Hello readers! Another week of National Football League action is coming upon us yet again. With just over 10 weeks of the regular season left the 2022 season still has many teams hoping for a run while those hoping for a better future. For games I'm keeping an eye on I'll check out: Ravens-Buccaneers, Patriots-Jets, Cardinals-Vikings, 49ers-Rams, and Bengals-Browns. Let's get to work!
Week 8 Preview
The eight week of the NFL's regular season starts in Tampa, Florida and ends in Cleveland, Ohio. It features a 15-game slate where 30 teams will play. Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers have a bye this week. The week features a Thursday night game, a Sunday morning game, seven early games, four late games, a Sunday night game, and a Monday night game. FOX will have the doubleheader this week and CBS will carry the single, regional game. Let's get to the picks!
Week 8 Picks
Note: Game times are in US Eastern. TW is me and CV is Cardinal Viking, my former roommate.
Baltimore (4-3) @ Tampa Bay (3-4) (Amazon; 8:15 pm): TW: Buccaneers; CV: Ravens
The Ravens beat the Browns and the Buccaneers lost to the Panthers. The week starts off with a fairly entertaining matchup between the GOAT and the former MVP in Lamar Jackson. Tampa has had a rough start to offense and hasn't been really themselves. One stat that proves it is their point differential of 0. The offense really needs to get back to basics and give the ball to their playmakers and get their running game going. Baltimore had made it a meme for them to have a lead and then blow it in the end. Last week against the Browns proved that they can have the confidence to do such things. The short week will affect both teams but do I really want to go against Tom Brady. I feel the Bucs will get back to basics in this game.
Denver (2-5) @ Jacksonville (2-5) (ESPN+; 9:30 pm): TW: Jaguars; CV: Jaguars
Both teams lost last week as the Broncos lost to the Jets and the Jaguars lost to the Giants. First time I believe that this game will be on streaming service. I can't really blame the NFL in giving them this game. Both teams are a doozy. Trevor Lawrence have been competitive in the games they've lost so its not like their offense is inept. Compared to Denver's offense at least. Russell Wilson looks like more of a bust in Denver than he did in Seattle. Trevor Lawrence has been a bit of a gunslinger, some passes hit and some passes don't. When they don't they usually go to the opposition. This game seems like a toss-up but I trust the Jaguars a bit more than the Broncos.
Arizona (3-4) @ Minnesota (5-1) (FOX; 1:00 pm): TW: Vikings; CV: Vikings
The Cardinals beat the Saints and the Vikings had a bye last week. Arizona seems to have been moving on a better direction of late. Marquise Brown and DeAndre Hopkins in the lineup has to be a factor in this. Minnesota had a week off and could possibly have some rust in this matchup. Typically early byes have effects on the team in that they get a break early and then a longer marathon later. Minnesota typically does good with such issues. I like the matchup of Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen against the Cardinals secondary. A defense mind you that gives up 271.9 yards/game so far in 2022. I'll take the Vikes.
Carolina (2-5) @ Atlanta (3-4) (FOX; 1:00 pm): TW: Falcons; CV: Falcons
The Panthers beat the Buccaneers and the Falcons lost to the Bengals last week. Carolina had the upset of the week against the defending NFC South champion Buccaneers last week. It has to make you feel good that despite losing two key contributors on offense in one week and then do something like that against a division rival in Tampa. I don't see the good vibes continuing into this week but anything can happen in the NFL. Atlanta has been holding steady to exceeding expectations of them prior to the season. They were expected to be bottom dwellers and not at 3-4. I like Marcus Mariota in the game as he could beat the Panthers in his arm and his legs. I do like the balance of Atlanta's offense as well. I'll take the Falcons in a squeaker.
Chicago (3-4) @ Dallas (5-2) (FOX; 1:00 pm): TW: Cowboys; CV: Cowboys
The two teams won last week as the Bears beat the Patriots and the Cowboys beat the Lions. Justin Fields and company had a great game against a Patriots team that was in flux. They go into Dallas in a game where the Cowboys aren't nearly as inconsistent at quarterback. I like the Bears running game but I do question their effectiveness against the Cowboys defense. Dak Prescott looked alright in last week's game. I think the Dallas defense will have their day against Justin Fields in this game.
