Week 8 NFL Picks

By RJ Elliott

Here are my picks for the NFL’s Week 8:

*SUNDAY, OCTOBER 26*

Tampa Bay 5-2 at Dallas 4-3 - 1:00 PM (Line: Dallas by 3.5)

The Buccaneers have won two straight and are atop the NFC South, but they are just 1-2 on the road this season. The Cowboys are averaging the third most yards per game in the league, but they have dropped their last two.

RJ’s Pick: Dallas by 9

Washington 5-2 at Detroit 0-6 - 1:00 PM (Line: Washington by 7.5)

Redskins QB Jason Campbell has not thrown a single interception in seven starts and has a quarterback rating of 96.3. The winless Lions are ranked dead last in the league in points allowed per game as well as yards allowed per game.

RJ’s Pick: Washington by 28

Buffalo 5-1 at Miami 2-4 - 1:00 PM (Line: Buffalo by 1.5)

The surprising Bills play their first game against a divisional opponent this week. The Dolphins have been struggling with their red-zone offense; they are ranked 11th in the league in yards per game, but just 23rd in the league in points per game.

RJ’s Pick: Buffalo by 6

Saint Louis 2-4 at New England 4-2 - 1:00 PM (Line: New England by 7)

The Rams have won two in a row after losing their first four games of the season. The Patriots continue to be hampered by injuries, as safety Rodney Harrison appears to be done for the season after injuring his right thigh muscle last week.

RJ’s Pick: New England by 2

San Diego 3-4 at New Orleans 3-4 [to be played at Wembley Stadium in London, England] - 1:00 PM (Line: San Diego by 3)

Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson is averaging just 3.6 yards per carry this season, and hasn’t had a 100-yard game or scored a touchdown since Week 4. The disappointing Saints will be without RB Reggie Bush for several weeks after he had surgery on his left knee.

RJ’s Pick: San Diego by 10

Kansas City 1-5 at New York Jets 3-3 - 1:00 PM (Line: New York Jets by 12.5)

The Chiefs have scored just 75 points through six games, the fewest in the NFL. Jets RB Thomas Jones rushed for 159 yards on 24 carries in an overtime loss to Oakland last week.

RJ’s Pick: New York Jets by 21

Atlanta 4-2 at Philadelphia 3-3 - 1:00 PM (Line: Philadelphia by 8.5)

The surprising Falcons have won two in a row and have the second best rushing offense in the NFL. The Eagles are fourth in the league in points scored per game despite having a running game that is ranked 29th.

RJ’s Pick: Philadelphia by 13

Oakland 2-4 at Baltimore 3-3 - 1:00 PM (Line: Baltimore by 6.5)

The Raiders defense is giving up over 360 yards, and almost 25 points, per game. The Ravens have the NFL’s second ranked defense in yards allowed per game.

RJ’s Pick: Baltimore by 3

Arizona 4-2 at Carolina 5-2 - 1:00 PM (Line: Carolina by 4.5)

The Cardinals have won two straight and are enjoying a two game cushion atop the NFC West. The Panthers are giving up the third fewest points per game in the league.

RJ’s Pick: Carolina by 8

Cleveland 2-4 at Jacksonville 3-3 - 4:05 PM (Line: Jacksonville by 7)

The Browns are third from the league bottom in points per game and yards per game. The Jaguars are just 1-2 at home this season.

RJ’s Pick: Jacksonville by 11

Cincinnati 0-7 at Houston 2-4 - 4:05 PM (Line: Houston by 10)

The Bengals are averaging a league low 225.6 yards per game. The Texans have won two straight since their choke against Indianapolis in Week 5.

RJ’s Pick: Houston by 3

RJ’s Game Of The Week: New York Giants 5-1 at Pittsburgh 5-1 - 4:15 PM (Line: Steelers by 2.5)

The Super Bowl champion Giants possess the league’s top-rated rushing offense; they are rolling up nearly 170 yards per game on the ground. The Steelers have won three in a row, are undefeated at home, and have the NFL’s best defense in terms of yards allowed per game.

RJ’s Pick: Pittsburgh by 6

RJ’s Lame-Game Of The Week: Seattle 1-5 at San Francisco 2-5 - 4:15 PM (Line: San Francisco by 5)

The Seahawks have dropped three straight and have the league’s most anemic passing offense. The 49ers have lost four in a row and just fired head coach Mike Nolan, who has been replaced by NFL legend Mike Singletary.

RJ’s Pick: San Francisco by 12

*MONDAY, OCTOBER 27*

Indianapolis 3-3 at Tennessee 6-0 - 8:30 PM (Line: Tennessee by 3.5)

The Colts have the worst rushing offense in the league, averaging just 70 yards per game on the ground. The unbeaten Titans are allowing just 11 points per game, fewest in the NFL.

RJ’s Pick: Tennessee by 9

[Bye Week Teams: Chicago Bears 4-3, Denver Broncos 4-3, Green Bay Packers 4-3, Minnesota Vikings 3-4]