NFL Week 8 picks, spreads, best bets: Rams upset Cowboys among three shocking outright underdog winners

What’s my one situation on the subject of selecting video games? You have to regard each pick out like a cross try and be utterly keen to overlook you threw an interception. Now, oftentimes on this industry you can have a nasty recreation and throw a large number of choices. Having stated that…

There’s no likelihood in in his wildest goals may my longtime buddy and colleague Ryan Wilson have imagined going 0 (0) for 13 in opposition to the unfold ultimate week. That’s just like the well-known Jake Delhomme playoff recreation in opposition to the Cardinals the place he finished 50 % of his passes (17 of 34) for one landing and 5 interceptions.

Except if Delhomme had by no means finished a cross, did not throw a landing and had 8 extra interceptions. Fortunately for Wilson he is a wildly a success NFL Draft analyst and has a horny respectable NFL Draft podcast at the CBS Sports PodcastNetwork with former Vikings common supervisor and semi-professional weightlifter Rick Spielman (With the First Pick, you will have to test it out), so no person is concerned about him lacking each unmarried recreation in opposition to the unfold on a unmarried week.

And sure, all of that is only a long-winded manner of distracting you from the reality I went 1-4 on my best bets ultimate week so let’s simply dive into this week’s choices. 

You can take a look at all of my choices at SportsLine, the place you can additionally get choices from other experts like R.J. White.

Panthers (+3) vs. Texans

Sorry, but when you’ll’t stand up for a recreation at house when you are winless, having simply modified playcallers to fulfill an indignant fanbase and a rabid proprietor whilst coming off a bye and dealing with off in opposition to the quarterback taken straight away after your sign caller that you simply traded as much as No. 1 to draft in an outrageously competitive transfer most likely initiated through stated rabid homeowners … smartly, when are you able to stand up for a recreation? Point clean: the Panthers need to win this recreation at house in opposition to the Texans simply to get David Tepper off Frank Reich’s ass. It’s abundantly transparent Tepper is the fellow who sought after to transport up and take Bryce Young. Young’s been a lot worse than C.J. Stroud up to now and he is — one would assume — keenly conscious about that truth. Thomas Brown’s by no means known as performs at an NFL degree, which is terribly regarding in opposition to DeMeco Ryans and this sneaky Houston protection (additionally off a bye). Carolina simply has to win this recreation. 

Rams (+6.5) at Cowboys

Sean McVay is a brand new father now! And his tiny little offensive genius progeny is named after his grandfather, which is particularly cool. Less cool is the Rams in some way being 3-4, which McVay may now not even understand. Not as a result of he is been busy as a long run father, however as a result of just like the Ravens, there is not any imaginable manner he in reality believes he misplaced to Matt Canada and the Steelers. The Rams were given smothered through the Bengals protection all the way through a “MNF” loss in Week 3 and nonetheless handiest misplaced through three issues. This staff may simply be 5-2 and the debate of the city. Instead they are flying beneath the radar (with the business cut-off date drawing near, stay your eye on Brian Burns) in an overly topsy-turvy NFC. I would not be shocked in any respect if Aaron Donald went ham right here and Matthew Stafford-Cooper Kupp controlled a monster recreation en path to an upset highway win and the Rams night issues out at 4-4 at the season. 

Patriots (+9.5) at Dolphins

There hasn’t been a lot to put in writing house about on the subject of the post-Tom Brady technology Patriots and this truth is not going to blow you away or make you wish to have to put money into Bill Belichick. But the Pats have not misplaced to the Dolphins through greater than 10 issues since Brady left the city. Again, now not blown away, I am getting it. Also now not thoughts blowing: Bill is now 2-5 at the season, which is the same as his 2-5 document in opposition to the unfold, which is somewhat higher than my 1-6 document selecting the Patriots in opposition to the unfold. Which, smartly, additionally may now not need to make you put money into Bill Belichick right here. But realizing the Dolphins are most likely lacking Tyreek Hill simply may exchange your thoughts! The Dolphins offense does not revolve fully round Cheetah however he’s enjoying some improbable soccer at this time and he’s beautiful irreplaceable with regards to in reality placing some other human being at the box and having them do the issues he does. Jaylen Waddle is superior, everybody loves his landing dance, however he isn’t Tyreek. Belichick will take Waddle away, jam the field in opposition to the run recreation away and pressure the Dolphins to win with Braxton Berrios and Cedrick Wilson and Chosen Anderson and Chase Claypool.

Titans (+2.5) vs. Falcons

People say they prefer to zig when everybody expects them to zag but if is the ultimate time you noticed any individual zag? Honestly, I’ve by no means observed somebody zag. Like, John Breech thinks he is zagging when he is taking the Falcons to win this recreation, regardless of being winless selecting the Titans this season (directly up, now not even in opposition to the unfold) however if truth be told it is a natural zig transfer. He’s doing precisely what you are expecting, selecting the house staff with the easier roster to win and canopy. He’s ignoring, after all, the Mike Vrabel/Arthur Smith connection. Smith labored for Vrabel over a protracted stretch in Tennessee and each coaches know the opposing rosters somewhat smartly, to not point out the inclinations. Vrabel’s squad is promoting off portions, having simply dealt Kevin Byard to the Eagles, and appears to be settling in for a pleasing, lengthy tank consultation. Smith’s Atlanta staff is 4-3 and in first position within the NFC South. Why is that this unfold not up to three issues once more? Because Vrabel goes to win this recreation outright, that is why.