NFL picks and score predictions for Week 8 as we near the midway point of the 2020 season.
Yes, the 2020 NFL season is just about halfway over. Not long ago, we were worried there wouldn’t be football this year, and now we’re eight weeks in. Regardless of how fast this campaign seems to be rolling along, we’re ready to deliver our weekly NFL picks!
As always, we’ve got you covered with the Week 8 edition of NFL picks and score predictions. Now I’ll never claim that these are going to be 100 percent on point. In fact, there’s a very good chance at least a few of my picks will go completely awry. I will, however, make my selections based on research, experience, and careful consideration.
After a rough last few weeks, I finally pulled it together in Week 7. When all was said and done, I had put together a 10-4 record with my Week 7 NFL picks, boosting my overall record on the year to 65-40-1. I would have loved for it to be better at this point in the season, but it could also be worse. You need to take the wins where you can, I guess.
Just remember that making picks is not a science. As much research goes into it, anything can happen on any given Sunday. Isn’t that part of why we watch football in the first place?
Now that we’ve gotten all of that out of the way, here are my NFL picks and score predictions for Week 8. Just keep in mind that I assume no responsibility if you choose to place wagers based on my picks — that’s your decision, not mine.
Week 8 Byes: Arizona Cardinals (5-2), Houston Texans (1-6), Jacksonville Jaguars (1-6), Washington Football Team (2-5)
Atlanta Falcons (1-6) at Carolina Panthers (3-4)
Thursday, October 29, 8:20PM ET
There is a lot to like about this Carolina Panthers team. They’re resilient, they’ve got a consistent offense and a level-headed quarterback who knows how to win. Unfortunately, they just aren’t as explosive or dependable defensively as they need to be to win on a weekly basis.
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Luckily for them, they’re scheduled to take one the Atlanta Falcons in Week 8.
That puts them up against a divisional foe that seems incapable of avoiding shooting itself in the foot. All year long, Atlanta has played the part of a capable contender but finds ways to cost itself in the final quarter or digs itself into too deep a hole in the first three.
That should be the case again in Week 8. Look for Teddy Bridgewater to carve up a Falcons secondary that’s among the worst in the league, while the Carolina defense does just enough to keep Matt Ryan from wrecking them.
Ultimately, the Panthers prevail as the Falcons collapse in the second half. Carolina needs a bounce-back win after two straight Ls, and this is the ideal opportunity to earn it. If they can’t, it might be time to hit the panic button for Matt Rhule’s squad.
Prediction: Panthers win 31-27
Pittsburgh Steelers (6-0) at Baltimore Ravens (5-1)
Sunday, November 1, 1PM ET
Isn’t this one of the best matchups of the 2020 season so far? We’ve got the 6-0 Pittsburgh Steelers visiting the 5-1 Baltimore Ravens to battle for AFC North supremacy. Even if you’re not a fan, it would be wise to tune in for this one.
So why am I picking the Ravens to win? That’s a great question. For starters, Baltimore is coming off a bye and certainly spent every minute preparing to slow down the Steelers. They’ll certainly have Lamar Jackson ready to run up the score on a dangerous Pittsburgh defense, and will be ready to unleash new acquisition Yannick Ngakoue on Ben Roethlisberger.
As great as the Steelers offense has been this season, the Ravens will have a game plan to keep their copious amount of playmaking receivers from going wild. Baltimore boasts an extraordinary amount of stars on the defensive end, and their cornerbacks are more than capable of putting the clamps on JuJu Smith-Schuster, Chase Claypool and the rest.
The Steelers will put up quite the fight, and this will likely come down to the final possession. That’s when Jackson pulls off one of his signature clutch drives, diving into the end zone for the final touchdown that gives the Ravens a very valuable victory.
Prediction: Ravens win 24-23
Los Angeles Rams (5-2) at Miami Dolphins (3-3)
Sunday, November 1, 1PM ET
As great as their record is, the Los Angeles Rams are far from a perfect team. They may be coming off an outstanding Monday night win, but they’ve got plenty to prove as they continue trying to convince the rest of the league that they’re a team worth taking seriously.
The Rams offense has been streaky this season, with Jared Goff showing up some games and disappearing in others. The run game has been surprisingly stout despite the departure of Todd Gurley, with Malcolm Brown continuously showing out on game day. The real showstopper for Los Angeles, though, is their defense.
