By Gil Alcaraz IV @GilAlcarazIV on October 21, 2014
Picking Week 8 of NFL Action
Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
The middle of the 2014 NFL season is nearly upon us, which is a little depressing seeing how quickly it's gone by. Still, it’s been an exciting couple of months, and it’s sure to get even better as the playoff race heats up. For now, though, we’ll focus on the upcoming week.
With that in mind, here’s a look at my picks for every Week 8 game. I’m currently 68-37-1 on the season, so following my picks wouldn’t be the worst idea.
San Diego Chargers (5-2) @ Denver Broncos (5-1)
Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
San Diego Chargers (5-2) @ Denver Broncos (5-1)
Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Pick: Broncos
As much as some would like to believe that the Chargers will bounce back in this one, it’s not going to happen. The Broncos are on a roll right now as the offense is firing on all cylinders, and the defense is showing vast improvement. Oh yeah, and Peyton Manning is, well, Peyton Manning.
Detroit Lions (5-2) @ Atlanta Falcons (2-5)
Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Detroit Lions (5-2) @ Atlanta Falcons (2-5)
Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Pick: Lions
At this point in the season, I’m surprised the Falcons have managed two wins. Their defense has been atrocious, and the offense just can’t seem to get it going. The Lions currently boast one of the best defenses in the NFL and an offense with plenty of weapons. It won’t be a blowout, but Detroit will win.
Minnesota Vikings (2-5) @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-5)
Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Minnesota Vikings (2-5) @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-5)
Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Pick: Vikings
If there’s any defense that Teddy Bridgewater can have a breakout game against, it’s the Buccaneers’. They’ve been absolutely shredded all season long through the air, albeit against veterans instead of rookies. Still, if Bridgewater can keep the turnovers to a minimum, he should find his first win in Tampa.
Buffalo Bills (4-3) @ New York Jets (1-6)
Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
Buffalo Bills (4-3) @ New York Jets (1-6)
Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
Pick: Bills
Plain and simple, the Jets have been a mess this year, and it’s not going to suddenly change in Week 8. Sure, they put together a decent game against the Patriots last week, but they still lost. Kyle Orton has found his groove in Buffalo, and should help the Bills put another notch in the win column.
Chicago Bears (3-4) @ New England Patriots (5-2)
Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Chicago Bears (3-4) @ New England Patriots (5-2)
Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Pick: Patriots
It’s really sad that the Bears have underwhelmed this season, because they looked like legitimate contenders coming into September. Jay Cutler has been a big hindrance on their ability to win, and will likely cost them again in what should be a close game with the Patriots.
Seattle Seahawks (3-3) @ Carolina Panthers (3-3-1)
Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Seattle Seahawks (3-3) @ Carolina Panthers (3-3-1)
Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Pick: Seahawks
The Seahawks desperately need a bounce-back win here after suffering an upset at the hands of the Rams last weekend. The Panthers haven’t been playing great football, getting demolished by the Packers on Sunday. If the Seattle offensive line can step up and give Russell Wilson time to work, they’ll win it.
Miami Dolphins (3-3) @ Jacksonville Jaguars (1-6)
Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Miami Dolphins (3-3) @ Jacksonville Jaguars (1-6)
Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Pick: Dolphins
We’re all happy for the Jaguars, who squeaked out a win last week -- their first of the season. Still, that doesn’t make them a weekly threat, especially to a Miami team with the playoff potential. Their inconsistency has been mind-numbing, but the Dolphins should be able to come away with the W here.
Baltimore Ravens (5-2) @ Cincinnati Bengals (3-2-1)
Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports
Baltimore Ravens (5-2) @ Cincinnati Bengals (3-2-1)
Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports
Pick: Ravens
To the surprise of many, the Ravens’ offense has been a well-oiled machine so far this season. Even without Ray Rice, they’re moving the ball on the ground and through the air with ease. The Bengals are slowing slipping after a 3-0 start, and should continue to do so against Joe Flacco and Co.
Houston Texans (3-4) @ Tennessee Titans (2-5)
Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports
Houston Texans (3-4) @ Tennessee Titans (2-5)
Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports
Pick: Texans
Currently on a three-game skid, the Texans desperately need a win to get them back on track. Luckily, a showdown with the hapless Titans should be just what the doctor ordered. Tennessee can’t put together a full game on either side of the ball and will choke this one away.
St. Louis Rams (2-4) @ Kansas City Chiefs (3-3)
Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
St. Louis Rams (2-4) @ Kansas City Chiefs (3-3)
Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Pick: Chiefs
As we saw last weekend during their win against the Chargers, the Chiefs’ early-season woes weren’t an accurate reflection of their ability. The offense is relying heavily on Jamaal Charles, while the defense has picked up where it left off last season. Kansas City won’t stumble like Seattle did against the Rams.
Philadelphia Eagles (5-1) @ Arizona Cardinals (5-1)
Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Philadelphia Eagles (5-1) @ Arizona Cardinals (5-1)
Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Pick: Eagles
This one all comes down to the defense. While the Cardinals have managed to come away with several close wins this year, the Eagles’ opportunistic defense should make just enough big plays to keep Carson Palmer and the Cardinals offense from edging them in this one.
Indianapolis Colts (5-2) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (4-3)
Pat Lovell-USA TODAY Sports
Indianapolis Colts (5-2) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (4-3)
Pat Lovell-USA TODAY Sports
Pick: Colts
Again, another game that’s going to come down to defense. Andrew Luck is in the middle of an MVP-esque season for the Colts, while the Steelers are barely holding themselves together on defense. As much as I’d like to say this will be close, Luck should have his way with Pittsburgh. No contest.
Oakland Raiders (0-6) @ Cleveland Browns (3-3)
Richard Dole-USA TODAY Sports
Oakland Raiders (0-6) @ Cleveland Browns (3-3)
Richard Dole-USA TODAY Sports
Pick: Browns
The Browns showed last weekend that they are, in fact, not the contender some were starting to think they were. They coughed up a win to the then-winless Jaguars, but won’t make the same mistake twice. The Raiders will put up a good fight, but Ben Tate and the Cleveland ground game will be too much.
Green Bay Packers (5-2) @ New Orleans Saints (2-4)
Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Green Bay Packers (5-2) @ New Orleans Saints (2-4)
Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Pick: Packers
Even though the Saints have been much better at home then on the road this year, they simply don’t have what it takes to slow down the red-hot Aaron Rodgers. The Packers have been on fire with Rodgers at the helm, and should have little trouble notching their sixth win of the year against New Orleans.
Washington Redskins (2-5) @ Dallas Cowboys (6-1)
Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Washington Redskins (2-5) @ Dallas Cowboys (6-1)
Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Pick: Cowboys
Even though they’re coming off a win, there’s simply no way the Redskins will be competitive in this one. The Cowboys have been crushing opponents this season with an unstoppable running game and surprisingly stout defense. Look for DeMarco Murray to continue his historic season against D.C.
Gil Alcaraz IV is the Director of Content for www.RantSports.com . Follow him on Twitter @GilAlcarazIV, like him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.