With no teams taking Week 8 off, there are 16 games to bring us excitement. However, very few games in the slate are appetizing. What do PFN’s NFL Week 8 predictions look like?
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Pro Football Network’s Week 8 NFL Predictions
How did the selection committee fair in Week 7, and who is the new leader in the clubhouse throughout the season?
Year to Date
- Dallas Robinson: 67-39
- Dalton Miller: 67-39
- Adam Beasley:Â 62-44
- David Bearman: 60-46
- Jay Morrison: 59-47
Last Week
- Morrison: 7-6
- Beasley: 5-8
- Miller: 5-8
- Bearman:Â 4-9
- Robinson:Â 4-9
The PFN selection committee was terrible in Week 7. Only one analyst had a positive week, and three of the five games that had a consensus were wrong. Of the 16 games in Week 8, 10 are consensus selections.
These predictions are simply deciding between winners and losers. There are no point spreads here. For that, head over to our Week 8 betting predictions.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Buffalo Bills
- Beasley: Bills
- Bearman: Bills
- Miller: Bills
- Morrison: Bills
- Robinson: Bills
Although the selection committee was unanimous in their predictions, the decision did not come lightly. Buffalo has lost two of their last three games and has not looked good since dominating the Miami Dolphins in Week 4.
MORE: Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Buffalo Bills Predictions
The Buccaneers are a much better football team than we believed. However, Baker Mayfield is less than 100%, and Vita Vea is a game-time decision. They’re bad on early downs, and the Bills have the kind of pass rush that can bury an offense that stays behind schedule.
Houston Texans at Carolina Panthers
- Beasley: Texans
- Bearman: Texans
- Miller: Texans
- Morrison: Texans
- Robinson: Texans
The Houston Texans and Carolina Panthers are coming off bye weeks with rookie quarterbacks. However, those rookie QBs could hardly be further apart in the quarterback hierarchy at the moment.
C.J. Stroud has been the better player by a large margin, and the Texans have the much better new situations. Despite losing multiple offensive linemen along the way, Bobby Slowik’s offense has been great, and Stroud has ascended into a completely different quarterback since leaving Ohio State.
Los Angeles Rams at Dallas Cowboys
- Beasley: Cowboys
- Bearman: Cowboys
- Miller: Cowboys
- Morrison: Cowboys
- Robinson: Cowboys
Although the Cowboys are the better team on paper, the Rams aren’t a particularly easy matchup for Dallas. Their offensive line is underwhelming, which is in stark contrast to the Cowboys’ pass-rushing strength, but the Rams offer far more than what’s on the surface.
L.A.’s particular run game is much better than anticipated. They’re fourth in rushing success rate and fifth in rushing EPA. But it’s also a schematic advantage against a Cowboys defense that has struggled to defend against. Their use of motion and misdirection often takes advantage of the Cowboys’ aggressiveness defensively.
But in the end, the general talent disparity between the two rosters is enough to give Dallas the edge.
Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers
- Beasley: VikingsÂ
- Bearman: Vikings
- Miller: Vikings
- Morrison: Vikings
- Robinson: Vikings
The Vikings and Packers have seemingly moved in different directions over the past few weeks. Green Bay won two of their first three games before a three-game skid that has given us a much less effective offense.
Meanwhile, Minnesota started 0-3 but has won three of their last four, including consecutive games without Justin Jefferson. Divisional games often lead to wacky consequences. Although these teams are moving in opposite directions, neither team is particularly trustworthy.
New Orleans at Indianapolis Colts
- Beasley:Â Colts
- Bearman: Saints
- Miller: Saints
- Morrison: Colts
- Robinson: Colts
Shane Steichen is a wizard offensively, but Dennis Allen is one of the greatest defensive coaches in the NFL. Schematically, this should provide us with one of the best matchups of the week.
The Saints’ offense is a bit of a mess, particularly in the red zone. Meanwhile, Gus Bradley’s defense has struggled defensively in the same area.
In the end, it remains easier to trust the play of Derek Carr more than the play of Gardner Minshew, even though the offensive structure in Indianapolis is far superior.
New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins
- Beasley:Â Dolphins
- Bearman: Dolphins
- Miller: Dolphins
- Morrison: Dolphins
- Robinson: Dolphins
The Dolphins have already disposed of the New England Patriots once this season. However, the Patriots are coming off their own impressive win against a team that absolutely dominated Miami just a few weeks ago.
MORE: Latest Injury Update on Tyreek Hill and Raheem Mostert
Yet, the Patriots’ roster is endlessly injured, and the Dolphins’ speed will be difficult to manage, even for a well-coached New England defense.
New York Jets at New York Giants
- Beasley:Â Jets
- Bearman: Jets
- Miller: Jets
- Morrison: Giants
- Robinson: Jets
The Giants get worked a bit here on the schedule with a “home game” against the team they share a stadium with. The Jets won consecutive games before their bye week. The offense is playing better football, and their defense has remained outstanding even without Sauce Gardner on the field.
Meanwhile, the Giants’ defense has allowed only 21 points over the past two weeks. Their rookie cornerback is playing well, and the pass rush has risen from the dead. Tyrod Taylor has played relatively well.
