The birds are going to fly this weekend in the NFL.
Or that’s what NESN.com’s Mike Cole and Ricky Doyle are hoping with their Week 8 NFL SuperContest picks as part of Team OddsShark.
Representing Team NESN, Mike and Ricky are coming off a couple of strong weeks and are slowly but surely making ground in the Team OddsShark standings for the premier football handicapping contest.
With a 3-2 showing in Week 7, Team NESN actually cracked the top 10, sitting tied for 10th with 15.5 points. We’re hoping to build on that momentum and continue the rise to the top.
Here are our Week 8 SuperContest picks.
Atlanta Falcons (-3) vs. Green Bay Packers, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
Georgia Dome, Atlanta
If both teams were healthy, this would be a fantastic matchup and probably an incredible game. But the Packers are anything but healthy. Green Bay is down its top two running backs, and more importantly, the Packers’ top three cornerbacks entering the season all are expected to miss the game. That’s bad news when you’re taking on arguably the NFL’s best receiver and one of the most dangerous passing attacks in the league … on the road.
Seattle Seahawks (-2.5) vs. New Orleans Saints, Sunday, 1 p.m.
Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans
The Seattle offense was starting to find its way, averaging 30 points per game in its three games leading up to Sunday’s pathetic 6-6 tie in Arizona. The Seahawks should get back to business this week, though, against a hapless Saints defense that can’t stop anyone.
Oakland Raiders (+1.5) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, 1 p.m.
Raymond James Stadium, Tampa Bay
So … after the Raiders win this week, will Vegas finally start respecting their unforeseen ability to go on the road, going east even, and winning football games? The Raiders are 4-0 against the spread on the road this season, and we’re expecting that mark to improve this weekend. The Bucs don’t take care of the football, and if they fall behind early like they did last week, the Raiders won’t make the same mistakes the 49ers did by letting them back into the game.
Arizona Cardinals (+3) vs. Carolina Panthers, Sunday, 1 p.m.
Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte
Again, it’s hard to win in the NFL if you don’t win the turnover battle. The Cardinals are eighth in turnover differential, while only the New York Jets have a worse mark than the Panthers. This might also be the week the Cardinals’ pass offense breaks out against a Carolina secondary that’s allowed eight passing plays of 40 yards or longer in only six games.
Dallas Cowboys (-4.5) vs. Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, 8:30 p.m.
AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
The Eagles have been at their best this season when they’re able to get after the passer. It’s unlikely they’ll be able to do so Sunday night against the vaunted Dallas offensive line — on the rare occasion the Cowboys don’t just give the ball to Ezekiel Elliott. Also, Carson Wentz is starting to look a little more like a rookie, and if Dallas can dominate the possession game like they should and put the Eagles in a position to play catch-up, we could see a turnover or two from the kid.
Thumbnail photo via Ron Chenoy/USA TODAY Sports Images
