NFL Week 8 Picks: Bold Predictions and Odds Advice for All Week 8 Games

Another week of NFL action is on the horizon, and with it will come the mid-way point of the season. Despite the fact that the year is nearly half over, there is still plenty of uncertainty among the ranks of the playoff contenders.

Last week was a good example of anything being possible in the NFL. From Kansas City's 28-0 blowout of Oakland to New Orleans' 62-7 obliteration of Indianapolis and Jacksonville's stunning 12-7 win over Baltimore, you never know what can happen in any given week.

There are sure to be tons of possibilities once again in Week 8, and while something that nobody could have predicted is bound to happen, I'm going to give it a try anyway.

Here are my bold predictions, picks against the spread and overall analysis of every game on the Week 8 slate.

Indianapolis Colts vs. Tennessee Titans

Line: Tennessee (-8.5)

After being blown out by the New Orleans Saints and Houston Texans respectively last week, both the Indianapolis Colts and Tennessee Titans will be out for redemption in Week 8. The thing is, however, only one team is going to achieve it.

The Colts are a complete mess without Peyton Manning at the controls, and they looked like the JV to New Orleans' varsity in Week 7. The Titans got off to a strong start this season, but they failed to take a firm grasp of the AFC South by getting whooped by Houston last week.

Indianapolis has pride and will try to win this game, but the Titans have to be considered the more desperate team as they have lost two consecutive games and sit at 3-3. Running back Chris Johnson's struggles have certainly adversely affected the Titans, but I expect him to finally get rolling against Indy's 31st-ranked run defense.

Prediction: Titans 27, Colts 10

New Orleans Saints vs. St. Louis Rams

Line: New Orleans (-13.5)

Talk about a fortunate schedule. Just one week after utterly embarrassing the beleaguered Indianapolis Colts, the New Orleans Saints have drawn another winless teams in the St. Louis Rams. The Rams have certainly failed to meet their lofty expectations this season, and they seem to be regressing with each passing week.

The Saints have been generally dominant all year long, with narrow losses to the Green Bay Packers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers being their only blemishes. New Orleans proved capable of bouncing back from a loss in destroying the Colts last week, but you have to wonder if there could be a bit of a letdown after such a perfect performance.

St. Louis may again be without quarterback Sam Bradford who has yet to practice this week while nursing a high ankle sprain. This would give A.J. Feeley another start and give the Saints a huge advantage. Ultimately, Drew Brees and the Saints' passing game looks unstoppable right now, and while another 62 points in unlikely, another blowout isn't.

Prediction: Saints 38, Rams 17

Miami Dolphins vs. New York Giants

Line: New York Giants (-10)

Despite the fact that the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys were the toast of the NFC East prior to the season, neither of them currently sit atop the division. That distinction belongs to the 4-2 New York Giants who have managed to fly under the radar a bit this season, which is no small feat for a New York-area team.

The Giants have had to battle through a myriad of defensive injuries, but with pass rushers Osi Umenyiora and Justin Tuck getting healthier each week, the G-Men are becoming more and more dangerous. Conversely, the winless Miami Dolphins have limped out of the gates and are essentially playing under a lame-duck head coach in Tony Sparano.

While anyone can see that the Giants are the more talented and complete team, coming up short against weaker opponents is a bit of a hallmark for the Giants. Just a couple weeks ago New York was beaten on home field by the Seattle Seahawks, and they needed a late fortuitous call to beat the Arizona Cardinals.

Ultimately quarterback Eli Manning should be able to pick apart Miami's weak secondary and the Giants should win the game, but the Dolphins will hang around long enough to cover.

Prediction: Giants 24, Dolphins 20

Minnesota Vikings vs. Carolina Panthers

Line: Carolina (-3.5)

While a game between the 1-6 Minnesota Vikings and 2-5 Carolina Panthers may not seem like much at first glance, it has the potential to be an extremely entertaining game.

The Vikings looked to be dead in the water after getting blown out by the Chicago Bears two weeks ago, but the insertion of rookie Christian Ponder as starting quarterback sparked the Vikes as they lost by just six points to the undefeated Green Bay Packers.

Carolina has far outperformed its 2-5 mark, and most of that has to do with the magical play of rookie signal-caller Cam Newton. Many were skeptical of how his skills would translate to the NFL, but Newton is already one of the league's leading passers in terms of yardage, and his running ability makes him an even bigger threat.

Most would probably consider the Panthers to be a team on the rise, as do I, but I'm not going to give them the nod in this game. Carolina's biggest weakness is its run defense which has been exposed on multiple occasions this year. Seeing as the Vikes have the league's most dominant rusher in Adrian Peterson, I think an upset is on the horizon.

