NFL Picks Week 8: Ride The Lightning
This Halloween week, the New Orleans Saints face the Los Angeles Chargers in the City of Angels. It truly has been a frightful scenario for the team and the fans since Week 3, but hopefully a win this Sunday can temporarily give us all some reprieve from this mid-season nightmare. Some key players like Chris Olave returning from injury will provide some hope in this weekâs game, and the Saints certainly need all the help, and hope, they can get.
The Saints have been killed by their opponents’ running games during their 5-game losing streak, but against the Bolts, they need to fight fire with fire, and finally get their own rushing game back on track. If the Saints have any hope of escaping this downward spiral, they need to win this week before they watch their season fade to black. Letâs take a look at this and all of the matchups this week as we near the halfway point of the season this Sunday!
Last week, I went 7-8
I told you so: Ravens over Bucs!
What do I know: Falcons over Seahawks?
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WEEK 8
Thursday, October 24th – Thursday Night Football
Vikings(5-1) at Rams(2-4)
Minnesotaâs defense will be the best unit on the field in Los Angeles on Thursday Night. Minnesota wins 30-24.
Pick: Vikings
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Sunday, October 27th – Early Games
Ravens(5-2) at Browns(1-6)
It will be addition by subtraction for Cleveland without Deshaun Watson, but they still donât have enough to keep up with the deadly Baltimore offense. Baltimore wins 30-21.
Pick: Ravens
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Titans(1-5) at Lions(5-1)
Tennessee may have the NFLâs top-ranked defense, but they also have the NFLâs worst-ranked offense, thatâs not going to cut it against Detroit in Motown. Detroit wins 35-20.
Pick: Lions
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Colts(4-3) at Texans(5-2)
Indyâs defense will fall short against CJ Stroud in this AFC South battle. Houston wins 26-23.
Pick: Texans
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Packers(5-2) at Jaguars(2-5)
For the second-consecutive week, Green Bay takes out an AFC South opponent. Green Bay wins 27-23.
Pick: Packers
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Cardinals(3-4) at Dolphins(2-4)
James Connor and the Arizona rushing attack will outlast Miamiâs second-ranked defense in this one. Arizona wins 30-27.
Pick: Cardinals
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Jets(2-5) at Patriots(1-6)
The Jets finally get an opponent they can beat, and thanks to a fantastic defensive effort, they will. New York wins 21-3.
Pick: Jets
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Falcons(4-3) at Buccaneers(4-3)
This may very well be the de-facto NFC South Championship Game, even at this early stage of the season. Atlanta already has a win in hand over Tampa, and another here may seal the deal, barring a classic Falcons collapse. Devastating injuries at wide receiver have the Bucs looking eerily Saints-like at the position all of a sudden. Just like their last meeting, this one will come down to a kick. Younghoe Koo does it again, leading Atlanta to victory thanks to a game-winning field goal. Atlanta wins 26-24.
Pick: Falcons
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Eagles(4-2) at Bengals(3-4)
Some may believe Philly is back because they have won three of their last four games, but it is important to remember those three wins came against bad football teams. Despite their sub-.500 record, Cincy is not a bad team, in fact, they have beat those same bad teams themselves over the past two weeks. Joe Burrow and the Cincy passing attack will have a big game against the Philly defense, and that will be the deciding factor in this one. Cincinnati wins 33-24.
Pick: Bengals
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Sunday, October 27th – Late Games
Bills(5-2) at Seahawks(4-3) – Game of the Week
Geno Smith and Josh Allen will be putting on an aerial show in this underrated matchup. This one will come down to the wire, but Buffalo finds a way to leave Seattle with a victory. Buffalo wins 35-33.
Pick: Bills
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Bears(4-2) at Commanders(5-2)
Unfortunately, an injury is robbing us of the highly anticipated showdown of the top two picks in this past yearâs draft, between Chicagoâs Caleb Williams and Washingtonâs Jayden Daniels. Both quarterbacks have been truly finding their groove nearing the halfway point of the season, but with Danielsâ rib injury last week, we are getting veteran journeyman quarterback Marcus Mariota in his place. It will be Chicagoâs defense that wins the day in this matchup. Chicago wins 24-16.
Pick: Bears
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Chiefs(6-0) at Raiders(2-5)
Las Vegas simply won’t be able to run the ball on Kansas City, and the Chiefs will beat the house in Vegas. Kansas City wins 23-19.
Pick: Chiefs
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Panthers(1-6) at Broncos(4-3)
Carolina will keep this one close until the closing moments, thanks to a defense that completely shuts down the Denver run game, forcing Bo Nix to carry the offense on his arm. It will be Denverâs pass rush that leads the team to victory, capped by a Wil Lutz game-winner. Denver wins 23-20.
Pick: Broncos
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Saints(2-5) at Chargers(3-3)
The terms of this game are clear. If the New Orleans Saints can run the ball, they can compete in this game. If the Saints can stop the run, they can contend for a win. If the Saints can do both of these things, they will win the game, five-game losing streak be damned. Klint Kubiakâs offense should get some key players returning this week. Chris Olave provides Spencer Rattler and Bonafide top-target, Cesar Ruiz provides Rattler invaluable interior protection, and Taysom Hill provides the entire offense a shot of adrenaline. Hopefully, the extra rest, following three brutal games in just ten days, will be just what the Saints need in order to stop the bleeding and allow themselves to survive the second half of the season. It all starts this week, and the Bolts are in for a jolt, as itâs the Saints who finally give a shock to the opposition. It will come down to the final moments, but the Saints finally find a way to get back in the win column. Saints win 24-23.
Pick: Saints
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Sunday Night Football
Cowboys(3-3) at 49ers(3-4)
Dallasâ complete inability to run the ball will doom them in San Francisco, as the Niner defense has one of its best games of the season. San Francisco wins 28-13.
Pick: 49ers
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Monday, October 28th – Monday Night Football
Giants(2-5) at Steelers(5-2)
For the second-consecutive week, Russell Wilson will take out a New York team in primetime. Pittsburgh wins 27-17.
Pick: Steelers
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Thatâs how I see Week 8 playing out. Leave us your picks, comments, and insight below! Happy Halloween, Who Dat Nation!
