Finally! NFL Week 8 Picks are here

Some call it resilience, some call it rebuilding, The truth is that in the recent past of the NFL a statistic was born that describes the importance of starting work when others rest.

For the third season in a row, a team that did not make the postseason the previous year remains on a perfect journey through the first seven weeks of the season, A 7-0 in this league can be read so easily that it often loses its dimension.

In 2021 the Arizona Cardinals stopped flying under the radar to capture the looks around the game. Not only are they the only undefeated team, but they also seized quality wins that brought them into the conversation of legitimate contenders.

Last year, in a season that will be remembered by the bare stands of fans due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Steelers won their first 11 games, the best start in their history.

Before the world was confined in 2019, The San Francisco 49ers won the first eight games of the season that fueled their journey to Super Bowl LIV.

The NFL’s turnaround is so dramatic that four teams that missed the postseason in 2020 lead their divisions after seven Sundays of football. The Bengals, Cowboys, Raiders now see the rest of their rivals down.

According to statistics provided by the NFL office, at least two teams captured their divisions this season after missing the Playoffs in 17 of the past 18 years. Free agency and the traditional Draft are engines of immediate franchise renewal. Being an eternal loser, it seems only exclusive to the Lions that although they fight they plummet.

Week 8 will make it increasingly clear to us which of the 32 teams are real contenders and which are limited to being participants.

Weekend of Halloween so don’t rule out trick plays and lots of sweet moments on Sunday.

As is rarely the case, football week begins with a potential playoff rivalry between the undefeated Cardinals and the “near-undefeated Packers.” Then there is a battle for the AFC North between the Steelers and the Browns and a Sunday night of many costumes in the stands and points on the scoreboard, when the Cowboys visit the Vikings.

For the second time in a row I finished 10-4. They are not numbers to brag about, but not to vilify either. They remember that during the entire campaign at least one game each week went to overtime, because in the past, none needed the so-called “fifth quarter”, the trend was broken

GAME OF THE WEEK

Cowboys (-2.5) at Vikings:

Like Dallas, Minnesota is coming off a bye week that was sure to be beneficial to the health of the players on both teams. Before taking days off, Dak Prescott left the Cowboys number one in the rankings with 34 points per game. In Dallas they already know how to use their attack because they have managed to balance the plays by passing and on the ground. A tandem that all teams would like to have, but few can develop.

Dallas 5-1 has stepped up among NFC contenders thanks to evolving defense.

After a bumpy start, Minnesota worked its way back to .500 in winning percentage. His quarterback KIrk Cousins ​​has so far completed 70 percent of his passes for 13 touchdowns and two interceptions. The Vikings begin a difficult stretch of their schedule. After Dallas they travel to Baltimore and Los Angeles to face the Ravens and Chargers, two postseason contenders in the AFC. In Week 11 Minnesota meets Green Bay in a divisional fight.

That’s why the Minnesota task force will have to plan each encounter to manage their weapons.

The Vikings have a powerful offense that shoots from the start. In each of their first series of the previous five games, they reached the end zone. Cousins ​​has established an offensive rhythm with nearly 300 yards and two touchdowns over the previous season. The trio of catchers Justin Jefferson, Adam Thielen and KJ Osborn is one of the most efficient in the league.

The Boys were able to vacation with victory on their mind. The tranquility comes with a campaign in which they have five victories, the most recent in Foxborough, where they have not won since 1987. The visit to Gillette Stadium marked the tenth consecutive game in which the Dallas defense has had multiple points and Game 6 with an interception by Trevon Diggs.

Quarterback Dak Prescott is on track to regain his health after a calf strain on the last play against the Patriots. Cowboys 30-28 Vikings

SURE PICK

Bengals (-10) at Jets:

The Jets will not have rookie Zach Wilson taking the balls from the center. I don’t know if that is good or bad news for the organization. And it is that although the chances of victory are reduced, at the same time they take care of Wilson from blows in a season in which he has been very punished. Cincinnati is currently sitting in the driver’s seat of the NFC North after a trip to Baltimore where he got one of his best deals beating the Ravens.

The Bengals have in their quarterback Joe Burrow and rookie Ja’Marr Chase a key that opens any defense with the multiple passes in which they connect.

