Getty Images
The eighth week is already behind us. And I hold a nine-game lead.
I didn’t add it last week. We split into four disagreements and went 9-5 each in the seventh weekend of 14 games.
For the year I’m at 66-41-1. MDS is 57-50-1.
This week we’re at odds again in four games.
Scroll to see all week eight picks.
Ravens (-1) at Buccaneers
take MDs: The Buccaneers can’t possibly be as bad as they’ve been looking for the past few weeks, right? I don’t think, but I also don’t think they’re going to win in a short week with so much to fix.
The choice of MDS: Ravens 23, Buccaneers 20.
Florio’s opinion: It’s hard to accept that the Buccaneers aren’t very good. But they are not. And the ravens are. The only question is whether they can hold a late lead.
Florio’s choice: Ravens 27, Buccaneers 23.
Broncos (+2.5) vs. Jaguars
take MDs: The Jaguars have been in every game and mostly failed at the end. This time, they’ll come through against a Broncos team that’s going nowhere.
The choice of MDS: Jaguars 16, Broncos 14.
Florio’s opinion: Will Nathaniel Hackett be left behind in London?
Florio’s choice: Jaguars 16, Broncos 13.
Panthers (+4.5) at Falcons
take MDs: Credit to the Panthers and coach Steve Wilks for not finishing the season when many thought they would last week. I think they will return to Earth this week as the Falcons win a game that is surprisingly important in the NFC South race.
The choice of MDS: Falcon 28, Panther 17.
Florio’s opinion: I’m not ready to get off the Steve Wilks train.
Florio’s choice: Panther 24, Falcon 20.
Bears (+9.5) in Cowboys
take MDs: I liked the way the Bears changed offense on Monday night to give Justin Fields more running opportunities, but against a strong Cowboys defense I’m not sure the Bears will be able to a lot to do.
The choice of MDS: Cowboys 17, Bears 10.
Florio’s opinion: The Bears went all-in with overtime to beat the Pats. In a short week, do they have anything left to beat the cowboys?
Florio’s choice: Cowboys 20, Bears 14.
Dolphins (-3.5) at Lions
take MDs: The Lions are cracking up and unless they can change things soon, Dan Campbell’s seat is going to get terribly warm. I don’t see anything turning this week.
The choice of MDS: dolphins 28, lions 21.
Florio’s opinion: With Tua back, the Dolphins are finding their groove again.
Florio’s choice: dolphins 27, lions 17.
Cardinals (+3.5) at Vikings
take MDs: The Vikings could run away with the NFC North, which I don’t think anyone expected pre-season. They will get another win on Sunday.
The choice of MDS: Vikings 24, Cardinals 21.
Florio’s opinion: Minnesota always finds a way to win late as long as the Vikings can avoid a few pick sixes.
Florio’s choice: Vikings 28, Cardinals 24.
Raiders (-2) at Saints
take MDs: After an ugly start, I expect the Raiders to put on a bit of a run over the next few weeks, including Sunday’s second straight win in New Orleans.
The choice of MDS: Hunter 23, Saint 17.
Florio’s opinion: The Raiders have a chance to dig into the playoff talk. The saints too, but only because their division is so bad.
Florio’s choice: Hunter 24, Saint 20.
Patriots (-1.5) at Jets
take MDs: The Jets are playing better than expected, and their defense should do well against the struggling Patriots offense, which still hasn’t identified their starting quarterback.
The choice of MDS: Jets 14, Patriots 13.
Florio’s opinion: Just when it feels like the Patriots are about to fall apart, they find a way to bring it back together.
Florio’s choice: Patriots 17, Jets 14.
Steelers (+11) at Eagles
take MDs: The Eagles will run over the Steelers as they keep the NFL’s only undefeated record intact.
The choice of MDS: Eagles 24, Steelers 10.
Florio’s opinion: Kenny Pickett needs more reps to work towards peak performance. He has a long road ahead of him until then.
Florio’s choice: Eagles 31, Steelers 17.
Titans (-2) at Texans
take MDs: The Titans have taken a step backwards compared to last season, but they’re still the class of the AFC South.
The choice of MDS: Titans 24, Texans 21.
Florio’s opinion: The Titans have a knack for quietly accumulating profits while no one is looking.
Florio’s choice: Titans 28, Texans 20.
Commanders (+3) at Colts
take MDs: Taylor Heinicke versus Sam Ehlinger. can you feel the excitement
The choice of MDS: Foals 10, Commanders 6.
Florio’s opinion: The business decision to bench Matt Ryan may not go down well with footballers looking to win now.
Florio’s choice: Commanders 13, Colts 10.
49ers (-1.5) at Rams
take MDs: The Rams’ offense has been terrible this year and I just can’t believe it’s going to continue like this. They will take a step forward and earn an important NFC West victory.
The choice of MDS: Rams 24, 49ers 21.
Florio’s opinion: The Rams just don’t have the talent to take on the 49ers, especially since the 49ers will be desperate this weekend.
Florio’s choice: 49ers 28, Rams 17.
Giants (+3) at Seahawks
take MDs: I keep voting against the 6-1 Giants and they keep proving me wrong. Let’s try it again.
The choice of MDS: Seahawks 27, Giants 21.
Florio’s opinion: The Giants are good, but the Seahawks are good enough to bring New York’s record back to reality.
Florio’s choice: Seahawks 27, Giants 20.
Packer (+11.5) on Bills
take MDs: Aaron Rodgers is a double-digit underdog for the first time, and with good reason: The Bills are far better than the Packers at all stages of the game.
The choice of MDS: Bills 31, Packers 17.
Florio’s opinion: The Green Bay spirit will be ready, but the bills are just too strong.
Florio’s choice: Bills 42, Packers 10.
Bengal (-3.5) at Browns
take MDs: Joe Burrow plays excellent football and the Bengals will match two teams in the AFC North race by beating the Browns.
The choice of MDS: Bengal 30, Brown 17.
Florio’s opinion: The Bengals disappoint less and less. The Browns are becoming more and more one.
Florio’s choice: Bengal 35, Brown 20.