Las Vegas (2-4) @ New Orleans (2-5) (CBS; 1:00 pm): TW: Saints; CV: Raiders
The Raiders had beat the Texans and the Saints lost to the Cardinals last week. It hasn't been an easy season for both teams. The Raiders have a new head coach and the Saints do as well. Derek Carr has had a decent season and his offense has been alright but not great. I was expecting something better for them. New Orleans almost had a win last week and they have kind of the same issues as Las Vegas. Questions on offense and kind of also on defense too. They do have Taysom Hill who can go off in a game and can be a game changer. It feels like a game where they could use Hill and do well. I'll take the Saints.
Miami (4-3) @ Detroit (1-5) (CBS; 1:00 pm): TW: Dolphins; CV: Dolphins
The Dolphins beat the Steelers and the Lions lost to the Cowboys last week. At one point the Dolphins were 3-0 and at one point the Lions held the highest scoring offense. Both realities seem like weeks ago and they were. Miami's win last week regained some belief that their offense will be back to efficient ball. Along with their high scoring offense the Lions also have the dead last scoring defense in the NFL. At one point I feel the Dolphins will put up points in this game. Detroit has some decent pieces but Jared Goff will have to go off on a tear if they want to win in this game. As much as I want the Lions to succeed I just don't see it happening as they really don't have the complete package on both sides to win.
New England (3-4) @ NY Jets (5-2) (CBS; 1:00 pm): TW: Patriots; CV: Jets
The Patriots lost to the Bears and the Jets beat the Broncos last week. New England has a quarterback controversy in their midst. Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe have played for New England and as much as Zappe plays well it is likely that Jones will start in this game. As much as I want Zappe to start, this team is still New England's quarterback. If Jones doesn't play well in this game then I would think that they would go with Zappe. For the Jets, they have Zach Wilson. The reason why they're 5-2 is Breece Hall and like all good things for the Jets, they take a turn for the worst. Hall is likely to be out for the season. As much as I think the Jets have a shot to win I'll take the Patriots and their running game.
Pittsburgh (2-5) @ Philadelphia (6-0) (CBS; 1:00 pm): TW: Eagles; CV: Eagles
The Steelers lost to the Dolphins and the Eagles had a bye last week. A battle of Pennsylvania! Kenny Pickett has had a rough season so far and the team around him should be a lot better but doesn't seem to be the case. Their running game needs to get back to better play in this game. What they face is the only undefeated team this season in the Philadelphia Eagles. Philly has had both sides of the ball playing well. I think they will need to not get the undefeated talk get into their heads as the Steelers would like nothing more than to knock them off their porch. Pittsburgh can do that in limiting Jalen Hurts on the ground. If they can slow him down and keep him off the field then they got a shot to take down the undefeated Eagles. I don't see it happening.
Tennessee (4-2) @ Houston (1-4-1) (CBS; 4:05 pm): TW: Titans; CV: Titans
The Titans beat the Colts and the Texans lost to the Raiders last week. An AFC South showdown! Tennessee hasn't been a spectacular 4-2 but they do have had a good a 4-2 record. They could head into a trap game against the Texans. Ryan Tannehill has been more of a control the tempo, field general quarterback and Derrick Henry has been the rock in the Titans offense. Houston has Davis Mills who is probably the best shot for the Texans to have some success in 2022 and beyond. For a passer he is decent but the team around him isn't that great. Houston doesn't have a great defense either. I would force Ryan Tannehill beat you if I was the Texans. I would just run the ball if you were the Titans.
NY Giants (6-1) @ Seattle (4-3) (FOX; 4:25 pm): TW: Seahawks; CV: Giants
The Giants beat the Jaguars and the Seahawks beat the Chargers last week. New York has had a turnaround season compared to last year. The reason why is really the culture that Brian Daboll has installed into his ballclub and the health of the team. Seattle has currently the top spot in the NFC West standings as the other teams are in 3-4. The time difference might play into the Giants play into this game as there is a three-hour difference and they don't typically play well on the west coast. I think the good feelings for the Giants will deflate a bit in this game. I mean there has to be a bit of a letdown for them. Geno Smith has played well in the Geno Smith-Russell Wilson comparison. The loss of Rashaad Penny to the running attack was at first going to be a problem but Kenneth Walker has been playing well. I think it'll be a Seahawks win but the G-men could make it a game.
San Francisco (3-4) @ LA Rams (3-3) (FOX; 4:25 pm): TW: 49ers; CV: 49ers
The 49ers lost to the Chiefs and the Rams had a bye last week. The rivalry renews as the 49ers and Rams play in the 2nd game of the season series. The Rams had a week off and with it hopefully they can figure out how to get back to a winning track. Hopefully I think Matthew Stafford will find himself and not try so hard. Hopefully the Rams offense can stop trying to overthink and go back to basics and run the ball. San Francisco really need to get back to playing better as well. They need to limit turnovers and let Christian McCaffrey loose on the Rams defense. I always think that McCaffrey could be used as a pass catcher than just a runner. If Cooper Kupp is doubled then give it to McCaffrey. I think the 49ers beating the Rams meme continues into this game and will have to wait until 2023 for them to beat the 49ers in the regular season.
