NFL Picks Week 8: King in the South

The New Orleans Saints host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this week. The Bucs come into this one fresh off a deflating loss in primetime in Detroit, while the Saints are coming off their most demoralizing loss yet, an unforgivable loss thanks to Dennis Allen in Chicago. Now the reigning NFC South Champions come to the Superdome looking to keep their lead in the division they have been kings of for four-consecutive years. As Atlanta and Carolina inches closer to the Bucs, the Saints have a chance to make things uncomfortable for a team that fancies themselves a huge rival. We’ll see if the Saints can make things interesting this week. Let’s take a look at this and all of the matchups this week as we near the halfway point of the season.

Last week, I went 10-5

I told you so: Broncos over Giants!

What do I know: Saints over Bears?

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WEEK 8

Thursday, October 23rd – Thursday Night Football

Vikings(3-3) at Chargers(4-3)

It’s a bit hard to tell what you’re going to get from either of these teams from week to week, but this will ultimately be Minnesota’s week, in a very close contest. Minnesota wins 26-24.

Pick: Vikings

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Sunday, October 26th – Early Games

Dolphins(1-6) at Falcons(3-3)

Atlanta will have no problem keeping pace with Carolina and Tampa Bay in the NFC South after an easy win over the dreadful Dolphins. Atlanta wins 24-16.

Pick: Falcons

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Bears(4-2) at Ravens(1-5)

The return of Lamar Jackson in Baltimore will be the story of this game. Lamar will dominate Dennis Allen’s defense, leading the Ravens out of their tailspin in this return. Baltimore wins 24-20.

Pick: Ravens

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Bills(4-2) at Panthers(4-3)

Carolina only stands a game behind the Bucs in a three-team race for the NFC South, but will continue to stay in second due to facing this difficult Buffalo squad. Buffalo wins 34-23.

Pick: Bills

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Jets(0-7) at Bengals(3-4)

A week after his best game of the season, and the Bengals’ best game for that matter, Joe Flacco will beat one of his former teams. Cincinnati wins 29-23.

Pick: Bengals

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49ers(5-2) at Texans(2-4)

The Niners will take advantage of of a floundering team in Houston. San Francisco wins 25-14.

Pick: 49ers

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Browns(2-5) at Patriots(5-2)

New England comes into this one rolling on a four-game win streak, and they’ll make it five against Cleveland. New England wins 41-10.

Pick: Patriots

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Giants(2-5) at Eagles(5-2) – Game of the Week

When these two NFC East rivals played each other two weeks ago, it resulted in one of the biggest upsets of the season. This one won’t be as much of an upset, but the result remains the same. New York wins 24-22.

Pick: Giants

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Sunday, October 26th – Late Games