The Jets are coming off being swept by the Patriots 13-54. Bill Belichick hates this organization and every time he can, he brings it out. New York is so weak that in the first quarter of its engagements alone it has been outscored 44-0. They hired veteran Joe Flacco but it will be Mike White who starts. Bengals 35-14 Jets

UPSET

Cardinals (-6.5) at Packers:

Here we go again. It’s not that I don’t think the Cardinals are a playoff-caliber team, but I play by the odds and I know that an Arizona loss is closer to happening. Opposite are the Packers. They haven’t lost since Week 1 against New Orleans and Aaron Rodgers has brought order to the crazy voices that said he was playing against their organization. The Green Bay quarterback has regained MVP form.

Unless Davante Adams tests negative for Covid, he will not play. If this happens the Packers are in trouble, but in the past they managed to get around the inconvenience of launching an offense without Adams.

Both defenses are part of the top 10 contingent. The Cardinals’ offense has stars like Kyler Murray, AJ Green, DeAndre Hopkins who are tasked with creating dream plays.

But Packers has the experience of coming out ahead in dark scenarios. Cardinals 21-24 Packers.

TWO MINUTE DRILL

Dolphins at Bills (13.5):

Miami has six losses in a row. It is not understood how they beat the Patriots in Week 1. The Bills were off last weekend, which fell well in the organization after the tough loss to the Titans. Josh Allen has connected 65 percent of his passes and has only suffered three interceptions. Against the Dolphins’ aimless defense, he’s sure to have a field day again. Dolphins 21-38 Bills

Atlanta (-3) at Panthers:

The Panthers are coming off losing their fourth straight game. Sam Darnold was benched and with. fair reason. The problem is that they are still without running back Christian McCaffrey. Carolina’s defense is ranked among the best in the league and that could put Atlanta in trouble. Yet the Falcons are talented when the ball is on their side. Falcons 27-23 Panthers

Eagles (-3.5) at Lions:

If young Jalen Hurts can take the pulse of the game, the talent around him will make the result. The offensive line, which has allowed 14 sacks so far, must better protect him. The Lions are still winless and at least they will stay that way for another week. Eagles 28-21 Lions

Titans at Colts (pick):

We have already seen that Derrick Henry not only runs over opponents with the ball on top of him, he can also shoot. The Titans are 5-2 with wins over Buffalo and Kansas City, last year’s AFC Finals participants. The Colts are coming off a short week after defeating the 49ers on a rainy night and they showed they have the potential to win tough games. Titans 23-17 Colts

Rams (-14.5) at Texans:

We all hope to see a lot of points, we all know they will be on the Rams’ side, although Tyrod Taylor returns for Houston. Rams 35-14 Texans

Steelers at Browns (-3.5):

The Steelers are rested and will travel east to Cleveland to face the Browns in a divisional showdown. Last year the Steelers beat them twice at home, one of them in the playoffs. The Browns will not have Baker Mayfield according to reports, but running back Nick Chubb is likely to return. The bye week went well in Pittsburgh but it won’t be enough. Steelers 21-24 Browns

49 ers (-3.5) at Bears:

Bears rookie Justin Fields must be concerned about defenders Nick Nosa and Arik Armstead. Growing up has been painful for Chicago’s first-year quarterback. Last week they only managed to put three points on the scoreboard against the Bucs. While Jimmy Garoppolo is not coming off a good night when he lost to the Colts either, he will pass the test. 49ers 23-17 Bears

Jaguars at Seahawks (-3.5)

The Jaguars took a break for the past week after their first win in London. Now they travel far, to face Seattle and its mediocre offense that without Russell Wilson seems to be far below the rest. The Seahawks are favorites but they have DK Metcalf who at least against Jacksonville will put on a great game. Jaguars 10-16 Seahawks

Patriots at Chargers (-6):

The Chargers are still reeling from a 6-34 loss to the Ravens in Week 7. A win against Bill Belichick and the Patriots will lift spirits. Patriots 17-30 Chargers

WFT at Broncos (-3.5):

The Broncos are in a tailspin and no way to regain the helm. After opening the season with a winning streak, for four weeks Denver has only known defeat. In a surprise. WFT will be the opportunity to get out of the hole. WFT 20-23 Broncos.

Buccaneers (-5.5) at Saints:

Tom Brady continues to tear the league apart at 44 years old. On Monday Night against the Seahawks, the Saints defense showed tools to compete, but not enough to stop The GOAT. Buccaneers 28-17 Saints

Giants at Chiefs (-10):

Quarterback Daniel Jones continues to evolve. New York has two wins thus far and with Saquon Barkley questionable due to injury, the visit to Kansas City looks like it won’t be pleasant. Giants 16-30 Chiefs.

PARLAY

Broncos -3.5 Under

Buccaneers -5.5

Colts pick

PICKS RACE

Last week 10-4

Total:

Ariel 74-34

Ivan 70-38