That’s why I’m confident they can take down the Miami Dolphins in Week 8. Rookie Tua Tagovailoa is getting his first start against Aaron Donald and the Rams, which won’t be a pleasant introduction to the NFL. Look for the rookie to struggle with all of the pressure, making too many mistakes for the Dolphins to overcome.
The Rams need to keep the wins coming to keep pace with the best in the NFC. Although defeating the Dolphins isn’t an accomplishment for the ages, it’ll keep them in the thick of things as the playoffs quietly inch closer.
Prediction: Rams win 28-17
New York Jets (0-7) at Kansas City Chiefs (6-1)
Sunday, November 1, 1PM ET
I feel like writing my “justification” for this pick isn’t even necessary. It’s pretty obvious why I’m going with the Kansas City Chiefs over the New York Jets, right? If you’ve paid any attention to the 2020 season, then you should know why this one is a no-brainer.
The Chiefs, despite their surprise loss to the Las Vegas Raiders, have been one of the league’s top overall teams this season — as we all expected. Patrick Mahomes is doing usual MVP things, and his loaded supporting cast is carrying its weight as well. The Kansas City defense hasn’t been perfect but is capitalizing on mistakes and creating consistent turnovers.
Meanwhile, the Jets have been an unmitigated disaster in 2020. Sam Darnold is being ruined by Adam Gase, and they’ve already begun the process of selling off valuable pieces. It’s clear this club needs a complete overhaul, and their 0-7 record is further proof of that.
The Chiefs should cruise in this one, taking the lead early and never coming anywhere close to relinquishing it. Mahomes is sitting by the fourth quarter as Kansas City runs up the score on one of the worst NFL teams in recent memory.
Prediction: Chiefs win 43-10
Minnesota Vikings (1-5) at Green Bay Packers (5-1)
Sunday, November 1, 1PM ET
Right now, Aaron Rodgers has the Minnesota Vikings’ number. Then again, he’s currently got just about everyone’s number as the Green Bay Packers continue to roll. They’ll be feeling good coming off a strong win against the Texans.
It helps his case that the Vikings have been a dumpster fire this season. Kirk Cousins is playing some of his worst football, and Dalvin Cook is hurt. As great as the Vikings’ receiving corps has been this year, Cousins’ poor play and the awful protection he’s getting isn’t making things any easier.
On top of that, the Vikings currently have one of the league’s worst pass defenses. Their top cornerbacks consist largely of rookies, and they’ve been giving up nearly 300 passing yards per game. That’s why I don’t see any way for them to contain Rodgers and win the game.
It’s been a long couple of months for Minnesota as they weather the storm that is the 2020 campaign. As for the Packers, they’re already looking like one of the NFC’s top contenders. Odds are we’ll see more examples of both of those assertions when these two NFC North squads hit the field on Sunday.
Prediction: Packers win 37-23
Indianapolis Colts (4-2) at Detroit Lions (3-3)
Sunday, November 1, 1PM ET
Honestly, I like what I’ve seen from the Detroit Lions in the last two weeks. They came out of the bye with a renewed energy and earned themselves two consecutive wins. Just one thing to keep in mind: those wins came against teams with a combined record of 2-12.
A win is a win — there’s no denying that. But starting a win streak against two of the worst teams in the league is far from a reason to celebrate. In Week 8, the Lions will go head-to-head with the Indianapolis Colts, a team that has been impressive through their first six outings.
While Philip Rivers is a liability at times, the Colts have won with sensational defense, reliable offensive playmaking, and a willingness to run the football regularly. Even with Marlon Mark out, Indianapolis hasn’t had much trouble moving the ball on the ground. Expect more of the same against Detroit on Sunday.
The Colts are the superior team, and more often than not the superior team gets the W. Rivers will limit his mistakes, the Indianapolis defense will force a couple of turnovers on their end, and Frank Reich’s squad earns another hard-fought victory as they make a play for a spot in the AFC playoff bracket.
Prediction: Colts win 33-24
Las Vegas Raiders (3-3) at Cleveland Browns (5-2)
Sunday, November 1, 1PM ET
Every time I pick the Las Vegas Raiders to win this season, it seems to backfire on me. I thought they’d pull off the win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this past weekend, but obviously that didn’t pan out as I had expected. Can they get the job done in Week 8?
