“Winning solves everything." - Tiger Woods
After a rough Week 6, I got back to my winning ways in Week 7, posting an 8-6 record despite losing a game where the team that covered failed to score a single point (thanks, Washington). With that, my record on the season now stands at 50-52-1, once again putting me within striking distance of getting over the .500 hump.
Let's try to do just that with my Week 8 picks.
All lines made available via VegasInsider.com
Minnesota Vikings (-16.5) vs. Washington Redskins
Pick: Redskins +16.5
The Redskins are a disaster and the Vikings are one of the NFL's hottest teams, but 16.5 points are still a ton to lay when Kirk Cousins is capable of going Kirk Cousins at any given moment. Plus, are we sure we want to trust Cousins in a revenge game vs. his former team? I'm not.
Detroit Lions (-7) vs. New York Giants
Pick: Giants +7
The Giants have taken a step back since Daniel Jones' big debut, but should only get better as Saquon Barkley reacclimates himself to the team's lineup. And despite their early-season success, I'm still not sure I trust a Matt Patricia-coached team to cover a touchdown spread vs. any opponent.
Tennesee Titans (-2.5) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Pick: Buccaneers +2.5
Tampa Bay's offense is capable of going off any given Sunday and this week feels like a spot where it could do just that. In a battle between the top two picks of the 2015 draft, Jameis Winston will be on the field while Marcus Mariota will be holding a clipboard -- come to think about it, I'm not sure which team that makes me feel better about here.
Chicago Bears (-4) vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Pick: Chargers +4
If I keep picking the Chargers, who are 1-4-2 against the spread this season, they have to cover at some point -- right? I've come too far sticking with them to not get the payoff once they finally do cover.
(Seriously, that's my logic for this pick)
Jacksonville Jaguars (-6) vs. New York Jets
Pick: Jets +6
The Jets feel undervalued here coming off a primetime blowout against the Patriots on Monday night. If nothing else, they'll have the better quarterback -- so long as Sam Darnold is finished seeing ghosts -- and a running back in Le'Veon Bell capable of covering the 6-point spread on his own.
Buffalo Bills (-1.5) vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Pick: Eagles +1.5
Despite their record, I'm still not ready to go all-in on the Bills, who were closer to losing to the lowly Dolphins on Sunday than the final score indicated. After losing the Cowboys, the Eagles' season can go one of two ways. I'll stick with their roster talent to shine through here.
Los Angeles Rams (-13) vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Pick: Rams -13
You could make this line -23 and I'd probably still stick with the Rams. In a game where the two teams' objectives for the rest of the season couldn't be any more clear, I'll take Los Angeles in a runaway.
New Orleans Saints (-10.5) vs. Arizona Cardinals
Pick: Cardinals +10.5
The Saints haven't only been hot, they've been so while overcoming key injuries. But the Cardinals have been quietly impressive after their rocky start and possess the offensive firepower to make things interesting inside the Superdome.
Houston Texans (-6.5) vs. Oakland Raiders
Pick: Texans -6.5
The Texans have been up and down all season, but I like this as a bounce-back spot after last week's loss to the Colts. While they may have exceeded expectations at 3-3, all three of the Raiders' losses this season have come by double digits.
San Francisco 49ers (-5.5) vs. Carolina Panthers
Pick: Panthers +5.5
This is a mere matter of taking the best player on the field (Christian McCaffrey) and the points. Considering how impressive the Panthers have been this season, this line feels two points too high.
New England Patriots (-13) vs. Cleveland Browns
Pick: Browns +13
This line feels like an overreaction to the Patriots' blowout victory on Monday, which is something that is always in play when New England faces the Jets. For as disappointing as the Browns have been, they've had two weeks to prepare for this game. And while I don't think they'll win it, I think they have more than enough talent to cover the 13-point spread.
Kansas City Chiefs (+3.5) vs. Green Bay Packers
Pick: Packers -3.5
What can Andy Reid do with Matt Moore? We'll find out on Sunday. But until we see it, I'm going to stick with Aaron Rodgers in a primetime matchup.
Pittsburgh Steelers (-14) vs. Miami Dolphins
Pick: Dolphins +14
Miami is built to lose, but that hasn't stopped its players from playing hard. That's enough for me to take the Dolphins (and the 14 points) against the Steelers and Mason Rudolph, who will be making his first start since suffering a brutal concussion on Oct. 6.