Prediction: Vikings 31, Panthers 28

Arizona Cardinals vs. Baltimore Ravens

Line: Baltimore (-13)

Prior to last week many considered the Baltimore Ravens to be the best team in the AFC, and perhaps the second-best team in the entire league behind the Green Bay Packers. An uninspiring 12-7 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Monday night has changed that a bit, though, as there are now tons of questions regarding the Ravens' offense.

If nothing else, the Ravens are good candidates to bounce back against the 1-5 Arizona Cardinals. Some though the Cards could compete in the NFC West this season, but quarterback Kevin Kolb hasn't lived up to the lofty expectations placed upon him following his trade from the Philadelphia Eagles.

Defensively the Ravens are still excellent, and they should be able to force Kolb into some mistakes. The only question is if Baltimore's offense can rebound. Quarterback Joe Flacco was particularly mediocre last week, but I expect him to be much better against Arizona's porous secondary as the Ravens pick up a statement victory.

Prediction: Ravens 34, Cardinals 13

Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Houston Texans

Line: Houston (-9.5)

After losing consecutive games and dropping to 3-3, some were beginning to lose faith in the Houston Texans. They reminded everyone why they have been tabbed as an up-and-coming team, however, by completely wiping out the Tennessee Titans 41-7 to regain control of the AFC South.

The Jacksonville Jaguars looked to be one of the league's worst all-around teams, but they shocked the football world by upsetting the Baltimore Ravens 12-7 on Monday night. The Jags don't have many weapons offensively and rookie quarterback Blaine Gabbert will take his lumps, but Jacksonville's defense proved to be tough as nails last week.

Houston has been playing without star wide receiver Andre Johnson over the past few weeks, but he has returned to practice and stands a good chance of playing on Sunday. He may not be at 100 percent, though, so it remains to be seen how effective he will be. I like the Texans to continue their momentum regardless of whether he plays, but I think the Jags will cover just as they have against the Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers the past two weeks.

Prediction: Texans 21, Jaguars 16

Washington Redskins vs. Buffalo Bills

Line: Buffalo (-6)

Few teams have been more pleasantly surprising than the 4-2 Buffalo Bills this season. Any type of positive start is welcomed in Buffalo as the Bills haven't made the playoffs in more than a decade. If the Bills are going to entertain thoughts of making the postseason, then beating the 3-3 Washington Redskins in Toronto on Sunday is quite vital.

Washington got off to a great start in its own right, but back-to-back losses and a quarterback change from the mediocre Rex Grossman to the equally-mediocre John Beck leave the 'Skins on shaky ground. With running back Tim Hightower and wide receiver Santana Moss definitely out and linebacker London Fletcher possibly out this week, a win could be a tall task.

The Redskins will likely have to keep the game low scoring, but the Bills have an explosive spread offense led by trigger man Ryan Fitzpatrick and running back Fred "Action" Jackson. Provided the Bills can put some points on the board as they have done consistently this season, they should get the win and the cover to boot.

Prediction: Bills 28, Redskins 20

Detroit Lions vs. Denver Broncos

Line: Detroit (-3)

The Detroit Lions were the talk of the league after starting off 5-0, but due to consecutive losses, the hype surrounding the Lions seems to have died down a bit. While some may think Detroit is in trouble, there certainly isn't any shame in dropping extremely close games to the San Francisco 49ers and Atlanta Falcons.

While Detroit's hype has subsided, the Denver Broncos' has increased ten fold. The installation of Tim Tebow as starting quarterback has the football world abuzz, and after leading the Broncos to a stirring come-from-behind victory over the Miami Dolphins last week, the Broncos are the talk of the league.

I think the reason why Detroit is only a three-point favorite has a lot to do with the tipping of the hype scale and little to do with the quality of the two teams. Denver was actually awful for much of the game last week, but was able to come back against a poor Miami team. 

The Broncos won't be afforded that opportunity this week, though. Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford is nursing an ankle injury, but I think he'll play and get Detroit back on the winning track.

Prediction: Lions 27, Broncos 14

New England Patriots vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Line: New England (-3)

In what may very well be the marquee matchup of Week 8, the 5-2 Pittsburgh Steelers will host the 5-1 New England Patriots in a battle for AFC supremacy. Both teams have bounced back from tough early-season losses as the Steelers were wiped out by the Baltimore Ravens and the Pats were clipped by the Buffalo Bills, and both teams are atop the conference.

Some may say that the Steelers have benefited from an easy schedule to this point, and that may be true, but their trademark defense seems to have settled in, and the offense has been quite explosive lately, particularly in the passing game.

