2022 NFL picks, score predictions for Week 8

New England Patriots (3-4) at New York Jets (5-2)

Sunday, October 30, 1:00 PM ET

The New York Jets have improved to 5-2 after a road win against the Denver Broncos, but that road win came at a very great cost. The Jets lost star rookie running back Breece Hall — who had his longest touchdown run of the year against the Broncos — to a season-ending knee injury. Since the time of this post being written, however, the Jets swung an interesting trade to acquire Jaguars running back James Robinson, a sign that this team is all-in.

Hall being out is absolutely critical for the Jets and is a crushing blow for a team experiencing some of the most optimism and bright spots they have had in over a decade. Zach Wilson remains unbeaten as the starter for the Jets this year, but it’s hard to say the Jets are winning because of Wilson at this point.

Ultimately, that’s going to have to change drastically if the Jets are going to turn around this weekend and win a home game against the New England Patriots, who had seemingly also turned things around after a slow start to the season.

The Patriots’ defense had been absolutely shutting folks down in recent weeks before Monday night’s loss to the Bears, and even if they’re not playing the biggest and baddest NFL teams around, you can’t help but be impressed with the way they had been playing considering Bailey Zappe had to come in as a reliever for Mac Jones and hold down the fort. Which he did, exceptionally well.

These two teams win in very similar ways right now. They play smart defense and they don’t really give up many big plays. Even though they are playing on the road, I’m more trusting of the Patriots’ offense against New York with Zach Wilson at the helm of the Jets’ crew. I think the Jets’ fun ends in Week 8 with a home loss to a familiar thorn in their side.

Prediction: Patriots win 18-15