NFL Week 8 Picks: Sleep Deprived Selections Against the Spread

Ever just have one of those weeks? I’m not talking about a bad week of picking spreads, because last week, I went 5-0 in my Men at Work themed picks against the spread. I’m talking about the crazy life week I had leading up to these NFL Week 8 selections.

It’s always a situation where everything happens at once. The WIFE (that STILL HATES sports) was out of town on business for the entire week, leaving me in temporary single Dad land….

…..

Sorry, I’m back.

Also, the company I work for announced that it was being acquired… by a company I previously worked for. No, really. That “small world” announcement led to a hundred extra questions from anxious employees. But, I get it.

Sure, the HR representation there could have answered a lot of them, but I had the personal experience and was willing to share and put people at ease.

We all go through those kind of weeks, where sleep seems to escape us, as a result.

This was one of those for me. Maybe you have a hectic week that easily tops this one.

So, I awoke this morning feeling like 50% of me got run over by a bus and the other 50% was a close facsimile of “Frank the Tank” landing in the pool.

“Hello darkness, my old friend”… I’m here to make picks again.

That brings us to NFL Week 8, with a few monstrous (yes, that was a cheap Halloween reference) games on the slate, including Packers-Rams, Eagles-Jaguars, Saints-Vikings and Ravens-Panthers.

Now, before I pass out, here are MY FIVE LOCKS for the week, with my NFL Week 8 WINNERS against the spread in RED.

KP’s Sleep Deprived NFL Week 8 Picks

FIVE – Green Bay Packers at Los Angeles Rams (-9.5)

Aaron Rodgers is off the injury report. Geronimo Allison is, too. We could also see Randall Cobb back in the lineup, meaning the Pack are reloaded on offense. That leaves it up to a Green Bay pass defense (5th in NFL, 211.8 ypg) to try and hold down the potent offense of the Rams. Throw in the additional pressure for L.A. to remain undefeated.

The over/under is set at 57 points and that even seems low. Aaron Rodgers being healthier and coming off a bye is the first big thing. If the Green Bay offensive line can keep him that way, Green Bay will keep this one interesting. Give me the Packers and the points.

FOUR – Washington Redskins at New York Giants (+1)

The Giants dealt away Eli Apple this week, leaving a hole in a pass defense that is 14th in the NFL (253.4 ypg allowed). This is a real opportunity for the Redskins to start to take hold of the NFC East. This rivalry always seems to lead to interesting and competitive games, but the Giants are a mess right now. Odell Beckham will need to have a monster game and he likely will against Washington’s secondary. But, will that be enough?

The Redskins are underrated on defense, to the tune of 5th in the NFL in total yards allowed. On the offensive side, Chris Thompson remains questionable but Adrian Peterson will play. Even with the injuries, the one-point line is a bit surprising. Maybe it’s New York’s home field advantage or maybe it’s simply the fact that the Redskins never build momentum over consecutive weeks. That changes this week. Redskins cover on the road.

THREE – New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills (+14)

If you haven’t noticed, the Patriots have scored at least 38 points in four straight games. That includes last week against a very solid Bears defense – on the road. The Bills have scored 31 points over the last four games combined. And Buffalo is starting Derek Anderson.

Is there really anything else to say at this point? The more sentences I write, the more I feel this should be my “five-point” game (and top lock of the week). But a few of the obvious lines have shocked this season, so I’ll leave it right here. After all, we do have the Bills Mafia to bring some Monday night energy, so who the heck knows.

Who am I kidding? Pats win big on the road… again.

TWO – Baltimore Ravens at Carolina Panthers (+1.5)

I admit that I was on the fence regarding this one for a bit. Cam Newton landed on the injury list for the majority of the week and struggles against relentless pressure and strong defenses. As most QB’s do. The Ravens are that kind of defense (2nd in NFL against the pass, 1st in sacks).

Despite all that, my gut still likes the Panthers. Carolina is undefeated at home, 4th in rushing offense and has the impact playmakers on defense, too. Any good defense can deliver a bad day for Joe Flacco. Give me the Panthers to remain undefeated at home.

ONE – Seattle Seahawks at Detroit Lions (-3)

The Seahawks are coming off a bye week and have had time to prepare for this road test. Seattle is improving in recent weeks and its third-ranked pass defense will pose a challenge for Matthew Stafford. That leaves Kerryon Johnson, who had a coming out party last week against the Dolphins, rushing for 158 yards on just 19 carries.

But did anyone see Miami’s defense against the Texans on Thursday night? Exactly. Give me a refreshed Seahawks squad on the road in the Motor City.