2021 NFL Week 8 Picks

Green Bay Packers at Arizona Cardinals (-6 1/2, 50 1/2) 8:20 pm - Overall, the Packers are a fine team, but nobody's - other than Minnesota in week 2 (34-33) - come close to beating the Cardinals yet. These two share one common opponent thus far this season, San Francisco. The Cardinals topped them by seven at home, the Packers won by two points on the road.

It's tempting to take the nearly a touchdown spread and Aaron Rodgers, Davante Adams and their six-game winning streak, but, even with J.J. watt our for this game, the Cardinals at home look unbeatable at this juncture.

Coin Flip: Arizona

Prediction: Cardinals 27 Packers 17

Sunday, October 31

Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons (-3, 46) 1:00 pm - Give the Falcons credit. They've already won more games than most people thought they would. At 3-3, they're actually 1/2 game better than Carolina, losers of four straight. Carolina's quick turn from winning three straight to their current losing string coincides with the loss of RB Christian McCaffrey, who cannot return until week 9, which would be next week. The offense has suffered, putting more pressure on the defense, and it has folded.

The Falcons shrugged off two big losses in the first two weeks (Philadelpia and Tampa Bay and have won three of their last four, the only loss a 34-30 late game defeat against Washington. They're playing better than the Panthers and have home field to boot.

Coin Flip: Carolina

Prediction: Falcons 24 Panthers 14

Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills (-13 1/2, 49 1/2) 1:00 pm - Except for their loss to the Titans two weeks ago, the Bills have been really putting it to most of their opponents. They have the second-highest point differential (+105) in the league behind Arizona (+111), despite two losses.

The Bills snuffed Miami, in Miami, 35-0, in week two, and, with a bye last week, should be able to execute somewhat the same performance.

Coin Flip: Miami

Prediction: Bills 34 Dolphins 16

San Francisco 49ers (-3 1/2, 39 1/2) at Chicago Bears 1:00 pm - Chicago looked confused and out of sync against the Buccaneers last week, much of that due to Tampa's solid defense, but some of it due to disinterest late in the game and the inexperience of Justin Fields.

The Bears have fallen under .500. Their inability to compete at a high levels is obvious as their losses have been to the Rams, Browns, Packers and Buccaneers, and three of those have been road games.

San Francisco may not be among that top group, so having lost four straight and their offense seemly to sputtering and make mistakes at the wrong times, the Bears, with points, at home, is too tempting to pass, though it might be razor close.

Coin Flip: Chicago

Prediction: Bears 23 49ers 21

Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns (-3, 42 1/2) 1:00 pm - The feeling is that the Browns kind of own the Steelers now, since beating them twice at the end of last season, 24-22, in the season finale, and 48-37 in the wild card round the following week.

Pittsburgh's offense has been struggling and they needed to go to overtime in their last game to beat Seattle, without Russell Wilson. While the Steelers had a bye, the Browns managed a win over Denver without QB Baker Mayfield. Case Keenum managed the game well, and if Mayfield is unable to go this week, that would kind of even things out.

Still, Cleveland's defense is superior to Pittsburgh's, knows their schemes well and may produce a couple of turnovers.

Coin Flip: Cleveland

Prediction: Browns 28 Steelers 17

Philadelphia Eagles (-3 1/2, 48) at Detroit Lions 1:00 pm - The Eagles have been less than efficient the past few games, while the Lions continue to pile up the losses, now 0-7, with the longest losing streak in the league at 11, stretching back to the end of last season.

Honestly, the 2-5 Eagles aren't any better than Detroit, despite how often one mentions Jalen Hurts. Their two wins have been on the road, over Atlanta and Carolina. Doesn't really matter. They're just not that good.

Coin Flip: Detroit

Prediction: Lions 24 Eagles 22

LA Rams (-14 1/2, 47) at Houston Texans 1:00 pm - The Rams keep winning games against opposition that really isn't at their level, so Houston is just another win waiting to happen. Last week, they were favored by 15 points over Detroit, but only won by nine, 28-19. Should they do better against Houston or are they just going through the motions?

In any case, there's almost no logical reason to take the Texans. They've lost six straight and the last two were mighty ugly, 31-3 at Indy, and 31-5 at Arizona.

Coin Flip: Houston

Prediction: Rams 33 Texans 10

Tennessee Titans (-1, 49 1/2) at Indianapolis Colts 1:00 pm - The divisional match-ups between these two have been very competitive in recent years. Tennessee won their last meeting, 25-16, in week three, at home. Last season, they split, each winning on the road.

The Colts put it all together in a rain-drenched win Sunday night in San Francisco with a 30-18 triumph. The Titans were all over the Chiefs, winning handily, 27-3. While the Colts will surely give the Titans a good game, it's difficult to go against Tennessee here.

Coin Flip: Tennessee

Prediction: Titans 31 Colts 26

Cincinnati Bengals (-10, 43) at NY Jets 1:00 pm - Cincinnati is on a roll heading into their second straight road encounter after plundering the Ravens last week, 41-17. The Jets are coming off an embarrassing, 54-13, loss to New England, and appear to be the worst team in the league. Rookie QB Zach Wilson was injured in that game is is slated to miss two to four weeks. Mike White filled in, and Joe Flacco may be available, but they're not going to challenge the Bengals' defense, and the Jets' D won't stop Joe Burrow.

This looks to be the blowout of the week.

Coin Flip: NY Jets

Prediction: Bengals 44 Jets 13

Click here for late games.

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