Week Eight NFL Picks and Predictions - Getting Ready for a Big Week!

Week eight of NFL action is already upon us and it seems as though the season actually just started. The season is going to be over before we even know what happened. The teams that are pretenders are beginning to show themselves and some of the poor teams are starting to show growth. That means that the NFL picks and predictions are going to get tougher as the weeks move on. Last week was a tough one for yours truly, but I am known for coming back with a great week after a poor one. If for that reason alone, you should use these free NFL picks for week eight and win your office pool!

Here are my NFL picks for week 8 along with a short synopsis of why I think they shake down that way:

SUN, OCT 31

Washington at Detroit1:00 PMFord Field

Detroit is certainly on the short list of teams that I think will show the most growth over the next several weeks and with good reason. They are a team that can score in bunches, and they are growing up before our very eyes. The Redskins are a team that is up and down depending on the whimsy of some unseen force. They go from awesome to horrible several times within each game. Against all common sense, I feel a Lion's upset coming on this week.

Winner - Detroit Lions

Jacksonville at Dallas1:00 PMCowboys Stadium

The Jacksonville Jaguars are a team that I refuse to pick any longer. Every time I pick them they let me down, and this week is one in which I normally would go with them. Romo is out for several weeks and the Cowboys are about as confident as a duck in a den of wolves. Still, I think the Cowboys will pull one out at home though I would be hard pressed to tell you why - maybe because of Dez Bryant returning kicks. Yeah that is it. Dez Bryant.

Winner - Dallas Cowboys

Miami at Cincinnati1:00 PMPaul Brown Stadium

A valiant effort against Pittsburgh last week was not quite enough for the Miami Dolphins, but this week they face the underachieving Bengals. Seems like an easy choice here...but it is not. The Bengals are due for a breakout game and I think this might be it at home. They score in bunches and they are a deadly team when they are on. They nearly erased a huge Falcon lead in Atlanta and they are going to catch the Dolphins while they are still smarting from last week.

Winner - Cincinnati Bengals

Buffalo at Kansas City1:00 PMArrowhead Stadium

This game is screaming for a Buffalo upset but that would be based on old assumptions about the Chiefs. They are no longer a team that is poorly coached and prone to the let down after a big win. The Chiefs are for real and will handle their business this week.

Winner - Kansas City Chiefs

Carolina at St. Louis1:00 PMEdward Jones Dome

This game is the Super Bowl of our household as my wife is a huge Rams fan and I am, of course, a huge Panthers fan. For the first time in years, my Panthers are the underdog against an upstart Rams squad. I still think the Panthers will take care of the Rams on the road, if for no other reason than a very opportunistic defense and a revitalized Matt Moore.

Winner - Carolina Panthers

Denver at San Francisco1:00 PMWembley Stadium

The Niners headed off to London on Sunday and they had to be on a serious downer. My Carolina Panthers smacked them around (as predicted here) and then Mike Singletary and company proceeded to melt down afterwards. They seem to think that they are still playoff bound, and you can tell they really believe it. The only real reason they might even be considered for potentially making it is because they play in the NFC West. Finishing at .500 just might put them in the lead. Still, that is a tall task. The Broncos got absolutely throttled at home against the Raiders of all teams, and Josh McDaniel is sitting on a very hot seat. I expect that the Broncos will come ready to play after the debacle in the mountains, and that the Niners will be fired up as well. Talent wise, the Niners actually have the edge I think. With trepidation, I base my pick on that.

Winner - San Francisco 49ers

Green Bay at NY Jets1:00 PMNew Meadowlands Stadium

The Packers are seriously feeling pretty good right about now but they really should not be. Aaron Rodgers is not the same quarterback that he was at the beginning of the year. There are problems with communication and some serious decision making problems. Those are exactly the types of situations that the Jets defense exploit better than anyone save for possibly the Steelers. Easy pick here though on the surface it appears tough.

Winner - New York Jets

Tennessee at San Diego4:05 PMQualcomm Stadium

The Titans simply will not go away and the Chargers are finding new ways to implode. All signs point towards a Titans victory, but I still think the Chargers will right the ship. It begins this week in San Diego.

Winner - San Diego Chargers

Tampa Bay at Arizona4:15 PMU of Phoenix Stadium

Josh Freeman is seriously starting to make waves in Tampa with comeback victories left and right. Somehow, the kid has learned how to win those close games in the fourth quarter. Every time he does, he is building confidence in his own game and that of his team mates. Arizona is struggling in a mighty way, and they have zero chance of stopping the Bucs this week. This team is too hot to be stopped by the Cardinals.

Winner - Tampa Bay Bucs

Minnesota at New England4:15 PMGillette Stadium

The Vikings are about as close to life support as an NFL team can get. They can lose no more, and they know it. Enter the New England Patriots in New England... Could they have gotten a worse draw for week eight? New England is not the team you want to face when your back is against the wall, especially when they are playing at home.

Winner - New England Patriots

Seattle at Oakland4:15 PMOakland-Alameda County Coliseum

The Seahawks are tough as nails and have been playing outstanding. The Raiders did the same at least for one week in week seven. Which Raiders team will show up? I think it will be a close game, but the Raiders will make it two weeks in a row.

Winner - Oakland Raiders

Pittsburgh at New Orleans8:20 PMSuperdome

Now this is a heavyweight match up. Regardless of the Saints struggles, they are going to come ready to play in prime time. I expect that they right the ship this week against the Steelers, but it won't be easy.

Winner - New Orleans Saints

MON, NOV 1

Houston at Indianapolis8:30 PMLucas Oil Stadium

The rematch is upon us. One thing about Peyton Manning and the Colts - they do not forget when you beat them. The Texans upset the Colts at the start of the season, and the Colts will be hunting some payback. They will get it in a big way.

Winner - Indianapolis Colts
Score Colts - 38 Texans 21

Bye: Atlanta, Chicago, Cleveland, NY Giants, Philadelphia, Baltimore

Week Seven Record: 6-8
Season Record to Date: 56-48