Week 7 lived up to its number as being very lucky for AllSportsPeople' game picks and predictions against the spread. But that doesn't mean much without following up with a strong Week 8.
Although there are only 13 games on the schedule with six teams on bye, here's hoping that number won't lead to the traditional bad luck. But there's no triskaidekaphobia here, just time to dive into another fearless forecast of professional pigskin prognostications:
(Odds courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook)
POWER RANKINGS: Colts, Broncos, Cowboys keep moving up; Vikings, Commanders slip for Week 8
NFL picks against the spread for Week 8
Game of Midweek: Vikings at Chargers (-2.5, 43.5 o/u)
Thursday 8:15 p.m. ET, Amazon Prime Video
J.J. McCarthy may return at QB for Minnesota just in time to face his old Michigan coaches Jim Harbaugh and Jesse Minter in Los Angeles. The Vikings' defense is tough on the run, but the Chargers will be fine with aggressive passing downfield again at home with Justin Herbert while Harbaugh and Minter find some get-well D vs. Either the familiar McCarthy or the erratic Carson Wentz.
Pick: Chargers win 24-20 and cover the spread.
Game of the Week: Packers (-3, 44.5 o/u) at Steelers
Sunday 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC/Peacock
Jordan Love and Josh Jacobs keep grinding to get enough offense to supplement Micah Parsons' red-hot pass rush and the rest of the defense. The Steelers are doing the same with Aaron Rodgers who will be amped for revenge in Pittsburgh, with T.J. Watt and others. This comes down to which team will protect the ball and QB better and makes the most turnover-inducing plays on the other side. Here's feeling that Love will be in more trouble with his limited weapons than Rodgers.
Pick: Steelers win 23-20.
Lock of the Week: Chiefs (-10, 48 o/u) over Commanders
Monday 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN/ABC
The big home number says Kansas City will get to work with Patrick Mahomes vs. Marcus Mariota with Jayden Daniels expected to be out. The injured state of the Commanders' receiving corps is also a big factor in hampering the passing game. The Chiefs' defense just pitched a shutout and will enjoy similar domination with Mahomes having a second consecutive game of quick work.
Pick: Chiefs win 31-13 and cover the spread.
Upset of the Week: 49ers (+1.5, 41.5 o/u) over Texans
Sunday 1 p.m. ET, Fox
The 49ers will work to move the ball well again led by Christitan McCaffrey, the best path to beating former defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans' pass-tailored attack. Current returning 49ers DC Robert Saleh keeps getting the job done with young replacements flying all over the field in his scheme to get after C.J. Stroud.
Pick: 49ers win 20-17.
Dolphins at Falcons (-7.5, 45.5 o/u)
Sunday p.m. ET, CBS
The Dolphins face another brutal pass defense on the road with Tua Tagovailoa teetering toward being benched for rookie Quinn Ewers soon. The Falcons also have a inconsistent QB in Michael Penix Jr., but he has a little more support with Bijan Robinson and Drake London than Tua has with De'Von Achane and Jaylen Waddle. Penix also tends to respond better playing at home in Year 2.
Pick: Falcons win 27-17 and cover the spread.
Jets at Bengals (-5.5, 44.5 o/u)
Sunday 1 p.m. ET, CBS
Joe Flacco took care of the Steelers in thrilling fashion for his first win as a Bengal and will score a victory against one of his several post-Ravens teams back home again. The Jets' defense is playing better but now have hurting former Cincinnati Bearcat Sauce Gardner at cornerback. That's bad news vs. Revving up Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.
Pick: Bengals win 24-17 and cover the spread.
Browns at Patriots (-7, 40.5 o/u)
Sunday 1 p.m. ET, Fox
The Browns can cause a few defensive problems for Drake Maye but they just don't play as well overall away from Cleveland. The Patriots are feeling their offense rolling and their defense started to make more big plays last week on the road at Tennessee. This is a little bit more of an offensive grind, but the job gets done.
Pick: Patriots win 24-19 but fail to cover the spread.
Giants at Eagles (-7, 43 o/u)
Sunday 1 p.m. ET, Fox
The Eagles won't force running the ball with Saquon Barkley and a struggling rushing attack. They will stay aggressive with Jalen Hurts throwing downfield to A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith and others so they can build a lead and put Vic Fangio's defense in position to tee off on Jaxson Dart and hound his weapons in coverage.
Pick: Eagles win 27-17 and cover the spread.
Bills (-7.5, 46 o/u) at Panthers
Sunday 1 p.m. ET, Fox
The Bills expect to be facing Andy Dalton instead of Bryce Young (high ankle sprain) coming out of their bye as they try to do some defensive regrouping, especially vs. The run. Buffalo with Josh Allen once modeled its team after the Cam Newton glory days with plenty of former Carolina influence. The Bills need a big get-well game after two losses and get it here.
Pick: Bills win 31-17 and cover the spread.
Bears at Ravens (-7, 49.5 o/u)
Sunday 1 p.m. ET, CBS
The line suggests the Ravens expect Lamar Jackson back after a bye and that time off should also helped them get a little healthier beyond QB, led by some key defensive pieces. That's bad timing for the Bears, winners of four straight. Caleb Williams will be game in another return to the Beltway, but Jackson digs deep to give the Ravens respect.
Pick: Ravens win 27-24 but fail to cover the spread.
Buccaneers (-6, 48.5 o/u) at Saints
Sunday 4:05 p.m. ET, Fox
The Saints have got more inspired play from Spencer Rattler to the point they can be OK with some of his turnovers with a lot more big pass plays. That said, Todd Bowles' defense will cook up some coverage and pressure issues for the second-year QB while Baker Mayfield has his way throwing downfield with healthier help.
Pick: Buccaneers win 27-20 and cover the spread.
Cowboys at Broncos (-3, 49 o/u)
Sunday 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS
The Cowboys have been rocking at home but they have been terrible on the road and their pass-dependent ways with Dak Prescott runs into a tough pass defense matchup up front and against their receivers. They will run well with former Bronco Javonte Williams when sticking with it, but the Broncos also can have their way with Bo Nix, who plays and wins much better at home.
Pick: Broncos win 30-24 and cover the spread.
Titans at Colts (-14, 47 o/u)
Sunday 4:25 p.m., CBS
The Titans have showed only mild inspiration in the wake of firing former coach Brian Callahan. The Colts have showed relentless scoring and ball control with Jonathan Taylor setting up Daniel Jones for a career season. The Titans cannot stop the run at all and they also can't cover the deep ball. Indianapolis will keep rolling at home.
Pick: Colts win 34-14 and cover the spread.
Stats of the Week
- Week 7 record straight up: 12-3
- Week 7 record against the spread: 12-3
- 2025 season record straight up: 72-34
- 2025 season record against the spread: 54-52