NFL picks and score predictions for Week 8 as the 2021 season nears its midway point.
Believe it or not, the 2021 NFL season is nearly halfway over. Luckily, we’ve got another round of gridiron greatness coming up this weekend that figures to deliver the same amount of stress, excitement and madness we’ve come to expect over the last seven weeks.
As usual, we’ve got you covered with the Week 8 edition of NFL picks and score predictions. Just as in years passed, I’ll never claim to know what the future holds. As it turns out, odds are high at least a few of my picks will be completely wrong. I will, however, make my selections based on research, experience, and careful consideration.
I am happy to say that I turned in another strong week of predictions. When all was said and done in Week 8, my NFL picks had resulted in a 10-3 record. Obviously not perfect, but still strong all things considered. That moves me to 73-34 on the year, which may be my best start through seven weeks since I began doing these picks many seasons ago.
2021 NFL picks, score predictions for Week 8
Just remember that making picks is not a science. Plenty of research goes into it, but there’s no crystal ball — craziness occurs every Sunday. Then again, isn’t that part of the fun of it all?
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: Baltimore Ravens (5-2), Las Vegas Raiders (5-2) | All point spreads and odds are courtesy of WynnBet.
Green Bay Packers (6-1) at Arizona Cardinals (7-0)
Thursday, October 28, 8:20 PM ET
I’m sorry but I just can’t, in good conscience, pick against the Arizona Cardinals at this point. They’ve got one of the best offenses in the NFL (if not the best), and their defense seems to get better on a weekly basis. There’s a reason they’re the only undefeated team remaining.
That doesn’t take anything away from the Green Bay Packers, though. They’ve also been excellent this season after what clearly was a fluke Week 1 loss. Aaron Rodgers is playing some of his best football, and he’s getting plenty of help. Even the Green Bay defense is doing work.
Unfortunately, it’s not going to be enough to take down the Cardinals in Week 8. Sure, the Packers will do everything in their power to hand Arizona its first loss, but the home team will come up with a few key defensive stops that make keeping up with Kyler Murray and Co. a virtual impossibility.
Rodgers makes a late push that forces the Cardinals to sweat a bit, but they end up leaving with the victory. It’s yet another example of just how dangerous this Arizona team is, and shows the rest of the league that even a contender like the Packers can’t stick with the league’s hottest club.
Prediction: Cardinals win 34-30 | Spread: Cardinals (-6)
Cincinnati Bengals (5-2) at New York Jets (1-6)
Sunday, October 31, 1PM ET
As if the 2021 season hasn’t already been awful for the New York Jets, they’ll now likely need to move forward without their rookie quarterback Zach Wilson — at least for a couple of weeks. The Jets responded by trading for Joe Flacco, which still doesn’t bode well for their chances in Week 8.
Then again, even if Wilson were to be in the lineup, the Jets’ chances would be miserable at best. The Cincinnati Bengals have been outstanding, and are coming off a sensational win against the Baltimore Ravens. They now sit atop the AFC North and are looking like legitimate contenders.
Joe Burrow has been a big-time difference-maker, and his connection with JaMarr Chase has exceeded all expectations. The two are quickly developing into one of the league’s most electric quarterback-receiver combos. To make matters worse for the Jets, the Bengals sport an underrated defense that’s making wins all the easier to come by.
Unless the Jets plan on pulling off a miracle in Week 8, they’ll be sitting at 1-7 when Sunday is over. As for the Bengals, they’ll be that much closer to locking up a high playoff seeding.
Prediction: Bengals win 30-6 | Spread: Bengals (-9.5)
Tennessee Titans (5-2) at Indianapolis Colts (3-4)
Sunday, October 31, 1PM ET
I’m not going to ignore the fact that the Indianapolis Colts are on the rise. They’ve won three of their last four games, and Carson Wentz is finally starting to play like a former MVP candidate. Despite all of that, I’m still giving the Tennessee Titans the edge.
I am a tad hesitant, though. The Titans have been a bit erratic this season, often playing below their potential and then having to rely on Derrick Henry to get them back into games. Their offense is among the most talented in the NFL, but they’ll need to be more consistent to make the deep playoff run they’re capable of making.
Still, they’ve already beaten the Colts once this season. Indianapolis’ defense is also among the worst at keeping opposing receivers out of the end zone, which doesn’t paint a pretty picture with Ryan Tannehill, A.J. Brown, and Julio Jones coming to town.
The Colts have been gaining momentum over the last few weeks, but they’re about to run into a roadblock. Tennessee gets the win in Week 8, furthering their claim as one of the teams to beat in the AFC. Right now, the AFC South is the Titans’ to lose.
