For the Denver Broncos, Week 1 needed to really feel like a foul flashback.
The primary 12 instances that Patrick Mahomes began in opposition to the Broncos, the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs had been 12-0. Then there was a shift with Sean Payton in cost, and the Broncos gained two of three in opposition to Mahomes and the Chiefs. Then the season opener was like outdated instances.
It wasn't Mahomes that ruined the Broncos within the opener, although he performed fairly properly. It was Kenneth Walker III doing many of the harm as he ran by means of many missed tackles by the Broncos for 173 speeding yards. Additionally, the Chiefs' protection shut down Denver in a 31-10 win. It was a whole, spectacular efficiency.
It doesn't seem to be a lot has modified since then. The Chiefs began 5-0 earlier than dropping final week at Seattle, a really powerful opponent. The Broncos are 5-2 however questions persist about their offense. Denver's protection has performed significantly better since that bizarre off night time at Kansas Metropolis, nonetheless.
Whereas the protection on the entire has been higher for the Broncos, the run protection isn't nice. They're twenty sixth in EPA (d) per rush allowed. It's straightforward to say that the Seahawks confirmed everybody how you can beat the Chiefs and that's to take Walker out of the sport, however not everybody has Seattle's protection to tug that off. The Broncos confirmed as soon as they aren't an important matchup in opposition to Walker. That's an enormous motive Kansas Metropolis -1.5 is the decide. We noticed within the season opener that the Chiefs' dominance over the Broncos may not be over.
Listed here are the remainder of the picks in opposition to the unfold for Week 8 of the NFL season:
Panthers (+3.5) over Packers
There's no means the Panthers are as unhealthy as they performed final week, once they had been down 33-6 to the Buccaneers by halftime. Competent groups that get embarrassed normally bounce again properly. The Packers are nonetheless a tricky staff to foretell.
Raiders (+1.5) over Jets
The early East Coast begin has been demise for the Raiders for a very long time. However they’re in all probability the higher staff. Definitely the higher coached staff. The Raiders are on a four-game dropping streak however have a look at the opponents: Chiefs, Patriots, Payments, Rams. These are 4 of the strongest groups within the NFL. If Las Vegas can't win right here, it may be Fernando Mendoza time.
Cowboys (-6.5) over Cardinals
The Cowboys are going to attain. The Cardinals have given up at the very least 30 factors in six of their eight video games. Dallas confirmed on Monday night time that its offense is again. However what about Dallas' protection? Perhaps a powerful fourth quarter in opposition to the Eagles is an indication that the Cowboys' protection will be considerably competent. It's scary to choose the Cowboys laying factors to anybody as a result of they'll must get stops, however it will be a shock in the event that they don't rating 30.
Buccaneers (-2.5) over Falcons
Good luck determining both of those groups. The Buccaneers may very well be higher than we predict. Their solely important weak spot has been go offense, and that’s defined by having an undrafted rookie beginning three of their seven video games. We don't know if Baker Mayfield is absolutely wholesome, contemplating he had simply 11 go makes an attempt in his return from a dislocated proper thumb final week, but when he’s possibly the Bucs can get on a roll.
Browns (+3.5) over Steelers
Groups getting back from a global recreation and taking part in straight away and not using a bye are 0-3-1 this season. The losses had been by 12, 11, and 6 factors, and the shut loss was by the Texans as a 10-point favourite final week. The tie was the Commanders once they had been favored at residence in opposition to the Giants. It's a tough turnaround, and it's what the Steelers face getting back from Paris final Sunday. Each of those groups are 5-2 however flawed, and I'll trip with the angle of the Browns not being the staff that performed in France final week.
Jaguars (-9.5) over Colts
It's arduous to think about being a Colts participant this week. Quenton Nelson and DeForest Buckner had been traded and everybody else with any worth has to surprise in the event that they're subsequent. It's really stunning the road is lower than 10 factors in opposition to a Jaguars staff coming off a bye and a loss. This might get actually ugly. The rest of the Colts' season may get actually ugly.
Ravens (+3.5) over Payments
You've seen this right here earlier than: This all will depend on if Lamar Jackson performs. This week, I assume he’ll. It appeared like he was shut final week and he practiced in full on Wednesday. There can be some actual frustration if he's not again for this recreation, which Baltimore may must win to begin to save its season. Their remaining schedule is the hardest within the NFL A. If he does play, we all know the Payments protection just isn’t excellent. Getting greater than a subject objective appears good.
Vikings (+3.5) over Lions
If the Vikings' construct was reversed, and so they had a enjoyable offense that was clearly one of many two finest within the sport however a protection that was unreliable and among the many 10 worst within the NFL, we'd respect them extra. How do we all know that? The 2026 Buffalo Payments, that's how. Minnesota's protection has been exceptional. Take a look at the Chicago Bears this season. In three of Caleb Williams' 4 begins, Chicago is averaging 39 factors. Within the different begin, in opposition to the Vikings, the Bears scored three factors at residence (Williams obtained injured in that recreation however not till mid-fourth quarter). Perhaps Detroit will determine Brian Flores' protection, however no person else has and I'm prepared to take greater than a subject objective.
Titans (+10.5) over Bengals
The Titans have been blown out solely twice. They misplaced by 13 to the Jets in Week 1 and 23 to the Texans in Week 5. Each different recreation has been determined by six or fewer factors. The Titans have gained solely a kind of video games, however they're conserving it shut. It's potential Joe Burrow will add to his t and torch Tennessee in a blowout, however this looks as if a great spot for an unsightly underdog.
Rams (-6.5) over Chargers
Usually, an 0-6 staff coming off a bye can be a advantageous alternative. The Chargers don't need to get embarrassed all season. However they're merely not a superb staff in any section. That’s surprising but additionally irrefutable. That is the precise sort of contrarian decide I'd wish to make however I simply can't get there with the Chargers.
Patriots (-7) over Dolphins
It's potential the Dolphins get some confidence from their first win. It's additionally potential they let down a bit: It's nonetheless a 1-5 staff whose objective was to get that first win out of the best way. On the opposite aspect, there's a Patriots staff coming off a loss with three additional days of relaxation.
Commanders (-5.5) over Eagles
A low level of this week was trying on the schedule and realizing this was the Sunday night time recreation. Not enjoyable. Unsure what's extra stunning: {That a} 1-4-1 Commanders staff is a 5.5-point favourite over the Eagles, or that the Commanders are the decide. The Eagles' finest remaining effort was going to return on a Monday night time in opposition to the rival Cowboys, and that effort was fairly meager. It gained't get higher.
Bears (+3) over Seahawks
The Sunday night time recreation may not be good, however Monday night time makes up for it. This one is enjoyable (and , however that's an outdated gripe). If there's an offensive coach that may determine the Seahawks' protection, it's Ben Johnson. Caleb Williams has been on a heater since coming back from a hamstring damage. On the opposite aspect, Seattle's offense might be joyful to see the Bears protection after a tricky stretch of opposing defenses, and maybe Jaxon Smith-Njigba goes nuts in opposition to a questionable Bears protection. It needs to be a superb recreation, and if that holds it'll be good to have the underdog.
>: 5-8-1
Season thus far: 46-58-2