NFL Week 8 Picks and Score Predictions: Aaron Rodgers Gets Revenge as Steelers Beat Packers
The NFL season is barreling toward the halfway point, and Week 8 promises a slate of intriguing matchups. After basking in the glory of my Week 7 picking prowess (thanks, Joe Flacco!), it’s time to dive into this week’s predictions. But first, a public service announcement: don’t even THINK about picking against Joe Flacco when he’s facing a division rival with limited preparation time. Learn from the mistakes of others!
Now, let’s get down to business and see how much money I’m destined to lose this week.
Minnesota Vikings (3-3) at Los Angeles Chargers (4-3)
The NFL scheduling gods seem to have a vendetta against the Vikings, as they’re once again tasked with flying across two time zones for a Thursday night game. History is not on their side. Since 2006, teams in this situation are a dismal 4-17 straight up and 4-15-2 against the spread. The two victories were courtesy of Aaron Rodgers, so that says a lot.
Why such a poor record? The quick turnaround after a Sunday game, coupled with the travel and time zone adjustment, takes a toll. I call it the "sleepy theory." I think the Vikings will start getting sleepy around the third quarter, so that’s the time we should fully expect the Chargers to start taking over. The Vikings also have QB issues, with Carson Wentz possibly banged up and J.J. McCarthy nursing an ankle injury. No good options there.
Pick: Chargers 31-24 over Vikings
New York Giants (2-5) at Philadelphia Eagles (5-2)
These two teams just met in Week 5, with the Giants emerging victorious 34-17. Can the Eagles turn the tables? The return of Jalen Carter will bolster their run defense, but the Eagles have struggled to stop the run even with him in the lineup.
The Eagles’ pass rush has been virtually nonexistent, leading to the desperate measure of coaxing Brandon Graham out of retirement. My main concern is how the Giants will respond to blowing a 19-point lead against the Broncos. Will they use it as motivation or crumble? I’m betting on the former.
Pick: Giants 23-20 over Eagles
Dallas Cowboys (3-3-1) at Denver Broncos (5-2)
The Cowboys have a glaring weakness: they can’t play outdoors. Only three of their remaining games are outside, and this is one of them. Their indoor/outdoor splits are alarming. The other issue is their porous defense, which ranks near the bottom of the league in passing yards, rushing yards, and points allowed.
The Broncos, on the other hand, boast a strong rushing attack. The X-factor is their mental state after their improbable comeback win against the Giants. Will they ride the momentum or fall flat? I’m predicting another crazy win for Denver.
Pick: Broncos 23-20 over Cowboys
Tennessee Titans (1-6) at Indianapolis Colts (6-1)
I’m 7-0 picking Colts games this year, and if I go 17-0, I’m moving to Indianapolis! This is a classic trap game. The Colts are coming off a dominant road win, have a tough matchup against the Steelers looming, and are facing a struggling Titans team.
On paper, this looks like a Colts blowout. The Titans just fired their coach, have scored the fewest points in the league, and their quarterback has been sacked a league-high 30 times. Also, Colts coach Shane Steichen has never lost to Tennessee (5-0). And let’s not forget, the Colts got the JJ Watt seal of approval this week. I was going to pick the Colts to win by 14, but getting that JJ Watt seal of approval convinced me to add another touchdown. Indiana Jones takes down the Temple of Titans.
Pick: Colts 38-17 over Titans
Green Bay Packers (4-1-1) at Pittsburgh Steelers (4-2)
Aaron Rodgers has been counting down the days until this game since the Packers drafted Jordan Love in 2020. This is a revenge game of epic proportions. The Steelers are coming off a Thursday game, giving them extra rest. The Packers, meanwhile, had a delayed flight after traveling to Arizona.
The Steelers’ defense hasn’t been able to stop anyone this year. Rodgers is very familiar with Matt LaFleur and the Packers offense, so the Steelers should just let him draw up the defensive game plan this week. If the Steelers win, Rodgers will become just the fifth quarterback in NFL history to beat all 32 teams. The Steelers are breaking out their throwback uniform and as we all know, I can never pick against a team playing a prime-time game at home in a uniform from 1933. After 2,000 days of waiting, I’m going to say that Rodgers finally gets his revenge.
Pick: Steelers 27-24 over Packers
NFL Week 8 Picks: All the Rest
Falcons 27-17 over Dolphins
Bengals 24-16 over Jets
Patriots 20-17 over Browns
Bills 24-21 over Panthers
49ers 23-16 over Texans
Buccaneers 30-20 over Saints