Prediction: Titans win 32-23 | Spread: Titans (-0)
Los Angeles Rams (6-1) at Houston Texans (1-6)
Sunday, October 31, 1PM ET
How did the Los Angeles Rams get so lucky as to have such a light middle of their 2021 schedule? They just beat the winless Detroit Lions, and now get an opportunity to throttle the 1-6 Houston Texans, who are currently riding a six-game losing streak.
Still, I don’t think this will be the blowout it would be easy to expect. Despite their pitiful record, the Texans haven’t been as awful as anticipated in 2021. Davis Mills has held his own under center, and the Houston defense is finding ways to frustrate opponents. The Rams will move the ball well, but don’t expect a complete shellacking.
With that said, there will be plenty of offense for the Rams. Matthew Stafford‘s outstanding campaign will roll along, and Cooper Kupp will continue to benefit from the upgrade under center. Los Angeles tears it up in the first half and then cruises through the second half as they look to chew the clock.
The Texans make a late push, which makes the game appear closer than it actually was. The Rams slip up a bit in the final quarter and have to get their act together in the final minutes to avoid a meltdown against an inferior opponent.
Prediction: Rams win 31-27 | Spread: Rams (-14.5)
Pittsburgh Steelers (3-3) at Cleveland Browns (4-3)
Sunday, October 31, 1PM ET
This is an AFC North matchup. That means anything is possible. No one expected the Bengals to smash the Ravens last week, but that’s exactly what happened. I’m predicting something similar happens in my upset of the week pick.
Obviously, the Cleveland Browns aren’t expected to have a big edge here, but they’re also bruised and battered at this point in the season. Both of their top running backs are banged up, and it’s unclear if Baker Mayfield will be ready to go. Although Case Keenum played well last week, it’s no guarantee the veteran journeyman has another big game in him.
Meanwhile, the Steelers are relatively healthy and coming off their bye week. Najee Harris is having a huge season, and Ben Roethlisberger is slowly ramping up after a slow start to the year. Even without Juju Smith-Schuster, the Steelers have plenty of firepower on offense. Furthermore, they have one of the best defenses in the NFL.
Pittsburgh surprises in this one, allowing their outstanding defense to create opportunities for their offense. The Steelers find the end zone early and often, leapfrogging the Browns in the AFC North while improving to 4-3.
Prediction: Steelers win 37-18 | Spread: Browns (-3.5)
Philadelphia Eagles (2-5) at Detroit Lions (0-7)
Sunday, October 31, 1PM ET
Could the Detroit Lions finally tally their first win of 2021 in Week 8? It’s possible, especially against a Philadelphia Eagles team that has severely underwhelmed so far this season. The Lions have been too good to keep losing, so I’m predicting the sadness finally ends here.
Don’t get me wrong — the Lions are winless for a reason. However, they’ve also struggled to create big plays in the clutch and often dig themselves into too deep of holes. The talent is there — Jared Goff is playing decent football, the ground game is revving, and the defense isn’t a complete dumpster fire.
Meanwhile, the Eagles are in a similar situation. They’re often playing from behind, and can’t muster enough big plays down the stretch to make up the difference. Jalen Hurts has been solid, but injuries and a lack of a strong supporting cast have cost Philadelphia points.
Despite their best efforts, the Eagles come up short in this one. Hurts waits until the second half to flip the switch, and by that time it’s too late. DeAndre Swift has another big day, and his efforts help seal the deal on the Lions’ first victory of 2021.
Prediction: Lions win 23-21 | Spread: Eagles (-3)
San Francisco 49ers (2-4) at Chicago Bears (3-4)
Sunday, October 31, 1PM ET
The San Francisco 49ers have lost four games in a row. They’re on the road. And still, they’re playing against a rookie quarterback who has been awful since taking over as the starter. I just can’t trust Justin Fields to pull off the win against a capable 49ers squad.
There’s no denying that San Francisco has talent. It’s just that they can’t get healthy long enough to put a quality roster on the field. However, Jimmy Garoppolo is expected to be available, Elijah Mitchell is back in the mix, and they’ve still got a defense with plenty of playmakers.
What do the Chicago Bears have? A rookie quarterback who’s terrible at protecting the football. An undrafted rookie running back. A bipolar defense that can’t seem to string together strong performances. Although they were trounced in Week 7, I wouldn’t be surprised if they bent just enough to give the 49ers a win in Week 8.
Garoppolo has a strong game in the Windy City, and the 49ers are able to right the ship just in time. It’s still going to be a long road ahead if they’re going to crack the playoff picture, but getting this win against Chicago is a step in the right direction.
