NFL Picks Week 8: Bold Predictions for All Division Leaders

There are several tight races throughout the NFL as Week 8 approaches. As a matter of fact, only the San Francisco 49ers have a comfortable lead. The Niners and Jim "Handshakin" Harbaugh have a three game lead over the less than threatening Seattle Seahawks.

The Niners host the inconsistent Cleveland Browns this week. The Browns are coming off of the ugliest win of the season, a 6-3 "triumph" over the aforementioned Seahawks.

The 49ers defense and running game will control the tempo and time of possession. In a game of less than stellar QBs, the Niners have the edge in every other aspect, including special teams with Ted Ginn. Niners will win by two touchdowns.

There will be plenty of action in the NFC East. When the dust settles, the New York Giants will still be on top. They draw the terrible Miami Dolphins fresh from being Tebowed in Week 7. The Dolphins offense is terrible. The Giants have been consistently producing points all season. Eli and the offense haven't produced less than 14 points this season and that total was in the opening week.

The Dolphins will not be able to keep pace and will lose.

The New Orleans Saints are set up for their second straight blowout win. Fresh off of their 62-7 demolition of the Indianapolis Colts, the Saints will invade St. Louis. The Rams are without Sam Bradford again this week and the Saints will dominate.

Division leaders clash when the New England Patriots visit the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Patriots aura of invincibility has taken quite a hit since their loss to the Buffalo Bills. Fact is, the Patriots are still very solid and many now realize a road loss in Buffalo is nothing to be ashamed of.

The Steelers have been up and down but seem to be clicking offensively as of late. When the Steelers are hitting Mike Wallace deep and running the ball well they are tough to beat. The Steelers will hand the Patriots their second loss of the season in a close one. Steelers win by six.

The Houston Texans surprised me with the way they played last week against the Tennessee Titans. Not only did they win a big division game, they dominated them 41-7. The Jaguars are also coming off a big win, an ugly Monday Night victory over the Baltimore Ravens.

They beat the Ravens because the Ravens were ineffective offensively. The Texans won't have that problem. The Jags are only capable of beating teams they can feasibly hold under 14 points. They just don't have the weapons to score enough to keep pace with Houston, even with their strong and underrated defense. The Texans will win by 10 points.

The San Diego Chargers have been a mixed bag, but they've found a way to win this year in spite of Philip Rivers instead of because of him. It is one of the biggest mysteries of the season why Rivers has looked so ordinary. This week, they take on the resurgent Kansas City Chiefs.

The Chiefs knocked off a Raiders team in transition last week, shutting them out 28-0. Turnovers will be the key in this huge AFC West matchup. I'm taking the Chargers to come out strong and for Rivers to play better, limiting the uncharacteristic turnovers. They will win in a close one, 19-14.