Welcome back to the eighth installment of Hart’s Picks for the 2026 NFL regular season. For Week 7—I fared a bit better than Week 6. However, I picked 9 of 14 games right. I was wrong with my 49ers, Panthers, Texans, Jets, and Chiefs predictions.
Let’s see if I can do any better this week. This week there are just 14 games again with the Texans, Saints, Giants, and 49ers all on their bye week.
Carolina Panthers at Green Bay Packers — Thursday Night Football
Both of these teams are coming off Week 7 losses and need to find a way and rebound. Carolina’s defense continues
to be a major problem. Even though Green Bay’s offense is still struggling a bit, I like their odds of earning a victory at home in primetime.
Winner: Packers
Indianapolis Colts at Jacksonville Jaguars — Sunday (Afternoon Game)
The Colts continue their downward spiral and may very well be tanking. They’ve lost three in a row and already traded DeForest Buckner and Quenton Nelson. It’s quite possible Jonathon Taylor and Josh Downs are next in line. All things considered, I think Jacksonville takes care of business here. That’ll put them at five wins and a huge lead in the AFC South.
Winner: Jaguars
Las Vegas Raiders at New York Jets — Sunday (Early Game)
After a great start to the season, the Raiders have lost four in a row. Meanwhile, the Jets are coming off a loss to the Miami Dolphins and are now 2-5 on the season. I think Klint Kubiak and his team find a way to win on the road and get back to being a .500 ball cub.
Winner: Raiders
Baltimore Ravens at Buffalo Bills — Sunday (Early Game)
I wouldn’t have predicted the Ravens would be dead last in the AFC North to date, but that’s where they are at with a 4-3 record. I have significant doubts they will be able to get back on track and defeat Josh Allen and the Bills on the road. Buffalo’s defense is mess, but they keep finding ways to win due to a high-powered offensive attack. I believe they’ll take care of business at home against Baltimore.
Winner: Bills
Atlanta Falcons at Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Sunday (Early Game)
Both these NFC South teams have losing records but are coming off Week 7 victories. Somehow, the Falcons were able to take down the undefeated 49ers, and the Buccaneers absolutely throttled the Panthers. This should be a relatively close game. The Falcons for the most part have been great shutting down the run, but that’s what propelled Tampa Bay to victory next week? I think Bucky Irving has another strong game and gets Tampa Bay a win.
Winner: Buccaneers
Arizona Cardinals at Dallas Cowboys — Sunday (Early Game)
The Cowboys still have a lot of issues to figure out on defense, but their offense is doing enough to help them win games. I think Dak Prescott, Javonte Williams, and CeeDee Lamb continue to build upon their great outings in Week 7 and earn a big win at home to stay in the NFC East title race.
Winner: Cowboys
Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions — Sunday (Early Game)
The Vikings are the last undefeated team remaining in the NFL with the Chiefs and 49ers losing last week. They’ve been absolutely fantastic on defense and are gutting out close wins even with an offense that is still quite inconsistent on a week-to-week basis. The Lions are 4-2 with a great offense, but a lot of issues to figure out on the other side of the ball. That being said, I think this week is the one where Minnesota finally loses. I’ll take Detroit at home.
Winner: Lions
Tennessee Titans at Cincinnati Bengals — Sunday (Early Game)
The Bengals are in the thick of it in the AFC North at 4-2, whereas the Titans continue to plummet and are 1-6 on the season. Usually, a lot of my ‘easy picks’ have backfired this season, but I’m very confident in taking Cincinnati in this one. I just don’t see them losing this game.
Winner: Bengals
Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers — Sunday (Early Game)
This AFC North rivalry game is a battle for first place. Both teams are 5-2 and are riding multi-game winning streaks. I’m pretty sure this is going to be a close game as well. I’m going to pick the Steelers, who are a little bit better on offense.
Winner: Steelers
Los Angeles Chargers at Los Angeles Rams — Sunday (Afternoon Game)
I would be very surprised if the Chargers found a way to beat the Rams even with an extra week of preparation. They’ve got too many issues and are decimated by injuries. I think the Rams get their fourth win of the season here and get back to an even record.
Winners: Rams
New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins — Sunday (Afternoon Game)
The Dolphins earned their first victory of the season over the Jets, and the Patriots are coming off a Thursday Night Football loss to the Bears. I think Drake Maye and New England find a way to get back in the win column in their Week 8 primetime matchup.
Winner: Patriots
Kanas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos — Sunday (Afternoon Game)
This AFC West matchup will determine who is the top team in the division halfway through the season. The Broncos really struggled on Monday Night Football in Week 1 to start the season, but they’re starting to hit their groove in all phases. Denver has been tremendous at home the past several seasons and I think the homefield advantage makes a huge difference in this one. I’ll be taking the Broncos.
Winner: Broncos
Philadelphia Eagles at Washington Commanders — Sunday Night Football
It’s a battle of the NFC East bottom dwellers when the Eagles head on the road to take on the Commanders on Sunday Night Football. Both teams have their fair share of injuries and are missing key players. The Commanders are four-point favorites in this one, and I think they’ll find a way to get their second win of the season.
Winner: Commanders
Chicago Bears at Seattle Seahawks — Monday Night Football
This might be one of the best matchups of Week 8. I think it’s the perfect finale for the slate of games. Caleb Williams and the Bears are roaring on offense with a 5-2 record. The Seahawks toppled the Chiefs in Week 7 due to a dominant defensive performance. Oh, and they traded for Quenton Nelson, who should immediately provide them a much-needed boost in their offensive trenches. I think Seattle’s run game stays strong, and the 12th man and home field advantage will make a difference here too. I’ll pick the Seahawks.
Winner: Seahawks
