NFL Week 8 Picks vs. the Spread

The Chargers tend to do well when they control the ball and melt time off the clock, but Peyton Manning doesn’t need the ball very long to put up big numbers. However, through seven weeks, the much-improved Denver front seven has been the third-best unit against the run. As good as the Broncos are, the Chargers can make this game close and beat the spread. Denver wins, but San Diego covers.

Score: Denver 28, San Diego 24

Atlanta has underachieved for most of the season while Detroit has been overachieving this year. Matt Ryan, Julio Jones and Roddy White will try to speed up the game while Detroit will be content with running on Atlanta's poor front seven. Detroit was exposed at times last week against an elite passing offense in New Orleans, and the Lions haven't scored more than 24 points since Week 1. Atlanta pulls the upset.

Score: Atlanta 27, Detroit 24

The Titans are a better offense than most people think, but with constant change at the quarterback position, it's impossible to trust them. Zach Mettenberger may start this game, but whoever plays will see a heavy dose of J.J. Watt, who should torch Tennessee's porous offensive line. Offensively, the Texans will pound Arian Foster right down Tennessee's throats and easily win this game on the road.

Score: Houston 24, Tennessee 14

The losses of C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson for the Buffalo Bills would have hurt earlier in the season, but with Kyle Orton now in charge, the Bills are fine offensively. The Jets, on the other hand, have lost six games in a row, but have a new offensive weapon in Percy Harvin. Rex Ryan needs to win this game if he wants to continue as coach, and Harvin will help him do just that. New York wins and covers.

Score: New York Jets 21, Buffalo 17

Someone has to win this game between two awful teams. The Vikings have been putrid on offense with Teddy Bridgewater at quarterback while the Buccaneers have been terrible on defense, Lovie Smith's calling card. This week, I like the Bucs to bounce and back and cover straight up at home.

Score: Tampa Bay 20, Minnesota 17

Apparently, the Chicago Bears are a better road team than a home team and the New England Patriots are a better home team than a road team. Something has to give this Sunday as these two teams face off. Jay Cutler will have a bounce-back game, but it will not be enough as the Patriots easily win at home.

Score: New England 31, Chicago 21

Both the St. Louis Rams and Kansas City Chiefs are coming off impressive wins against Seattle and San Diego, respectively. In the battle for Missouri, I like the Chiefs to win, but the Rams and QB Austin Davis to cover.

Score: Kansas City 24, St. Louis 20

The Dolphins and Jaguars both got wins last week as the Dolphins defeated the Bears and the Jaguars defeated the Browns. Miami already proved this season that they can't handle success after a big win (see Week 1 and Week 2), so I'm going with the Jaguars to not only cover, but win their second in a row.

Score: Jacksonville 20, Miami 14

In Week 1, the Ravens were stunned at home by the Bengals 23-17. In their rematch, the Bengals could possibly be without A.J. Green, by far their most valuable player, and if he does play, he will not be 100 percent. This time, I like Baltimore to win on the road in Cincinnati.

Score: Baltimore 24, Cincinnati 23

Coming off two straight losses and the departure of Percy Harvin, the Seattle Seahawks got the perfect opponent in the free-falling Carolina Panthers. The Panthers were demolished on the road last week, 38-17. Carolina's front seven can't stop the run, so I expect Marshawn Lynch to get back on track. Seattle wins on the road and covers.

Score: Seattle 28, Carolina 20

Philadelphia is coming off their bye week while the Cardinals are coming off an easy win over Oakland. Carson Palmer's return has helped get the Cardinals' offense back on track, while the defense continues to play at a high level. Still, I like the Eagles to make enough plays late to come out of the desert with a win.

Score: Philadelphia 28, Arizona 27

Both the Colts and Steelers are elite on offense, but have question marks on defense. Andrew Luck is playing like the best QB in the game, with Pittsburgh's Antonio Brown playing like the best WR. I like that the Colts are coming off a shutout against Cincinnati, whereas the Steelers looked questionable against Houston. I like Luck and the Colts to win and cover on Sunday.

Score: Indianapolis 30, Pittsburgh 24

Cleveland is not as bad as last week's performance against Jacksonville, but Oakland is also better now that Tony Sparano has taken over for the Silver & Black. In a battle between two of the most recent losing franchises, I like Oakland to get on the win column and stun the Browns back in Cleveland.

Score: Oakland 17, Cleveland 10

As bad as New Orleans has looked over these first seven weeks, this will be only the third home game of the season for the Saints. Their opponents this week are the Green Bay Packers, who just demolished Carolina at home last week. In head-to-head matchups, Drew Brees has won each matchup against Aaron Rodgers in New Orleans. Sunday Night will be no different as the Saints win and cover.

Score: New Orleans 38, Green Bay 24

When the Redskins and Cowboys play, all records are thrown out the window. The Redskins are now onto their third quarterback of the season in Colt McCoy and are facing a hot Cowboys team that has won six in a row. I keep waiting for the Cowboys to start choking, but they haven't done so thus far. I like Dallas to win, but Washington will cover.

Score: Dallas 27, Washington 21