A solid 10-4 straight up record last week, but a bit of a stinker when it comes to over/unders. We got burned by a couple last second field/goal extra point misses with the Baltimore Ravens and Dallas Cowboys. Other than that, it was a near perfect weekend in terms of straight up picks. Let’s try an get back on track when it comes to spreads and totals for my Week 8 NFL Picks
We’ll keep track of all my picks throughout the season, including my losses! Over time, we’ll find out if you should back me or straight up fade me. Send your complaints to @chrismeaney.
Last week:
SU: 10-4
AS: 8-6
O/U: 5-9
Season total:
SU: 64-41-2
AS: 58-49
O/U: 58-49
Week 8 NFL Picks
Miami Dolphins @ Houston Texans -7.5 (44.5)
SU: Texans
AS: Texans
O/U: Under
The Miami Dolphins don’t have much to offer on offense and the Houston Texans have allowed 3.4 yards per carry. That’s the second best mark in the game and that’s why I’m leaning Houston. I fully expect Miami to struggle to move the ball without Kenny Stills or Albert Wilson. Brock Osweiler and Lamar Miller revenge shoutouts.
Philadelphia Eagles -3 @ Jacksonville Jaguars (42)
SU: Eagles
AS: Eagles
O/U: Under
The Eagles blew a 17-0 lead in the fourth quarter last week, and if that doesn’t get ya motivated to flip the switch, nothing will. I fully expect the Super Bowl champs to bounce back this week and take care of a team in Jacksonville that has showed very little on offense and defense over the past couple weeks. I don’t care how good Blake Bortles has been in London, he’s on a short leash.
Baltimore Ravens -2.5 @ Carolina Panthers (44)
SU: Ravens
AS: Ravens
O/U: Under
Tough luck from the Baltimore Ravens last week as they marched all the way down the field and tied it up, only to see Justin Tucker miss his first extra point of his career. Cam Newton and company showed nothing through three quarters last week before turning it on in the fourth. They won’t be able to do that against a Ravens squad that has allowed the fewest yards and points per game. Baltimore has given up the second-fewest passing yards per game to go along with the seventh-fewest rushing yards per game.
Cleveland Browns @ Pittsburgh Steelers -8 (49)
SU: Steelers
AS: Browns
O/U: Over
The Cleveland Browns lead the league in takeaways and interceptions. It’s their defense that keeps them in games, plus they usually play Pittsburgh tight. The last four matchups between these two teams have been decided by four points or less, which includes the tie earlier in the year. Six of the Browns seven games this season have been decided by four points or less, and four of them have gone to OT.
Denver Broncos @ Kansas City Chiefs -10 (53.5)
SU: KC
AS: KC
O/U: Under
Patrick Mahomes has eight touchdowns in his last two games and Kareem Hunt has at least a touchdown in six straight games. How can you stop that? You can’t.
New York Jets @ Chicago Bears – 7.5 (45)
SU: Bears
AS: Bears
O/U: Under
Sam Darnold has looked very much like a rookie of late with five picks in his last three games. Chicago is tied for the league lead in interceptions, plus they rank in the Top 10 in sacks, points allowed and fumble recovers. The Jets also to continue to lose pieces of their offense every week it seems.
Seattle Seahawks @ Detroit Lions -3 (49)
SU: Lions
AS: Lions
O/U: Over
Russell Wilson is coming off his two best games of the season and is fresh off a bye week. The Seattle defense has been surprisingly one of the better units in football, but I’ll lean Detroit who has the slightly better offense. Plus, they are home. Look for Seattle to try an establish a run against a Lions team who has allowed the third-rushing yards per game. I don’t think either of these defenses are as good as they’ve shown.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Cincinnati Bengals -4 (54.5)
SU: Bengals
AS: Buccaneers
O/U: Over
Cincy opened up as -6.5 favs, but the line has tightened up since. Both of these teams rank inside the Top 5 in yards against, passing yards against, fantasy points to QB’s and points allowed. Points, points and some more points. Buccaneers with some garbage time cover.
Washington Redskins @ New York Giants -1 (42.5)
SU: Redskins
AS: Redskins
O/U: Under
The Washington Redskins are depleted on offense, but the New York Giants are running out of defensive players. They have been busy on the trade front, and have looked awful at times this season on both sides of the football. Washington has been a tough team for me to figure out, but I feel better about them than I do New York. Washington wins a tight one and pulls to 5-2.
Indianapolis Colts -3 @ Oakland Raiders (50.5)
SU: Colts
AS: Colts
O/U: Under
The Oakland Raiders lost their starting running back and number one wide receiver this week. Andrew Luck is rolling and he’s starting to get healthy bodies back in the lineup. Give me the Colts by a touchdown.
Green Bay Packers @ Los Angeles Rams -9.5 (56.5)
SU: Rams
AS: Packers
O/U: Over
The Rams’ team implied total of 34.5 is the highest I’ve seen this season. They enter as the third-highest scoring team in the league and Todd Gurley has a league-high 14 touchdowns. He’s first in carries, touches and rushing yards. There is no stopping this offense. Aaron Rodgers has never been this big of an underdog before and he’s coming off a bye, with a little healthier squad. I think he’s able to keep things close.
San Francisco 49ers -1 @ Arizona Cardinals (42.5)
SU: Cardinals
AS: Cardinals
O/U: Over
Arizona beat San Francisco 28-19 on the road in Week 5 and now they are underdogs three weeks later to them at home. I know the Cardinals played bad last week on primetime, but I’ll give them the edge at home with the best player in the game, in David Johnson. DJ scored two rushing touchdowns in that game. Long week to prepare, new OC…can’t be worse.
New Orleans Saints @ Minnesota Vikings -1 (52.0)
SU: Saints
AS: Saints
O/U: Over
Both of these teams have the same team implied total at 26.5. It’s a rematch of the NFC Divisional game and if it’s anything like that game (29-24), we are in for a treat. Sit back and watch the points pile up, but give me the Saints who have the stronger overall team. A better run game at least, as Dalvin Cook is out again.
New England Patriots – 14 @ Buffalo Bills (44)
SU: Pats
AS: Pats
O/U: Under
It’s hard to imagine the lowest scoring tram in football keeping this close. I know the Bills’ defense has been solid this season, and Buffalo is a tough place to play, but come on. New England should score 30 and I don’t see the Bills scoring more than 14.
Also check out our Week 8 Sleepers: Quarterbacks | Running Backs | Wide Receivers | Tight Ends
Like these Week 8 NFL Picks? Get more Chris Meaney on his new podcast, By Any Means. Each week he’ll bring in guests from around the industry to break down all the fantasy news you need to know for your march to the championship.