NFL Week 8 2020 Preview and Predictions

 

             Here is My NFL Week 8 2020 Preview and Predictions 

             Week 7 Record: 11-3 

 

             Overall Record: 71-33-1

 

              Lock Pick Record: 6-1 

              Upset Pick Record: 3-4  

              Thursday Night Football 

              Atlanta Falcons [1-6] at Carolina Panthers [3-4] 

              TV: FOX/NFL Network/Amazon Prime  

              Time: 8:20 PM ET/7:20 PM CT 

              Prediction: Panthers win 27-13 

              Marquee Sunday 1:00 PM ET/12:00 PM CT Games 

              Pittsburgh Steelers [6-0] at Baltimore Ravens [5-1] 

              TV: CBS 

              Thoughts: This is the big game for the Ravens. With Lamar Jackson as the starter the Ravens are just 6-6 in 12 games against teams that are over .500. The Ravens are averaging 29.8 ppg while allowing just 17.3 ppg this season. They haven't beaten a team with a record this year and got crushed by the Chiefs in the only game against a team with a winning record. The Steelers defeated the Titans who were undefeated going into last week. This is a even rivalry between these two. Both teams have won 22 meetings in the last 44 games. The Ravens have won 3 straight games against the Steelers. 

             Prediction: Ravens win 21-17  

             New England Patriots [2-4] at Buffalo Bills [5-2] 

             TV: CBS in Western New York and New England  

             Thoughts: The Patriots have won 35 of the last 40 meetings. They have dominated this series in the last 20 years. This isn't the same Patriots however as they lost Tom Brady in the off-season and they are without Julian Edelman who has killed the Bills in his career. The Patriots have had lot of opt-outs due to COVID this year. The Bills got back on track with a win against the Jets last week. The defense got back on track with a dominant performance against the Jets. The offense got back on track last week too even though they settled for 6 field goals.  

             Prediction: Bills win 28-10  

            Other Sunday 1:00 PM ET/12:00 PM CT Games 

            Las Vegas Raiders [3-3] at Cleveland Browns [5-2] 

            TV: FOX 

            Thoughts: Who would had though this would be one of the key games in Week 8? The Raiders and Browns is one of the key games this week. The Raiders are averaging 28.5 ppg, but allowing 32.8 ppg this season. The Browns are averaging 28.5 ppg, but allowing 31.5 ppg this season. Both of these teams are bad on defense and this will be a shootout. Derek Carr is having a good season this year. He has thrown for 1,726 yards with 13 touchdowns and just 2 interceptions. Kareem Hunt is having a good season and he will be the difference. He has rushed for 463 yards with 3 touchdowns.  

            Prediction: Browns win 45-42 

            Los Angeles Rams [5-2] at Miami Dolphins [3-3]   

            TV: FOX in Los Angeles and South Florida 

            Thoughts: This is Tua first ever career start. Even though he's facing the Rams defense he's got a good offense of his own. The Dolphins are averaging 26.6 ppg while allowing just 18.8 ppg this season. The Rams are averaging 25.5 ppg while allowing just 17.2 ppg this season. These are two good teams going up agaisnt each other. This is the Rams 4th game in the East Coast time zone and they are 2-1 in this previous 3 games. The Dolphins are 1-1 against the NFC West this season.   

            Prediction: Dolphins win 27-20 

            Upset Pick of the Week 

            Indianapolis Colts [4-2] at Detroit Lions [3-3]  

  

            TV: CBS in Illinois, Indiana and Michigan 

            Thoughts: The Colts offense is a disappointment this year. They are averaging 26.1 ppg, but with their weapons they should be better than that. Their defense has carried their team by allowing just 19.1 ppg this season. The Lions are averaging 28 ppg since Week 2. D'Andre Swift is emerging as the backfield option for the Lions. He has rushed for 143 yards with 3 touchdowns in the last 2 games. Their defense has played better in the last 2 games by allowing just 19 ppg. 

             Upset: Lions win 28-21 

             Lock Pick of the Year 

             New York Jets [0-7] at Kansas City Chiefs [6-1]  

             TV: CBS

 

             Thoughts: This isn't the Lock Pick of the Week this is the Lock Pick of the Year. The Jets are the worst team in the NFL while the Chiefs are the defending Super Bowl Champions. The Jets are averaging a league worse 12.1 ppg while the Chiefs are averaging 31.1 ppg this season. Patrick Mahomes hasn't had to do much this year with the mergence of Clyde Edwards-Helaire. He is rushing for 551 yards with 2 touchdowns and catching 22 passes for 194 yards this season. The Chiefs defense has been good this year as they allowed just 20.4 ppg this season.  

              Blowout: Chiefs won 51-7 

             Tennessee Titans [5-1] at Cincinnati Bengals [1-5-1] 

             TV: CBS in Ohio and Tennessee 

             Prediction: Titans win 38-20 

             Minnesota Vikings [1-5] at Green Bay Packers [5-1]  

             TV: FOX 

             Prediction: Packers win 34-17  

             Marquee Sunday 4:00 PM ET/3:00 PM CT Games 

 

             San Francisco 49ers [4-3] at Seattle Seahawks [5-1]  

             TV: FOX  

             Thoughts: This is developing into the NFL's new rivalry. Both teams have split the last 2 meetings. The Seahawks are coming off a heart-breaking loss against the Cardinals in overtime last week. The 49ers are coming in on a 2-game winning streak and a finished 3-0 on the East Coast this year. The 49ers are 1-3 on the West Coast this year. Russell Wilson is the league M.V.P and it's not even close. He has to carry the Seahawks this year and he'll bounce back from a 3 interception game last week.  

             Prediction: Seahawks win 31-28 

             New Orleans Saints [4-2] at Chicago Bears [5-2] 

             TV: FOX  

             Thoughts: This is a big game for both teams. The Saints outside of Week 1 have not defeated a team with a winning record. The Bears have 1 win against a team with a winning record. Quarter-Back play in this game will be the key. Drew Brees and Nick Foles have to make plays for their teams to win. Both teams can play defense and run the ball. The Bears are 2-1 at home this season while the Saints are just 1-1 on the road.  

              Prediction: Bears win 25-17  

               Other Sunday 4:00 PM ET/3:00 PM CT Game 

               Los Angeles Chargers [2-4] at Denver Broncos [2-4] 

              TV: CBS 

              Thoughts: This is a big game for both of these teams. The loser of this game will likely be eliminated from the playoffs as both teams are 2 games back of the Colts for the final playoff spot with teams like the Dolphins and Raiders ahead of them. Justin Herbet is having a great rookie year. He has thrown for 1,542 yards with 12 touchdowns and just 3 interceptions. The Broncos are 0-3 at home and they need a Home win.   

               Prediction: Broncos win 21-18  

               Sunday Night Football  

               Dallas Cowboys [2-5] at Philadelphia Eagles [2-4-1] 

               TV: NBC 

               Time: 8:20 PM ET/7:20 PM CT  

               Prediction: Eagles win 31-13 

               Monday Night Football  

               Tampa Bay Buccaneers [5-2] at New York Giants [1-6]  

               TV: ESPN 

               Time: 8:15 PM ET/7:15 PM CT 

               Prediction: Buccaneers win 37-10