NFL Week 8 Pick ‘Em: Panthers look to make highway assertion

Somehow, someway, we’re mainly on the midway level of the NFL season.

It looks like simply yesterday we watched the 49ers take down the Rams within the second sport of the season in Melbourne.

But now seven Thursdays later, we’re confronted with a loaded slate of video games, headlined by some vital divisional clashes.

Here’s all it’s worthwhile to find out about Week 8 within the NFL:

Davidson’s report (12-19-1)

Thursday, Oct. 29
Carolina Panthers @ Green Bay Packers: 8:15 p.m. ET

The Green Bay Packers have been some of the intriguing groups to date by way of seven weeks. Some nice QB play has gotten them previous their lack of operating sport, whereas the defence has both been stout or filled with holes.

Josh Jacobs is again within the fold, and regardless of the Packers solely gaining 60 yards on 19 carries final week, there’s extra optimism that the bottom sport can get going. That will likely be much more vital if breakout WR Matthew Golden (questionable with shoulder/foot accidents) would not go well with up on Thursday.

On the opposite sideline is a Panthers squad that simply acquired lit up by the Buccaneers, and can as soon as once more be down high-priced free-agent acquisition Jaelan Phillips.

Quarterback Bryce Young struggled final week, however he has been rock stable for many of the season. If Week 7 was only a one-off, Carolina will make this one shut, however we’ll give the Packers the sting at Lambeau.

Sunday, Nov. 1
Indianapolis Colts @ Jacksonville Jaguars: 1 p.m. ET

We’re nonetheless just a few days away from kickoff in Jacksonville, which means much more change may come to the Colts roster by Sunday.

Indianapolis dealt key veterans Quenton Nelson and DeForest Buckner away on Tuesday for 3 draft picks, whereas another names proceed to floor within the hearsay mill forward of the commerce deadline.

Regardless of whether or not extra gamers get dealt earlier than this divisional conflict, this can be a Colts squad that has been struggling in all phases.

Facing a rested Jaguars staff coming off a bye week would not bode nicely for Daniel Jones and firm, and the writing is on the wall for a blowout in Florida.

Atlanta Falcons @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 1 p.m. ET

Michael Penix Jr. led Atlanta’s upset over the beforehand undefeated 49ers final week, and now faces one other robust check within the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

But regardless of the Bucs’ rout of Carolina in Week 7, there are nonetheless some query marks surrounding QB Baker Mayfield.

The QB struggled early within the season and the Panthers matchup marked his return to the lineup after lacking three video games. Add in the truth that he solely threw the ball 11 occasions within the win, and there would possibly nonetheless be some rust to work by way of.

Time to experience the new hand with the Falcons.

Minnesota Vikings @ Detroit Lions: 1 p.m. ET

It’s not so usually an undefeated staff is an underdog, however that is the case in Week 8 with the 6-0 Minnesota Vikings.

They’ve been carried by their heroic defence by way of the primary a part of the season, dealing with each problem thrown their manner. But now they face a fearsome Lions offence, one way more explosive than any to line up throughout from Brian Flores’ unit all season.

The Vikings’ calling card is their blitzing, as they ship further rushers a whopping 71 per cent of the time. But if there’s anybody geared up to deal with it, it is Jared Goff and his second-best 123.3 passer score towards the blitz.

Detroit’s shortcomings this season have come on defence, but it surely acquired a significant increase final week with the return of Pro Bowl DB Brian Branch, and one other could also be on the best way with Kerby Joseph returning to observe.

With or with out Joseph, this NFC North conflict needs to be a decent one. It’s simply tough to position a lot religion in Kyler Murray proper now.

Las Vegas Raiders @ New York Jets: 1 p.m. ET

After popping out of the gates flying with three straight wins, the Las Vegas Raiders have crashed again all the way down to earth with a 3-4 report.

Luckily for them, up subsequent is a date with the New York Jets in a Geno Smith revenge sport.

For as unhealthy because the Raiders have been, the Jets have struggled much more. Their two wins this season are towards the Browns and Titans, and though Breece Hall is predicted to return, there simply appears to be extra momentum with the Silver and Black.

Tennessee Titans @ Cincinnati Bengals: 1 p.m. ET

It’s by no means straightforward to guess a staff to win by 10-plus factors.

The Titans enter Sunday’s sport as main underdogs, however to date this season, they’ve solely managed to lose by 11 or extra twice.

Given the state of the staff on the sector, that is fairly an accomplishment. Although Tennessee is going through a tricky Bengals squad on the highway, a ten.5-point unfold is simply too heavy to depend on.

