NFL Week 8 Picks: Colts vs. Titans and More Low-Scoring Locks

This week of NFL action has a few games that look like absolute blowouts. It also has a few games that look like shootouts.

It's not often in the NFL where you get a game with fewer than 40 combined points. The emphasis on the pass and new rules—preventing certain hits—has made the NFL a very high-scoring league.

However, there is still a place for a defensive struggle in the NFL. They don't happen often, but we'll get a few every week.

If you're a fan of good, old fashioned defensive games, keep your eyes on these affairs. 

Indianapolis Colts at Tennessee Titans

It's not that I think this will be a great defensive struggle, I just have absolutely no confidence in either offense.

Chris Johnson has been extremely ineffective this season for the Titans, while Matt Hasselbeck's age is starting to show. Without Kenny Britt, the Titans have struggled to do anything.

Without Peyton Manning, the Colts are hopeless. I hate to be so bleak, but I have yet to be convinced otherwise.

Defensively, I like both teams to make some nice plays to keep this one low scoring. 

Jacksonville Jaguars at Houston Texans

It wasn't just that the Ravens offense was inept on Monday night, the Jaguars actually have a good defense. Without Andre Johnson in the Texans lineup, I really like that to show once again this weekend.

Meanwhile, the Texans have been kept alive by a solid defensive effort in Johnson's absence. I like for them to rely on Arian Foster this week.

A battle of the running backs isn't a bad thing, considering the skills of Foster and Maurice Jones-Drew. Just don't expect it to put up a lot of points. 

San Diego Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs

Here's another game where I have next to no confidence in the offenses. I generally like Philip Rivers, but I don't trust him at all this year. He's turning the ball over far too much.

The Chiefs are also lacking a lot from an offensive standpoint. How many of their 28 points against Oakland were scored directly off a turnover?

I have this game right at the 40 mark. I can see it going a little higher and certainly lower, but this will be far from a shootout. 

Predictions

Titans 17, Colts 10

Texans 21, Jaguars 14

Chargers 23 Chiefs 17