NFL insider Week 8 picks: Patriots knock off Chargers, Lions down Eagles for first win of season

My picks are a stand-alone as we speak as a result of we had a newsy week with the NFL homeowners conferences and commerce rumors. I am hoping it is a good factor, coming off a so-so 9-4 Week 7 that improved my season document to 74-33.

A 69.2% hit fee is not unhealthy, however I left a number of on the sector final week with misses on Cincinnati, Carolina (woof), Kansas Metropolis and San Francisco. Let’s clear that up this week in our expanded picks column. By the way in which, I took the Cardinals on “Thursday Night time Soccer.”

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
TV: Fox | Stream: fuboTV (click here)

Sam Darnold is not caring for the soccer, and in opposition to lower-than-average groups, turnovers are what can kill a workforce just like the Panthers. Matt Rhule turned on the tape of Darnold’s Week 2 efficiency in opposition to the Saints to take him again to the fundamentals, however the Carolina offense is a shell of itself proper now. And for nearly as good because the protection seemed early and as (decently) properly because it’s held up the previous couple of weeks with key accidents, I wrestle to see who on the Panthers will cease Kyle Pitts.

The decide: Falcons

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
TV: CBS | Stream: Paramount+ (click here)  

Miami wants to noticeably contemplate being sellers on the commerce deadline as an alternative of consumers. This season goes nowhere rapidly, and GM Chris Grier is on the new seat. There is a fairly first rate argument to be made that moderately than blowing your future draft capital for a quarterback who may face a half-season suspension subsequent 12 months, purchase draft picks via deft buying and selling earlier than Tuesday and restock the pantry. Buffalo will cruise on this one coming off the bye.

The decide: Payments

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
TV: Fox | Stream: fuboTV (click here)

That is the hardest decide of the week for me. I do not belief what Kyle Shanahan is doing at QB as a result of I do not know if he can belief his QB proper now. In the meantime, the Bears simply acquired walloped and have varied strains of COVID-19 knocking gamers, trainers and coaches out of the sport. San Francisco’s protection ought to maintain up sufficient.

The decide: 49ers

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Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
TV: CBS | Stream: Paramount+ (click here)

It is so simple as me taking the higher workforce right here. I by no means thought Pittsburgh was as unhealthy as of us made them out to be, however I might in all probability moderately take Case Keenum than Ben Roethlisberger proper now. If the Browns can maintain the soccer, they’re going to get the win within the AFC North battle.

The decide: Browns

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
TV: Fox | Stream: fuboTV (click here)

How will you belief the Eagles’ protection proper now? Fingers are being pointed in each which method and head coach Nick Sirianni has been determined as a first-year coach to point out that the buck stops with him. The Lions have been shut in a majority of their video games, and I feel they lastly go away the underside of the NFL rankings with an upset win.

The decide: Lions

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
TV: Fox | Stream: fuboTV (click here)

It doesn’t matter what the unfold is for this recreation, take the Rams.

The decide: Rams

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
TV: CBS | Stream: Paramount+ (click here)

Final week the Titans appeared primed for a letdown. The Chiefs had gotten proper in opposition to Washington and Tennessee was coming off a Monday night time emotional win in opposition to the Payments. I acquired that one flawed. Carson Wentz is enjoying actually good soccer proper now, however the Titans’ move rush will come at him Sunday. The hole will widen within the AFC South.

The decide: Titans

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
TV: CBS | Stream: Paramount+ (click here)

I will not be stunned if the AFC offensive, defensive and particular groups gamers of the week come from Cincinnati after this one.

The decide: Bengals

Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET
TV: CBS | Stream: Paramount+ (click here)

Invoice Belichick made no try this week to cover simply how a lot he loves Justin Herbert. If solely he may have found out a method to get into the highest 5 of the draft in 2020, Herbert would very properly be the chief of the Patriots within the post-Brady period. I do know Belichick has been wildly conservative this 12 months, and Brandon Staley has been firing from the hip on fourth-and-forever. I am excited to see what Belichick has for the QB Who Bought Away.

The decide: Patriots

Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET
TV: CBS | Stream: Paramount+ (click here)

If a recreation had been ever made for Geno Smith to win with Seattle, it is this one. The Jags lastly snapped their 20-game skid however their secondary continues to be a large number. DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett have not seen the form of success they’re used to with Russell Wilson, however this could supply a superb matchup for them. Search for a low-scoring recreation.

The decide: Seahawks

Soccer Staff at Broncos

Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
TV: Fox | Stream: fuboTV (click here)

Final week’s recreation between WFT and the Packers ought to have been nearer than the ultimate rating as a result of I really feel the Soccer Staff acquired jobbed by the refs twice on the purpose line. Nonetheless, it appears Taylor Heinicke is starting to know the steadiness between taking possibilities and being sensible with the ball. WFT’s protection cannot presumably be as unhealthy because it has appeared the primary two months of the season.

The decide: Soccer Staff

Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
TV: Fox | Stream: fuboTV (click here)

I do not actually imagine in home-field benefit anymore outdoors of Denver, however the Saints can have a crazed crowd on Halloween in New Orleans working of their favor Sunday. Bruce Arians has coached in that earlier than (a 20-10 loss in 2010 because the Pittsburgh OC) and is aware of communication might be at a premium this week. The Bucs are coming off their cleanest recreation of the 12 months with only one penalty for 10 yards.

The decide: Buccaneers

Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET
TV: NBC | Stream: fuboTV (click here)

The three-3 Vikings have not been out of any recreation but via six contests. The protection has been enhancing every week for the reason that Week 3 Seattle recreation (that was nonetheless a win) and the workforce, coming off the bye, is pretty wholesome. In the meantime, the massive query of Dak Prescott’s calf lingers. I imagine the Cowboys are going to cruise to the division title, however I additionally really feel like they’re due for a loss.

The decide: Vikings

Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN | Stream: fuboTV (click here)

The Chiefs are dropping to good-to-great groups. The Giants don’t fall alongside that spectrum. New York does not have the move rush essential to have an effect on Patrick Mahomes in a method the place he’ll commit the varied errors he has currently.

The decide: Chiefs