NFL Picks Week 8: Buffalo Bills and Favorites Getting Too Much Respect

Point spreads are tricky things. They're not really a prediction about how the game is going to end up, just a way to entice people into a bet.

That's fine, but you still have to keep in mind that these are not far from predictions.

The funny thing about these games is that I think the favorites will win and cover in two of them. But given the situations that they are in, they are being given far too much credit.

I'll stand by my predictions, but I wouldn't be shocked if any of the favorites lost, or at least failed to cover.

Point Spreads courtesy of Bodog.

Buffalo Bills (-6) vs. Washington Redskins

First of all, this is a home game for the Bills, but not a true one. The Bills will be playing at the Rogers Centre in Toronto, so they will be experiencing a break from the norm.

Now, I do think that they are the better team. The Redskins are falling and falling fast. But a six-point spread for a team that's shown some holes this season is a little too much. Throw in the fact that they are playing in an unusual home game, and this is a game to avoid a bet on altogether.

Houston Texans (-10) vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

The Texans did finally show some spark last week. Even in the games they had won this season, they have left a lot to be desired. But after last week, there is reason to be upbeat for the Texans that goes beyond playing in a bad division.

As far as this spread goes, the Jaguars defense is too good of a unit to just assume that they will lose by 10 points. That's a pretty significant spread.

This is the one game where I think the favorite will fail to cover, although I do like Houston to pull a win out.

San Diego Chargers (-4) at Kansas City Chiefs

This is a strangely intriguing game this week. A few weeks ago, this looked like a sure blowout. But now, after some less than impressive play from the Jets and a hot streak from the Chiefs, there is some intrigue.

I do have the Chargers winning and covering, but not by much. Avoid betting on this one at all costs. There are just too many variables here.