After some wild results in Week 7, the 2022-23 NFL season marches on with 15 games in Week 8.

Shockingly, only one matchup this week features two teams with winning records. It’s not the Thursday night game between Lamar Jackson’s Baltimore Ravens and Tom Brady’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers, nor the Sunday night matchup between Josh Allen’s Buffalo Bills and Aaron Rodgers’ Green Bay Packers.

The only game of the week to feature two teams with winning records is on Sunday afternoon, when Daniel Jones and the 6-1 New York Giants travel West to take on Geno Smith and the 4-3 Seattle Seahawks.

There are still other good matchups and games that will have playoff ramification in the long run, and with so many teams clustered in the middle of the pack, every game will count moving forward.

Read on for my Week 8 Preview and Picks, and if you’d like to debate or discuss any picks, or want to follow for more weekly NFL content including Picks and Power Rankings, be sure to connect with Sak Sports Blog on Twitter or on Facebook!

Picks Record

Week 7 Picks: 9-5

Week 1: 7-8-1

Week 2: 8-8

Week 3: 9-7

Week 4: 11-5

Week 5: 12-4

Week 6: 6-8

Week 7: 9-5

Season Record: 62-45-1 (57%)

Back on the positive side of things in Week 7. Incorrect picks, in order for least to most regrettable, include: Buccaneers, Packers, Patriots, Chargers, and Broncos.

Thursday Night Football

Photo: USA Online Sportsbooks

Baltimore Ravens (4-3) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-4)

Like the Sunday Night Football matchup, which we’ll get to, this Thursday Night Football game had all the makings of must-watch Week 8 television. But after failing to even score a touchdown last week against the Panthers of all teams, Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers aren’t exactly popcorn entertainment this season, and have staggered out of the gates with a 3-4 record.

Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens hold a 4-3 record, good for first place in the AFC North, but probably wish their record was better after one-score losses to the Dolphins, Bills, and Giants. Nevertheless, the Ravens are the better football team right now, and though Brady is historically good at bouncing back from losses, his Tampa Bay teammates won’t have the same kahunas to get it done on Thursday night. Ravens win 27-18

Sunday Day Games

London Game: Denver Broncos (2-5) vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-5)

Every week, the Denver Broncos stellar defense keeps the team in the game, but team’s anemic offense can’t get anything done under head coach Nathaniel Hackett. While this could potentially be the week the Broncos break through in to the win column, picking them would be a fool’s errand. Give me Trevor Lawrence and the Jacksonville Jaguars, who at least know how to find the other side of 20 points. Jaguars win 24-18

Carolina Panthers (2-5) at Atlanta Falcons (3-4)

Despite last week’s shocking 21-3 upset of the Buccaneers, the Carolina Panthers are still not a very good team this season. I’m not sure the Atlanta Falcons are a great team themselves, but they’ve at least shown more consistency and should win at home here. Falcons win 30-20

Chicago Bears (3-4) at Dallas Cowboys (5-2)

The Chicago Bears broke out on Monday night against the Patriots, but in general, Chicago’s offense hasn’t shown consistency this season. Meanwhile, Dak Prescott may be due for a big game for the Dallas Cowboys in his second start since returning from injury. Cowboys win 33-19

Miami Dolphins (4-3) at Detroit Lions (1-5)

Outscored 53-6 over the last two weeks, the Detroit Lions are the coldest team in the league right now. Like Dallas, the Miami Dolphins should get the benefit of a week already under Tua Tagovailoa’s belt since returning from injury, and put up more points than they did last week to win again. Dolphins win 29-17

New England Patriots (3-4) at New York Jets (5-2)

With a win, the New York Jets could give themselves an elite record while also burying the New England Patriots in the AFC East basement. But while I think it’s obscure that the Jets are home underdogs despite their superior record, I do think Bill Belichick will find a way to tame his division rivals. The Jets did lose stud rookie running back Breece Hall last week, and while they also traded for James Robinson in his absence, I think New York’s offensive momentum might be slowed. The Patriots would be wise to ride the hot hand, Bailey Zappe, over Mac Jones here. Patriots win 17-16

Arizona Cardinals (3-4) at Minnesota Vikings (5-1)

This is a sneaky good game and a good test for the 5-1 Minnesota Vikings (who are also a perfect 3-0 at home.) Kyler Murray and the Arizona Cardinals have had a disappointing start to their season, but getting Deandre Hopkins back last week helped Arizona earn a 42-34 win over the Saints. If the Cardinals defense can keep Kirk Cousins and the Vikings offense under 30 points, the Cardinals could have another win to even their record, and slightly expose the Vikings as perhaps not a team that’s only going to lose one game all season. Cardinals win 34-27

