NFL Week 8 Picks

We're about halfway through the NFL season, and that means two things: We are starting to get a better idea of who the playoff contenders are (except in the AFC South, where we have NO IDEA), and the trade deadline is coming up (next Tuesday). It's sure to be an eventful week in the NFL.

Last Week: 6-9 (8-7 vs. Spread)
Overall: 58-47 (52-54 vs. Spread)

(Home Team Listed Last)

Thursday
Jaguars 21, Titans 13 (8:25 PM, NFLN)
Another week, another sub-par Thursday night game. Jacksonville's two wins came against the Colts and the Bears, but the Titans lost to Indianapolis last week and barely beat the winless Browns the week before.

Sunday
Redskins 27, Bengals 35 (London, 9:30 AM, FOX)
Another week, another average/below-average game in London. This week, Washington, which had won four in a row before falling to the Lions last week, faces Cincinnati, which has gone W-L-L-W-L-L-W. I think the Bengals break that pattern Sunday morning in England.
Chiefs 34, Colts 28 (1:00 PM, CBS)
The Colts got by the Titans last week, but I still don't trust them to hold leads (or blocks). 4-2 Kansas City has won two in a row and brings a strong defense (they're 11th in the NFL in total defense and fourth in turnover margin) into Indianapolis.
Jets 24, Browns 21 (1:00 PM, CBS)
This may be Cleveland's best chance at avoiding a losing season, at home against the 2-5 Jets. It looks like Josh McCown will start at quarterback for the Browns against Ryan Fitzpatrick and the Jets. This could go either way, which means it probably won't go Cleveland's way.
Raiders 38, Buccaneers 28 (1:00 PM, CBS)
These are two somewhat-similar teams. Both have young quarterbacks who continue to get better. Both have talented young receivers. And both don't have the greatest defenses (both are ranked in the bottom half of the NFL in total defense). I'll take Derek Carr and the Raiders.
Seahawks 32, Saints 35 (1:00 PM, FOX)
The Seahawks played to a 6-6 draw with Arizona last week, but this week they'll get to face the worst defense in the league. However, I'm going with the Saints, because Seattle's a bit beaten up, it's in the Superdome, and I just feel like it.
Lions 32, Texans 35 (1:00 PM FOX)
The Texans did not look good Monday against Denver (even though I didn't really watch it), but the Lions defense is not the Broncos defense. I think the Texas (especially offensively) will rebound, but it'll be a battle against Matt Stafford and the Lions.
Patriots 28, Bills 13 (1:00 PM, CBS)
I can' pick against the 6-1 Patriots until I see a reason to, and I don't see a reason to against a Buffalo team coming off a loss to Miami. The Bills may make it close, but Tom Brady and company won't let Buffalo win.
Cardinals 30, Panthers 26 (1:00 PM, FOX)
The Cardinals did nothing (offensively) in a 6-6 tie with the Seahawks last Sunday night, but they have a chance to rebound against the 1-5 Panthers. We'll see if Carolina plays any better coming off of a bye week.
Chargers 21, Broncos 27 (4:05 PM, CBS)
These two teams meet again after playing just a couple of weeks ago (a Charger win). I thought about picking San Diego to beat the Broncos again, but they won't let the Bolts sweep them, and this time it is in Denver.
Packers 34, Falcons 40 (4:25 PM, FOX)
This is a meeting of two very good quarterbacks, but this season, Matt Ryan has outplayed Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers did look better last week against the Bears, but that was the Bears. This should be a shootout, and I'll go with Atlanta at home.
Eagles 24, Cowboys 28 (8:30 PM, NBC)
Two surprisingly good teams with surprisingly good quarterbacks meet for the Sunday night. Dak Prescott has actually outplayed Carson Wentz this season (I'm just saying Prescott has better stats), but I think Ezekiel Elliott will be the key factor in this one.

Monday
Vikings 38, Bears 17 (8:30 PM, ESPN)
You know it's bad when Jay Cutler coming back is really good news. That's where the one-win Bears are, and Cutler won't come back to a warm welcoming; he'll come back against the best defense in the NFL.