NFL Picks: Week 8

It's not just Ryan Tannehill who's out for the Dolphins. Now they'll be without their top two wideouts in Kenny Stills and Albert Wilson on a short week. While the Texans have won four straight games, last week was their first win during that streak that was by more than a touchdown. If Brock Osweiler and the Dolphins running game can hold onto the ball, they have a fighting chance.

These two teams need a win in the worst way and will be looking to turn their seasons around in London. Jacksonville is in more dire straits, giving backup quarterback Cody Kessler first-team snaps this week due to Blake Bortles' horrible play. It won't take much for the Eagles defense to hold the Jags, even with the likely introduction of Carlos Hyde, whom Jacksonville just acquired from the Browns.

The Chiefs went to 7-0 against the spread with their 45-10 demolition of Cincinnati, but the Broncos won at Arizona by the same score and have extra rest. KC barely escaped with a four point win at Denver, so a 10-point win against a Broncos team that's finally playing better could be asking for too much.

Some are down on the Jets after a 37-17 loss to Minnesota, but that came after consecutive wins. The Bears have faced consecutive frustrating losses at Miami and vs. New England and have only one win by more than a touchdown.

These are two teams with very different Week 7 results. Baltimore had a heartbreaking defeat against New Orleans after a shocking missed extra point by Justin Tucker, while the Panthers overcame a 17-point deficit in the fourth quarter to beat Philadelphia. The Panthers are 3-0 at home but hardly had a convincing win vs. the Giants in their most recent home game, while last week was just the second time this season Baltimore has allowed more than 14 points. There's reason to expect another defensive struggle with an over/under of 43.

Fans will remember that the first matchup between Cleveland and Pittsburgh was one of 2018's two ties. Now the Browns go into Pittsburgh as heavy underdogs, while the Steelers have two straights wins and the benefit of a bye week. Still, Pittsburgh is just 1-2 at home this year, and three of Cleveland's four losses were by just a field goal.

The Bucs are coming off a great overtime win vs. Cleveland and facing a reeling Bengals squad that was embarrassed at KC on national TV. It's risky to judge the Bengals on one poor result, but the Bucs are another dangerous matchup for Cincy, ranking second in yards per pass attempt and eighth in points.

Vegas has underestimated the Lions after a terrible Week 1, as they are 5-0 against the spread since then. The Lions have home wins this season vs. New England and Green Bay, and the Seahawks might not have the ability to exploit Detroit's poor run defense.

Washington is atop the NFC East, so it looks curious that they're just one point favorites at the 1-6 Giants. Still, we must consider that four of Washington's six games have been at home. The Giants certainly have the offensive weapons to pull off an upset if the offensive line can give Eli Manning time to throw, but Alex Smith's conservative play is helping Washington win close games.

The message Jon Gruden is sending his team isn't a favorable one after trading Amari Cooper this week. The Raiders are coming off a bye, though Indianapolis had a proverbial bye of its own vs. the Derek Anderson-led Bills. Oakland has generated a total of 13 points in its last two games and now must also contend without Marshawn Lynch who was just placed on IR.

Is there any stopping the 7-0 Rams? It's worth remembering they've been on the road for three straight weeks. The Packers are coming off a bye, but they've had a limited running game and lost both of their road games this season handily to Washington and Detroit.

It all came crashing down for Arizona last Thursday vs. Denver, and offensive coordinator Mike McCoy was the scapegoat. The offensive play calling is expected to be more aggressive with Byron Leftwich now at the helm, and the team got its only win of the year at San Francisco in Week 5. This game is a true wild card you probably won't want to bet, given Leftwich.

It's a rematch of the Minnesota Miracle, as the Saints visit the Vikings again after their crushing NFC Divisional Round loss last year. Both teams are riding momentum with big Week 7 wins and winning streaks in tow. Big passing numbers are expected, but Kirk Cousins could be the difference maker against a Saints defense that's allowed 8.3 yards per pass attempt.

This isn't the Monday night matchup that ESPN would have liked. Tom Brady and the Patriots will visit Buffalo, led by...Derek Anderson. The Bills offense managed only three points last week at Indianapolis, and there's no reason to think Buffalo is ready to do much better after LeSean McCoy suffered a head injury last week as well. Don't be surprised if the line continues to move in New England's favor.