NFL Office Pool Picks Week 8 with Expert Analysis and ATS Predictions
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It was a quiet week by NFL standards in Week 7. Favorites went 8-6 straight up and 6-8 against the spread. The biggest upset of the week was the Carolina Panthers taking down the Tampa Bay Buccaneers by a score of 21-3 despite being 13-point underdogs and +550 on the moneyline by the time the game kicked off. Looking ahead to the Week 8 slate, there are only two teams with bye weeks (Chiefs and Chargers). Here is a look at the rest of the matchups and what to expect as the midpoint of the NFL season approaches.
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Thursday Night: Baltimore Ravens (-1.5) over Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The concerns surrounding Tom Brady and the Buccaneers have continued to become more and more legitimate. They are coming off back-to-back disappointing losses against the Steelers and Panthers. This matchup with the Ravens will be just the 13th time in his career he will enter the game as a home underdog. Baltimore ranks fifth in the NFL in rushing this season, averaging 156.3 yards per game and coming off a two-touchdown performance from Gus Edwards against the Browns. Expect the offensive line and banged-up wide receiver group to be too much to overcome for Tampa Bay. Brady and the Buccaneers can be counted on for some sort of improved effort (the bar is extremely low) but simply are not the complete team it was hoped. Take the Ravens to cruise to a win by a touchdown or more.
Sunday AM in London: Jacksonville Jaguars (-2.5) over Denver Broncos
Each of these teams have lost four straight games and will hope that traveling out of the United States will be the cure for this. Russell Wilson is dealing with a hamstring injury and is listed as day-to-day, but there is some optimism he will return after missing last week. This may not be a great thing considering how Wilson has looked this season. The Broncos offense has struggled greatly and tallied just two touchdowns in their last 14 quarters of football. While the Jaguars also have flaws, they are 6-4 straight up in their last 10 matchups with Denver and can be counted on for some sort of production. Jaguars 24, Broncos 10.
Atlanta Falcons (-4.5) over Carolina Panthers
The Panthers are riding high after their upset victory over the Buccaneers, which will likely end up being the high point of their season. The Falcons had been riding high after winning three games in a four-game stretch heading into last week but were beaten by the Cincinnati Bengals, 35-17, to bring them back down to earth. Don’t expect either of these teams to light up the scoreboard, with the over/under set at just 41.5. Carolina is 2-7 against the spread in their last nine games against Atlanta. While the Panthers looked impressive last week, expect them to have their come back to Earth moment and for the Falcons to get the comfortable win in this one. Atlanta 23, Carolina 9.
Chicago Bears (+10) over Dallas Cowboys
The Bears are riding high off an impressive Monday night victory over the Patriots in which neither Mac Jones nor Bailey Zappe were able to get much going. However, the Cowboys come into the matchup 5-2 and off an impressive 24-6 win over the Detroit Lions. Dak Prescott regained his role as the starting quarterback and completed 19 of his 25 passes for 207 yards and a touchdown. Chicago leads the league in rushing yards with 181 yards per game but averages just 18.0 points per game, which ranks 24th. Expect the Cowboys to get the win and move to 6-2 but for the Bears to keep within striking distance. Dallas 27, Bears 20.
Miami Dolphins (-3.5) over Detroit Lions
The Lions will be looking to snap a four-game losing streak but will face a difficult task against the Dolphins. Tua Tagovailoa made his return to the field last week and led the team to a 16-10 victory over the Steelers in which he threw for 261 yards and a touchdown. Miami’s poor pass defense will allow the Lions to remain in the game with the home crowd behind them, but count on the Dolphins to pick up the victory as they continue their fight into the postseason. Detroit is 0-8-1 straight up in their last nine games against AFC opponents. Miami 27, Detroit 17.
Minnesota Vikings (-3.5) over Arizona Cardinals
DeAndre Hopkins made his return to play last week and recorded 10 receptions for 103 yards to help contribute to the Cardinals 42-34 win over the Saints. The Vikings will come into the matchup fresh off their bye week and looking to advance to 6-1 on the season. The Cardinals have struggled to get stops this season, and this will prove to be an issue against the Vikings high-powered offense. Arizona is 0-4-2 against the spread in its last six games against Minnesota, and the Vikings are 10-0 straight up in the last 10 matchups. Expect this theme to continue and for the Cardinals to be unable to keep pace with the Vikings. Minnesota 38, Arizona 20.
Las Vegas Raiders (-2) over New Orleans Saints
The 2-4 Raiders have not lived up to expectations this year but are coming off a 38-20 victory over the Texans. They will have a terrific opportunity to pick up another win as the Saints have lost five of their last six games. The Las Vegas offense has not been in doubt, ranking third in the league in points and first in score percentage. This is a recipe for a high-powered scoring output, especially considering the Saints have allowed a league-worst 34.7 points per game over their last three outings. They also lead the NFL with 16 turnovers on the season. Count on the Raiders to put forth a convincing victory. Raiders 41, Saints 17.
