NFL picks and predictions: Week 8
Seven weeks in, the NFL landscape has taken shape. Week 8 gives us a number of intriguing matchups, including the Philadelphia Eagles traveling south to take on the Dallas Cowboys in a battle between NFC East teams and their impressive rookie quarterbacks.
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We picked all of this weekend's games below. Take a gander and let us know where you disagree.
Washington Redskins vs. Cincinnati Bengals (CIN -3)
Sunday, 9:30 a.m. ET
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The Bengals have yet to defeat an above-.500 team this season. In London, they'll be taking on Washington, which will need to win to stay on pace in the NFC East. But until Cincinnati proves that they can come out firing against a decent opponent, we're not comfortable picking them to beat one.
Pick: Redskins
Arizona Cardinals vs. Carolina Panthers (CAR -2.5)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
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The 1-5 Panthers are actually favored over Arizona this week in Carolina, but we're still not ready to put faith in a team whose only win came on Sept. 18 against San Francisco.
Pick: Cardinals
Detroit Lions vs. Houston Texans (HOU -2.5)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
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After three straight losses, the Lions are now winners of their last three. Houston, on the other hand, can't seem to put together any kind of consistency -- over their last six games, they've posted points totals of zero, 13 and nine in three losses. Against a Detroit team that finally seems like it's putting things together, we'd have a hard time taking the Texans.
Pick: Lions
Seattle Seahawks vs. New Orleans Saints (SEA -2.5)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
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Seattle will look to extend its unbeaten streak to five games on Sunday in New Orleans, where their defense will look to contain Drew Brees to a pedestrian performance. If they can hold the Saints to a modest point total, Russell Wilson should be able to orchestrate an attack that will take advantage of New Orleans' putrid defensive corps.
Pick: Seahawks
Kansas City Chiefs vs. Indianapolis Colts (KC -2.5)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
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Kansas City has quietly worked its way up the list of contenders thus far, and travel to Indianapolis for Week 8, taking on a Colts team that has only beaten San Diego, Chicago and Tennessee. In a battle between a great defense and a fiery offense, we'll go with the ladder.
Pick: Chiefs
New York Jets vs. Cleveland Browns (NYJ -3)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
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Ryan Fitzpatrick and the Jets travel to Cleveland, where the Browns will attempt to win their first game of the season. While the Jets' recent struggles make it tempting to side with the good Cleveland vibes and take the Browns, we just can't do it.
Pick: Jets
New England Patriots vs. Buffalo Bills (NE -6.5)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
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Had Buffalo won last week in Miami, this would be an intriguing game with severe divisional implications. As it happened, though, Buffalo simply needs to win just to stay within arm's reach of New England -- and after already topping them once this year, it's tough to see it happening again.
Pick: Patriots
Oakland Raiders vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (TB -1.5)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
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Tampa Bay enters as the favorite against the Raiders, who enter at 5-2. While the Bucs are winners of their last two games, Carolina and San Francisco haven't exactly been the most formidable foes in 2016. We'll go with the Raiders to take one on the road and improve to 6-2.
Pick: Raiders
San Diego Chargers vs. Denver Broncos (DEN -5.5)
Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET
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These two teams link back up after facing off on Thursday night a few weeks back, when San Diego got its season on track with a gritty win in primetime. While San Diego has now strung together back-to-back impressive wins, it's hard to see lightning striking twice against Denver.
Pick: Broncos
Green Bay Packers vs. Atlanta Falcons (ATL -3)
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
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Atlanta's season is shaping up to be eerily similar to last year's disappointment after dropping two straight games. Green Bay still hasn't quite hit its stride, but a Falcons team in a funk could be what it needs to get going.
Pick: Packers
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Dallas Cowboys (DAL -4.5)
Sunday, 8:30 p.m. ET
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In the highlight of the week, Dallas and Philadelphia square off in a battle of rookie quarterbacks with first place at stake. While Philadelphia has run into great fortune thus far, looking up and down each roster, Dallas clearly employs more sheer playmakers. It'll be a fun one at Jerry World, but we like the Cowboys to eke it out.
Pick: Cowboys
Minnesota Vikings vs. Chicago Bears (MIN -4.5)
Monday, 8:30 p.m. ET
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Here the Bears are on national television again, where they'll likely lose again and drop to 1-7. Jay Cutler will be back under center for Chicago, but will he be an upgrade from what Brian Hoyer gave them?
Pick: Vikings
