NFL straight-up picks, Week 8: A rookie of the year showdown in a chalky weekend

After a agelong database of coin flip matchups successful Week 7, Week 8 of nan 2024 NFL play isn’t astir arsenic compelling.

Only 5 games successful a 16-game slate person constituent spreads of 3 points aliases fewer. Seven person spreads of a touchdown aliases more. That’s either gonna make this week’s picks incredibly easy aliases stupidly difficult.

There’s plentifulness to for illustration contempt a lopsided lineup. Caleb Williams and a hopefully patient Jayden Daniels will look disconnected successful what could go a postseason staple successful nan NFC. The Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers will fig retired whose skid is reversible and who is fast-tracked to irrelevance. And Patrick Mahomes will get to look nan section rival who trotted retired a Kermit nan Frog doll dressed for illustration him backmost successful nan summer.

Who’s gonna return each crippled this week? Let’s return a look and prime immoderate winners.

The occurrence of nan past fewer weeks looks a small for illustration my 2023, wherever I ended nan twelvemonth arsenic Pickwatch’s apical expert in a section of hundreds — successful fact, I’m now doing immoderate broadside activity in Pickwatch’s VIP Discord channels if you want to talk much astir these games.

Joining maine for 2024 is simply a six-person sheet ranging from FTW editors (Charles Curtis, Mary Clarke) to betting analysts (Prince Grimes) to NFL writers (Robert Zeglinski, Andrew Joseph, Meghan Hall). Here are our Week 8 picks:

All likelihood via BetMGM

and:

Since our editing package occasionally struggles to make these picks ace clear, present they are successful an easier to publication (but intolerable to trim and paste) jpg:

Why I for illustration this pick:

The Raiders person a Patrick Mahomes Kermit nan Frog puppet astatine training camp?

The man is 10-2 against nan Raiders, Chiefs person won 8 consecutive AFC West titles and they conscionable guaranteed themselves an ass whopping they won’t forget. @PatrickMahomes

🎥 @RaidersAQ pic.twitter.com/rzBJnVlUTF

— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) July 25, 2024

Why I don’t for illustration this pick:

The Raiders occasionally show up for rivalry games pinch nan Chiefs. This whitethorn beryllium nan past point they person to play for successful 2024.

Last week: 1-0
2024 to date: 5-2 (.714)

Why I for illustration this pick:

Josh Allen had an MVP lawsuit moreover earlier adding Amari Cooper to his receiving corps. Cooper is bully capable to drawback touchdown passes without moreover knowing what route he should beryllium running. DK Metcalf will beryllium playing connected a sprained MCL against a walk defense that’s exceeded expectations this fall. Seattle mislaid its past 2 location games by a mixed 21 points, and that includes a nine-point nonaccomplishment to nan Giants.

Why I don’t for illustration this pick:

Laying points successful Seattle ever feels awful. The Seahawks ended their three-game skid by embarrassing nan Falcons successful Week 7.

Last week: 0-1
2024 to date: 3-4 (.429)

This week is ray connected evident upset picks. Let’s talk astir nan showdown betwixt rookie of nan twelvemonth frontrunners happening extracurricular nan nation’s superior instead.

Why I for illustration this pick:

The Commanders’ defense is simply a problem; it ranks 27th successful expected points added (EPA) allowed connected some moving and passing plays. Now it has to look Caleb Williams and D’Andre Swift aft a bye week. Jayden Daniels mightiness beryllium bully capable to flooded that connected his own, but he’s dealing pinch a rib wounded and whitethorn beryllium limited. Even if he’s 100 percent, he’s sewage to face nan league’s No. 3 defense. The champion portion he’s faced truthful acold belongs to nan Cleveland Browns… who rank 16th.

Why I don’t for illustration this pick:

Daniels, moreover hurt, has wizard qualities. A bye week leaves important clip for Matt Eberflus to overthink things. Chicago is susceptible against nan tally and Washington conscionable ran for 241 yards (against nan Panthers, but still).

Last week: 0-1
2024 to date: 2-5 (.286)