Week 8 of the NFL season features the renewal of a classic AFC North rivalry with high stakes in the playoff race.
Pittsburgh (6-0) is the last unbeaten team remaining in the NFL. The Steelers rank in the top 10 in offense and defense and have a chance to take a two-game lead in the division race. The Ravens (5-1) have the top-scoring defense in the NFL, andLamar Jackson leads a top-10 offense. It promises to be a physical matchup and a close game.
That’s not the only good divisional matchup on the schedule. The Seahawks and 49ers renew their NFC West rivalry, and the Bills have a chance to bury the Patriots in the AFC East standings. For those that can’t avoid watchingNFC East TV, the Eagles-Cowboys Sunday Night Football matchup should produce drama.
- Last Week:10-4
- Season:35-20
MORE: NFL Week 8 Power Rankings
With that in mind, below are our picks and predictions for Week 8of the NFL season. As always, our point spreads are courtesy ofSports Insider.
Atlanta Falcons at Carolina Panthers (-3)
Thursday, 8:20 p.m. ET, FOX/NFL Network
The Panthers beat the Falcons 23-16 in Week 5, andAtlanta is coming off yet another heart-breaking loss to Detroit.Teddy Bridgewater helps Carolina end a two-game skid with a season sweep of their division rivals.
Pick:Panthers 27, Falcons 24
New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills (-4)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET,CBS
The Patriots haven't lost four straight games since 2002, and the poor quarterback play is eye-opening. New England QBs have combined for just three TDs and 11 interceptions this season. The Bills will be more thanhappy to pile on.
Pick:Bills 27, Patriots 14
Las Vegas Raiders at Cleveland Browns (-3)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, FOX
The Browns lost Odell Beckham Jr. to a torn ACL,but Baker Mayfield showed he can work with the other receivers. Las Vegas is 2-1 on the road, and the Raiders have won the last two meetings against Cleveland. Anticipate a wild finish between two playoff contenders.
Pick:Raiders 29, Browns 27
Indianapolis Colts (-2.5) at Detroit Lions
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
Matthew Stafford revived the Lions'season with a last-secondTD pass toT.J. Hockenson, and Detroit suddenly has life in the NFC playoff race.TheColts had a bye week to prepare, but they are also 1-2 on the road this season. Detroit's Matthew Stafford outduels Indy's Philip Rivers here.
Pick:Lions 27, Colts 24
Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens (-4.5)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
Lamar Jackson threw three interceptions in his only start against the Steelers last season, but the Ravens still won 26-23. Baltimore had an extra week to get ready, and they take advantage in what should be the best game of the weekend.
Pick:Ravens 30, Steelers 27
Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers (-7)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, FOX
It's a rematch from a Week 1 shootout between NFC North rivals. Minnesota had a bye week to prepare and will be playing with a sense of desperation, but it's hard to trust a team that has surrendered 27 points or more in every game this season. The Packers are still battling injuries to some stars, but they keep rolling the division.
Pick:Packers 33, Vikings 22
New York Jets at Kansas City Chiefs (-20)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
It's a huge point spread, but this is a lopsided matchup for a reason.The Jets are averaging just 12.1 points per game, and Kansas City learned its lesson from taking an opponent too lightly in Week 5 against the Raiders. The only questionsherearewhether the Chiefs cover– and whetherLe'VeonBells gets in the end zone against his former team.
Pick:Chiefs 37, Jets 13
Los Angeles Rams (-3.5) at Miami Dolphins
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, FOX
TuaTagovailoawill make his first start, and the Rams are coming off a short week after Monday Night Football.Los Angeles ranks in the top five in sacks per game, and that pressure will create a few turnovers. Tua, meet Aaron Donald.
Pick:Rams 29, Dolphins 20
Tennessee Titans (-5.5) at Cincinnati Bengals
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
Joe Burrow continues to impress as a rookie, but theBengals have been outscored 73-43 in the fourth quarter this season. Tennessee presents too many problems for Cincinnati's defense.
Pick:Titans 28, Bengals 19
Los Angeles Chargers (-2.5) at Denver Broncos
Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET,CBS
Drew Lock hasn't thrown a TD pass in his last two starts, and Justin Herbert has seven TDs and no interceptions the last two weeks.Lock, however, finds a groove at home against a defense that allows 253.2 yards per game.
Pick:Broncos 27, Chargers 25
New Orleans Saints (-2.5) at Chicago Bears
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET,FOX
The Saints have quietly won three straight games since the "Sunday Night Football" loss to Green Bay, and DrewBrees completed 29 of 36 passes last week against the Panthers.Brees has won his last four starts against Chicago, too.
Pick:Saints28, Bears 24
San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks (-3)
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET,FOX
The NFC West grinder continues, and Seattlewill look to bounce back from its first loss of the season. The 49ers and Seahawks have split their last four meetings. San Francisco has allowed just 11 points per game the last two weeks. Seattle has played in five straight one score games, and that experience pays off in a classic.
Pick:49ers 29, Seahawks 26
Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles (-7.5)
Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC
The Cowboysmight go quarterback shoppingthis week, but it’s a dreadful defense that continues to be the biggest problem. Carson Wentz has passed for multiple TDs in his last three starts, andhe improves to 4-4 as a starter against Dallas.
Pick:Eagles 30, Cowboys 20
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New York Giants
Monday, 8:15 p.m., NBC
Tom Brady comes to the Big Apple, but Eli Manning won't be on the other sideline. The Buccaneers'pass rush will overwhelm Daniel Jones, and Tampa Bay'soffense continues to put up big numbers. Brady has just one interception in his last four games.
Pick:Buccaneers 34, Giants 19
