Last week featured a flurry of surprises, shifting the landscape for some NFL teams that were in the playoff chase and now could be sellers before the trade deadline. Week 8 could see some long awaited season debuts that include Jalen Ramsey and Kyler Murray, so let's dive into this week's games.
**All betting lines from bet365.com** (Updated Oct. 29)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-3) @ Buffalo Bills (4-3)
The Bills don't seem to have the same killer instinct we've seen from them in the last few seasons and that showed last week, playing down to their opponent's level. They need this game to stay fully planted in the AFC East race and they're getting the Bucs at the right time, coming in on a two-game losing streak. Pick: Bills, 27-16.
Line: Bills -10
ML: Bills
Spread: Bills
Atlanta Falcons (4-3) vs Tennessee Titans (2-4)
Bijan Robinson appeared to be benched last week -- although Arthur Smith denied disciplinary action -- and it left plenty of fantasy football managers (including myself) baffled. If the Falcons want to create some space in the NFC South, they will need to let their rookie playmaker go to work against a Titans team rumored to be moving some of their offensive stars by the trade deadline. Pick: Falcons, 21-15.
Line: Falcons -2.5
ML: Falcons
Spread: Falcons
Houston Texans (3-3) @ Carolina Panthers (0-6)
Personally, the Texans have been the surprise of the NFL so far this year as C.J. Stroud continues to look the part of a polished veteran QB in his rookie season. Now, they're coming off a bye week to face a winless Panthers team that has played some decent defense this season. This will be a good test for the young Stroud not to take this team too lightly and stay alive in the AFC playoff race. Pick: Texans, 23-16.
Line: Texans -3.5
ML: Texans
Spread: Texans
Jacksonville Jaguars (5-2) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (4-2)
The Jags have won four straight games and are looking to build on their lead in the AFC South. Rain is in the forecast for this game and that means the Steelers defense gets a boost against one of the league's most efficient offenses. I've counted the Jags out too many times so far this year and think Doug Pederson will find a way to put Trevor Lawrence in a successful spot to win this game. Pick: Jaguars, 21-17.
Line: Jaguars -2
ML: Jaguars
Spread: Jaguars
Los Angeles Rams (3-4) @ Dallas Cowboys (4-2)
The Cowboys are coming out of their bye week after a very important win over the Chargers two weeks ago. Sean McVay's team fell victim to some poor officiating last week and that very well could have deflated this football team. This needs to be the game that the Cowboys really get CeeDee Lamb going. Pick: Cowboys, 30-21.
Line: Cowboys -7
ML: Cowboys
Spread: Cowboys
Minnesota Vikings (3-4) @ Green Bay Packers (2-4)
The Vikings have put together a bit of a run of late and suddenly find themselves back in the NFC wildcard conversation. Honestly, the Packers have fallen from grace and look completely out of sorts without Aaron Rodgers running the offense. This is purely a gut instinct pick as I'm siding with the home team here. Pick: Packers, 26-24.
Line: Vikings -1
ML: Packers
Spread: Packers
New England Patriots (2-5) @ Miami Dolphins (5-2)
The Pats pulled off a stunning win last week over the Bills to push Bill Belichick further into the record books with his 300th career win. Now, they head out on the road to Miami, a team that has been an offensive juggernaut all season long. Sounds like Tyreek Hill will play in this game after all, and for me, that should allow the Dolphins a few big plays over the top to push this spread out of reach. Pick: Dolphins, 28-17.
Line: Dolphins -8
ML: Dolphins
Spread: Dolphins
New Orleans Saints (3-4) @ Indianapolis Colts (3-4)
A flu bug has reportedly been making its way through the Saints locker room this week and it will be interesting to see how that affects certain players' availability (Michael Thomas is questionable). The Saints desperately need a win here to stay in the division hunt and I think they get it. Pick: Saints, 24-17.
Line: Saints -2
ML: Saints
Spread: Saints
New York Jets (3-3) @ New York Giants (2-5)
This is going to be a very defensive-minded game as Tyrod Taylor will be under center once again for the Giants after grinding out a win last week. The Jets are hanging around in the AFC on the back of their defense and I think they give them another strong effort here. Pick: Jets, 17-13.
Line: Jets -3
ML: Jets
Spread: Jets
Philadelphia Eagles (6-1) @ Washington Commanders (3-4)
Every time we see this matchup on the schedule it feels like it comes down the wire and that was the case earlier this year as the Eagles needed overtime to beat the Commanders. Ron Rivera's defense had some choice words after last week's loss and I think they come out motivated here, but ultimately the Eagles should prevail. Pick: Eagles, 31-23.
Line: Eagles -7
ML: Eagles
Spread: Eagles
Cleveland Browns (4-2) @ Seattle Seahawks (4-2)
The Browns have been stifling on defense so far this season (feels a lot like the Jets) and that's what has kept them in every game. Despite the strong defensive efforts, the quarterback carousel continues as Deshaun Watson will be out once again this week. I think the 12th man will play an influence in this game and look for the Seahawks to lean on their ground game. Pick: Seahawks, 23-17.
Line: Seahawks -4
ML: Seahawks
Spread: Seahawks
Baltimore Ravens (5-2) @ Arizona Cardinals (1-6)
There was plenty of speculation that Kyler Murray might make his regular season debut this week, however, it looks like Cards fans will have to wait a bit longer. This offense has lost its identity over the last few games and I can't see it appearing against this Ravens' defense this week. Pick: Ravens, 27-16.
Line: Ravens -10
ML: Ravens
Spread: Ravens
Cincinnati Bengals (3-3) @ San Francisco 49ers (5-2)
This has the makings to be a great game with the Bengals set to come off their bye week and Joe Burrow seemingly healthier than he's been all season. With that being said, Brock Purdy reportedly suffered a concussion during Monday night's loss and has been cleared to play. I think the Niners just need to stick with what's reliable, and that means a heavy dose of Christian McCaffrey, considering Purdy's status. Pick: 49ers, 24-21.
Line: 49ers -5
ML: 49ers
Spread: Bengals
Kansas City Chiefs (6-1) @ Denver Broncos (2-5)
The forecast for this game is supposedly going to see plenty of snow that could dictate the offensive gameplan for both teams. If that's the case, that should favor the Chiefs with Isiah Pacheco and Clyde Edwards-Helaire more than capable of some hard runs. Pick: Chiefs, 28-20.
Line: Chiefs -7
ML: Chiefs
Spread: Chiefs
Chicago Bears (2-5) @ Los Angeles Chargers (2-4)
The Chargers' playoff hopes might be out the window after the last two weeks, that's how impactful both those losses were to the Cowboys and Chiefs. This is a game they absolutely have to have on Sunday night and they really need to get Austin Ekeler going. It's on Justin Herbert to put this team over the top. Pick: Chargers, 26-16.
Line: Chargers -8.5
ML: Chargers
Spread: Chargers
Las Vegas Raiders (3-4) @ Detroit Lions (5-2)
The Lions were flat out embarrassed by the Ravens last week in a game that featured plenty of hype. I don't think Dan Campbell will let that slide and his team will be out for vengeance this week against a Raiders team that hasn't been overly impressive this season. Pick: Lions, 28-17.
Line: Lions -8
ML: Lions
Spread: Lions
Results
Week 7
ML: 5-8
ATS: 5-8
Overall
ML: 70-36
ATS: 61-42-3
Comments