.Three NFL experts from the Prime Time Sports Talk staff came together to share their picks for Week 8.
These three writers will continue to make their picks for the entire season, earning two points for any correct win-loss outcome and an additional three points for correctly predicting the exact score. (Failure to accurately predict a tie will be treated as a loss.) A cumulative points total and record will be listed at the bottom of every article. An archive of all 17 regular-season and four playoff editions can be found here.
Mike Fanelli, Joe Heller, and Andersen Pickard contributed to this article.
Atlanta Falcons vs. Carolina Panthers
Mike Fanelli: Panthers 34, Falcons 28
Another game, another blown fourth-quarter lead for the Falcons. Meanwhile, the Panthers almost pulled off the upset over the Saints. Panthers win by six in a high-scoring game.
Joe Heller: Falcons 34, Panthers 20
If the rumors are true, this could be the last time Julio Jones and Matt Ryan take the field together in Falcons uniforms. The pair will look like the most-feared duo they were not that long ago in their victory over the Panthers.
Andersen Pickard: Panthers 28, Falcons 27
The Falcons will do what they do best on Thursday night, blowing yet another lead. This time, the beneficiary of Atlanta’s woes will be Carolina. The Panthers storm from behind on national TV and knock off the Falcons in the waning seconds of regulation.
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens
Mike: Steelers 27, Ravens 24
The only remaining undefeated team heads into Baltimore for one of the greatest rivalries in football. The winner of this game will be the top seed in the AFC North and the conference. This game could go either way but expect the Steelers to pull out the close victory.
Joe: Ravens 27, Steelers 24
The Ravens would love nothing more than to knock out the last remaining undefeated team; the fact that it’s a division rival adds to that tenfold. The Steelers’ defense has stymied the Browns’ ground game and Derrick Henry in back-to-back weeks, but reigning MVP Lamar Jackson is an entirely different beast.
Andersen: Steelers 28, Ravens 24
The Steelers are the best team in the AFC. As long as Ben Roethlisberger limits his turnovers, Pittsburgh will cruise to their seventh victory of the season.
Indianapolis Colts vs. Detroit Lions
Mike: Colts 27, Lions 20
Somehow, someway, the Lions pulled off a last-minute victory over the Falcons. However, the Colts aren’t a team that beats itself. Colts win by a touchdown, and the Lions look to sell off veterans at the trade deadline.
Joe: Lions 34, Colts 30
Matthew Stafford and co. will get the better of Philip Rivers and the Colts. A late game-winning drive will be the difference, much like it was in Week 7 against the Falcons.
Andersen: Colts 21, Lions 13
The Colts’ defense is one of the best in the league, while the Detroit offense relied on a baffling mistake by the Falcons to win last week. Philip Rivers’s turnover woes could keep the Lions in this one, but the Colts will still win.
Minnesota Vikings vs. Green Bay Packers
Mike: Packers 34, Vikings 23
In a matchup of the worst against the best team in the NFC North, the Packers should have no trouble winning by double-digits.
Joe: Packers 34, Vikings 24
Aaron Rodgers and the Packers will continue to roll. The Vikings will keep it close through the third quarter before Green Bay puts the game away.
Andersen: Packers 38, Vikings 28
These two teams played to a shootout Week 1. Their rematch this week will feature much of the same. With Aaron Jones out and the Vikings playing from behind, both teams will play a pass-heavy game with 66 points combined.
New England Patriots vs. Buffalo Bills
Mike: Bills 20, Patriots 13
Both of these teams have looked awful over the last three weeks. At this point, are we sure the Dolphins can’t win the division? Expect this game to be an ugly one with the Bills pulling out the victory and the Patriots making a change at quarterback.
Joe: Bills 27, Patriots 20
Both teams are coming off games in which their offenses struggled, only scoring a combined eight field goals. Josh Allen and the Bills’ offense will get back to their scoring ways. Cam Newton will struggle again, leading to increased chatter calling for a quarterback change.
Andersen: Bills 21, Patriots 16
Cam Newton will bounce back slightly, putting the Patriots in a position to score a touchdown and three field goals. Nevertheless, the Bills will add three touchdowns, leading to the Patriots being sellers ahead of Tuesday’s trade deadline.
Tennessee Titans vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Mike: Titans 34, Bengals 23
The Bengals have found their franchise quarterback in Joe Burrow. He singlehandedly almost pulled off the upset victory over the Browns last week. However, the Titans proved on Sunday that they are Super Bowl contenders. They flex their muscles on the Bengals.
Joe: Titans 31, Bengals 24
The Titans will rebound after their first loss of the season, which came in heartbreaking fashion. Joe Burrow will continue to play well but make a late mistake, sealing the victory for Tennessee. Derrick Henry will eclipse 200 yards from scrimmage in this game.
Andersen: Titans 35, Bengals 31
This is one of those games where the lead will never be out of reach, yet Cincinnati will trail the whole time. Joe Burrow and Ryan Tannehill will combine for six touchdowns in the pass-heaving shootout. In the end, Tennesse will bounce back after suffering their first loss of the season last week.
Las Vegas Raiders vs. Cleveland Browns
Mike: Browns 27, Raiders 23
After losing Nick Chubb for several weeks, the Browns lost Odell Beckham Jr. for the season to a torn ACL. Meanwhile, the Raiders looked like second-class citizens against the Buccaneers last week. While it won’t be that bad on Sunday, expect a similar result.
Joe: Browns 31, Raiders 20
The Browns and Baker Mayfield come in to Week 8 with hot hands. If Derek Carr continues to struggle, there may even be the first Marcus Mariota sighting in silver and black. This one won’t be as close as the score indicates.
