Hello readers! Another week of National Football League action is coming upon us! Week 8 has some interesting matchups for us fans to enjoy like: the Steelers-Ravens rivalry gets renewed, an NFC West battle as the 49ers go to Seattle, and Tom Brady returns to play against the Giants. In this post, I'll talk about my picks for the upcoming games.
Week 8 Picks
Week 8 in the National Football League's regular season starts in Raleigh, North Carolina and finishes in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The week offers a 14-game slate. There will be a Thursday night game, eight early games, three late games, a Sunday night game and a Monday night game. CBS will carry the single game and FOX will have the double-header this week. Arizona, Houston, Jacksonville, and Washington have byes this week. Enough talk let's get to the picks!
Atlanta (1-6) @ Carolina (3-4) (FOX/NFL Network): TW: Panthers; CV: Panthers
Both teams lost last week as the Falcons lost to the Lions and the Panthers lost to the Saints. Atlanta can't hold leads to save their lives even if its less than a few minutes left in a game. I'm tired of picking them. Carolina has done fairly well this season without Christian McCaffrey. The running back could be back from injury in this game and play but I feel Teddy Bridgewater is set to have a monster game. I'll take the Panthers to start the week off with a good start.
New England (2-4) @ Buffalo (5-2) (CBS): TW: Bills; CV: Bills
The Patriots lost to the 49ers and the Bills beat the Jets last week. Oh boy, we will learn a lot about the Bills in this game. No more Tom Brady to beat you up, Bills. New England's defense was ravaged last week and I can't see how they can stop the talented Josh Allen from beating them. Devin Singletary will need to get back to playing some solid running football to give Allen some relief. Patriots quarterbacks are a mess right now as the once prodigal Cam Newton looks mortal. I'll take the home team.
Minnesota (1-5) @ Green Bay (5-1) (FOX): TW: Packers; CV: Packers
The Vikings were on a bye and the Packers beat the Texans last week. Minnesota has gone downhill and Green Bay has looked upright. Kirk Cousins hasn't turned out well for the Vikes this season and their defense hasn't lived up to par. They would also traded Yannick Ngoukue to Baltimore after six games. Green Bay just seems like the more stable choice as both sides of the ball and a defense that can hold its own.
NY Jets (0-7) @ Kansas City (6-1) (CBS): TW: Chiefs; CV: Chiefs
The Jets lost to the Bills and the Chiefs beat the Broncos last week. Vegas has the Chiefs tabbed as nearly 20-point favorites over the Jets. Honestly, I don't see any reason why I would argue against them. Jets offense is terrible, their defense is better but that's a stretch and well their special teams is non-existent. Straight up I'll take the Chiefs easily. If I bet a dollar on the Jets, I could get some decent money if they won but I'm not a gambler.
Pittsburgh (6-0) @ Baltimore (5-1) (CBS): TW: Steelers; CV: Steelers
The Steelers beat the Titans and the Ravens were on a bye last week. Oh man, such a shame that this game isn't on a primetime slot as the Steelers-Ravens rivalry is back and both teams are playing great football. The game could go either way and the key to me is if the Steelers can contain Lamar Jackson by cutting off his running lanes and blitz him as they have legit four or five great blitzers. Ravens will need to have all hands on deck in slowing down Pittsburgh's pass attack. Definitely psyched for this one.
Tennessee (5-1) @ Cincinnati (1-5-1) (CBS): TW: Titans; CV: Titans
Both teams lost last week as the Titans lost to the Steelers and the Bengals lost to the Browns. Tennessee was one short field goal away from possibly staying undefeated but luck wasn't on their side. Both Ryan Tannehill and Derrick Henry have played up to expectations and at times exceeded them. The recipe doesn't bode well for the Bengals to have a chance in this game. If the time of possession game is in favor of Tennessee, I can't take the Bengals in a long shot to win this one.
Las Vegas (3-3) @ Cleveland (5-2) (FOX): TW: Browns; CV: Browns
The Raiders lost to the Buccaneers and the Browns beat the Bengals last week. Which Baker Mayfield will be getting this week? The one that played like crap one week or the one that dominated when it mattered most like last week. With Odell Beckham Jr being out for the season, the Browns pass weapons will fall on Jarvis Landry, Austin Hooper, and Rashard Higgins. I'll take the Browns but the Raiders have been playing fairly decent despite last week's drubbing against the Bucs.
