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Our FREE NFL picks versus the spread are purely for entertainment purposes only. But, let's face it, being right (winning) is more fun than being wrong (losing).
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2012 NFL WEEK 8 LINES FROM SPORTSBOOK.COM
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SUMMARY OF PICKS BY CONTRIBUTORS
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Week: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17
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Picks are for entertainment purposes only.
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Lines used for each handicapper are the lines at the time of their pick.
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Links to their picks are under the name (as well as below in the grid).
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Spreads are as of Saturday, October 27th at 9:46 p.m. ET
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Kevin
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Dan
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Sean
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John
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Steve
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Date/Time (ET)
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Favorite
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Spread
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Underdog
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Discuss
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Kevin's Picks
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Dan's Picks
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Sean's Picks
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John's Picks
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Steve's Picks
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Thu, Oct 25 at 8:30 PM
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VIKINGS
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6.5
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Buccaneers
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Game Thread
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Sun, Oct 28 at 1:05 PM
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Patriots
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7.0
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RAMS
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Game Thread
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STL +7
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STL +7
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Sun, Oct 28 at 1:05 PM
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TITANS
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3.5
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Colts
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Game Thread
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IND +3.5
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IND +3.5
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TEN -3.5
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Sun, Oct 28 at 1:05 PM
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Chargers
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3.0
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BROWNS
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Game Thread
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SD -3
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CLE +3
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Sun, Oct 28 at 1:05 PM
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EAGLES
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3.0
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Falcons
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Game Thread
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ATL +2
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PHI -2
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PHI -2
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PHI -2
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Sun, Oct 28 at 1:05 PM
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LIONS
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2.5
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Seahawks
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Game Thread
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Sun, Oct 28 at 1:05 PM
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JETS
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2.0
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Dolphins
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Game Thread
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MIA +2
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Sun, Oct 28 at 1:05 PM
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BEARS
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7.5
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Panthers
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Game Thread
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CAR +7.5
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Sun, Oct 28 at 1:05 PM
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STEELERS
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4.0
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Redskins
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Game Thread
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Sun, Oct 28 at 1:05 PM
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PACKERS
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14.5
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Jaguars
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Game Thread
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Sun, Oct 28 at 4:05 PM
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CHIEFS
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1.0
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Raiders
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Game Thread
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Sun, Oct 28 at 4:25 PM
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Giants
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2.5
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COWBOYS
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Game Thread
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Sun, Oct 28 at 8:30 PM
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BRONCOS
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6.0
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Saints
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Game Thread
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NO +6
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DEN -6
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Mon, Oct 29 at 8:30 PM
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49ers
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7.0
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CARDINALS
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Game Thread
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Bye Weeks (see all byes): Baltimore, Buffalo, Cincinnati, Houston
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CONTRIBUTOR
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GAME 1
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GAME 2
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GAME 3
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Kevin
2011 Record: 33-14-4 (70.2%)
2012 Record: 6-14-1 (30.0%)
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Patriots (-7) at Rams (in London)
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Colts at Titans (-3.5)
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Dolphins at Jets (-2)
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Rams +7
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Colts +3.5
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Dolphins +2
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The Patriots will be without one of their two
stud tight ends as Aaron Hernandez did not
make the trip from New England to (old)
England.
Although the Rams secondary got lit up by the
high-powered Packers offense last week, they
had been very solid before that. Even after
last week's three touchdowns to Aaron
Rodgers, the Rams are still one of only seven
defenses to have more interceptions (eight)
than passing touchdowns allowed (seven).
Facing a defense that is much more generous
against the pass, Sam Bradford and the Rams
receivers should have success. No team has
allowed more passing touchdowns than the
Patriots (16).
While I think the Pats still win the game, I
expect the Rams to keep the game close.
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The Colts defense leaves a lot to be
desired and it's possible that CJ2K runs wild
after his 195-yard performance against the
Bills last week.
Like the Colts, however, the Titans defense
is not much better. In fact, it's worse. No
team has allowed more points per game
than the Titans (34.0) and only the Saints
and Bills have allowed more yards per
game.
While Andrew Luck has not thrown a
touchdown pass in consecutive games, the
Titans have allowed six quarterbacks to
throw for multiple touchdowns in seven
weeks. Along with the Patriots and
Redskins, no team has allowed more
passing touchdowns than the Titans (16).
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These two teams met earlier this season
(Week 3) and the Jets needed overtime to
pull off the three-point victory. In that
game, Santonio Holmes finished with nine
receptions for 147 yards while Reggie Bush
missed the second half due to a knee
injury.
Since that game, there has been a war of
words between the Dolphins and Jets.
(Again.)
In that first game, the trio of Daniel
Thomas, Lamar Miller and Bush rushed for
178 yards. Meanwhile, Shonn Greene
struggled to run the ball with 40 yards on
19 carries. While the Dolphins rank third in
the NFL in rushing defense (78.2 yards
allowed per game), the Jets rank
third-from-last in the NFL (147.7 per game
allowed).
If the weather conditions make it difficult
due to Hurricane Sandy, the team that has
more success running the ball has the best
chance to win the game.
