NFL Picks Against the Spread 2014: Week 8

Before Week 8 of the 2014 NFL season kicks off, I thought we would have some fun by taking a look at the spreads for this week's round of games. (Click here for NFL Week 8 picks without regard to the spread.)

Here are my suggestions when trying to beat Vegas. You can find all of today's NFL betting lines and more at the SB Nation odds page. My record so far this season: 42-52-2. (Last week's picks.)

Vegas kicked my butt last week. I finished at 5-9. Sigh.

2014 NFL WEEK 8

Detroit Lions (-3) at Atlanta Falcons: This game takes place in London so it's at a neutral site. Detroit looked shaky in Week 7 but their defense is more of a safe bet than relying on the Falcons. The Lions should be able to have their way against a struggling Falcons offensive line. Pick: Lions -3

Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals (-2.5): The Bengals are favored despite not having won a game in over a month. Not to mention their 27-0 blowout loss to Indy in Week 7. But Vegas isn't crazy; the Bengals still haven't lost a home game since December 2012. Pick: Bengals -2.5

Minnesota Vikings at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-3): The Vikings aren't a good team by any means but the Buccaneers are just terrible. I can't count on them. I like Minny with the points. Pick: Vikings +3

Seattle Seahawks (-6) at Carolina Panthers: The Seahawks have lost two straight games while the Panthers only have recorded one win in their last five games. Even though Seattle has been losing they are still talented and have kept their losses close. Meanwhile, Carolina was blown out in Green Bay last week and owns the 8th worst point differential in the NFL. Pick: Seahawks -6

Buffalo Bills at New York Jets (-3): Call me crazy but I think the Jets get their second win of the season on Sunday. New York will benefit from extra rest and the addition of wide receiver Percy Harvin. Geno Smith is coming off his best performance of a struggling season. Pick: Jets -3

Chicago Bears at New England Patriots (-7): The Bears don't look very good right now. With that in mind, they are 3-1 in road games this season and their only loss came when they blew a lead and lost by 7. The Pats should win this one but I'll take Chi-town to cover. Pick: Bears +7

St. Louis Rams at Kansas City Chiefs (-7): The Rams have shown life in recent weeks so it's tempting to take the points here. But then again, they're the Rams, and they're on the road. I have to go with the home favorites. Help me out here, Big Red. Pick: Chiefs -7

Miami Dolphins (-6) at Jacksonville Jaguars: I trust the Dolphins here a lot more than I do the Jaguars. Pick: Dolphins -6

Houston Texans (-3) at Tennessee Titans: The Titans have a new quarterback: rookie Zach Mettenberger. He kind of looks like Uncle Rico. The Titans are terrible but the Texans are bad and Tennessee is at home. Plus how could you bet against Uncle Rico? Pick: Titans +3

Philadelphia Eagles at Arizona Cardinals (-3): The battle of the Birds is the battle between two of the best teams in the NFC right now. Arizona hasn't lost a home game to a non-division opponent so 2012 so this won't be easy for the Eagles. I do like Philadelphia more in this match-up, however, so I have to take the points here. Pick: Eagles +3

Indianapolis Colts (-3.5) at Pittsburgh Steelers: The Colts look legitimate. I still have my doubts about the Steelers, who have yet to beat a good team. Pick: Colts -3.5

Oakland Raiders at Cleveland Browns (-7): The Cleveland Browns are a seven point home favorite despite losing to the Jacksonville Jaguars last week. The Raiders are bad for sure, but I think this spread is a little too generous to the Browns. Pick: Raiders +7

Green Bay Packers (-1) at New Orleans Saints: The Packers look hot while the Saints do not. Pick: Packers -1

Washington Redskins at Dallas Cowboys (-10): The Cowboys are a very good football team and look hard to beat, but Washington is tempting here to at least cover. Washington is 12-3 ATS in their last 15 meetings with Dallas (7-1 in last 8) and the Cowboys are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 as home favorites. Pick: Washington +10