The signs seem to point in that direction. While their record is inferior, the Raiders are the more complete team right now. Derek Carr is playing some of his best football, and he’s got an outstanding running back to help him move the offense along. As long as the offensive line stays out of trouble, the Raiders will be set in the scoring department.
Plus, it’s not like the Cleveland Browns boast some elite defense. Apart from Myles Garrett, they’re actually rather lacking in the talent department on that side of the ball. Look for Carr to exploit that, while the Las Vegas defense does just enough to keep an OBJ-less Cleveland offense from lighting up the scoreboard.
I’m a firm believer the Raiders are a fringe AFC playoff team, while the Browns are pretenders at this point in the season. We’ll get another firsthand glimpse at both of those assertions on Sunday when the Raiders get the win on the road.
Prediction: Raiders win 30-24
Tennessee Titans (5-1) at Cincinnati Bengals (1-5-1)
Sunday, November 1, 1PM ET
Things aren’t looking good for the Cincinnati Bengals right now. Despite the emergence of Joe Burrow as a legitimate franchise quarterback, this underwhelming AFC North squad hasn’t fielded a complete team and is nearly ready to call it a season despite it only being October.
Unfortunately, their situation won’t get any better with the Tennessee Titans coming to town in Week 8. Their foes from down south are rolling right now, even after a close loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 7. The offense is firing on all cylinders, and the defense is more than capable of shutting down quality attacks.
In this one, I believe the Titans will rely on Derrick Henry and the running game to get the job done. The Bengals have been one of the worst teams in the league this year in terms of slowing the run, which doesn’t bode well for their chances of slowing arguably the NFL’s most dangerous back.
That’ll give Tennessee the edge in time of possession, which means they keep the ball out of Burrow’s hands. This game should end up closer than you’d think given these teams’ records, but the Titans ultimately come out on top thanks to another huge game from Henry and a late defensive stand.
Prediction: Titans win 27-23
New England Patriots (2-4) at Buffalo Bills (5-2)
Sunday, November 1, 1PM ET
My how the tides have turned in the AFC East. After over a decade of dominance, the New England Patriots are suddenly reeling without Tom Brady under center. Now sitting at 2-4 and in third place in the division, they desperately need a Week 8 against the Buffalo Bills.
Too bad. I don’t see that happening. While the Bills have dealt with their own recent struggles (two straight losses), they’ve been one of the better franchises in the AFC this season. Josh Allen is finally emerging as a legitimate game-breaker at quarterback, and he’s got plenty of dangerous weapons to help him put points on the board.
As for the Patriots, they can’t even get quality play from a former MVP quarterback. Cam Newton got benched in Week 7 after throwing three interceptions, but the lack of talent out wide is also to blame. Regardless of who moves forward as the starting signal-caller, the Patriots aren’t going to be automatic like they have been in years passed on the offensive end.
My bet is this develops into a low-scoring defensive affair in which neither team gets much going. However, with the game on the line, the Bills get the boost they need from Allen, who conducts a game-winning drive to seal the victory and avoid extending the losing streak.
Prediction: Bills win 16-13
Los Angeles Chargers (2-4) at Denver Broncos (2-4)
Sunday, November 1, 4:05PM ET
I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again — the Los Angeles Chargers are better than their 2-4 record would suggest. Rookie Justin Herbert has been sensational and is coming off his first career win in Week 7. Now, it’s looking like he’ll enjoy his first winning streak.
That’s not to say the Denver Broncos will be a cakewalk. They have a competent defense that loves to get after the quarterback but has given up more passing yards than you’d expect from a Vic Fangio defense. Expect yet another productive outing from Herbert as he continues making a case for Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Unfortunately, I don’t think the Denver offense is going to have nearly as much success. Drew Lock was a mess in his return from injury, and the Broncos haven’t been able to get the passing or rushing games going in 2020. While the Chargers don’t have an elite defense, they should be up to the task of keeping their AFC West foes out of the end zone.
Los Angeles is going to start winning more games as this squad gels. Herbert playing the way he has will only help that case. The Broncos don’t seem to be going anywhere this season, so it only makes sense for them to take the L in Week 8.
Prediction: Chargers win 33-20
San Francisco 49ers (4-3) at Seattle Seahawks (5-1)
Sunday, November 1, 4:25PM ET
For weeks now, the Seattle Seahawks defense has been barely getting by while Russell Wilson routinely bails them out. Their luck finally ran out this past Sunday, when they suffered their first loss in overtime to an underrated Cardinals squad.