Jacksonville Jaguars at Pittsburgh Steelers
- Beasley:Â Jaguars
- Bearman: Jaguars
- Miller: Jaguars
- Morrison: Steelers
- Robinson: Jaguars
The Jaguars’ matchup against the Steelers is closely contested. Although Pittsburgh’s offense ranks 28th in EPA and has clear issues, Jacksonville’s offense is only 17th in EPA. Additionally, we’ve seen a much better version of Kenny Pickett since his game-winning drive against the Ravens.
Meanwhile, each team has been elevated by its defense. The Jaguars’ pass rush is alive, and the continuity they brought from a season ago is paying dividends. Jacksonville is seventh in defensive EPA, and the Steelers are eighth. Jacksonville has forced 16 turnovers, the most in the league. Pittsburgh’s 12 are tied for fifth.
Although they’re similar teams right down to having underwhelming offensive lines, four of the five-game selectors decided to side with the one with a more established quarterback.
Atlanta Falcons at Tennessee Titans
- Beasley:Â Falcons
- Bearman: Titans
- Miller: Falcons
- Morrison: Falcons
- Robinson: Falcons
The Falcons are close to being an NFC contender. Although the quality of their schedule fails to continuously give them real tests, their defense appears well-coached and talented. Atlanta is fifth in defensive success rate, and Tennessee’s offense is bad, even with a healthy Ryan Tannehill.
But there is always a possibility that Desmond Ridder will turn the ball over multiple times — the way he has over his last four games.
Philadelphia Eagles at Washington Commanders
- Beasley: Eagles
- Bearman: Eagles
- Miller:Â Eagles
- Morrison: Eagles
- Robinson: Eagles
The Eagles nearly gave their previous matchup against the Commanders away, allowing 31 points to a quarterback who might be sacked 100 times in 2023. But Philadelphia had their wakeup call against the Jets, and Washington’s defense struggles to defend against explosive plays.
Cleveland Browns at Seattle Seahawks
- Beasley:Â Seahawks
- Bearman: Seahawks
- Miller:Â Browns
- Morrison: Seahawks
- Robinson: Seahawks
The Seahawks’ defense has been a swell surprise so far in 2023, but the Browns’ defense has been absolutely dominant. But with the… weird nature… of Deshaun Watson’s injury, it’s hard to feel any semblance of confidence in Cleveland’s offense unless they get radical at the trade deadline.
MORE: Derrick Henry Trade Rumors — Ravens, Browns, Cowboys Best Fits for Titans RB
The Browns’ defense has a 33.3% success rate against, which is the best in the NFL. The Seahawks’ offense is at 48% (fourth best). More specifically, Seattle’s passing attack is particularly adept.
However, there is a Myles Garrett-sized problem lurking for the Seahawks’ offensive tackles.
Baltimore Ravens at Arizona Cardinals
- Beasley:Â Ravens
- Bearman: Ravens
- Miller: Ravens
- Morrison: Ravens
- Robinson: Ravens
Since Arizona’s surprising win against Dallas, the Cardinals have fallen apart on both sides of the ball. Although Baltimore is prone to turnover-latent performances on offense, their defense is incredibly talented and consistent.
Additionally, it’s not easy to see a way that the Cardinals can continuously get stops against the Ravens. Todd Monken has been a gift, and Lamar Jackson’s progression in the pocket has been incredible to witness.
Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos
- Beasley:Â Chiefs
- Bearman: Chiefs
- Miller: Chiefs
- Morrison: Chiefs
- Robinson: Chiefs
Barack Obama was still the leader of the free world the last time Denver beat Kansas City. It’s been 16 consecutive games and eight years since the Broncos last beat the Chiefs.
Oh, and Kansas City finally has found defensive success to begin a season. Meanwhile, Patrick Mahomes continues to be himself, which is the greatest talent in the NFL.
Cincinnati Bengals at San Francisco 49ers
- Beasley:Â 49ers
- Bearman: 49ers
- Miller: Bengals
- Morrison: Bengals
- Robinson: 49ers
Brock Purdy is in concussion protocol and may not play against the Bengals. However, the second-year QB has struggled over the past two weeks, and Cincinnati’s defense is no pushover. But we have no idea what kind of ceiling Sam Darnold has in a situation that is — for the first time in his career — tenable.
MORE: Trip to San Francisco Will Show Who the Bengals Are
The Bengals return from the bye week having two weeks to prepare for what appeared to be a 49ers team that was unbeatable for the first five weeks of the season. But Lou Anarumo, with two weeks to prepare for Kyle Shanahan, could pay dividends for Cincinnati.
Chicago Bears at Los Angeles Chargers
- Beasley:Â Chargers
- Bearman: Chargers
- Miller: Chargers
- Morrison: Chargers
- Robinson: Chargers
Justin Herbert has struggled the past two weeks. Independant of any situational factors, Herbert simply hasn’t been as accurate as usual. But this should be a get-right game for him, considering the lackluster talent on the Bears’ defense.
But Tyson Bagent was efficient a week ago, and the Chargers’ defense isn’t particularly adept, either. However, they do have the pass-rushing talent to disrupt the rookie QB.
Las Vegas Raiders at Detroit Lions
- Beasley:Â Lions
- Bearman: Lions
- Miller: Lions
- Morrison: Lions
- Robinson: Lions
The Lions are coming off an embarrassing loss against the Ravens and will need a bounce back against the Raiders because it looks like the Vikings aren’t going to fade away the way we believed they may early in the season.
