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NFL Predictions Week 8: Best Picks Against the Spread (ATS)

By Dan Salem

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Its a tough week to gamble on the NFL, but these games scream pick me. Grab the favorites and the points. These are your Best Picks Against the Spread (ATS) for NFL Predictions Week 8. Dan Salem and Todd Salem debate in today’s NFL Sports Debate. Check out more of the brothers in Seesaw Sports Debate on BuzzChomp. Two brothers from New York yell, scream, and debate sports.

TODD:

Heading into Week 8 of the NFL season, essentially the midway point of each team’s year, it seems worthwhile to check in on our records thus far picking winners against the spread. We have each selected two games each week ATS. Through 14 games, my record sits at a bland 7-7 while you are up at a respectable 9-5.

Don’t get cocky though; we still have a lot of work to do. This week is a bit tough because of lack of selection. Four more teams are on bye and two games don’t have spreads available because of questions about who will be starting at quarterback: the Titans (Mariota or Mettenberger) vs. Houston and the Steelers (Roethlisberger or Jones) vs. Cincinnati.

Miami Dolphins +7.5 at New England Patriots
Minnesota Vikings -2 at Chicago Bears

It’s not that I’m done believing in the Patriots by any means; I’m simply tired of losing on backdoor covers. New England’s offensive line is in shambles. Meanwhile, the Dolphins are perhaps the hottest team in football since firing their coach. Miami should be able to get pressure on Brady without blitzing. I think Miami has a slim chance to win outright, and I like their chances of covering getting more than a touchdown.

ALSO ON SPINZONE: NFL Power Rankings Week 8

I also like the way the Minnesota Vikings are playing recently. They seem to be gliding under the radar yet are in great shape to battle for an NFC wildcard spot this season. They are one of only six teams currently above .500 in the conference. Chicago is in the bottom third of the league in rushing yards allowed per game. Look for Adrian Peterson to make a difference in this game’s outcome.

Dec 14, 2014; Foxborough, MA, USA; The New England Patriots and the Miami Dolphins lines at the line of scrimmage for the snap during the first half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

DAN:

I’m certainly proud of my record through seven weeks and fourteen picks, but I’ll refrain from any celebrating until the season ends. A winning record thus far is awesome, but holding one after week 17 will be sweet.

Week 8 is definitely the hardest to pick so far, outside of the first week of the season. I’m not fooling around. I’m picking winning teams giving up minimal points. The Miami pick over New England is excellent, but so are my two picks ATS.

New York Jets -2 at Oakland Raiders
Green Bay Packers -3 at Denver Broncos

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The Jets proved they belong with the big boys in a losing effort against the Patriots last week. Furthermore, they covered the spread, and looked good doing it. Don’t be fooled by Oakland’s dominating performance against the Chargers. New York has a stifling defense and a ball control offense that moves. San Diego does not.

Giving up less than a field goal on the road is a sure bet. Take the Jets against the wanna be Raiders. New York is winning this game by a touchdown or more.

My other game of the week will ultimately end an unbeaten streak, but it won’t be the Packers crying to their mothers. Both Green Bay and Denver are undefeated, yet these two teams are not on equal ground. The Packers offense is way better than the Broncos. Although Denver has an excellent defense, it won’t be able to stop Aaron Rodgers on Sunday. Barring unforeseen circumstances, this game will result in a Green Bay victory.

The Packers have to win by more than a field goal to cover, but feel good in giving those three points. Its only a matter of time until Denver stumbles, and this is the week they finally look human.

Dan Salem is a Staff Writer for NFL Spinzone. He’s also Lead Editor, Staff Writer, and Featured Vlogger at BuzzChomp, and a New York Jets Analyst for Pro Football Spot. Follow him on Twitter, Facebook, Google+, or Instagram.

Todd Salem is a Staff Writer for NFL Spinzone. He’s also a Contributing Editor at BuzzChomp, a Featured Columnist at College Sports Madness, and an Analyst for Tipster Labs, among others. Follow him on Twitter.

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