NFL picks Week 8: Falcons-Buccaneers and every other game

Jan 25, 1998; San Diego, CA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Denver Broncos running back Terrell Davis (30) carries the ball past Green Bay Packers linebacker Bernardo Harris (55) and defensive tackle Santana Dotson (71) during Super Bowl XXXII at Qualcomm Stadium. The Broncos defeated the Packers 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Peter Brouillet-USA TODAY Sports

San Francisco 49ers at St. Louis Rams (-9.5)

The way St. Louis (3-3) is playing on defense and with Todd Gurley dominating on the ground, it’s hard to see anyway of San Francisco (2-5) winning on the road. Oh how times have changed.

Pick: St. Louis 26, San Francisco 6

New York Jets (-1) at Oakland Raiders

New York (4-2) gave the Patriots all they could handle last week, and despite Oakland (3-3) playing well of late, the Jets come away with the road win. Derek Carr and Amari Cooper will find life tough against this defense, and the Jets have enough on offense to control the game.

Pick: New York 27, Oakland 17

Seattle Seahawks (-6) at Dallas Cowboys

Without Tony Romo and Dez Bryant, Dallas (2-4) is a mess. Even if Bryant returns, there’s no way the Cowboys pull off the win against a desperate Seattle (3-4) team.

Pick: Seattle 26, Dallas 3

Green Bay Packers (-3) at Denver Broncos

The Denver (6-0) defense will give Aaron Rodgers a lot of problems, but if one team can expose them, it’s Green Bay (6-0). The Packers allow the fewest points per game (16.8) than any other team. The Broncos are second (17.0). It’s tough to call, but at home I give Denver the nod.

Pick: Denver 21, Green Bay 20

Indianapolis Colts at Carolina Panthers (-7.5)

Indianapolis (3-4) is an absolute mess right now, and the complete opposite is true of Carolina (6-0). Andrew Luck will have a tough time moving the ball on the Panthers defense, but the Colts will be unable to get enough stops to win.

Pick: Carolina 28, Indianapolis 24

Last week: 9-5
Season: 69-35