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Dan
2011 Record: 24-21-6 (53.3%)
2012 Record: 12-9 (57.1%)
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Chargers (-3) at Browns
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Falcons at Eagles (-2)
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Saints at Broncos (-6)
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Chargers -3
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Falcons +2
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Saints +6
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Much like Halloween, the Chargers have
provided both tricks and treats in October,
and will now travel to Cleveland after a bye to
right their ship. The Browns have been frisky
as of late, but as is the case with all young
teams, they struggle to find ways to finish. I
love Philip Rivers going into Cleveland and
playing the 28th-ranked passing defense that
gives up 277 yards per game, 25.7 points per
game and 15 passing touchdowns.
The Browns also have been struggling with
health issues, as star running back Trent
Richardson has been dinged up the past few
weeks. I love laying just the field goal in this
one, as the Chargers are the much superior
team and it will show this week.
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I know Andy Reid is almost unbeatable
after the bye week, but I am not sure if
having just one week off was enough to
solve their problems. The Eagles fired Juan
Castillo, although truth be told it is the
offense that has been lacking for the
Eagles.
The Falcons last performance against the
Raiders did indeed leave much to be
desired, but they are still 4-2 against the
spread, while the Eagles are 1-4-1. I love
the No. 8-ranked Falcons passing defense
going up against a turnover-prone Mike
Vick, and a team defense that only allows
18.8 points per game.
The Falcons are certainly a superior team to
the Eagles this year, and if I can get two
points in the bargain, then sign me up for
this deal. The Falcons have too much
firepower with Matt Ryan, Julio Jones,
Roddy White and Tony Gonzalez. Take the
points here.
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Talk about your almost good-versus-evil
matchup here, as the Saints have been
vilified all year with the bounty scandal, and
the feel-good story in Denver with the
return of Peyton Manning.
The Saints will actually be getting a huge
boost this week, as interim coach Joe Vitt
will be off suspension and this allows Steve
Spagnuolo to concentrate totally on his
defense. The Saints are still not out of the
playoff hunt, and the Broncos still have a
weak defense that allows 23 points per
game.
Denver has made it a habit of being the
comeback kings all year, as they start
games slow and rally at the end. I know
you should never go against Peyton
Manning in primetime, but when you are
giving Drew Brees and the quick-strike
Saints offense six points, I will gladly grab
it. When you have the No. 1 passing game
and a six-point cushion to work with, take
the team that hasn't lost by more than
eight points in their four losses.
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Sean
2011 Record: 27-21-3 (56.3%)
2012 Record: 11-10 (52.4%)
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Saints at Broncos (-6)
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Colts at Titans (-3.5)
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Falcons at Eagles (-2)
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Broncos -6
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Colts +3.5
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Eagles -2
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Although the Saints have won two straight,
their defense is the reason why they are only
2-4 for the season. Peyton Manning and the
Broncos offense should have no problem
throwing all over the third-worst passing
defense in the NFL.
The Saints typically struggle on the road on
grass, and the Broncos are usually money
after a bye week going 8-2 ATS in their past
10. This game will be filled with a ton of big
plays, but Denver makes a few more than New
Orleans.
Broncos win, 38-27.
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The Titans are on a hot streak winning 2
straight games, and many are saying it is
because the change at QB. I definitely am
not one of those guys. Right now Matt
Hasselbeck is a good backup quarterback,
but there is no way he should be starting if
Jake Locker is healthy which I think he is.
The knock on Locker was his accuracy, yet if
you look at the numbers he is beating
Hasselbeck in pretty much every category.
Locker can also make big plays with his
legs. He was the team's leading rusher
through the first three games of the year. I
think Mike Munchak doesn't have the balls
to switch back, because he will get ripped if
the Titans lose on Sunday. They won't lose
because of QB play, even though I think
Hasselbeck is awful.
They will lose because of their defense,
which ranks last in the NFL giving up 34
points per game. This is a game everyone
is expecting the Titans to win, but I think
the Colts pull the upset, 31-27.
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I predicted it last week that the Falcons
perfect season comes to an end at Philly
Sunday and I am sticking to my pick.
The Eagles have been one of the hardest
teams to figure out all season, for sure. If
Michael Vick wasn't a turnover machine, the
Eagles would be 5-1 and on top of the
division. Instead they are sitting at 3-3.
Andy Reid and the Eagles are money
coming off a bye week going 5-1 ATS in
their last six. I think Andy Reid and Michael
Vick are playing for their career this
weekend in Philly. If the Eagles find a way
to lose this game, both will be out by year's
end.
The Eagles finally put this one together and
whoop the Falcons at home, 27-13.
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John
2011 Record: N/A
2012 Record: 9-10-2 (47.4%)
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Patriots (-7) at Rams (in London)
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Falcons at Eagles (-2)
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Panthers at Bears (-7.5)
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Rams +7
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Eagles -2
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Panthers +7.5
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I was more than a little surprised when this
line came out. The Rams may not be a great
team, but they're 3-1 at home this season,
and have the 10th-ranked defense in the
league. The Patriots are coming off a rather
ho-hum victory in overtime against the rival
Jets, a game in which they were double-digit
favorites to win. New England's offense, for
whatever reason, has been less effective than
it has been in previous years, and the Rams
defense should be able to keep them from
really running up the score.