Don’t think for a second that’ll become a trend. Despite their defensive struggles, the Seahawks are still one of the best teams in the league. Wilson will bounce back from that three-interception performance and get the W against his division rivals on Sunday, slowing any momentum the San Francisco 49ers were starting to build.
Do the 49ers have a strong pass defense? Yes, they do. Have they seen the likes of Wilson this season, who always seems to have their number? No, they have not. Look for him to easily outduel Jimmy Garoppolo, even if San Francisco’s signal-caller has been playing better as of late.
Both of these clubs need a win to stay in the thick of the playoff hunt. Unfortunately for the 49ers, they aren’t going to get one in Week 8. The Seahawks welcome them to town, give them a clean butt-kicking, and send them back to the Bay Area with a 4-4 record.
Prediction: Seahawks win 37-23
New Orleans Saints (4-2) at Chicago Bears (5-2)
Sunday, November 1, 4:25PM ET
I was uncertain about the New Orleans Saints to start the season, but they’ve proven themselves capable of taking down quality competition. Well, as it so happens, that’s exactly what they’ll be up against in Week 8 against the Chicago Bears.
With that said, the Bears are a team that can be bested. We saw that this past Monday when the Rams’ combination of outstanding defense and punting limited them to only 10 points. Luckily for the Saints, they boast an exceptional defense that’s more than capable of keeping Nick Foles and Co. from going off.
Now, we can’t discount the fact that Chicago offers a rather stiff defense as well. However, they won’t be able to contain Drew Brees and Alvin Kamara to the point of keeping things from getting out of hand. Even if they can avoid Brees blowing them out, they won’t get enough support from the offense to earn the win.
It’s been an interesting run for both of these clubs through the first seven weeks. While the Bears have been surprisingly strong through the first half of the season, it’ll be the Saints that come out on top and ultimately put together a superior postseason run.
Prediction: Saints win 31-16
Dallas Cowboys (2-5) at Philadelphia Eagles (2-4-1)
Sunday, November 1, 8:20PM ET
At this point, it’s hard to trust any NFC East team to win at any given time. So what the heck do you do when two NFC East clubs square off? Honestly, you’re probably best off just flipping a coin and hoping for the best. That’s not what I did here though.
Instead, I trusted my gut and research and picked the Philadelphia Eagles to come away victorious. They’re the stronger team heading into Week 8, they have more momentum, and appear to be more competent on both sides of the ball. Plus, Carson Wentz seems to be coming into his own after last Thursday’s heroics — albeit against the Giants.
Meanwhile, the Dallas Cowboys are on a slippery slope to irrelevance. Andy Dalton hasn’t done well in place of Dak Prescott and chances are that isn’t going to suddenly change — if he even plays after suffering a concussion. While the Philadelphia defense hasn’t been outstanding this season, it shouldn’t struggle too much to keep Dalton and Co. in check.
This should be another sloppy, mistake-riddled game as we’ve come to expect from the NFC East in 2020. While the turnovers, sacks and missed opportunities will be plentiful, the Eagles should do just enough to come out on top and retain their spot atop the division for one more week.
Prediction: Eagles win 24-18
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-2) at New York Giants (1-6)
Monday, November 2, 8:15PM ET
There may not be a hotter team in the league right now than the Buccaneers. It took a few weeks, but Brady is hitting his stride with his new club, and he’s bringing his teammates along with him on a trip to the playoffs.
The Buccaneers not boast a dynamic passing attack led by Brady and his gaggle of talented receivers, but their defense is among the most stingy in the NFL. They’ve excelled at pressuring opposing quarterbacks, creating turnovers and making big-time stops when they matter most. Having a reliable running game also helps.
As for the New York Giants, they’ve been a complete mess in 2020. While they’ve put up some valiant efforts, they simply don’t have enough talent on either side of the ball. Daniel Jones is doing his best without Saquon Barkley, but the points (and defense) aren’t there. Don’t be surprised if the losses continue to pile up as winter nears.
On Monday night, don’t expect a must-watch battle between these two. More than likely, the Buccaneers will steamroll the G-Men on their way to 6-2 as critics continue to backpedal on their assertions that Brady was washed.
Prediction: Buccaneers win 35-13