Las Vegas Raiders (2-4) at New Orleans Saints (2-5)

Both teams are desperate for wins here, and while the New Orleans Saints offense has been playing surprisingly well, their defense could have their hands full with Derek Carr, Davante Adams, Josh Jacobs, and the Las Vegas Raiders offense. Raiders win 31-23

Pittsburgh Steelers (2-5) at Philadelphia Eagles (6-0)

The Philadelphia Eagles have more to lose in this geographical Pennsylvania rivalry, with a perfect record on the line and the Giants and Cowboys breathing down their necks. But I don’t think Jalen Hurts and the Eagles will fold under the pressure, at least not against Kenny Pickett and the Pittsburgh Steelers, who managed just 10 points last week against the Dolphins. Eagles win 28-15

Tennessee Titans (4-2) at Houston Texans (1-4-1)

The Tennessee Titans have won four straight games after an 0-2 start, and shouldn’t have much issue handling the 1-4-1 Houston Texans, even on the road. Titans win 27-18

Washington Commanders (3-4) at Indianapolis Colts (3-3-1)

Both teams gave up significant capital to acquire former star quarterbacks this offseason, with one team actually trading for the other team’s incumbent starter. And yet, neither Carson Wentz (injury) nor Matt Ryan (injury/performance) will suit up for this game, and both their futures are in doubt.

In the case of Taylor Heinickie vs. Sam Ehlinger, Heinickie has more NFL experience, but Ehlinger is playing at home behind a better supporting cast. Colts win 23-17

San Francisco 49ers (3-4) at Los Angeles Rams (3-3)

The battle for the NFC West is far from over even after this Week 8 game, but a season sweep for the San Francisco 49ers would set the team up nicely moving forward. Since San Francisco’s 24-9 Week 4 win, the team has added All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey, who should benefit from a full week of practice.

The Los Angeles Rams have enough talent to win this game and get out of their 3-3 rut, but I fear the 49ers will control the game’s tempo once again. 49ers win 27-24

Sak Sports Blog Game of the Week: New York Giants (6-1) at Seattle Seahawks (4-3)

That’s right: while Lamar Jackson plays against Tom Brady on Thursday night and Josh Allen meets Aaron Rodgers on Sunday night, my Game of the Week honor goes to this game, with two unlikely rising NFC forces going head-to-head on Sunday afternoon. Brian Daboll has coached the heck out of the New York Giants, earning them a 6-1 start, while Pete Carroll, Geno Smith, and the Seattle Seahawks are unlikely NFC West leaders in a post-Russell Wilson era.

The outcome of this game could have ripple effects throughout the current and eventual NFC playoff picture. The Seahawks are slight three-point home favorites, putting the Giants in a familiar underdog role. Daniel Jones needs more help from his wide receivers, but besides that, New York has found ways to win games week in and week out this season. Geno Smith’s offense will be held in check by the team he last played for, and the Giants walk out of Seattle with an elite 7-1 record: but not until after a nailbiter finish. Giants win 26-20

SEE ALSO: Where are the Giants and Seahawks in my Post-Week 7 Power Rankings?

Sunday Night Football

Green Bay Packers (3-4) at Buffalo Bills (5-1)

On paper, this matchup should have been one of the most highly anticipated games of the season. While the main draw is still there, Aaron Rodgers vs. Josh Allen, the drama isn’t there as the Green Bay Packers just haven’t been that good this season without Davante Adams. This matchup was my preseason prediction for Super Bowl 56, and while neither team made it last year, I did pick one again to go to Super Bowl 57: the Buffalo Bills. Bills win 34-23

SEE ALSO: Ranking the Top 10 Quarterbacks in the NFL Heading In To 2022

Monday Night Football

Cincinnati Bengals (4-3) at Cleveland Browns (2-5)

Jacoby Brissett and the Cleveland Browns have lost four straight games, but to their credit, four of their five losses this season have come by three points or fewer. I’m not saying Cleveland is going to win at home on Monday Night Football against Joe Burrow and a Cincinnati Bengals team that has won four of their last five, but I do expect a good fight in the Battle for Ohio. Bengals win 30-27

SEE ALSO: 2022-23 NFL Predictions: AFC North

Teams on Bye

Kansas City Chiefs (5-2), Los Angeles Chargers (4-3)

More

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Header Photo Credits (L-R): Bills Wire USA Today, ESPN via Twitter

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Posted on 0 By Billy Sakmann NFL Posted in NFL, Sak Sports Blog Tagged #, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Billy Sakmann

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