WKYC: NFL Week 8: Odds and picks against the spread for every game

CLEVELAND —

“Sometimes you’re flush and sometimes you’re bust, and when you’re up, it’s never as good as it seems, and when you’re down, you never think you’ll be up again, but life goes on.” – Fred Jung (Ray Liotta) in “Blow.”

My run of five consecutive non-losing weeks came to an end in Week 7, with my 5-9 record bringing my total for the season to 51-52-1. Let’s try to get back to my winning — or at least tying — ways with my Week 8 picks.

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The Panthers seem like a chalky pick here, but there’s not much you could do to get me to pick the Falcons right now — at least not if I’m only getting 1.5 points. While Carolina will have to wait another week for Christian McCaffrey’s return, Mike Davis has proven plenty capable of handling the workload in the Panthers’ backfield

Are we sure the right team is favored here? Indianapolis’ defense should be healthier coming off a bye, but we still don’t know what we’re getting week to week with Phillip Rivers. Give me Matthew Stafford, Kenny Golladay, an emerging D’Andre Swift plus the points.

Seven points just seem like too many to lay in this rivalry, even if the Vikings appear to have packed it in for the season. But until it trades Adam Thielen, Minnesota should possess more than enough firepower to keep pace with Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams.

It seems like the Patriots get more respect in these lines than they deserve because of their history. Between their preseason COVID-19 opt-outs and shaky quarterback situation, it’s probably time we stop treating them like Tom Brady’s still in town.

The Bengals couldn’t stop Baker Mayfield and an Odell Beckham-less Browns offense, and I don’t suspect they’ll have much more success against Ryan Tannehill, Derrick Henry and A.J. Brown. Plus, it’s hard to imagine Joe Burrow picking apart Mike Vrabel’s defense the same way he Cleveland’s.

I don’t think the Browns are better without Beckham, but I think Baker Mayfield might be (which isn’t ideal). Either way, Cleveland’s offensive momentum should continue against a Raiders defense that ranks 31st in Football Outsiders’ DVOA.

A line this large would typically be a stay away for me, but when picking every game, I don’t have that luxury. Instead, I’ll lay nearly three touchdowns and hope for Patrick Mahomes to put it away early.

There would have much more ideal spots for Tua to open his NFL career in than one with Aaron Donald lining up across from him.

Even at 4-2, something about this Saints team doesn’t pass the sniff test for me. Had this line stayed at three, I might be on New Orleans, but 4.5 points just seem like too many.

As Kyler Murray showed last week, the only way to beat Russell Wilson is to keep pace with him. Without Raheem Mostert, I think the 49ers offense lacks the necessary firepower to do just that.

I’m not even sure who’s playing quarterback for the Cowboys this week, but I do know I’m not laying 9.5 points with the Eagles, who may once again be without Miles Sanders.

Denver is quietly one of the worst teams in the NFL. The Chargers have more than enough talent to run away with this one so long as Anthony Lynn can stay out of the way.

Simply put, I think Pittsburgh is the better team. I’ll gladly take the Steelers and the points.

Tompa Bay is rolling. Even laying 10.5 points, it’s hard for me to imagine the Giants getting in the Buccaneers’ way.