Each Friday of the 2018 NFL season, we’ll be picking every game (except for Thursday Night Football, of course) against the spread.
Here are the picks for Week 8.
Philadelphia Eagles (-3.5) at Jacksonville Jaguars
The Pick: Eagles
This is a big game for both teams, as the loser will sit two games below .500 with half the season in the books. Both Philly and Jacksonville are coming off tough losses, but the past month has been particularly rough for the Jaguars. Now dealing with a rash of injuries in the secondary, it’s not likely to get easier against Carson Wentz.
Washington at New York Giants (PK)
The Pick: Washington
Home or away, it’s hard to pick the Giants, who are in fire-sale mode after a pair of trades following Monday night’s loss — and there are likely more coming.
Seattle Seahawks at Detroit Lions (2.5)
The Pick: Seahawks
This is more of a gut pick than anything, as Seattle is 0-2 on the road against the spread while Detroit is 5-1 ATS so far this season. But the Seahawks’ re-established run game and improved protection of Russell Wilson are the logic behind this pick.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Cincinnati Bengals (-3.5)
The Pick: Buccaneers
The last two weeks have been devastating for the Bengals: a heartbreaking loss to the Steelers in the final 10 seconds of Week 6, followed by an embarrassing beatdown on national TV in Kansas City. Look for Andy Dalton and company to bounce back against a lowly Bucs defence now playing without star linebacker Kwon Alexander.
New York Jets at Chicago Bears (-7.5)
The Pick: Bears
The Jets are 0-2 on the road since that opening-week win over the Lions in Detroit, and New York’s four losses have been by an average of more than 10 points per game. Coupled with Sam Darnold’s recent struggles and a Chicago team that has played well at home so far this season, I like the Bears by 10.
Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs (-10)
The Pick: Chiefs
The Broncos gave the Chiefs the stiffest test they’ve had in a win so far this season, but that was in Denver. K.C.’s home-field advantage is very real, so I’m taking the double-digit spread. Plus, the Chiefs are 7-0 against the spread — how do you go against that?
Baltimore Ravens (-2.5) at Carolina Panthers
The Pick: Ravens
The Panthers had 115 total yards of offence through three quarters in Philadelphia until an inspired fourth-quarter comeback. The Ravens defence won’t let Carolina climb out of such a hole.
Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers (-8)
The Pick: Browns
The Browns have kept it close in all but one game this season, including a Week 1 tie against the Steelers. Cleveland is 5-2 so far against the spread, 2-1 on the road.
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Indianapolis Colts (-3) at Oakland Raiders
The Pick: Colts
I like what the Colts are doing. Andrew Luck looks good, the offensive line is protecting well and they’re coming off a dominant win at home. On the flip side, the Raiders are a mess.
Green Bay Packers at Los Angeles Rams (-9.5)
The Pick: Packers
Facing the biggest spread as an underdog in his NFL career, Aaron Rodgers heads to L.A. fresh off the bye. I expect this to be a pass-heavy, high-scoring affair within the point spread.
San Francisco 49ers (-1) at Arizona Cardinals
The Pick: 49ers
Can I abstain from this pick? It may be best just to flip a coin for this game — or better yet, don’t bet on it.
The Cardinals are 0-4 at home, the 49ers are 0-4 on the road. The Cardinals are 2-2 against the spread at home, the 49ers are 2-2 ATS on the road.
The only hint of an advantage was Arizona’s Week 5 win over San Fran, so naturally I’m taking the Niners.
New Orleans Saints at Minnesota Vikings (PK)
The Pick: Saints
The Saints are 3-0 against the spread on the road this season and, as an added bonus, are playing in a dome in Minnesota. I like Drew Brees and the New Orleans offence to have a big day, avenging last January’s heartbreaking loss.
New England Patriots (-14) at Buffalo Bills
The Pick: Patriots
The Patriots have won six straight games in Buffalo by an average of, you guessed it, 14 points.
