After surviving and thriving again through a tough Week 7 of upsets and a compressed schedule of only 13 games, it's time to dive into a full slate of Week 8 games for Sporting News' latest picks and predictions against the spread.
The results have been strong as we near midseason, thanks to date points available and teams' identities, good or bad, rounding more into form. That makes us confident to attack another 16 matchups. Here's our latest fearless forecast of professional pigskin prognostications:
(Odds courtesy of Sports Interaction)
POWER RANKINGS: Eagles, Ravens, Steelers flex in Top 10; Bills fade
NFL picks against the spread for Week 8
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Game of Midweek: Buccaneers at Bills (-7.5, 42.5 o/u)
Thursday 8:15 p.m. ET, Amazon Prime Video
The Bills have been disappointed by their offensive performances the past two weeks, especially Josh Allen. He will get revved up here in a matchup that will call for him to pass, pass and pass some more as there's not much point forcing a shaky running game on Tampa Bay. Baker Mayfield is struggling now with turnovers and being one-dimensional on a short week vs. an angry Buffalo defense doesn't help.
Pick: Bills win 27-17 and cover the spread.
Result: Bills win 24-18 but fail to cover the spread.
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Game of the Week: Jaguars (-1.5, 41.5 o/u) at Steelers
Sunday 1 p.m. ET, CBS
This one is a fun matchup between two emerging AFC powers. Trevor Lawrence is locked in with Travis Etienne and all of his weapons and the Jaguars' defense has been a turnover-forcing machine. Kenny Pickett is playing better with more of his key support and T.J. Watt and friends are doing major damage for the Steelers' defense. This is really tough to call, but Lawrence's arm and athleticism can help him grind to make more big plays than Pickett.
Pick: Jaguars win 24-20 and cover the spread.
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Lock of the Week: Lions (-7.5, 44.5 o/u) over Raiders
Monday 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN
The Lions laid a big egg in Baltimore and were fortunate it wasn't a goose egg. Their defense went into the tank agianst the run after dominating all season and they couldn't pressure or cover anyone downfield. But they have an immediate get-well game against a weaker, injury-marred AFC foe. Jared Goff will rebound with plenty of help from the running game setting up big pass plays, while Aidan Hutchinson will go back to leading a much stouter effort on the other side.
Pick: Lions win 34-13 and cover the spread.
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Upset of the Week: Panthers (+3, 41.5 o/u) over Texans
Sunday 1 p.m. ET, Fox
The Panthers are in the perfect position to end their winless season. They join the Texans in coming off a bye and they should get continued better play from Bryce Young with better support from the running game. The Panthers wilt most against the run and that's where the Texans are weak in balancing it out for C.J. Stroud. Young also should be motivated by the fact some think Stroud should have gone No. 1 overall over him instead of No. 2.
Pick: Panthers win 23-20.
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Rams at Cowboys (-6, 45.5 o/u)
Sunday 1.p.m. ET, Fox
The Rams will make this a game because the Cowboys cannot cover either Cooper Kupp or Puka Nacua well. Their defense also can contain a compressed Cowboys passing game and harass Dak Prescott a little with inside pressure. But in the end, the Rams do have weaknesses in short-to-intermediate coverage and can give up bursts in the running game, playing into the hands of Dallas' offensive philosophy. Defensively, they can check the Rams by forcing Matthew Stafford into mistakes.
Pick: Cowboys win 22-19 but fail to cover the spread.
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Vikings at Packers (-1.5, 43.5 o/u)
Sunday 1 p.m. ET, Fox
The Vikings will be operating thier pass-heavy offense on a short week without Justin Jefferson. The Packers will enjoy that break with their combination of pressure on Kirk Cousins and tricky coverage at home. On the other side, Jordan Love will settle more with his weapons and lean on his 1-2 punch in the backfield to end Green Bay's sudden skid. Getting back to Lambeau really helps, too
Pick: Packers win 23-20 and cover the spread.
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Falcons (-1.5, 37.5 o/u) at Titans
Sunday 1 p.m. ET, CBS
Arthur Smith was once the Titans' offensive coordinator. But that also means Mike Vrabel and his coaching staff know his tendencies. The Falcons are still a running team first and the Titans are a run-stopping defense first. The Titans should come up with good personnel and game-plan twists after a bye, when Vrabel tends to have great success. They'll grind to victory with Derrick Henry and enough of DeAndre Hopkins for whoever's at QB opposite a road-shaky Desmond Ridder.
Pick: Titans win 20-17.