Prediction: Bears win 22-17 | Spread: 49ers (-3.5)
Carolina Panthers (3-4) at Atlanta Falcons (3-3)
Sunday, October 31, 1PM ET
Since Christian McCaffrey got hurt, the Carolina Panthers have been stuck in meltdown mode. It’s gotten so bad that Sam Darnold has been benched and they’ve suffered four straight losses. It’s safe to label them as “pretenders” after their 3-0 start to the season.
Meanwhile, the Atlanta Falcons are making a quiet bounce back after a rough start to the 2021 campaign. They’ve won three of their last four games and have shown tremendous resilience. As long as the offense continues to click, the Falcons will continue to be a threat as we inch closer to the midway point of the season.
Matt Ryan has been playing like his old self, and he’s been able to rely on a handful of emerging weapons. Cordarrelle Patterson has finally found his groove as an offensive playmaker, and Kyle Pitts is living up to the billing as a game-changing option in the passing game.
The Panthers are reeling, and the tough times aren’t going to end in Week 8. Whether Darnold or P.J. Walker gets the start, the Falcons should be able to walk away with the win.
Prediction: Falcons win 26-23 | Spread: Falcons (-2.5)
Miami Dolphins (1-6) at Buffalo Bills (4-2)
Sunday, October 31, 1PM ET
After their disappointing Week 6 loss, the Buffalo Bills need a bounce-back win in a big way. Luckily, they’re fresh coming off the bye and have one of the NFL’s worst teams coming to town. Defeating the Miami Dolphins shouldn’t prove too difficult for the Bills.
Josh Allen figures to have a field day against a Miami defense that can’t seem to differentiate up from down. They’ve struggled to create pressure all season long, which made life very difficult on their secondary. Allen could be in for another stellar performance based on what the Dolphins have to offer defensively.
With Tua Tagovailoa back under center, the Dolphins could muster some sort of offense. However, we also have to keep in mind they’ll be going up against a stingy Bills defense that likes to make quarterbacks uncomfortable. Miami will find the end zone at least a couple of times, but it won’t be enough.
The Bills get back on track with a confident win, while the Dolphins continue to flounder about. After dropping to 1-7 on the season, Miami is about ready to have a fork stuck in it.
Prediction: Bills win 33-17 | Spread: Bills (-13)
New England Patriots (3-4) at Los Angeles Chargers (4-2)
Sunday, October 31, 4:05PM ET
I’ve been very impressed by the New England Patriots this season, all things considered. They’ve rolled with a rookie quarterback, a lack of offensive stars, and a rebuilt defense, and are still in the thick of things as we near the middle of the 2021 campaign.
While that may be the case, they aren’t going to survive a run-in with the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 8. Mac Jones will make some plays and keep things interesting, and the New England defense will make a few impressive stops. Keeping pace with Justin Herbert and Co. though simply isn’t in the cards for Bill Belichick’s bunch.
Coming off the bye, the Chargers will be ready to roll. Herbert will bounce back from an underwhelming Week 6 performance and light it up, throwing for at least 300 yards and three touchdowns, getting everyone involved along the way. The points will come early and often for Los Angeles in this one.
It’s not a blowout, but the Chargers win this one comfortably. The Patriots are still in the hunt, but this is another setback that could eventually cost themselves a trip to the postseason. Meanwhile, Los Angeles gets back on track and returns to the top of the AFC West.
Prediction: Chargers win 27-20 | Spread: Chargers (-6)
Jacksonville Jaguars (1-5) at Seattle Seahawks (2-5)
Sunday, October 31, 4:05PM ET
Yes, the Seattle Seahawks have severely underwhelmed this season. Their loss on Monday Night Football definitely didn’t help that sentiment. However, they’re still not bad enough to suffer a home loss to the miserable Jacksonville Jaguars.
Even with Geno Smith (or whoever) under center, the Seahawks are more than capable of shutting down Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars. They’ve got enough of a pass rush to make the rookie quarterback uncomfortable, and the Jacksonville defense isn’t tough enough to keep Seattle’s ground game from producing points.
Ultimately, this will come down to the Seahawks’ defense. As inconsistent as they’ve been this season, they can keep the young gunslinger in check while slowing down anything the Jaguars have to throw at them on the ground.
It’s up to Smith to lead the charge while Russell Wilson continues to rehab from his finger injury. With D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett at his disposal, he comes up with just enough big throws to end the Jaguars’ winning streak before it even begins while keeping Seattle in the hunt.
