Forecaster Frank NFL Week 8: Eight Too Much
It was another solid week. I was 10-5 in Week 7, and my season record now stands at 60-44-3.
Thursday Night
- Min -2.5 (o/u 48)
- Vikings 30 Rams 16
The Vikings suffered their first loss last week, while the Rams barely beat a terrible Raiders team at home. It is hard not to imagine the Vikings bouncing back with an easy Thursday night win.
Sunday at 1
- Phi +2 (o/u 48)
- Eagles 20 Bengals 17
Two teams that struggled in the early season are looking to find their groove. The Bengals clawed past the Browns, while the Eagles soared against the Giants. The Eagles seem closer to their groove and will get the win on the road.
- Cle +8.5 (o/u 44.5)
- Ravens 23 Browns 17
The Jameis Winston era begins in Cleveland as Deshaun Watson is out with an Achilles injury. The Browns have been a disaster, but this week will bring some hope, as they will be in the game until the bitter end. The Ravens are finding their stride, but a tough divisional game will not be easy.
- Det -11 (o/u 45)
- Lions 37 Titans 13
The Lions' offense is on fire. They have scored at least 31 points in their last three games. Expect that trend to continue as they dominate the hapless Titans.
- Hou -5 (o/u 46)
- Texans 34 Colts 20
Coming off a tough loss at Lambeau Field, I expect the Texans to bounce back big against the Colts. They are clearly the best team in the AFC South, and with a statement win, they will take a stranglehold on first place.
- GB -4 (o/u 49)
- Packers 27 Jaguars 17
Despite their win in London, the Jaguars appear to be in turmoil. The offense has yet to play consistently, and the defense cannot stop any quality teams from going up and down the field. Expect another long afternoon in Jacksonville.
- Mia -3.5 (o/u 45.5)
- Dolphins 31 Cardinals 16
Tua Tagovailoa is back, and the struggling Dolphins need a win to keep their fading hopes alive. This sets up as a complete fool's gold win. Tua will play well, and the Dolphins will have their best game of the season against a Cardinals team going east on an early kickoff following a short week from playing on Monday night. If they can't win this one, it will get ugly, as ugly as their limp logo.
- NYJ -7 (o/u 41)
- Jets 38 Patriots 10
The last time the Jets looked good, they beat the Patriots in September. Facing the Pats again in Foxboro, the Jets will look good again as they will come in with a chip on their shoulders, while the Patriots are already talking about firing Jared Mayo in his first year as coach.
- Atl -2.5 (o/u 46)
- Falcons 27 Buccaneers 13
It was a bad week for both teams as the Falcons fumbled around against the Seahawks, while the Buccaneers' receiving core was banged up in a Monday night loss to the Ravens. The Falcons will bounce back as the Buccaneers' losses of Mike Evans and Chris Godwin will be hard to overcome.
Sunday Late Games
- LAC -7 (o/u 40.5)
- Chargers 37 Saints 13
The Saints' 2-0 start is just a memory, as they are injured and playing terrible football. The Chargers have their ups and downs, but this one should be an easy win.
- Buf -3 (o/u 47)
- Bills 31 Seahawks 20
The Bills started slowly but still beat the Titans by 24 last week. A challenging road game will follow the same pattern, with the Bills pulling away late for the victory.
- Den -10 (o/u 41.5)
- Broncos 26 Panthers 3
Bryce Young is back, as Andy Dalton injured his thumb in a car accident this week. Coincidentally, Young's play with the Panthers resembles a train wreck, and you cannot look away.
- KC -10 (o/u 41.5)
- Chiefs 34 Raiders 10
The last time the Chiefs lost was on Christmas Day against the Raiders. They have since won another Super Bowl and started 6-0 this year. Last year's Raiders team played competitive football, but this year's Raiders are a lost cause.
- Was +2.5 (o/u 43.5)
- Commanders 31 Bears 27
Jayden Daniels' status is a question mark, but I feel he will play, knowing it's a showdown of the top two picks in the 2024 NFL Draft. If Daniels plays, the Commanders will win.
Sunday Night
- SF -4 (o/u 46)
- 49ers 24 Cowboys 13
Two teams that have underperformed expectations. The Cowboys have just sucked, while injuries have ravaged the 49ers. The Cowboys' poor play is concerning in many ways. Look for the Niners to claw their way to a win while more questions arise in Dallas.
Monday Night
- Pit -6.5 (o/u 36)
- Steelers 31 Giants 10
Daniel Jones is 1-14 in primetime games. The Steelers always bring their best in primetime games. It does not take a rocket scientist to see that this will be another terrible night for the Giants.
