NFL Week 8 Picks & Locks of the Week

In previous weeks, the staff here at Arch City Sports were given games to predict winners and scores. Starting this week, we are changing it up a bit. We will each be picking game winners and also individual Locks of the Week. So on that note, here’s how our Week 8 looks.

LOCKS OF THE WEEK

Scott Batchelor

PACKERS OVER SAINTS– While the Saints have one of the stronger offenses in the NFL, their pass defense has been poor, ranking 28th in the league. Meanwhile Aaron Rodgers is blowing up defense anytime he takes the field, throwing 18 touchdown compared to just one interception. His WR have some of the hottest hands in the NFC and with a decent RB to keep the defense guessing, I am hard pressed to pick anyone but the red hot packers who have won 5 straight.

Packers 34 – Saints 23

Buzz Baumer

COWBOYS OVER REDSKINS – I like the Cowboys new game plan of feeding and riding DeMarco Murray, who last week was the first back to run for over 100 yards in the first 7 weeks. Redskins are 12th against the run, but it just got a whole lot worse with losing LB Brian Orakpo for the season due to torn pectoral muscle. I also think that QB Colt McCoy will not be as effective as he was last week against the Titans. The Cowboys defense has been coming on strong recently and the addition of Rolando McClain has been a huge surprise for the Cowboys. Cowboys QB Tony Romo is going to have to make good decisions of where he places the ball due to the effectiveness of Redskins safeties Ryan Clark and Brandon Meriweather. I see the Cowboys easily winning this one at home.

Cowboys 27 – Redskins 14 

Dan Buffa

BEARS OVER PATRIOTS – While Tom Brady and the Patriots are riding high after winning three in a row and putting some doubt to rest, The Bears are sneaky and were the first time to punch a hole in the SF 49ers ship and they are 3-1 on the road. They will walk into Foxboro and do the unthinkable and beat Brady in his own house. The script will be flipped. It’s not a Vegas lock, but it’s got all the makings of a major mid season upset.

Bears 31 – Patriots 27

Ryan Leopando

RAVENS OVER BENGALS – The Bengals began the season 3-0, starting off by beating the Ravens in the season opener 23-16. But since then, they have been in a major funk going 0-2-1. They got blown out by the Patriots in Week 5, tied the Panthers in Week 6, and last week they managed only 135 yards of total offense while getting shutout by the Colts 27-0. It doesn’t help that they will be facing a Ravens team that are clicking on all cylinders the past two weeks both offensively and defensively. They sit quietly atop the AFC North at 5-2 and will add to that lead after this weekend.

Ravens 34 – Bengals 13

Jeremy Karp

BROWNS OVER RAIDERS – The Browns are coming off arguably their worst game of the season, losing to the previously win-less Jacksonville Jaguars 24-6. QB Brian Hoyer will look to bounce back against another winless team, the Oakland Raiders. Rookie QB Derek Carr has actually had a good rookie season so far, but it has been overshadowed by the rest of the Raiders’ team, which has been a mess. Look for the RB trio of Tate, West, and Crowell to control the tempo of the game, and for Cleveland to get back on the winning track, in what is becoming a close AFC North race.

Nick Yahl

COWBOYS OVER REDSKINS – It’s going to be hard going against the Cowboys this week especially since their at home. DeMarco Murray is running the ball like a maniac and should continue this week against a struggling Redskin defense. Colt McCoy will be under center for Washington after throwing for 128 yards and a touchdown against Tennessee last week. Look for Dallas to move to 7-1 this week.

Cowboys 34 – Redskins 17

Ryan Melosi

Billy Perry