I went 7-8 last week after whiffing on some road favorites. I definitely underestimated San Diego and Green Bay, but felt solid about the rest of my picks.

There are six teams on a bye week this week and an early game in London. There could be some weak football watching on Sunday if we are stuck with some blow outs.

Fall weather is in full force in the NFL, but I don’t think the weather will interfere in many games. Rain is expected across the Midwest, but I don’t see it affecting any bets. 

We pick ever NFL game against the spread and throw out a few upsets in Week 8 of the 2016 NFL season.

Jacksonville Jaguars at Tennessee Titans (-3.5) – My pick is Tennessee Titans

The Titans have a sneaky good run defense. I don’t see the Jaguars doing much on the ground against an average defense, so Jags QB Blake Bortles will try to force throws on Thursday. The Titans will once again rely on the ground game. The Titans are closer to being a ‘good team’ than the Jaguars.

Washington Redskins at Cincinnati Bengals (-3) – My pick is Cincinnati Bengals

This game is on London…so yay, another breakfast with football! Washington was on a roll until they lost to Detroit by a field goal last week. They’ve been doing a lot of stuff right and actually had their running game going well. Cincinnati has TE Tyler Eifert back and he should have a bigger role in this game. The Bengals are better than their record and will cover in London.

Oakland Raiders at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-1.5) – My pick is Oakland Raiders

I said this last week and I will say it again, Oakland is a superb road team. Their secondary will be tested and Oakland has ‘bend, but don’t break’ corners. When QB David Carr, RB Latavius Murray and WR Amari Cooper are all healthy, the Raiders are a playoff-caliber team. I really like Oakland in this contest.

Seattle Seahawks at New Orleans Saints (+2.5) – My pick is New Orleans Saints

Something is broken within the Seahawks offense. Last week’s game against Arizona ended in a 6-6 tie…and was one of the worst games to watch this year. New Orleans offense is clicking and their defense is good for a turnover or two a game…they aren’t very good, but they do force turnovers. I don’t like Seattle’s offense to keep up with New Orleans, so I’m taking the points.

Arizona Cardinals at Carolina Panthers (-2.5) – My pick is Carolina Panthers

On paper, this line is weird. Arizona is 3-3-1 and Carolina is 1-5…yet the Panthers are favored. Carolina is coming off a bye week and they needed a week off to fix some issues. Arizona played like hot garbage last week in their tie versus Seattle. Before the season, many thought this could be the matchup for this year’s NFC Championship game. I highly doubt that will happen this year, but I expect a good game and a Carolina cover.

New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills (+6.5) – My pick is New England Patriots

Bills RB LeSean McCoy is questionable for this game. If he plays, I think the Bill keep this game close, but if he sits out with his hamstring injury, I think the Patriots cover this game. The Pats have look phenomenal since QB Tom Brady came back from suspension.

New York Jets at Cleveland Browns (+3) – My pick is New York Jets

The Browns should have QB Josh McCown back from breaking his collarbone. Cleveland needs a big game from him, especially if WR Terrelle Pryor has to sit with a hamstring issue. The Jets replaced QB Ryan Fitzpatrick with Geno Smith last week, but Smith tore his ACL, so it’s Fitzpatrick time once again. The Jets may also get RB Matt Forte back to 100%. I”m taking the Jets to cover on the road.

Kansas City Chiefs at Indianapolis Colts (+2.5) – My pick is Kansas City Chiefs

I really don’t like the Colts against any team with an accurate quarterback and solid running game. The Colts will win games against bad teams this season, but I don’t see them staying in this game. We will get their typical ‘three quarters of solid play’ and completely stink for either the first or fourth quarter. I think the Chiefs will cover in Indy.

Detroit Lions at Houston Texans (-2.5) – My pick is Detroit Lions

Detroit QB Matthew Stafford is having a very good year and has a variety of weapons. He doesn’t have Megatron anymore, but I like newly-added WRs Anquan Boldin and Marvin Jones with the mainstay of Golden Tate. The Texans looked like garbage against Denver on Monday night. I don’t think Houston’s secondary can keep up with Detroit’s receivers. I’m taking the points.

San Diego Chargers at Denver Broncos (-6) – My pick is San Diego Chargers

I’ve been beating San Diego up a bit about all their injuries, but rookie Joey Bosa is making up it up on defense. He’s pressuring quarterbacks and disrupting everything on defense. Denver was able to run the ball against Houston last week, something opponents haven’t been able to do against San Diego. The Chargers beat the Broncos just two weeks ago, so I don’t see Denver cover this spread…give me the points.

Green Bay Packers at Atlanta Falcons (-3) – My pick is Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons have lost back-to-back games, but they were hard-fought contests that could have went either way. QB Matt Ryan is having one of his best years as a pro. I don’t think Green Bay’s offense can keep up with Atlanta in this game. QB Aaron Rodgers still looks ‘off’ and their backfield is all banged up. I’m taking Atlanta to cover at home.

Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys (-4) – My pick is Dallas Cowboys

I know the Eagles smoked the Vikings last week, but I still think QB Carson Wentz is overrated. Cowboys QB Dak Prescott and RB Ezekiel Elliott should be able to control the clock and nickel and dime the Eagles defense all game. I’m going to take the Cowboys to cover.

Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears (+4.5) – My pick is Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings had a hiccup last week, but I think they are just so much better than the Bears right now. Their secondary will be ballhawks and S Harrison Smith should help stop the Bears ground game. I’m taking the Vikings to cover in Chicago.

 

*These picks are for entertainment purposes

Sweetbob’s NFL picks against the spread record in previous seasons:
2013: 133-95-10
2014: 131-114-9
2015: 150-108-9
2016: 57-44-6

Follow us on Twitter @Sweetbob & ‘LIKE’ us on Facebook!

About the Author…

Bobby Roberts (otherwise known as Sweetbob) is the creator of ‘America’s White Boy’ and contributor at Project Shanks. His writing has been featured on ESPN’s ‘SportsNation’, Sports Illustrated’s Hot Clicks, Guyspeed, and various other sites. You can follow him on Twitter at @Sweetbob