LA Rams (5-2) @ Miami (3-3) (FOX): TW: Rams; CV: Rams
The Rams beat the Bears and the Dolphins were on a bye last week. We will get a chance to see Tua Tagovailoa in this game, replacing Ryan Fitzpatrick. Personally the move is a bit too soon as Miami's pass protection is at times suspect. He's gonna need all the help that he can get against a much improved Rams team that drubbed the Bears with their vaunted defense of Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey. I don't see how Miami can squeak out a win.
Indianapolis (4-2) @ Detroit (3-3) (CBS): TW: Lions; CV: Colts
The Colts were on a bye and the Lions beat the Falcons last week. Indy has done fairly well this season despite Phillip Rivers reverting back to his old ways in throwing to any person that moves, albeit a person who wears a different jersey than him. I think the matchup in this game will have to be Indy's defensive line and Detroit's offensive line. The Lions seem to commit to running the ball more in week's past than previously before. Matthew Stafford has had a better season than most with 1,580 passing yards with 10 touchdown passes. If Detroit scores points on turnovers, this could spell doom for the Colts. I'll go on a whim and take the Lions based on their momentum so far this season. Why not?
LA Chargers (2-4) @ Denver (2-4) (CBS): TW: Chargers; CV: Chargers
The Chargers beat the Jaguars and the Broncos lost to the Chiefs last week. Justin Herbert has been the fun story so far this season who has played beyond his expectations. His team hasn't been all that good in particular on running the ball and defense but he is the driving force with their success. It would be expected that Drew Lock will make the start again for Denver. Denver did have some success in running the ball against KC and perhaps they could change it up and throw often. Denver has disappointed me this season and they shall now get shunned.
New Orleans (4-2) @ Chicago (5-2) (FOX): TW: Saints; CV: Bears
The Saints beat the Panthers and the Bears lost to the Rams last week. Chicago's defense has done very well. Chicago's offense has been the opposite. Nick Foles has at times done well enough to lead the Bears to victory but I don't know how long can he keep his job with Mitchell Trubisky looking to get another shot. I'll take the Saints as they seem to be more stable at quarterback and their offense has played well. I trust the Saints.
San Francisco (4-3) @ Seattle (5-1) (FOX): TW: Seahawks; CV: Seahawks
The 49ers beat the Patriots and the Seahawks lost to the Cardinals last week. The marquee game might not have the same luster as some previous games but the 49ers have been playing better and seemed to recover from their injury bug earlier this season. Jimmy Garoppolo will need to play the game of his life to best the Seahawks as Seattle will likely try to contain the running attack of San Francisco. It seems like a uphill battle for San Fran but Seattle seems to be logical choice for this game.
Dallas (2-5) @ Philadelphia (2-5) (NBC): TW: Eagles; CV: Eagles
The Cowboys lost to the Football Team and the Eagles beat the Giants last week. If both teams weren't hit by injuries, this game would definitely be a worthwhile watch. Ben DiNucci will likely get the start as Dak Prescott and Andy Dalton will be out for Dallas. Carson Wentz may not have a lot of weapons to go to but DeSean Jackson and Travis Fulgham to throw to against the terrible Dallas pass defense. I'll take the Eagles.
Tampa Bay (5-2) @ NY Giants (1-6) (ESPN): TW: Buccaneers; CV: Buccaneers
The Buccaneers beat the Raiders and the Giants lost to the Eagles last week. Tom Brady returns to New York to take on the Giants. Brady has been on a tear lately and quite honestly, I don't see any reason why the Buccaneers should lose this game. Both sides of the ball are quite good for the Bucs. They have a solid running back in Ronald Jones and an extra back in Leonard Fournette when needed. Their defensive front seven is legit tough to beat. I'll take the Bucs.
Local TV Schedule (courtesy of 506sports, subject to change):
CBS Single:
Pittsburgh @ Baltimore
Jim Nantz, Tony Romo
FOX Early:
Minnesota @ Green Bay
Kevin Burkhardt, Daryl Johnston
FOX Late:
New Orleans @ Chicago
Joe Buck, Troy Aikman
For more information on which game is being shown in your area, check out: NFL 2020 Maps: Week 8
2020 Week by Week Record:
TW's record:
Week 1: 8-8
Week 2: 15-1
Week 3: 9-6-1
Week 4: 11-4
Week 5: 9-5
Week 6: 7-7
Week 7: 12-2
Total: 71-33-1
Cardinal Viking's record:
Week 1: 10-6
Week 2: 11-5
Week 3: 8-7-1
Week 4: 7-8
Week 5: 8-6
Week 6: 9-5
Week 7: 11-3
Total: 64-40-1
Previous Picking Records:
2017: 167-89
2018: 156-98-2
2019: 151-104-1
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