This week, Danny gave “Pic’s Picks” for Week 8 in the NFL:
It’s the final week before the NFL trade deadline, which is Tuesday, Oct. 29. Only two teams have a bye: Dallas and Baltimore. And we do have a London game, between Cincinnati and the Rams on Sunday at 1 p.m.
I went 3-2 in Week 7, and look to improve on that this weekend. So let’s get to it.
Here are my picks for Week 8:
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (+2) over Buffalo Bills
-The Buffalo Bills are 5-1. I repeat, the Buffalo Bills are 5-1. They’ve won two straight, and will host the 3-4 Eagles on Sunday at 1 p.m. Philly is coming off two straight losses to Minnesota and Dallas, and is still struggling to find its identity while being led by Carson Wentz. Yet, the Eagles are still very much alive in the NFC East race. And I can’t ignore Buffalo’s soft schedule. The Bills’ five wins have come against the Jets, Giants, Bengals, Titans, and Dolphins. Is Buffalo for real? I wouldn’t put my money on it. At least Philly has a respectable win against Green Bay this season. The Over/Under here is 43.5. The Eagles should have a shot to win a close, low-scoring game. I’ll take my chances with Philadelphia to get back to .500 with a win in Buffalo.
CAROLINA PANTHERS (+5.5) over San Francisco 49ers
-The 4-2 Carolina Panthers are sticking with Kyle Allen at quarterback, as Cam Newton continues to rehab his injured foot. But if Allen can lead the Panthers to their fifth straight win by handing the 6-0 49ers their first loss of the season, then Newton may just lose his starting job in Carolina for good. Allen will have his hands full with San Francisco’s pass rush, and a defense that allows just 11 points per game. But if there’s one thing we know about Allen, it’s that he doesn’t turn the ball over. In his four games this season — all wins — he’s thrown seven touchdowns and zero interceptions. Look, I wouldn’t pick Carolina in San Fran this Sunday at 4:05, but I do think the Panthers can keep this competitive until the final whistle. So give me the points and the Panthers to at least keep it close.
OAKLAND RAIDERS (+6.5) over Houston Texans
-If you’ve listened to my show, you know how high I am on the Houston Texans. But boy did they ever let me down with a loss to the Colts last week. Houston is now 4-3, and will host the 3-3 Raiders on Sunday at 4:25. Oakland is coming off a loss in Green Bay. It was a reality check for the Raiders, who allowed 42 points to the Packers. But with Patrick Mahomes going down with a knee injury, you would think these Raiders will now understand that the reality is they’re very much alive in the race for the AFC West. Will they knock off the Texans in Houston? Maybe not, but I expect them to keep it close. I’ll take the points.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (-13) over Cleveland Browns
-The 2-4 Browns are coming off the bye, and have to step away from filming commercials to go play a football game this Sunday at 4:25 at Gillette Stadium. before the bye, Cleveland had lost two straight to San Francisco and Seattle. The Browns had high expectations coming into the season, but they’ve proven to be more about the show than the actual game. The Patriots are 7-0 and are coming off their second shutout win of the season, stomping the Jets 33-0 on Monday Night Football. New England is 5-2 against the spread this season. Might as well make it 6-2. Give me the Patriots by 20 and Baker Mayfield in a new Tide commercial.
LOCK OF THE WEEK: GREEN BAY PACKERS (-4.5) over Kansas City Chiefs
-What am I missing here with this spread? Kansas City has no Patrick Mahomes, who’s out with a knee injury. And the Chiefs’ defense stinks. Should I not expect Aaron Rodgers to go into KC and have a day for himself? Rodgers is coming off a win over the Oakland Raiders in which he threw for over 400 yards and five touchdowns. The Packers’ defense is pretty good too, allowing just 19 points per game. Green Bay is 6-1 and in first place in the NFC North. This game will be on Sunday Night Football, and so the national TV audience will see everything I already know: without Mahomes, the Chiefs are no good. Rodgers should have another big game. And with the spread being so low, this pick is a no-brainer. Give me Green Bay to win by at least 10.
Listen to “The Danny Picard Show” on PodcastOne, iTunes, and Spotify. Watch “dPs LIVE” on YouTube and Twitch. Follow Danny on Twitter @DannyPicard. Check out all of Danny’s work at dannypicard.com.
