NFL Week 8 picks and predictions: Giants, Jets both earn division victories

As I've said before, I will work my way back to the .500 mark. However, with the way the NFL is going this season, it looks like its going to be a very slow grind to get there.

Every week, I get a round of games that go exactly how I think they're going to go. But then, there's another handful that don't. Eventually, I'll figure this thing out (or at least I hope so).

Last week, I went 6-4-2 with my NFL picks and predictions improving my record 46-52-5 overall. This week, I can't promise a big week but we will hit the .500 mark again.

(All point spreads provided by Oddshark.com and Bovada.)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-4) at Minnesota Vikings (5-2), Thur., 8:20 p.m. on NFL Network

Point spread: Vikings 7-point favorites.
Pick: Vikings 24, Buccaneers 13
Prediction: I'd like to think karma will help the Tampa Bay in this one -- its effort in last week's loss to New Orleans should be rewarded. But the Vikings are good. Too good to lose this one at home.

Carolina Panthers (1-5) at Chicago Bears (5-1), 1 p.m. on FOX

Point spread: Bears 9-point favorites.
Pick: Bears 21, Carolina 17
Prediction: Cam Newton is catching a lot of heat, and probably rightfully so. However, he's too good to let this game get away from him. I like Chicago to win, but Carolina will cover.

San Diego Chargers (3-3) at Cleveland Browns (1-6), 1 p.m. on CBS

Point spread: Chargers 2.5-point favorites.
Pick: Chargers 24, Browns 20
Prediction: Can't see the Browns scoring more than 20 points. The Chargers are usually good for 20-plus. So, yeah.

Seattle Seahawks (4-3) at Detroit Lions (2-4), 1 p.m. on FOX

Point spread: Lions 1-point favorites.
Pick: Seahawks 23, Lions 21
Prediction: Detroit hasn't found an identity while Seattle know exactly who they are. Because of that, I am taking the Seahawks as underdogs.

Jacksonville Jaguars (1-5) at Green Bay Packers (4-3), 1 p.m. on CBS

Point spread: Packers 12.5-favorites.
Pick: Packers 40, Jaguars 10
Prediction: This game has blowout written all over it. Don't be scared of the double-digit point spread.

Indianapolis Colts (3-3) at Tennessee Titans (3-4), 1 p.m. on CBS

Point spread: Titans 3.5-point favorites.
Pick: Colts 23, Titans 20
Prediction: In all respect to Tennessee, they should of lost last week. But instead their playoff hopes are still alive, however, I am not buying into them. I am buying into Andrew Luck.

New England Patriots (4-3) at St. Louis Rams (3-4), 1 p.m. on CBS

Point spread: Patriots 7-point favorites.
Pick: Patriots 30, Rams 20
Prediction: This is a perfect scenario for a Pats' rebound game. When they earn a big victory people will stop freakin out.

Miami Dolphins (3-3) at New York Jets (3-4), 1 p.m. on CBS

Point spread: Jets 1-point favorites.
Pick: Jets 24, Dolphins 20
Prediction: Will New York have a letdown game after a solid effort against the Patriots last week? I am not betting on it.

Atlanta Falcons (6-0) at Philadelphia Eagles (3-3), 1 p.m. on FOX

Point spread: Eagles 1-point favorites.
Pick: Falcons 23, Eagles 13
Prediction: How Philadelphia continues to come out as favorites in games, especially against much better teams, I have no idea. Be thankful that oddsmakers are give you points with a much better team.

Washington Redskins (3-4) at Pittsburgh Steelers (3-3), 1 p.m. on FOX

Point spread: Steelers 5-point favorites.
Pick: Redskins 27, Steelers 21
Prediction: I love RG3 outright. I just like betting on the best athlete on the field.

Oakland Raiders (2-4) at Kansas City Chiefs (1-5), 4:05 p.m. on CBS

Point spread: Chiefs 2-point favorites.
Pick: Raiders 30, Chiefs 28
Prediction: Who's watching this game? Who's betting on this game? Blah.

New York Giants (5-2) at Dallas Cowboys (3-3), 4:25 p.m. on FOX

Point spread: 2-point favorites.
Pick: Giants 35, Cowboys 30
Prediction: This game will be close but I am taking the team that knows how to win, not lose.

New Orleans Saints (2-4) at Denver Broncos (3-3), 8:20 p.m. on NBC

Point spread: Broncos 7-point favorites.
Pick: Broncos 35, Saints 34
Prediction: I high-scoring affair favors both teams, but I just like the better vibes riding with Denver right now.

San Francisco 49ers (5-2) at Arizona Cardinals (4-3), Mon., 8:30 p.m. on ESPN

Point spread: 49ers 7-point favorites.
Pick: 49ers 24, Cardinals 10
Prediction: Arizona has no offense and that doesn't bode well in a game against San Francisco.

Last week's record: 6-4-2. Season record: 46-52-5.