The New Orleans Saints host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this week. The Bucs come into this one fresh off a deflating loss in primetime in Detroit, while the Saints are coming off their most demoralizing loss yet, an unforgivable loss thanks to Dennis Allen in Chicago. Now the reigning NFC South Champions come to the Superdome looking to keep their lead in the division they have been kings of for four-consecutive years. As Atlanta and Carolina inches closer to the Bucs, the Saints have a chance to make
things uncomfortable for a team that fancies themselves a huge rival. We’ll see if the Saints can make things interesting this week. Let’s take a look at this and all of the matchups this week as we near the halfway point of the season.
Last week, I went 10-5
I told you so: Broncos over Giants!
What do I know: Saints over Bears?
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WEEK 8
Thursday, October 23rd – Thursday Night Football
Vikings(3-3) at Chargers(4-3)
It’s a bit hard to tell what you’re going to get from either of these teams from week to week, but this will ultimately be Minnesota’s week, in a very close contest. Minnesota wins 26-24.
Pick: Vikings
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Sunday, October 26th – Early Games
Dolphins(1-6) at Falcons(3-3)
Atlanta will have no problem keeping pace with Carolina and Tampa Bay in the NFC South after an easy win over the dreadful Dolphins. Atlanta wins 24-16.
Pick: Falcons
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Bears(4-2) at Ravens(1-5)
The return of Lamar Jackson in Baltimore will be the story of this game. Lamar will dominate Dennis Allen’s defense, leading the Ravens out of their tailspin in this return. Baltimore wins 24-20.
Pick: Ravens
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Bills(4-2) at Panthers(4-3)
Carolina only stands a game behind the Bucs in a three-team race for the NFC South, but will continue to stay in second due to facing this difficult Buffalo squad. Buffalo wins 34-23.
Pick: Bills
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Jets(0-7) at Bengals(3-4)
A week after his best game of the season, and the Bengals’ best game for that matter, Joe Flacco will beat one of his former teams. Cincinnati wins 29-23.
Pick: Bengals
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49ers(5-2) at Texans(2-4)
The Niners will take advantage of of a floundering team in Houston. San Francisco wins 25-14.
Pick: 49ers
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Browns(2-5) at Patriots(5-2)
New England comes into this one rolling on a four-game win streak, and they’ll make it five against Cleveland. New England wins 41-10.
Pick: Patriots
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Giants(2-5) at Eagles(5-2) – Game of the Week
When these two NFC East rivals played each other two weeks ago, it resulted in one of the biggest upsets of the season. This one won’t be as much of an upset, but the result remains the same. New York wins 24-22.
Pick: Giants
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Sunday, October 26th – Late Games
Cowboys(3-3-1) at Broncos(5-2)
Denver’s dominant pass rush will stifle and frustrate the high-octane Dallas offense in the Mile High City. Denver wins 35-14.
Pick: Broncos
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Titans(1-6) at Colts(6-1)
Indy is the class of the AFC, while Tennessee is… well, at least they’re not the Jets. AFC South familiarity is the only thing that will keep this one remotely close. Indianapolis wins 32-21.
Pick: Colts
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Buccaneers(5-2) at Saints(1-6)
A slew of injuries for the Bucs will keep this blowout from actually being worse for the Saints. As bad as the injury report is for Tampa, the loss of Erik McCoy for the Saints is now, as it was a season ago, a crushing blow the team is unlikely to recover from. It is unfortunate it has come to this. Tampa Bay wins 39-19.
Pick: Buccaneers
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Sunday Night Football
Packers(4-1-1) at Steelers(4-2)
Predictably, Aaron Rodgers facing Jordan Love is the story of this game, and in this one, the apprentice will get the best of the master. Green Bay wins 23-20.
Pick: Packers
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Monday, October 27th – Monday Night Football
Commanders(3-4) at Chiefs(4-3)
The season isn’t necessarily unraveling for Washington just yet, but it’s getting close. Kansas City, on the other hand, is really starting to hit their stride. KC will continue their stride, leaving Washington in a precarious spot. Kansas City wins 30-17.
Pick: Chiefs
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That’s how I see Week 8 playing out. Leave us your picks, comments, and insight below!
