying to get back on the field to get that bitter taste out of their mouths.  

That’s why you need to strongly consider taking these two teams, despite the high point spreads:    

(Spreads courtesy of Covers.com)  

Baltimore Ravens -13 vs. Arizona Cardinals  

There are so many factors going against the Cardinals here. They are making the cross-country trip for a 10 a.m. local start and are facing a Ravens team that was absolutely humiliated in front of a national audience on Monday against the Jags.

After their first loss, the Ravens won by 30 the next week. QB Joe Flacco tends to play much better at home and gets to face a young, 28th-ranked Arizona secondary dealing with injuries.  

Speaking of injuries, RB Beanie Wells is expected to miss this game. He was enjoying his breakout season that gave the Cardinals respectable balance. Without much of a running game, QB Kevin Kolb is screwed. In his last four games, Kolb has a 3-to-6 touchdown-to-interception ratio. He's been sacked 13 times in this time frame. The lockout is no longer an excuse at this point—this guy just isn’t that good.  

Oh, did I mention that the Ravens are No. 1 in total yards allowed at 272.7? The Cards have lost five in a row, failing to cover in four of them. The Ravens are 3-0 ATS this season at home, outscoring opponents 98-38.  

An angry, veteran Ravens team vs. an inexperienced, vulnerable Cardinals team is a complete mismatch. 

Prediction: Ravens 38 Cardinals 17  

Tennessee Titans -9 vs. Indianapolis Colts  

What’s the best remedy for two straight blowout defeats? The winless Colts!  

The Titans are coming off their two worst performances of the season and need a win to keep pace with division leading Houston. Chris Johnson continues to struggle, but the cure should be a Colts defense that is ranked 31st in the NFL, allowing almost 151 yards on the ground.  

The Colts have shown little effort the past few weeks as they all see the writing on the wall of a lost season. Aside from a select few, the effort is just not there defensively. The offense isn’t any better, ranking 27th in passing and 25th in rushing.

Once again Joseph Addai is dealing with a leg injury, as is second-string back Donald Brown. That leaves the rushing game in the hands of Delone Carter. Who? Exactly.  

Curtis Painter has shown signs of improvement, but he still struggles to make the correct decision when the first option isn’t available. His 54 percent accuracy clip simply isn’t cutting it.

When you consider that the Titans are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games against the Colts with Peyton Manning—it’s easy to see why the Titans are the pick.  

Prediction: Titans 26 Colts 13