New York Jets (+1.5) over New England Patriots
It looked as if the Patriots were beginning to find their stride, but this was put to a halt as they were defeated by the Bears on Monday Night Football. They now face a full-blow quarterback controversy with Bailey Zappe coming into the game to the chants of the crowd despite Mac Jones attempting just six passes. Who the Patriots elect to suit up moving forward will be an interesting storyline to watch. New England will have a more difficult time against their divisional rival than is traditionally the case, as the Jets enter with a 5-2 record and coming off four consecutive wins. Breece Hall tore his ACL last week, which is a hit to their offense, but the Jets defense has been lock-down. They have the 10th best scoring defense in the league and have allowed an NFL-best 12.0 points per game in their last three matchups. Expect this defensive effort to prove too much and for the Jets to win a slugfest of a football game. Jets 17, Patriots 10.
Philadelphia Eagles (-11) over Pittsburgh Steelers
The Philadelphia Eagles will look to keep their undefeated season alive and are coming off a bye week. The Eagles are leading the NFL in turnovers forced and have a chance to capitalize on the inconsistent decisions of Kenny Pickett. The rookie is coming off a three-interception performance against the Dolphins, which is the second time he has tallied this many in his four games of NFL action. Pittsburgh is just 2-8 in their last 10 games straight up against the Eagles. Expect the hounding Philadelphia defense to get the better of Pickett and for the Eagles to be ready to make a statement coming out of the bye week. This may not silence the criticism that they have not played a true contending team, but expect this to be a statement game regardless. Philadelphia 35, Pittsburg 13.
Tennessee Titans (-2) over Houston Texans
The Titans have quietly put together an impressive year this far and come into the matchup with a 4-2 record and the inside track on winning the AFC South. They will face another divisional opponent in their matchup with the Texans after already knocking off the Colts twice this year. Tennessee is 10-1 straight up in their last 11 games against the AFC South and 4-1 straight up in their last five games against the Texans. While Houston has put up a fight this year and has more points of encouragement than was expected to be the case, they do not have the rushing defense to be able to stop Derrick Henry. Look for the Titans to capitalize on the ground game and cruise to a 24-13 victory.
Washington Commanders (+3) over Indianapolis Colts
The Commanders are coming off an impressive 23-21 victory over the Packers to move to 3-4 on the season. Matt Ryan has struggled greatly for the Colts and threw a pair of interceptions against the Titans last week to bring his total to a league-leading nine on the year. The Colts announced that Ryan will be heading to the bench, with second year QB Sam Ehlinger set to step into the starting role. The former Texas Longhorn’s standout will need an impressive effort as Washington has held opponents to 21 or fewer points in the last three weeks. The Colts also enter the game averaging the third-fewest points this season. Expect this to be a grind it out game as well but for Washington to come out on top by a touchdown or more.
San Francisco 49ers (-1.5) over Los Angeles Rams
The 49ers put their newest weapon on display last week after trading for Christian McCaffrey. The former Panthers star tallied 10 touches for 62 yards in his debut. San Francisco ended up losing the matchup to the Kansas City Chiefs, which is their second consecutive loss. The Niners sit a half game back of the Rams in the standings, so this will be a matchup that holds some high stakes. Los Angeles has not looked like themselves this season and sit at 3-3 on the year. While they had a week off to create a gameplan, expect the 49ers to be too much for the Rams to handle. 49ers 27, Rams 20.
Seattle Seahawks (-3) over New York Giants
Each of these teams have exceeded expectations this season and are looking to prove they are legit. Geno Smith continues to answer all doubters and has the Seahawks offense averaging 26.1 points per game, which is the fifth-best rate in the NFL. Outside of Saquon Barkley, the Giants offense has been inconsistent and has a banged-up wide receiver group. New York is 1-4 against the spread in their last five games against Seattle and 2-5 straight up in their last seven games. Both teams will be looking to make a statement, but expect the Seahawks to come out on top. This likely will be a high-scoring and tight matchup, but the well-rounded play from Seattle will be enough to get the 28-20 win.
Sunday Night: Buffalo Bills (-11.5) over Green Bay Packers
This game may have lost some of its expected shine due to the slow start to the season for the Packers. Aaron Rodgers is averaging a career-low 228.1 passing yards per game through the first seven weeks. The Packers are coming off a 23-21 loss to the Commanders and are 1-5 against the spread in its last six away games. In contrast, the Bills are 5-1 with Josh Allen leading the way in the MVP conversation with his 330 passing yards per game and 17 touchdowns to just four interceptions. Buffalo is the more complete team on both sides of the ball and should be expected to produce a convincing victory in this matchup. Bills 31, Packers 17.
Monday Night: Cincinnati Bengals (-3.5) over Cleveland Browns
The Bengals offense has finally shown the offensive firepower they were expected to bring all season. They are coming off a 35-17 win over the Falcons in which Joe Burrow passed for 481 yards and three touchdowns. The Browns are coming off a narrow loss to the Ravens in which Nick Chubb continued to show what a dominant running back he is capable of being. Expect Chubb to cause some issues against Cincinnati’s injury-riddled defense. It was a slow start to the season, but the Bengals seem to be returning to the contenders they are capable of being. Count on Chubb’s strong play to keep the Browns in the game but for Cincinnati to cruise to a 27-17 victory.
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