Baltimore Ravens @ Buffalo Bills: 1 p.m. ET

There are few matchups that can excite followers greater than Josh Allen versus Lamar Jackson.

Luckily, Jackson was at observe on Wednesday after the star missed the final three video games, giving some hope that each star QBs will likely be on the sector come Sunday.

Allen in entrance of Bills Mafia is at all times a secure guess, and a four-point win is firmly within the realm of potentialities.

Cleveland Browns @ Pittsburgh Steelers: 1 p.m. ET

In one other Week 8 divisional matchup, we have now the Steelers internet hosting the Browns.

Both groups enter the competition on a scorching streak, with Pittsburgh rising victorious in its final three and Cleveland successful two straight.

In this rivalry, the house staff has gained the final 10 video games, successful by 4 or extra factors eight occasions.

Let’s facet with historical past on this one.

Arizona Cardinals @ Dallas Cowboys: 1 p.m. ET

A battle between two groups with suspect defences. What may go improper?

We all know the struggles Dallas has had on that facet of the ball, however the Cardinals are struggling as nicely. They allowed the Broncos — who’ve had fairly an anemic offence early — to attain 30 whereas Bo Nix produced the very best common depth of goal (aDOT) of any QB final week. If Nix is slinging it towards you, one thing’s up.

But whereas the Cards have been leaky on D, so have the Cowboys, and with arguably the most effective tight finish in soccer in Trey McBride, plus rookie RB Jeremiyah Love anticipated again within the fold, search for a shootout in Arlington.

Los Angeles Chargers @ Los Angeles Rams: 4:05 p.m. ET

Injuries, accidents and extra accidents have plagued the Chargers by way of seven weeks, however not all of their struggles might be blamed on a poor invoice of well being. Nothing works on offence, and the defence simply is not the identical because it was since former DC Jesse Minter took over as the top coach in Baltimore.

The Rams have not been pretty much as good as anticipated both, however not like the Bolts, they’ve some wins below their belt.

Davante Adams’ absence will not be sufficient to gradual the Rams down, and Matthew Stafford will lead a convincing win within the battle of L.A.

Kansas City Chiefs @ Denver Broncos: 4:25 p.m. ET

A divisional conflict between two AFC West heavyweights seems to be a little bit murky with harm questions on each sidelines.

Kansas City Chiefs WR Rashee Rice has missed the previous handful of video games with a hamstring harm, whereas the Broncos are unsure of Patrick Surtain II’s, Talanoa Hufanga’s and Jaylen Waddle’s statuses.

Assuming each squads get to or close to full energy, search for Denver to get revenge from its embarrassing Week 1 loss on residence turf.

New England Patriots @ Miami Dolphins: 4:25 p.m. ET

The 2026 Miami Dolphins are nowhere near the identical as years previous. New entrance workplace, coaches, quarterback and actually a whole roster have the South Florida squad in rebuild mode.

But traits are enjoyable to experience whereas they are going, and Miami hasn’t misplaced to the Patriots by a landing or extra at residence within the final six matchups.

The Dolphins at the moment are a one-win staff after beating a divisional opponent final week, and can hope to double their complete towards one other AFC East staff.

Philadelphia Eagles @ Washington Commanders: 8:20 p.m. ET

This season could not have be going any worse for the Philadelphia Eagles.

A banged-up offensive line, no Jalen Hurts, and doubtlessly no Saquon Barkley or DeVonta Smith depart a significant uphill climb on Sunday Night Football for Nick Sirianni’s staff.

Now, the Washington Commanders aren’t good both, and Jayden Daniels has misplaced his final eight begins.

But if there’s any sport to get again within the win column, it is on primetime towards a beat-up divisional foe.

Monday, Nov. 2
Chicago Bears @ Seattle Seahawks: 8:15 p.m. ET

Week 8’s version of Monday Night Football brings us one of many video games of the week in a battle between two NFC contenders.

The visiting Chicago Bears have been enjoying some nice soccer whereas that includes some of the explosive offences. But the answer to an amazing offence is a incredible defence, and there may not be one higher than the unit in Seattle that helped the Seahawks hoist the Lombardi Trophy in February.

Seattle might also get an enormous increase to its speeding assault, with each Zach Charbonnet and Jadarian Price anticipated to practise this week.

A field-goal unfold appears about proper on this one, and the cash needs to be on Caleb Williams to do his factor in primetime.

BetMGM traces are topic to alter.