St. Louis has been one of the pleasant
surprises this year, and could pull back to
.500 if they can upset the Pats. New England
already has two losses against the NFC West,
losing to both Seattle and Arizona, and while
the Rams may not actually pull off the victory,
I'm taking the touchdown for the home team
in this one.
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This should be a pretty interesting game
between two teams coming off a bye week.
The Falcons haven't looked all that
impressive in recent weeks, although they
are the last undefeated team standing.
The Eagles have looked good neither in
victory nor defeat, turning the ball over
repeatedly, and putting up a mere 17.2
points per game, good enough for 30th in
the league. As ugly as it's been for
Philadelphia, they are still 3-3 and in the
hunt early on. The bye week should have
given them some time to work through
some of their issues and the extra rest
should help get the offense going a bit. We
saw just how explosive they could be down
the stretch at the end of last season.
I'm betting they still have that potential to
unleash, and a big home win against
unbeaten Atlanta could be a momentum
builder in the coming weeks. Philadelphia is
loaded with talent if they can merely
execute, and ultimately, they need this one
a lot more than the Falcons do. I like the
Eagles to pour on some points and cover at
home.
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The Panthers have to be one of the most
disappointing teams of the year, and Cam
Newton's press conferences have gotten
more and more depressing. After a 1-5
start, Carolina's playoff hopes are pretty
much out the window. Still, Carolina is
another one of those teams with an
explosive offense that has been unable to
put it all together.
On the other hand, the Bears have the best
defense in the league, not only by points
against, but also in scoring, with an
impressive five defensive touchdowns. The
Bears should be a sizable favorite here, but
I like the Panthers getting more than a
touchdown.
I think it's likely that the Bears offense
does not score enough points to cover, and
I think the Panthers can keep it close. I
also think it's likely enough that the
Panthers pull a backdoor cover, trailing for
the bulk of the game, but scoring a late
touchdown in garbage time to get the cover.
Overall, I still think the Panthers are much
better than their record indicates. They
stepped up and played a good game at
Atlanta a few weeks ago, losing by two
points late. This is another opportunity for
them to go against another good team.
Don't be surprised if Cam finally delivers
and Carolina pulls the upset.
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Steve
2011 Record: N/A
2012 Record: 10-11 (47.6%)
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Chargers (-3) at Browns
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Falcons at Eagles (-2)
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Colts at Titans (-3.5)
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Browns +3
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Eagles -2
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Titans -3.5
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You may recount my high expectations of the
Browns in my preseason write-up, projecting 8-
8. After starting 1-6, I need a near miracle of
seven wins in their last nine games to hit .500
for the season. Also, if you’ve been following
my picks on this site, you’ll probably notice I
rely a lot on statistics. The Browns rank near
the bottom in both total defense and total
offense, so it’s probably a few weeks late on
me giving up on my thought that the Browns
would have a turnaround season this year.
But I’m stubborn – is there such a thing as a
competitive 1-6 team? I’ve also held on to my
preseason belief that the Chargers are a bad
team and they are hitting a midseason
slump. After dropping two straight games, the
Chargers continue their swoon and Browns
pick up their second win of the season.
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The Falcons have looked weak in their wins,
but are the only remaining undefeated
team in the NFL. The Eagles, despite
having a couple of impressive wins (Giants
and Ravens), have been turnover prone
and have several bad losses through six
games. The Eagles have enough talent to
beat any team in the NFL, but they have
been inconsistent and unable to close out
opportunities due to ill-timed turnovers and
mistakes.
Now, both teams are coming off the bye
and will have worked on correcting some of
the problems that plague each team.
Despite the undefeated record, the Falcons
have significant structural problems in their
offense and defense. The Falcons can’t run
the ball (29th in the NFL) nor can they stop
the run on the defense (28th). Those
numbers for the Falcons speak to the fact
that they can’t control the game and why
they had to squeak out close wins against
bad teams like the Raiders and the
Panthers.
Amazingly, despite the imbalance in win-
loss outcomes, the .500 team, the Eagles
are giving points in the match-up. I’m not
buying into what the Falcons are selling and
I must be a sucker as I’m willing to take
the Eagles to win giving those points.
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And the rejuvenation of Chris Johnson
continues! Almost 200 yards rushing for
Johnson last weekend as the horrendous
Buffalo defense has the ability to make any
offense look good – just see what the Jets
did to the Bills in Week 1.
As for more evidence that the real Chris
Johnson will continue to step forward, next
up for the Tennessee Titans is the almost
as bad Indianapolis Colts defense. Almost
as important though, the stability that Matt
Hasselbeck brought to the Titans when he
replaced the injured Jake Locker at
quarterback. The Titans defense is still
shaky, but I envision a game like last
weekend and the teams trading touchdowns
and the Titans push the win streak to three
games, winning by a touchdown.
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