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Saints at Colts (-1.5, 41.5 o/u)
Sunday 1 p.m. ET, CBS
The Saints' passing game has been off with miscommunicaton. Derek Carr had a mini bye to get on the same page with receivers not named Alvin Kamara. The Colts' secondary is bad and between Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed and MIchael Thomas, New Orleans can create favorable matchups, this time with Carr executing better downfield. An inconsistent Gardner Minshew will succumb to a tough defense this time.
Pick: Saints win 27-24.
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Patriots at Dolphins (-10.5, 46.5 o/u)
Sunday 1 p.m. ET, CBS
The Patriots' offense found plenty of life with Mac Jones throwing downfield in the upset of the Bills, thanks to the running game providing a big spark. They hung in there, losing by a touchdown (24-17) in the Week 2 meeting in New England. Miami is more dynamic offensively on the road, but with uncertain injury status defensively, Jones and his key skill players can stay hot enough to make it a little interesting again.
Pick: Dolphins win 31-24 but fail to cover the spread.
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Jets (-3, 35.5 o/u) at Giants
Sunday 1 p.m. ET, CBS
The Jets are coming off a bye and should see even better offense around Zach Wilson as he improves. Plus, the Giants don't really have reliable pressure up front and don't have answers in coverage for Garrett Wilson, Breece Hall or Tyler Conklin. The Giants' passing game will be lit up as Saquon Barkley and Darren Waller aren't enough to get it done vs. this tough defense on every level.
Pick: Jets win 24-13 and cover the spread.
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Eagles (-6.5, 45 o/u) at Commanders
Sunday 1 p.m. ET, Fox
The Eagles did get upset by Washington during their NFC title run last season and also had to beat the Commanders in overtime at home in Week 4. They'll be ready to finally take it to this NFC East rival with their pass rush wreaking havoc on a regressing Sam Howell. The Eagles may see the run slowed, but Jalen Hurts can destroy their secondary with A.J. Brown, a red-hot Dallas Goedert and DeVonta Smith.
Pick: Eagles win 34-17 and cover the spread.
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Browns at Seahawks (-3.5, 40.5 o/u)
Sunday 4:05 p.m. ET, Fox
The Browns may be going on the road with either a gimpy Deshaun Watson or P.J. Walker. They've won a battle of attrition against the 49ers and a crazy shootout at the Colts. But the Seahawks' settled defense can cause them problems with no consistent passing game. On the flip side, the Browns are leaky enough against the power run to the point Geno Smith can lean on Kenneth Walker to grind this game home.
Pick: Seahawks win 24-20 and cover the spread.
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Chiefs (-8.5, 45.5 o/u) at Broncos
Sunday 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS
The Chiefs just saw the Broncos two weeks ago and nothing much will change in the rematch, except for the fact Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and the offense will execute better with fewer mistakes. The Chiefs' defense continues to dominate and when the Broncos don't stick with running well, they are lost around Russell Wilson.
Pick: Chiefs win 30-14 and cover the spread.
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Bengals at 49ers (-5.5, 45.5 o/u)
Sunday 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS
The 49ers will be coming off a losing Monday night long road trip while battling key offensive injuries (Trent Williams, Deebo Samuel, Christian McCaffrey). The Bengals are coming off a bye and will have Joe Burrow in full force for this classic Super Bowl matchup featuring Niners legend Joe Montana. The 49ers will erase the run and pressure Burrow at the right times to save the game, but their cornerbacks have enough holes and Burrow will come out firing to make it interesting vs. Brock Purdy.
Pick: 49ers win 27-24 but fail to cover the spread.
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Ravens (-8.5, 45.5 o/u) at Cardinals
Sunday 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS
Lamar Jackson is on absolute fire finally with the new offense as all of his wide receivers and tight ends are cooperating. With that the scrambling is back to being awesome and traditional runinng game is back. He'll make big plays at will again here while former Ravens wide receiver Marquise Brown will be contained downfield. Josh Dobbs is falling apart and the Cardinals need Kyler Murray back, stat.
Pick: Ravens win 30-10 and cover the spread.
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Bears at Chargers (-9.5, 44.5 o/u)
Sunday 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC
The Chargers have been messy and left plenty of offense on the two weeks back after the bye. Justin Herbert is suddenly making key turnovers and the red zone disappointment has been costly. The defense is doing its best to hold up with a chunk of holes. Here, Herbert should settle for one of his classic massive passing games while former Bear Khalil Mack shuts the door on Tyson Bagent in the undrafted rookie's first road start.
Pick: Chargers win 30-20 and cover the spread.
Stats of the Week
Week 7 straight up: 7-6
Week 7 against the spread: 8-5
Season straight up: 72-34
Season against the spread: 59-45-1
