NFL Predictions: Week 8

So close... I was so close to an 11-3 week, come on Atlanta and Arizona, cover the spread! Oh well. I'm coming off of a good week, and hopefully I can keep that up in week 8.
Last Week: 9-5
Overall: 54-48-3

Miami Dolphins @ New England Patriots (NE -8) -> New England Patriots
Detroit Lions @ Kansas City Chiefs (London) (KC -5) -> Detroit Lions
Minnesota Vikings @ Chicago Bears (CHI -1) -> Minnesota Vikings
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Atlanta Falcons (ATL -7) -> Atlanta Falcons
New York Giants @ New Orleans Saints (NO -3) -> New Orleans Saints
San Fransisco 49ers @ St. Louis Rams (STL -8) -> St. Louis Rams
Arizona Cardinals @ Cleveland Browns (ARI -4.5) -> Arizona Cardinals
Cincinnati Bengals @ Pittsburgh Steelers (PIT -1) -> Cincinnati Bengals
San Diego Chargers @ Baltimore Ravens (BAL -3) -> San Diego Chargers
Tennessee Titans @ Houston Texans (HOU -4) -> Tennessee Titans
New York Jets @ Oakland Raiders (NYJ -2.5) -> New York Jets
Seattle Seahawks @ Dallas Cowboys (SEA -6) -> Seattle Seahawks
Green Bay Packers @ Denver Broncos (GB -3) -> Green Bay Packers
Indianapolis Colts @ Carolina Panthers (CAR -7) -> Indianapolis Colts

A couple notes...
- Very interesting Thursday Night Football game. Miami has been playing with a sense of urgency that we didn't see under Joe Philbin, and they have a lot of momentum on their side. They've been playing good defense, and have a new found running game too. Historically, defense and running the football have been keys to winning on short weeks, but they run into New England at home as well as Bill Belichick who doesn't take too kindly to rookie coaches. He's on an 11-0 streak against rookie coaches and I think that will be extended this week.
- I don't know how Chicago is favoured, but okay, I'll take that all day long.
- Cincinnati and Pittsburgh is another terrific game. Big Ben is coming back, but the Bengals have been on fire. It should be a close one but I think Cincinnati picks up the win in a shootout.
- My vote for game of the week will go to the Packers and Broncos. Both coming off of bye weeks, the Packers offense got healthier and both are undefeated. I do think that Green Bay will win, but not because of Rodgers this week. Green Bay's defense has been quietly incredible this year, and Manning is hurting. All Rodgers has to do is limit the mistakes against the best defense in the league this year, and Green Bay should be 7-0 after this week.
- I'm also taking Detroit after the change in offensive coordinator. Surprise me Detroit, surprise me.
- The Jets vs. the Raiders should be a great game too. A very talented young offense in Oakland, and an extremely talented young defense in New York. It's a good week for football folks.
- Lock of the Week: Minnesota Vikings @ Chicago Bears. This is a tough one, as Adrian Peterson is banged up, but Chicago is just not as talented as Minnesota. Mike Zimmer will bring the heat against Jay Cutler, and Minnesota should capitalize, especially if Peterson plays well.
- Upset of the Week: Tennessee Titans @ Houston Texans. Houston is bad. They are just flat out bad. Both of these teams are bad, but Houston shouldn't have a 4 point advantage, so I'm going with Tennessee who kept it close with Atlanta last week.
- Apparently I'm just a masochist when it comes to the Colts. I won't give up on Luck. I actually still think the Panthers are going to win this game, but it will be close. Cam Newton has been terrific, but there offense isn't built to put up points against teams like the Pats offense is. Luck hasn't been good this year, but he is still a very talented quarterback and at some point it should turn around. The deciding factor for this game will be the Colts O-line against the Panthers D-line. I don't expect the Colts O-line to win that matchup, but if they can be solid for some of the game, the Colts have a chance.