Andersen: Browns 24, Raiders 20
Calm down on the Baker Mayfield front. He will underperform this week despite a favorable matchup, leaving Kareem Hunt as the primary beneficiary on Sunday afternoon. Despite Mayfield’s regression, the Browns will win by four.
New York Jets vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Mike: Chiefs 41, Jets 16
Is there such a thing as the mercy rule when it comes to NFL football? If not, there should be after this game. In a matchup between the best and worst team in the league, expect the Chiefs to win by three or more touchdowns.
Joe: Chiefs 31, Jets 10
The Chiefs will dominate this game in all three phases from the opening kickoff. The Jets will remain the only winless team and continue to lead the Trevor Lawrence sweepstakes.
Andersen: Chiefs 38, Jets 6
Yeah, this is going to be a blowout. Next!
Los Angeles Rams vs. Miami Dolphins
Mike: Rams 27, Dolphins 17
The Dolphins surprised some people with their decision to bench Ryan Fitzpatrick for Tua Tagovailoa ahead of this game. While the Dolphins have impressed with their recent play, Aaron Donald should singlehandedly ruin the rookie’s first career start.
Joe: Dolphins 24, Rams 20
It’s a tall task for a rookie quarterback to make his first NFL start against the best defensive player in the league. However, Tua Tagliova isn’t your typical rookie. The hype is real and he will lead his team to a win against Aaron Donald and the Rams.
Andersen: Dolphins 21, Rams 17
Let’s make one thing clear: I am still not sold on Tua Tagovailoa’s long-term outlook. With that said, he will stun the world with his dynamic, hurt-you-everywhere style of play and help lead the Dolphins to victory coming off their bye week.
Los Angeles Chargers vs. Denver Broncos
Mike: Chargers 30, Broncos 20
In a high-scoring game last week, the Chargers defeated the Jaguars. Meanwhile, the Broncos looked awful against the Chiefs. These two teams are battling it out for last place in the AFC West. Considering how well Justin Herbert has played this season, betting against him would be foolish.
Joe: Chargers 31, Broncos 17
Justin Herbert will continue to move towards the top of the Rookie of the Year conversation. Meanwhile, the Broncos will lose another game, causing John Elway to question his quarterback yet again.
Andersen: Chargers 31, Broncos 13
All three first-round quarterbacks will have big performances this week, but Justin Herbert’s will rest atop the leaderboard once again. The Oregon product will torch the Broncos, racking up three passing touchdowns in the three-score victory.
New Orleans Saints vs. Chicago Bears
Mike: Bears 26, Saints 20
The Saints are going to be up for a fight in Chicago. While some people aren’t convinced the Bears are contenders, they will pull off the upset victory over the Saints.
Joe: Saints 24, Bears 20
The Saints will pull out the late victor after the Bears’ defense keeps Drew Brees and co. in check for three quarters.
Andersen: Saints 24, Bears 16
Nick Foles isn’t the answer. As strong as Chicago’s defense is, the veteran journeyman won’t be able to propel the Bears to victory over an elite New Orleans squad.
San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks
Mike: Seahawks 31, 49ers 24
While the 49ers were dominant in their win over the Patriots last week, they should be underdogs against the Seahawks. Despite Russell Wilson throwing three interceptions last week, the Seahawks almost pulled off the victory on the road against the Cardinals. All the injuries for the 49ers are too much to overcome, and the Seahawks win by a touchdown or more.
Joe: Seahawks 27, 49ers 24
Russell Wilson will rebound from the Seahawks’ overtime loss to the Cardinals. The pair of matchups last season between these teams were both shootouts and this one will be no different.
Andersen: Seahawks 34, 49ers 24
Russell Wilson and the Seahawks will continue to prove that they are the best team in the NFC West with a commanding two-score victory over the reigning NFC champions.
Dallas Cowboys vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Mike: Eagles 31, Cowboys 14
Who will be playing quarterback for the Cowboys? Nobody knows. Either way, the Eagles should win the game. The Cowboys are a mess right now and might want to start thinking if they should draft a quarterback in April with their top-five pick.
Joe: Eagles 27, Cowboys 10
Carson Wentz has built chemistry with his litany of “no-name” receivers while the Cowboys have been in utter turmoil since Dak Prescott was lost for the season. Whether Andy Dalton is cleared to play or not, it won’t matter for Dallas.
Andersen: Eagles 21, Cowboys 10
The pass-catching unit in Philadelphia continues to be questionable at best, but they’ll get a boost this week against a porous Dallas defense. Carson Wentz should have a big game while Boston Scott impresses on the ground.
Tamp Bay Buccaneers vs. New York Giants
Mike: Buccaneers 28, Giants 10
Tom Brady against the Giants is always a good game. However, this time, it won’t be. The Buccaneers do whatever they want on offense while making Daniel Jones’s life miserable. Buccaneers win by more than two touchdowns.
Joe: Buccaneers 31, Giants 13
The only shot the Giants have to win this game is if they bring Eli Manning back for a one game encore. This game will be out of hand early. The new-look Bucs and Tom Brady will have another new toy after this game is in the books in Antonio Brown.
Andersen: Buccaneers 31, Giants 16
The Buccaneers are red-hot and will only get better with Antonio Brown set to return this week. The Giants will be no match for Tom Brady this time around.
Point Totals
Mike: 146
Joe: 134
Andersen: 132
Records
Mike: 73-32
Joe: 67-38
Andersen: 66-39
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