Big Five Picks for NFL Week 8 (2023)
Brutal Week 7! 0-5! Jeesh! Overall the record for the Big Five Picks is 17-17-1. Exactly 50%. Time to get ourselves a 5-0 week and back to profitability.\
We can mull over last week and ow crazy of a week that was (and sulk over the 49ers' 2nd straight loss) but the best thing to do is to dust ourselves off and try again. No monkeying around today! Stick with the best teams in the league going against inferior opponents. Last week there were several games against evenly matched opponents which I like to call Vegas's revenge since the it was the dogs that came through. This week it will be public's revenge in which the chalk covers. Without further ado, here are the picks!
- NY Jets -3
Don't kid yourselves here by seeing that the Jets are on the road. This is a home game for both NY teams as they share a stadium. Go with the better team here. The Giants offensive line is trash and the Jets defense is very good. Even though the Giants are playing better with Tyrod Taylor behind center and might be better off cutting Daniel Jones now (that's an article for another time) the fact remains that this Giants team is arguably the worst in the NFL and might have their sites set on Caleb Williams at the NFL Draft next spring. Expect playmakers such as Breece Hall and Garrett Wilson to have 100+ total yards and a TD each. Jets win this game by a touchdown. NY Jets 21 - NY Giants 14.
- Philadelphia -7
Often I talk about avoiding divisional matchups but here we have two teams going in opposite directions. Philadelphia looks poised for another Super Bowl run whereas Washington is much like their cellar dwellar neighbor in the NFC East (NY Giants) is in dire need of an identity. This Eagles team is physical and they proved last week by limiting the Dolphins juggernaut offense to just 17 points. Meanwhile the Eagles won by 14 points so I am shocked that the line is just 7 point even though the game is on the road. The Commanders give up a lot of sacks and the Eagles can bring the pressure. On the other side of the ball, no way will Washington stop the Eagles run attack. Good luck penetrating the Eagles offensive line which is perhaps the best I have seen since the 1990s Cowboys offensive line (most of whom are in the Hall of Fame). Eagles win by double digits. Philadelphia 27 - Washington 17.
- Cleveland +4
Again, roll with physical teams today. Cleveland might be on the road with cross country travel but the model thinks this game should be a pick 'em so I will gladly take the 4 points. Lose by a field goal and you still cover. The Browns beat the 49ers two weeks ago and is a slugfest and then beat Indianapolis in a track meet. There is a sense of versatility here I am noticing with this Browns team so I don't think they easily lay down to Seattle and lose by a TD or more. This game will be close regardless if it's DeShaun Watson or P.J. Walker starting at QB for Cleveland. Seattle hasn't faced a team this physical yet. Expect a close game with Cleveland pulling out another victory by the skin of their teeth. Cleveland 20 - Seattle 19.
- Baltimore -10
Don't overthink this one. Arizona stinks and Baltimore is good. If Baltimore can beat the living crap out of Detroit, imagine what they will do to Arizona. Baltimore is dominating on both sides of the ball and Arizona is getting dominated both ways. Baltimore wins huge here. Baltimore 31 - Arizona 10.
- Kansas City -7
Don't overthink this one either. Kansas City has won two Super Bowls in the last 4 years and have been to 5 straight AFC title games. Denver wishes this season could end now. Yes, it's a divisional game and in Denver but Kansas City rarely loses games and usually covers against inferior teams. Taylor Swift or no Taylor Swift in attendance, the Chiefs smoke the Bronocs. Kansas City 34 - 14.
Sorry for the short narratives for Baltimore and Kansas City but it's my daughter's 4th birthday today so I will need to wrap up this article ASAP! Time to celebrate her and a 5-0 week! Good luck!