We’re getting to the over the hump part of the season, /r/NFL, and we’re no closer to figuring out half of these teams’ identities. Happy Halloween week, everyone! I hope all of you get dressed up in some amazing costumers, get big sized candy, and have a great team win. We had a lot of upsets last week, and I was barely able to predict close to halfway on these games, going 6-7 and bringing me to 65-41 on the season. How did everyone else do? We only have four division games this week with some more cross-conference games lined up. But strangely enough, there are no byes in Week 8, halfway through the season. Let’s get to it!

Winner Loser Comments
Bills over Buccaneers Buffalo has off on their offensive performances the past two weeks, especially Allen. He will get charged up here in a matchup that will call for him to pass, pass and pass some more as there’s not much point forcing a shaky running game on Tampa. Baker is struggling now with turnovers and being one-dimensional on a short week facing an angry Buffalo defense.
Vikings over Packers I believe the Packers are slightly favored, but they’ve averaged only 16.7 PPG the past three weeks, scoring just six points in the first half of the last four games. Minnesota’s coming of a short week with two road wins and they’ll add another one here.
Titans over Falcons Atlanta has been tough to pick this year and it’ll continue this week as it’s another coin-flip game for a young team on the road, but Tennessee is coming off a bye week. The Titans are 2-0 S/U at home. Atlanta ranks eighth in the NFL in rushing defense, so Tennessee will need to be more than Henry on offense.
Saints over Colts This Super Bowl 44 matchup could be what NOLA needs to right the ship on offense. Indy has four turnovers in back-to-back weeks. While the Saints are considered the underdog here, the defense will contain Taylor and the offense will sputter to a close in, splitting their AFC South games 2-2.
Dolphins over Patriots Belichick got his 300th win last week, and now the Pats head to Miami – where the Dolphins are coming off a loss to Philly. Miami is a different team at home, winning those games by an average of 28.7 PPG. Tua has a 132.3 passer rating at home, too and Miami has won the last three home meetings by 10.7 PPG.
Jets over Giants Since both teams’ home is MetLife, neither one really has homefield advantage in this matchup. The Giants are coming off their first win of the season, but the offense still averages 11.2 points in its last five games. Jet’s win coming off a bye in a close one.
Cowboys over Rams Dallas had a bye week, and they have been dominant in their two home games; winning by a combined score of 78-3. The Rams are stepping up in their weekly matchups, but Stafford has taken 11 sacks. The Cowboys will be bringing pressure.
Jaguars over Steelers This is a good matchup between two emerging AFC powers. Lawrence is locked in with Etienne and all of his weapons and the Jaguars’ defense has been a turnover-forcing machine. Pickett is playing better with more of his key support and Watt is doing major damage for the Steelers’ defense. This is really tough to call, but Lawrence’s arm and athleticism can help him make more big plays.
Eagles over Commanders Hurts played through a knee injury on SNF, but the Eagles bounced back and head into a rematch with NFC East rival. Philly won a 34-31 thriller on Oct. 1. Washington has lost to the Bears and Giants in two of their last three games. Philly also has won the last two meetings at Washington. The trend will continue.
Texans over Panthers The clash of Young and Stroud will be interesting to watch in their first start against each other. Stroud has led the Texans to victories in three of their last four games, and they are coming off a bye week. The Panthers are winless but also coming off a bye week. Which QB avoids sacks and turnovers? Young has 20 (6 INTs, 14 sacks) and Stroud has 14 (1 INT, 13 sacks) at this point.
Seahawks over Browns Cleveland may be going on the road with either a gimpy Watson or Walker. They’ve won a battle of attrition against the Niners and a crazy shootout at Indy. But Seattle’s settled defense can cause them problems with no consistent passing game. On the flip side, the Browns are leaky enough against the power run that Smith can lean on Walker to grind a win.
Chiefs over Broncos The Chiefs just saw the Broncos two weeks ago and nothing much will change in the rematch, except that Mahomes, Kelce and the offense will execute better with fewer mistakes. The Chiefs’ defense continues to dominate and when the Broncos don’t stick with running well, they are lost around Wilson.
Ravens over Cardinals The Ravens have allowed 17 points or less in their last four games. Arizona has lost four straight, and they have failed to score more than 20 points. Baltimore is hitting a groove at the right time. Lamar has completed 70% or more of his passes in all but one game this season.
49ers over Bengals Tough pick in this matchup. The Niners are working on a short week and Cincy had a bye week. The key for the Bengals on the road will be generating more out of a running game that only has 69.8 YPG. That will free up Burrow for more. The Bengals defense has also struggled against the run by allowing 142.8 YPG. Burrow can keep this one close. Both teams protect the football well.
Chargers over Bears Are the Bears a different team with rookie QB Bagent? The reason for improvement also is a tough run defense that has allowed just 52.2 rushing yards in its last four games. Chicago has covered in its last two road games, too. The Chargers’ season is on the brink, and they cannot afford a third straight loss.
Lions over Raiders The Lions laid a big egg in Baltimore. Their defense went into the tank against the run after dominating all season and they couldn’t pressure or cover anyone downfield. But they have an immediate get-well game against a weaker, Raiders team. Goff will rebound with plenty of help from the running game setting up big pass plays, while Hutchinson will go back to leading a much stouter effort on the other side.

Those are my predictions, let’s hear yours. Keep it civil and fun. Best of luck!