NFL Week 8 Predictions

Srikar Kalapala 

Overall Record: 65-42-1

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-4) vs. Baltimore Ravens (4-3)

Ravens. Although this game seems like the Ravens have this game in the bag with how poor the Bucs offense has been, I think Brady has to get this offense going at some point right? I’m not saying it will definitely be this game that they do that, but if they do, this game will be closer than a lot expect it to be. 

Jacksonville Jaguars (2-5) vs. Denver Broncos (2-5)

Jaguars. This game will be played in London, in a clash between two 2-5 teams. The Jaguars lost to the Giants by one yard, and it seems like the Jags are a better team this year than their record indicates. The Broncos, on the other hand, are coming off a loss to the Jets, and although they started Brett Rypien at quarterback, I’m not so sure the result would have changed if Russ suited up. I think both defenses should play well, but I think the Jags offense is a more coordinated unit right now when compared to its Broncos counterpart. 

Detroit Lions (1-5) vs. Miami Dolphins (4-3) 

Dolphins. Is this one of those games where Detroit shocks a playoff contender? Maybe. Tua returned last week and the Dolphins offense was on fire for the first couple of drives. After that, it was ice cold and the defense had to clutch up for them to win against the Steelers. The Lions defense is much, much worse than the Steelers’ defense, so I think the Dolphins will start hot and cruise to a win.

Atlanta Falcons (3-4) vs. Carolina Panthers (2-5)

Falcons. The Panthers shocked the Brady-led Bucs last week in convincing fashion, where QB P.J Walker had a 126.5 QBR. The Falcons are coming off a loss to the Bengals, but they were pretty banged up. Both their star corners are injured, but that might not even matter, because the only WR the Panthers have is DJ Moore. I think the Falcons can take a win here, even if it is closer than expected.

Minnesota Vikings (5-1) vs. Arizona Cardinals (3-4)

Vikings. I think this is a 50-50 game, even with the Vikings cruising to a 5-1 record. I'm still not so sure that this team is legit, and I think this Cardinals team could give them a run for their money. However, the Cardinals are not a great team right now, and one could argue the only reason they won that Saints game was because they got two lucky pick-sixes. I think a rested Vikings team will beat this Cardinals team at home.

Dallas Cowboys (5-2) vs. Chicago Bears (3-4)

Cowboys. The Cowboys started slow last week against the Lions in Dak’s return but eased into a comfortable win. Da Bears just won a game against the Patriots, in a blowout that surprised me given how well the Pats defense has been all season. I think the Cowboys will start slow for the second week in a row, but I think that they will ease into a comfortable win like last week.

New Orleans Saints (2-5) vs. Las Vegas Raiders (2-4)

Raiders. The Saints looked to be in the driving seat last week against the Cardinals until Andy Dalton threw two pick-sixes that changed the course of the game. As I am writing this, the Saints still look pretty banged up, which is why I have the Raiders winning. Despite the final score, the Texans were giving the Raiders a run for their money for the majority of their game last week, and I considered picking the Saints for that reason, but I think the Raiders are just more healthy heading into this one.

Philadelphia Eagles (6-0) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (2-5)

Eagles. The Battle of Pennsylvania is this week, and there isn’t much to say except that this will most likely be a blowout in favor of the Eagles. This defense will smother Kenny Pickett, and I honestly don’t think the Steelers have any chance of winning this game.

New York Jets (5-2) vs. New England Patriots (3-4)

Jets. When was the last time the Jets beat the Patriots? I don’t know either. Belichick has a great track record against young head coaches, but I think that with this culture change in NY, the Jets can scrape out a win against the Patriots and Mac Jones, who is desperately trying to keep his job.

Houston Texans (1-4-1) vs. Tennessee Titans (4-2)

Titans. Another week, another potential Texans upset. Will it happen? It might, but I think the Titans offense, led by Derrick Henry, will prove to be too much for the Texans, and I think it’s gonna be another down-to-the-wire loss for Houston.

Seattle Seahawks (4-3) vs. New York Giants (6-1)

Giants. Don’t look now, but these two teams are in playoff position right now, and now they face off. Neither team can stop the run and this could be a thriller where Seattle’s offense proves to be too much, but I still like the Giants’ run game to win them this game.

Los Angeles Rams (3-3) vs. San Francisco 49ers (3-4)

49ers. Christian McCaffery made his debut for the Niners last week, despite only having half a week to practice with them after the trade. With Deebo potentially not playing, he could be the X-factor for this game. The Rams have not looked good offensively, and I think Shanahan keeps his regular season win streak going against the Rams.

Indianapolis Colts (3-3-1) vs. Washington Commanders (3-4)

Colts. After a shoulder injury, The Colts decided to bench Matt Ryan and start Sam Ehlinger. If what this man has looked like in practice comes to fruition in an actual game, we could be looking at the next great quarterback in Indy. They face a Commanders team that has rattled off two straight wins after beating the Packers last week and look to smother the rookie in his 2022 debut, but I believe in Ehlinger to win this game.

Buffalo Bills (5-1) vs. Green Bay Packers (3-4)

Bills. Before this season started, many looked at this game as a potential Super Bowl matchup. Although the Bills have lived up to those expectations, the Packers haven’t. Cameras captured Rodgers mouthing “What are we doing?” to the sidelines last week, and I think every Packers fan would like to know the same thing.  Going into this season, I told myself that I wouldn’t pick against the Packers this season, but unless there are some serious changes, this version of the Packers is just bad. O-line? BAD. Rodgers? BAD (and injured to make things worse). Receivers? BAD. Coaching? BAD.  Special Teams? BAD. A defense that was touted as the best before the season even BEGAN? BAD. There isn’t just one easy fix to this team, as there isn’t just one problem. But… the Packers always seem to perform a little better when no one gives them a chance so I’m not going to either. (This means they will win right?)

Cleveland Browns (2-5) vs. Cincinnati Bengals (4-3)

Bengals. The Bengals offense started to click last week against a banged-up Falcons defense, and I think that might have been exactly what they needed to start a deep run. This Browns team has been in almost every game until the last minute, and I think it might happen again, but I think the Bengals defense will do enough to stop the rushing attack of the Browns to steal another win.