Another week, another series of games that require guessing who will win in each one.
Don’t rely on any of these predictions, if you are inclined to risk your hard-earned money trying to pick winners. I literally go at it on the first impulse I get, one match at a time.
The results confirm this. I was 8-6 last week. (Which is better than 6-8. Which seemed inevitable at one point.) For the year, I’m 60-48-1. This represents 55.5 percent. (Or, for those who don’t know how percentages work, 55.5 out of 100.)
Here are my picks for 100 percent of the Week 8 games, which have 12.5 percent of the league’s (49ers, Giants, Texans, Saints) bye.
Panthers at Packers
Both teams face disappointing performances in a short week. The Packers won’t want to repeat their last home game from Thursday night, when the Falcons brought out the boos.
Packers 27, Panthers 16.
Ravens at Bills
Even with Lamar Jackson on track to play, the Bills had more time to rest and prepare for the final meeting with one of their biggest conference rivals.
Bills 28, Crows 24.
Titans vs. Bengals
The Bengals are finding their rhythm. The Titans will be reeling from the aftermath of the trade that sent one of their best players to the Bears.
Bengals 34, Titans 17.
Cardinals at Cowboys
Dallas has been way too inconsistent this year and the Cardinals have played surprisingly well in Dallas. Players who don’t visit Jerry World very often tend to rise to the occasion.
Cardinals 23, Cowboys 20.
Vikings at Lions
The worst 6-0 team in recent years won’t have to worry about being called the worst 7-0 team in NFL history. The Lions know that being swept by the Vikings in 2025 kept Detroit out of the playoffs. The biggest challenge will be for quarterback Jared Goff to find his receiver before defenders can reach him.
Lions 27, Vikings 13.
Colts at Jaguars
Jacksonville knows not to look at the Colts as a second straight bye week.
Jaguars 24, Colts 9.
Raiders at Jets
It feels like the Jets are slowly falling apart. That process could accelerate against a Raiders team that desperately wants to end a four-game skid.
Raiders 24, Jets 17.
The Browns at the Steelers
Thirty years after the Browns became the Ravens, the Browns could replace the Ravens as Pittsburgh’s first division rival.
Steelers 16, Browns 13.
Falcons at Buccaneers
The Falcons cannot be trusted up and down to stack up wins. The Bucs found something against Carolina. (Plus, Baker Mayfield would love to stick with Kevin Stefanski.)
Buccaneers 27, Falcons 20.
Chargers at Rams
The battle for Los Angeles should not be one. The Rams can’t afford to stumble against a lesser opponent, and the Chargers can’t figure things out offensively.
Rams 30, chargers 13.
Broncos Chiefs
The Broncos understand that being swept by the Chiefs will make it very difficult to win the division.
Broncos 17, Chiefs 13.
Patriots among the Dolphins
The Pats had more time to get back on track after losing in Chicago. The Dolphins are just relieved to get the win in Week 7.
Patriots 31, Dolphins 20.
Eagles at Commanders
If the Commanders can’t win this one, they might not win another game all year.
Commanders 24, Eagles 21.
Bears at Seahawks
This is the NFC championship game we almost got to see in January. And it could be a preview of the NFC championship game to come.
Seahawks 20, Bears 14.
Gn sports
