NFL Week 8 picks: Can Patriots pull another upset? Will Eagles, Chiefs keep rolling?
The Times’ NFL writer, Sam Farmer, examines this week’s matchups. Lines according to FanDuel Sportsbook(O/U = over/under). Last week’s record 4-9 (.308); season 58-48 (.547). Using point spreads with the scores Farmer predicted, the record against the spread last week would have been 3-10 (.231); season 45-60-1 (.429). All times Pacific.
Buccaneers (3-3) at Bills (4-3)
Tonight, 5:20 p.m.
TV: Amazon Prime Video
Line: Bills by 8½. O/U: 42½.
The Bills are coming off an unthinkable loss to New England and are desperate to rebound against Tampa Bay, which has lost three of four. Could be low-scoring as the Buccaneers have a decent defense.
Prediction: Bills 24, Buccaneers 18
Rams (3-4) at Cowboys (4-2)
Sunday, 10 a.m.
TV: Channel 11
Line: Cowboys by 6½. O/U: 45.
The Rams have a new kicker and a replacement running back, and that could mean protection problems for Matthew Stafford. That’s challenging on the road against a dangerous Dallas defense.
Prediction: Cowboys 27, Rams 24
Jaguars (5-2) at Steelers (4-2)
Sunday, 10 a.m.
TV: Channel 2
Line: Jaguars by 2½. O/U: 41½.
Both are finding ways to grind out wins. Pittsburgh hasn’t done a ton of scoring, but the Steelers do a good job of protecting the football. That’s key against a Jacksonville defense that forces turnovers.
Prediction: Steelers 21, Jaguars 20
Texans (3-3) at Panthers (0-6)
Sunday, 10 a.m.
TV: NFL Ticket
Line: Texans by 3. O/U: 43.
It’s the No. 1 vs. No. 2 picks in the draft, a QB duel between struggling Bryce Young of the Panthers and surprisingly strong C.J. Stroud of the Texans. The Panthers, who had last week off, gave up 42 points in each of their last two games.
Prediction: Texans 24, Panthers 20
Read more: NFL roundtable: Rams should be kicking themselves; Chargers fans should be wary of Bears
Vikings (3-4) at Packers (2-4)
Sunday, 10 a.m.
TV: NFL Ticket
Line: Vikings by 1½. O/U: 42½.
The Packers have lost three in a row and haven’t scored more than 20 points in four games. The Vikings have won three of four and, although they aren’t scoring like crazy, their defense has come on strong.
Prediction: Vikings 21, Packers 18
Saints (3-4) at Colts (3-4)
Sunday, 10 a.m.
TV: NFL Ticket
Line: Colts by 1½. O/U: 43½.
New Orleans’ run defense will put the game on the shoulders of Colts quarterback Gardner Minshew, who has seven turnovers in two games. If Saints quarterback Derek Carr is decent, the Saints win.
Prediction: Saints 23, Colts 20
Patriots (2-5) at Dolphins (5-2)
Sunday, 10 a.m.
TV: NFL Ticket
Line: Dolphins by 9½. O/U: 47.
New England got a rare confidence boost with a win over Buffalo, and Miami scored only 17 points in a loss to Philadelphia. The Patriots stayed within a touchdown in the first game with the Dolphins this season.
Prediction: Dolphins 27, Patriots 21
Jets (3-3) at Giants (2-5)
Sunday, 10 a.m.
TV: NFL Ticket
Line: Jets by 3. O/U: 36½.
Tyrod Taylor has done a respectable job at quarterback for the Giants, and their defense has been smothering the last two weeks. But that offensive line is going to have a tough time against the rested Jets.
Prediction: Jets 21, Giants 17
Read more: New kicker coming for Rams? Coach Sean McVay: 'There’s a possibility'
Falcons (4-3) at Titans (2-4)
Sunday, 10 a.m.
TV: NFL Ticket
Line: Falcons by 2½. O/U: 35½.
It looks as if Titans rookie QB Will Levis could be getting his first career start, and that’s a tough task against an Atlanta defense that hasn’t given up more than 24 points. Favor the road team.
Predicton: Falcons 20, Titans 13
Eagles (6-1) at Commanders (3-4)
Sunday, 10 a.m.
TV: NFL Ticket
Line: Eagles by 6½. O/U: 43½.
These teams went to overtime in the last meeting. Not an easy game for the Eagles, who are entering a tough stretch and need to protect hurting QB Jalen Hurts. The Commanders can’t protect Sam Howell.
Prediction: Eagles 24, Commanders 20
Browns (4-2) at Seahawks (4-2)
Sunday, 1:05 p.m.
TV: NFL Ticket
Line: Seahawks by 3½. O/U: 39½.
It’s P.J. Walker at quarterback for the Browns in place of Deshaun Watson again. Walker is not as scary to Seattle as defensive end Myles Garrett, and the Seahawks will do enough to survive at home.
Prediction: Seahawks 20, Browns 16
Bengals (3-3) at 49ers (5-2)
Sunday, 1:25 p.m.
TV: Channel 2
Line: 49ers by 5½. O/U: 45½.
With quarterback Brock Purdy in concussion protocol and unlikely to play, Sam Darnold will start for the 49ers. That’s not good news for a team that just lost two in a row. The Bengals aim to complete an NFC West sweep.
Prediction: Bengals 27, 49ers 23
Ravens (5-2) at Cardinals (1-6)
Sunday, 1:25 p.m.
TV: NFL Ticket
Line: Ravens by 8½. O/U: 44.
The one-win Cardinals had their shocker against Dallas, but there’s no indication they have another one of those up their sleeve. The Ravens did just about everything right in last week’s win over Detroit.
Prediction: Ravens 31, Cardinals 17
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Chiefs (6-1) at Broncos (2-5)
Sunday, 1:25 p.m.
TV: NFL Ticket
Line: Chiefs by 7½. O/U: 46½.
Two weeks after their low-scoring slugfest in Kansas City, these AFC West foes meet again. The Broncos have a little confidence coming off their win over Green Bay, but the Chiefs are the Chiefs.
Prediction: Chiefs 23, Broncos 16
Bears (2-5) at Chargers (2-4)
Sunday, 5:20 p.m.
TV: Channel 4
Line: Chargers by 8½. O/U: 46½.
Undrafted rookie QB Tyson Bagent led the Bears to a rare victory last week and it appears he’ll get a second start. He’ll have difficulty keeping up with Justin Herbert, even though L.A. often finds ways to lose.
Prediction: Chargers 26, Bears 20
Raiders (3-4) at Lions (5-2)
Monday, 5:15 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Line: Lions by 8½. O/U: 45½.
Before they knew it, the Lions were staring at a four-touchdown deficit against Baltimore last weekend. They should snap out of it at home against the Raiders, who don’t have a true quality win.
Prediction: Lions 30, Raiders 20
This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