Prediction: Seahawks win 23-21 | Spread: Seahawks (-4)
Washington Football Team (2-5) at Denver Broncos (3-4)
Sunday, October 31, 4:25PM ET
At this point, it’s hard to buy either of these clubs. I thought the Denver Broncos would bounce back in Week 7, and they failed to capitalize on my confidence. Can they finally end this losing streak, or will the Washington Football Team get back on track in Week 8?
I’m leaning ever so slightly in the Broncos’ direction. Teddy Bridgewater has been solid this season despite the recent struggles, and the Denver defense is still one of the better groups in the league. The Washington defense hasn’t lived up to the hype this year, which gives me hope that the Broncos can move the ball consistently on Sunday.
Jerry Jeudy may be ready to return to the lineup, which would be a huge boost. Even if he’s not good to go, Denver has enough offensive weapons to outscore a Washington offense that consists of Terry McLaurin and not much else.
The Broncos have the defense to keep the Football Team from putting too many points on the board. While Denver isn’t exactly an offensive juggernaut themselves, they have enough talent on that side of the ball to come away with the W in this one.
Prediction: Broncos win 17-13 | Spread: Broncos (-3)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-1) at New Orleans Saints (4-2)
Sunday, October 31, 4:25PM ET
Hey, the New Orleans Saints pulled off a decent win on Monday night and stayed in the current playoff picture. Nice job. Unfortunately, they’re about to run into a brick wall in the form of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who are currently riding a high after a blowout Week 7 win.
Tom Brady is somehow playing some of his best football, and the rest of his offensive co-stars are making the most of his presence. Even when the offense isn’t at its best, the Tampa Bay defense is wrecking opponents, much as they did against Fields and the Bears this past Sunday.
No matter how you spin it, the Buccaneers are looking ready to defend their title. The Saints will do their best to compete with the defending champs in Week 8, but it’s not going to go well. Jameis Winston will turn it over at least a couple of times, and the lack of reliable offensive weapons will make it hard to stay competitive from a scoring perspective.
The Buccaneers manage another blowout win, this time against a nice Saints team that honestly isn’t as good as their 4-2 record would indicate. So all this one really proves is that Tampa Bay can’t be overlooked as one of the true threats to take home the Lombardi Trophy this season.
Prediction: Buccaneers win 41-21 | Spread: Buccaneers (-5)
Dallas Cowboys (5-1) at Minnesota Vikings (3-3)
Sunday, October 31, 8:20PM ET
Trust me, I’d be happy to pick the Minnesota Vikings in this one. I’d also be ecstatic to be proven wrong. Unfortunately, I don’t see that happening, as the Dallas Cowboys are too hot and the Vikings are too unpredictable for me to pick them against a 5-1 squad.
More than likely, Dak Prescott is going to have his way against the Minnesota secondary. They’ve been burned at times this season, and have yet to face the type of talent the Dallas passing game has to offer. Even if their outstanding front four impacts Prescott, the Cowboys can turn to Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard to move the ball.
Don’t discount the Minnesota offense, though. He doesn’t get the credit he deserves, but Kirk Cousins is in the middle of an outstanding campaign. If Dalvin Cook can get going as well, the Vikings won’t have too much trouble keeping up in the scoring department.
This one could end up coming down to who has the ball last, especially if the Minnesota defense rises to the challenge. Ultimately, I have to give the edge to the Cowboys, who have one of the best offenses in the NFL and a defense that’s improved tenfold since a season ago.
Prediction: Cowboys win 29-26 | Spread: Cowboys (-2.5)
New York Giants (2-5) at Kansas City Chiefs (3-4)
Monday, November 1, 8:15PM ET
The Kansas City Chiefs have to get back on track eventually, right? They’ve now lost two of their last three, and can’t afford to continue falling behind in the AFC playoff race. A matchup with the New York Giants is promising, but it’s far from a cakewalk.
Daniel Jones has kept the Giants in contention for much of this season despite the lack of wins. Even without a healthy, effective Saquon Barkley, New York moves the ball fairly well and their defense can stiffen up at times. Considering how erratic the Chiefs have been this season, it’s easy to imagine the Giants keeping this one close.
However, seeing as Kansas City can’t continue to lose at this pace, Patrick Mahomes should be able to get it together in Week 8. He’s in the middle of easily his worst NFL season but has more than enough talent to turn it around. Look for him to light up the New York secondary on Monday night.
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Primetime is when stars shine the brightest. Mahomes comes up big on the MNF stage, avoiding any turnovers and tossing at least four touchdowns. One win isn’t going to suddenly fix the Chiefs’ outlook, but it gets the needle moving back in the right direction.
Prediction: Chiefs win 34-21 | Spread: Chiefs (-9.5)