The 2024 NFL season is nearing the midway point, and Sporting News is hoping to keep riding some strong momentum with our game picks and predictions against the spread into Week 8 after a fine Week 7.
There are once again no byes on the schedule, so it's back to a full slate of 16 games to dive into and break down.
Here's the latest fearless forecast of professional pigskin prognostications.
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(Odds courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook)
MORE: Week 8 NFL Power Rankings | Week 8 NFL picks
NFL picks against the spread for Week 8
Game of Midweek: Vikings (-3, 48 o/u) at Rams
Thursday 8:15 p.m. ET, Amazon Prime Video
The Vikings' defense did its best to recover from having its toughest game of the season with a big play, but they need to be wary of the blitz again given how well Matthew Stafford does against it. He also has Cooper Kupp (ankle) ready to return to help. Sam Darnold and Justin Jefferson, however, can have more success together for former Sean McVay assistant Kevin O'Connell, and Brian Flores' unit will still force a key takeaway or two late.
Pick: Vikings win 24-20 and cover the spread.
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Game of the Week: Cowboys at 49ers (-5.5, 47.5 o/u)
Sunday 8:20- p.m. ET, NBC
The 49ers will need to manufacture a different kind of offense with some wide receiver injury issues piling on beyond not having Christian McCaffrey (Achilles) to catch passes out of the backfield. Brock Purdy will need to be sharper but should get more help from Jordan Mason and the running game in this must-win matchup. The Cowboys return to a house of horrors before Halloween, and the Niners' defense will keep having their number.
Pick: 49ers win 23-20 but fail to cover the spread
MORE: Brandon Aiyuk injury update | Deebo Samuel injury update
Lock of the Week: Broncos (-7.5, 41.5 o/u) over Panthers
Sunday 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS
The Broncos are usually a strong home team, and their offense should turn in another strong performance with Bo Nix and Javonte Williams leading the way on the ground. The Panthers will be put into a negative game script to pass more with an uncertain QB situation against a tough pass defense on the road. Denver keeps up the surprise to stay alive and well in the AFC wild-card race.
Pick: Broncos win 31-13 and cover the spread.
MORE: Dave Canales commits to Andy Dalton despite late-game benching
Upset of the Week: Eagles (+2.5, 47.5 o/u) over Bengals
Sunday 1 p.m. ET, CBS
The Eagles got Saquon Barkley rolling along with Jalen Hurts on the ground in Week 7, and they can work together to exploit the Bengals' key weakness. Joe Burrow will be game to try to out-duel his fellow 2020 draft QB with Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins taking on some exploitable corners, but A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith will also prove they are a dynamic receiving duo in their own right as Cincinnati keeps slipping at home.
Pick: Eagles win 27-24.
MORE: Saquon Barkley heard boos, saw jersey burned ahead of Eagles-Giants game
Ravens (-9.5, 42.5 o/u) at Browns
Sunday 1 p.m. ET, CBS
The Ravens won't shy away from staying aggressive on the ground with Derrick Henry flanking Lamar Jackson vs. a reeling defense. The Ravens also will get a break against a weak passing game minus Deshaun Watson (Achilles). They should easily win this division game running away with a familiar winning formula.
Pick: Ravens win 30-10 and cover the spread.
MORE BROWNS: Browns QB replacement options | Is Watson's NFL career over? | Watson's teammates slam fans
MORE RAVENS: Derrick Henry, Lamar Jackson pad MVP resumes vs. Bucs
Titans at Lions (-11.5, 46 o/u) at Browns
Sunday 1 p.m. ET, CBS
The Lions have a huge number in their favor at home, as the Titans are stuck offensively and incapable of matching them on the scoreboard regardless of who they play at QB. The Titans' defense, however, can hang tough for little while before breaking in the second half vs. the run.
Pick: Lions win 28-17 but fail to cover the spread.
MORE: Why Jameson Williams will miss next two games
Cardinals at Dolphins (-3.5, 48.5 o/u)
Sunday 1 p.m. ET, Fox
The Dolphins should unlock their offense if Tua Tagovailoa (head) comes back to resurrect the passing game with Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. They haven't lost their rushing mojo, and the Cardinals cannot stop the run. Miami gets back on track like its typical self under Mike McDaniel at home.
Pick: Dolphins win 27-20 and cover the spread.
MORE: Is Tua Tagovailoa starting in Week 8?
Jets (-7, 41.5 o/u) at Patriots
Sunday 1 p.m. ET, CBS
The Jets have a much-needed get-well game with Aaron Rodgers in in his second game back with Davante Adams. New York can dictate the action offensively with a lot of help from the running game setting up more efficient downfield passe. This is a tough draw for counterpart Drake Maye, even with the Jets battling some injuries vs. the pass.
