NFL Week 8 Pick’em Pool Advice, Picks & Predictions (2023)
In Week 7, the Baltimore Ravens knocked the Detroit Lions back to earth, the Minnesota Vikings handed the San Francisco 49ers their second consecutive loss, and Tyson Bageant and the Chicago Bears destroyed the Las Vegas Raiders. This week, all 32 teams are in action with seven of the 16 games featuring a point spread of three points or less.
Here is our best NFL pick-em advice for Week 8.
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NFL Week 8 Pick'Em Pool Advice
Minnesota Vikings vs. Green Bay Packers
After starting 0-3, the Vikings have won three of their last four games. On Monday night, they took care of the 49ers without Justin Jefferson and suddenly are just two games behind the Lions in the NFC North.
This could be a perfect letdown spot for the Vikings, but the Packers simply are not a good football team. They've lost three in a row, including back-to-back games to the Denver Broncos and Las Vegas Raiders. The offense is averaging less than 17 points per game in the last three weeks.
This game is at Lambeau Field, so the home crowd could help will the Packers to victory. However, with how each of these teams is playing right now, the Vikings should blow out their division rivals.
Pick: Minnesota Vikings
New Orleans Saints vs. Indianapolis Colts
This matchup between 3-4 teams is one of the most competitive games on the slate this weekend. The Saints have lost four of their last five games with three of those losses coming by seven or fewer points. Meanwhile, the Colts nearly pulled off a victory over the Cleveland Browns, putting up 38 points against one of the best defenses in football.
The Saints are likely to be without star wide receiver Chris Olave this week, after he was arrested on suspicion of reckless driving. His absence seems like enough to make the Colts the clear favorites in this game.
However, the Saints defend the run incredibly well, which could shut down the two-headed monster of Jonathan Taylor and Zack Moss. Offensively, the Saints still have Alvin Kamara and Michael Thomas against a defense that is allowing 372.1 yards per game. Because of the Saints' defense, we're going with them in what is going to be a very close contest.
Pick: New Orleans Saints
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Jaguars have won four in a row by an average of more than 11 points per game. They were dominating the Saints last Thursday before the defense faltered late and made the score closer than the game really was.
Meanwhile, the Steelers have won four of their last five games, with wins over the Ravens, Raiders, Rams, and Browns. The offense is finally healthy, as Kenny Pickett has both Dionate Johnson and George Pickens available.
While many will go with the Jaguars because they seem like the better team, we actually love the Steelers. The Jaguars' pass defense is really bad, and Pickett is looking much more comfortable under center as this season progresses. Both of these teams do a really good job of turning their opponents over and protecting the ball. We think the Steelers will have more success in that category based on what they've done against quality opponents this season.
Pick: Pittsburgh Steelers
Cleveland Browns vs. Seattle Seahawks
We don't know whether Deshaun Watson or P.J. Walker will start at quarterback this week. Watson was just 1-for-5 for five yards and an interception before he was pulled from Sunday's win. It's hard to confidently say the Browns are better off with Walker since he is just 33-for-66 for 370 yards, zero touchdowns, and three interceptions this season. Yet, somehow the Browns are winning games he starts.
However, this week is going to be a problem for the Browns. Jerome Ford has already been ruled out, which means the offense is likely to run through Kareem Hunt no matter who starts at quarterback. In 2023, that's not a great recipe for moving the football.
The Brownsâ defense has come up big week after week, but if they are stuck on the field for extended periods of time against an efficient Seahawks' offense, they're in a lot of trouble. We saw what happened to them against the Ravens earlier this year.
Pick: Seattle Seahawks
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Phil Wood is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Phil, check out his archive and follow him @Phil_Wood_Jr.