Last week, the New Orleans Saints lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first-ever NFL game in Paris, France. It was a disappointing, but all to familiar result in this season that is becoming increasingly spooky to witness. On Halloween, folks have fun celebrating all that is spooky and scary, eerie and creepy, but there is no celebrating the Saints this season. Their performance has been the only thing scary so far. Hopefully, the franchise will figure some things out during this bye, before the season gets
spookier ahead.
With the Saints off the schedule this week, we will focus on the rest of the Week 8 action. There are plenty of storylines to follow this week, and plenty of teams to root against. Let’s take a look at all of the crucial matchups in the league this week. Let’s take a look at all of the matchups in the NFL here in Week 8 this Halloween.
Last week, I went 8-6
I told you so: Steelers over Saints.
What do I know: Panthers over Bucs?
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WEEK 8
Thursday, October 29th – Thursday Night Football
Panthers(3-3) at Packers(4-3)
Despite getting slaughtered by Tampa at home on Sunday, Carolina will rebound with a primetime win at Lambeau. Carolina wins 23-20.
Pick: Panthers
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Sunday, November 1st – Early Games
Ravens(4-3) at Bills(5-1)
Baltimore will give Buffalo hell in this one, fighting them tooth and nail, but the Bills will find a way to survive at home. Buffalo wins 34-33.
Pick: Bills
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Titans(1-6) at Bengals(4-2)
Fresh off a dominant win in Baltimore, Cincy continues to roll against the terrible Titans. Cincinnati wins 40-20.
Pick: Bengals
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Cardinals(2-5) at Cowboys(3-4)
Dallas’ up and down season continues with following last week’s up with another down this week, as the Cardinals win their first game of the season outside of… Los Angeles of all places. Arizona wins 26-19.
Pick: Cardinals
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Vikings(6-0) at Lions(4-2)
With a huge win in Detroit, Minnesota stays not only undefeated on the season, but undefeated in the deadly NFC North. Minnesota wins 24-17.
Pick: Vikings
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Colts(2-5) at Jaguars(4-2)
As the wheels continue to fall off for Indy, Jacksonville takes advantage with an easy win over their AFC South rivals. Jacksonville wins 30-18.
Pick: Jaguars
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Raiders(3-4) at Jets(2-5)
Former Saints assistant coaches Klint Kubiak and Aaron Glenn face off in a battle of rebuilding teams, but the Raiders are the ones ahead of the curve here. Las Vegas wins 24-20.
Pick: Raiders
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Browns(5-2) at Steelers(5-2)
Pittsburgh’s inability to run the ball and stop the run against Cleveland will see them suffer through a very long afternoon, as the Browns dominate from kickoff to the final seconds. Cleveland wins 27-6.
Pick: Browns
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Falcons(3-4) at Buccaneers(2-5)
Despite their dreadful record that finds them third in the division, Tampa is currently looking the best they have all season. Now they host a division rival, and both teams are coming off their best wins of the season. This one will come down to the wire, but the home team finds a way in the end. Tampa Bay wins 26-25.
Pick: Buccaneers
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Sunday, November 1st – Late Games
Chargers(0-6) at Rams(3-4)
The “Super” Rams finally win consecutive games for the first time this season, in an easy victory over the winless Chargers. Rams win 33-13.
Pick: Rams
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Chiefs(5-1) at Broncos(5-2)
Denver avenges their Week 1 loss in Kansas City by taking a page out of Seattle’s playbook and shutting down Kenneth Walker III and the Chiefs rushing attack. Denver wins 21-17.
Pick: Broncos
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Patriots(4-3) at Dolphins(1-5)
Miami follows-up their first win of the season with a business as usual loss to the Pats. New England wins 36-19.
Pick: Patriots
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Sunday Night Football
Eagles(2-5) at Commanders(1-4-1)
A frighteningly bad matchup caps the Sunday slate on this Day of the Dead, as the zombie-like corpse of the Eagles head to Washington to face the hideously underwhelming Commanders. The home team survives this scary divisional matchup. Washington wins 23-21.
Pick: Commanders
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Monday, November 2nd – Monday Night Football
Bears(5-2) at Seahawks(4-3) – Game of the Week
This showdown of NFC contenders will be an absolute slugfest that will come down to the closing moments where the road team pulls out a pivotal win. Chicago wins 21-20.
Pick: Bears
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That’s how I see Week 8 playing out. Leave us your picks, comments, and insight below!