Pick: Jets win 24-14 and cover the spread.
MORE PATRIOTS: Why Jerod Mayo called Patriots 'soft'
MORE JETS: Latest updates on Jets OL stretchered off vs. Steelers | Haason Reddick ends holdout
Falcons at Buccaneers (-2.5, 48 o/u)
Sunday 1 p.m. ET, Fox
The Falcons needed a 509-yard comeback effort from Kirk Cousins to win the first meeting. They should be playing from ahead on the road here with the Buccaneers down Baker Mayfield's top two wide receivers. Cousins, meanwhile, is locked into his targets, and Bijan Robinson also can exploit a reeling run defense.
Pick: Falcons win 27-24.
MORE FALCONS: Cousins benched late in loss vs. Seahawks
MORE BUCCANEERS: Mike Evans injury update | Chris Godwin injury update
Packers (-4.5, 40 o/u) at Jaguars
Sunday 1 p.m. ET, Fox
The Packers should see many of their fans infiltrating Duval County to show Jordan Love the road love. The Jaguars will be happy to be back in their true home after consecutive games in London. Unfortunately, their bad secondary will be picked apart all over the field by Love. Trevor Lawrence will try his best to keep up, but a late turnover makes the comeback fall short.
Pick: Packers win 24-20 but fail to cover the spread.
WEEK 8 FANTASY FOOTBALL RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/ST | Kickers
Colts at Texans (-6, 46 o/u)
Sunday 4:05 p.m. ET, CBS
The Colts need Jonathan Taylor (ankle) back to lift the offense with Anthony Richardson not getting it done in the passing game. The Texans are running very well with Joe Mixon, and this should be a big rebound home affair for C.J. Stroud, as Indianapolis' secondary has plenty of holes for him to exploit.
Pick: Texans win 24-14 and cover the spread.
MORE: Should the Colts bench Anthony Richardson?
Saints at Chargers (-7.5, 39.5 o/u)
Sunday 4:05 p.m. ET, Fox
The Saints are falling apart against the run and pass with bad tackling from Dennis Allen's defense. Jim Harbaugh will take advantage of that with strong run blocking and big volume for the backs with calculated downfield shots from Justin Herbert. The Chargers also will come out defensively to slow down the only real offensive asset for New Orleans, Alvin Kamara.
Pick: Chargers win 26-10 and cover the spread.
Bills (-3, 48.5 o/u) at Seahawks
Sunday 4:05 p.m. ET, Fox
Josh Allen loves having Amari Cooper among his weapons, as youngsters Keon Coleman and Dalton Kincaid delivered great trickle-down impact against the Titans defense after a slow start. Here, the focus should be running on both sides with QBs and running backs alike given that's where the defensive weaknesses lie. The Bills survive with a late drive fueled by Allen's legs to get over another big ground game by Kenneth Walker III.
Pick: Bills win 27-23 and cover the spread.
MORE: DK Metcalf injury update
Chiefs (-10, 41.5 o/u) at Raiders
Sunday 4:25 p.m. ET, Fox
The Chiefs are throwing it back old school with plenty of great power running from Kareem Hunt, and they are relentless and dedicated to it under Andy Reid. That won't change against an awful run defense, and Kansas City's defense will once again thrive vs. Gardner Minshew.
Pick: Chiefs win 24-10 and cover the spread.
MORE CHIEFS: Looking at Chiefs schedule for most likely loss this season
MORE RAIDERS: Aidan O'Connell injury update
Bears (-1, 46 o/u) at Commanders
Sunday 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS
The Bears' defense can pose problems for the Commanders' passing game, but the Commanders also will be smart to stick with working over Chicago's vulnerable run defense first, leaning a deep backfield to take pressure off a banged-up Jayden Daniels (ribs). Caleb Williams will be game for O-ROY duel on road, but this time, Daniels ends up with one more Heisman moment.
Pick: Commanders win 26-23.
MORE: Jayden Daniels injury update
Giants at Steelers (-6, 37.5 o/u)
Monday 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN/ABC
The Giants are an offensive mess again with Daniel Jones falling into bad habits when he doesn't have enough support from the running game. That's a concern here on the road, but a bigger problem is the Steelers' revamped rushing attack gashing the Giants' front like the cross-state Eagles did. Russell Wilson will keep the momentum going and might see another former Seahawk, Drew Lock, as his counterpart at some point in the second half.
Pick: Steelers win 24-13 and cover the spread.
MORE GIANTS: Daniel Jones unhappy with late-game benching
MORE STEELERS: George Pickens' big game shows why Mike Tomlin chose Russell Wilson
Stats of the Week
- Week 7 record straight up: 12-3
- Week 7 record against the spread: 8-7
- Season-to-date straight up: 73-34
- Season-to-date against the spread: 57-49
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