The Patriots continue to rule the regular season roost in the AFC, and they have had tons of success against the Steelers with Tom Brady as quarterback, including a comfy win last season. If Pittsburgh's defense can get some pressure on Brady, though, then the Steelers stand a chance.

Most are picking the Pats in a rout, but New England's terrible pass defense will eventually catch up with them. Ben Roethlisberger has been playing at a high level lately, and with an elite weapon like wide receiver Mike Wallace, I think the Steelers will pull off the upset.

Prediction: Steelers 28, Patriots 27

Cleveland Browns vs. San Francisco 49ers

Line: San Francisco (-9)

At 5-1, the San Francisco 49ers have gotten off to a surprisingly great start under first-year head coach Jim Harbaugh. The Niners haven't exactly been explosive or overwhelming, but they have played great team football and gotten the job done with excellent defense and the league's most mistake-free offense.

With so many games remaining against the mediocre NFC West, it looks as though the Niners are in for an incredible season, and they have another seemingly-easy game on the horizon against the 3-3 Cleveland Browns. While the Browns may not seem like much, they are a frustrating team that shouldn't be taken lightly.

The 49ers aren't going to put up a lot of points offensively unless their defense gives them excellent field position. Quarterback Alex Smith is more of a caretaker than anything, so I think the Browns can keep it close with their deceptively good defense. There is upset potential here if the Niners take this game lightly, but I think they'll pull out a close win.

Prediction: 49ers 20, Browns 17

Cincinnati Bengals vs. Seattle Seahawks

Line: Cincinnati (-3)

Despite the fact that most expected the Cincinnati Bengals to be one of the league's worst teams this season, they have surprised many with a 4-2 start. The key has been Mike Zimmer's rock-solid defense, as well as steady play on offense from rookie quarterback Andy Dalton.

The 2-4 Seattle Seahawks are an enigma wrapped in a riddle. Their roster is very unimpressive, but they beat a good team in the New York Giants and lost by just two to the Atlanta Falcons. The Seahawks are generally a much better team at home as well, which is why I give them a good chance against the Bengals.

Cincinnati has a nice winning formula to be sure, but with running back Cedric Benson out on suspension, Dalton may not get the support he is used to in the running game. The young Bengals also aren't used to being favored in what is sure to be a hostile environment, so I expect Seattle to ambush the Bengals and bring them back down to Earth a bit.

Prediction: Seahawks 17, Bengals 13 

Dallas Cowboys vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Line: Philadelphia (-3.5)

Perhaps no game on the Week 8 schedule will have a greater bearing on the playoff picture than when the 3-4 Philadelphia Eagles host the 3-3 Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night. The Eagles were considered Super Bowl favorites after winning the offseason, but as is often the case, winning the offseason doesn't always translate to actual wins on the field.

Despite their 2-4 start, a win would inch the Eagles close to .500 and get them back in the wide-open NFC East race. The Cowboys could conceivably be 6-0 if not for losing leads late against the New York Jets, Detroit Lions and New England Patriots, but they are instead fighting for their lives at 3-3.

I honestly believe the Cowboys are one of the league's best teams, but their brutal schedule hasn't done them any favors whatsoever. Provided the Dallas defense can contain Michael Vick to a point, I think the Cowboys have enough firepower on offense led by quarterback Tony Romo.

The X-factor in this game will undoubtedly be rookie running back DeMarco Murray, who set a franchise mark for most rushing yards in a single game last week in his first career start. The Eagles have been gashed by the run this season, so if Murray runs with a purpose, Philly will be in trouble.

Prediction: Cowboys 34, Eagles 31

San Diego Chargers vs. Kansas City Chiefs

Line: San Diego (-3.5)

The San Diego Chargers' early season shortcomings finally caught up with them last season as they failed to qualify for the playoffs. After a 4-1 start in 2011, however, they seemed to have put that behind them. A blown game against the New York Jets last week looms large, though, as they hold just a one game advantage in the AFC West.

The second-place team is the 3-3 Kansas City Chiefs who have experienced a renaissance after starting 0-3. The Chiefs have lost key players like running back Jamaal Charles, tight end Tony Moeaki and safety Eric Berry to season-ending injuries, but they have shown incredible resiliency. 

Kansas City lost to the Chargers in Week 3, but that was the game that essentially turned the Chiefs' season around as they were coming off two blowout losses. I think the pressure is mounting in San Diego and with quarterback Philip Rivers playing uncharacteristically awful, the Chiefs' opportunistic secondary should spur Kansas City to an upset win on Monday night.

Prediction: Chiefs 24, Chargers 21