Washington (3-4) @ Indianapolis (3-3-1) (FOX; 4:25 pm): TW: Commanders; CV: Colts
The Commanders beat the Packers and the Colts lost to the Titans last week. Washington had a boost to their offense with folk hero Taylor Heinicke at quarterback. Indianapolis will turn to 3rd year quarterback Sam Ehlinger for the rest of the season. Ehlinger played college ball at the University of Texas-Austin. The quarterback will be making his first start in his career. I'm not sure what to expect in this game for the Colts but if Matt Ryan was the rock bottom to their offense, Ehlinger can't possibly do any worse. I'll go with Washington as they have been a great a city for hospitality during my vacation to Washington DC this week. I'll give it to them in this game.
Green Bay (3-4) @ Buffalo (5-1) (NBC; 8:20 pm): TW: Bills; CV: Bills
The Packers lost to the Commanders and the Bills had a bye last week. Green Bay has had a rough last few weeks after going 3-1. There's not really one lone issue to the Packers but I would say that the overthinking of their offense has to be one. I think it should also be a return to their running game in this game as well. If the Packers can get quick passes to their receivers to overcome the Buffalo blitz, they have a good shot to win. Buffalo has been on a tear much to be expected for 2022. A key for victory for the Bills will be to shut down the receivers of Green Bay by playing man defense. I'll take the Bills in this game what seems like a David vs Goliath matchup.
Cincinnati (4-3) @ Cleveland (2-5) (ESPN; 8:15 pm): TW: Bengals; CV: Bengals
The Bengals beat the Falcons and the Browns lost to the Ravens last week. Week 8 finishes up with the Battle of Ohio. Cincy has had a bit of a hangover but has played better in the last few weeks. Last week's performance against Atlanta was impressive. Granted Atlanta was supposed to be not that great this season. The key to their success in 2022 has been really the health of Joe Burrow and a defense that might be better than last year. Cleveland had a solid 2-1 start but the fact is that they've dropped four straight games. The reason for this has been their offense and arguably their head coach's play calling. I find it hard to state that the Browns will take this game but they do have a great defensive line that could put the offensive line of the Bengals to the test. I don't trust Browns but if their offense can go off in this game, it could be trouble for the Bengals.
Early & Late TV Broadcast Pairings
Note: games in bold are being shown in my area, check local listings.
CBS Single
Pittsburgh @ Philadelphia
Jim Nantz, Tony Romo
New England @ NY Jets
Ian Eagle, Charles Davis
Las Vegas @ New Orleans
Kevin Harlan, Trent Green
Miami @ Detroit
Andrew Catalon, James Lofton
Tennessee @ Houston (Late)
Greg Gumbel, Adam Archuleta
FOX Early
Chicago @ Dallas
Adam Amin, Daryl Johnston
Carolina @ Atlanta
Kenny Albert, Jonathan Vilma
Arizona @ Minnesota
Chris Myers, Mark Schlereth
FOX Late
San Francisco @ LA Rams
Kevin Burkhardt, Greg Olsen
NY Giants @ Seattle
Kevin Kugler, Mark Sanchez
Washington @ Indianapolis
Brandon Gaudin, Robert Smith
For more information on which game is being shown in your area check out: NFL 2022: Week 8 Maps
2022 Pick ‘Em Records
My record:
Week 1: 8-7-1
Week 2: 8-8
Week 3: 5-11
Week 4: 11-5
Week 5: 10-6
Week 6: 8-6
Week 7: 9-5
Total: 59-48-1
Cardinal Viking's record:
Week 1: 6-9-1
Week 2: 11-5
Week 3: 5-11
Week 4: 6-10
Week 5: 9-7
Week 6: 9-5
Week 7: 8-6
Total: 54-53-1
Previous Picking Records:
2017: 167-89
2018: 156-98-2
2019: 151-104-1
2020: 163-92-1
2021: 167-104-1
2019: 161-94-1
2020: 167-88-1
2021: 173-98-1
I will see you all for the Week 8 Recap post right after the Monday night game. Enjoy the games and have a great weekend and Halloween.
-Tom
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