2015 NFL Season: Pokorny's Week 8 Picks (2024)

Note: This prediction was made and posted prior to TNF. It is copied here for record-keeping purposes.

Thursday Night Football: It's great that we're kicking off Week 8 with what I consider to be the game of the week in Miami vs. New England. The scary part about that is that the Dolphins seemed like they'd be a 1-win team, but after a coaching change, they have crushed their past two opponents in the most convincing manners possible. Now, they step up to elite competition -- are they up to the task? Patriots 28, Dolphins 23

Seeing Double: The Lions can hardly win against one head coach -- at Halloween, then, how can they possibly take on two versions of Andy Reid? Kansas City is coming off of a much-needed win over the Steelers. They lack a unit on the team that can take over a game, but Detroit has proven to lack any form of consistency. Chiefs 20, Lions 17

Terrible Take on Halloween: The terrible towels will be out in full force for the return of Ben Roethlisberger, and that couldn't have come at a more opportune time for the Steelers. A victory would put Pittsburgh just one game back in the victory column. Cincinnati has been a complete team this year, but anything goes in AFC North games and this will be the week where the Bengals are finally caught napping. Steelers 27, Bengals 17

Bye Week Tricks: If you asked someone to, off the top of their head, list all the teams with at least 4 wins, how many would remember to name the Vikings? Minnesota has been delivering a slow death to opposing defenses by pounding away on the ground, but I see Chicago using their bye week preparation to scheme up some creative tricks for a mini-upset. Bears 21, Vikings 20

Super Bowl QB's: Both Eli Manning and Drew Brees have at least one Super Bowl on their resume, but each of them are trying to get their team back to the promised land on the back-end of their career. I think Manning has played better than he has in years, and while I think Brees is playing at a high level too, the Saints in general don't play consistent halves of football and that'll cost them. Giants 31, Saints 20

House of Mirrors: You know the house of mirrors, right? That's where you go in, and in all the mirrors, you see yourself with no real way out of the misery in sight. That's exactly what this game represents. Neither team's defense has made an impact this year, and while both offenses can put points on the board, the flow of the offense isn't the type that can put together a lengthy drive to take control of the game. This could be fun to watch, but neither team will have much going for them, even with a win. Ravens 35, Chargers 31

Nightmare on Kicker's Street: I still feel for Phil Dawson. After so many years in Cleveland, he barely got to taste victory in San Francisco before witnessing a franchise debacle that might even top what Cleveland ever had. To make matters worse, he faces a Rams team that just took out Cleveland in convincing fashion last week. The Rams seem to play well in divisional games, so I expect them to prevail here. Rams 20, 49ers 10

Not a Pirate Ship: Looking over and seeing a pirate ship would be pretty scary for the Falcons, because that'd mean it'd be their third road game in a row. Fortunately, they are at home this week with a chance to get their offense back on track and try to maintain pace with the division-leading Panthers. Falcons 27, Buccaneers 14

No Ghost Looming Any More: If Brian Hoyer felt like Ryan Mallett was a ghost looming in the background, waiting to seize his starting quarterback job again, he can feel a little more secure knowing that Mallett is no longer with the team. Meanwhile, in Tennessee, how long before Terrance West becomes a forgotten ghost and is just outright cut by the team? Texans 14, Titans 11

Every Week is Halloween: If you went to a Raiders home game any week of the season, I don't think you'd even be able to tell which week is Halloween with how crazy their fans dress up. Both teams have overachieved this season, to an extent, but the Jets' defense will be the deciding factor in this game as they'll force the Raiders' Jekyll and Hyde receivers to drop a handful of passes. Jets 23, Raiders 16

Counting Down the Weeks: The biggest nightmare for Cowboys fans has to be feeling like their quarterbacks after Tony Romo aren't even going to get them a single win. Things don't get easier this week against a Seahawks defense that believes they've found themselves again. Even if Seattle doesn't play the greatest game again, Matt Cassel won't lead the comeback they need. Seahawks 24, Cowboys 20

Battle of the Undefeated Teams: Instead of being scary, this is a dream come true for NBC: they get two undefeated (6-0) teams, one from each conference, in prime time. That matchup also features two legendary quarterbacks and two possible Halloween costumes -- the discount double check and the Papa John's guy. I'll go with Peyton Manning having his best game of the season, completing the defensive effort by Denver to overcome Aaron Rodgers. Broncos 28, Packers 24

Monday Night Football: Look, it's the great pumpkin! It is rising out of the pumpkin patch...(faints). That faint is the sound of Colts fans collapsing after they thought the Colts were sure locks to be Super Bowl contenders in 2015. Instead, they can't even put together a .500 record in the worst division in football. The Panthers will remain undefeated and will be 7-0. Panthers 25, Colts 21

Toughest Test Yet: The Browns will face their most complete opponent this weekend in the Cardinals. Will Cleveland's defensive lineup being back to full strength help lead them to an upset? My full preview and prediction of the Cardinals vs. Browns game will be posted this Saturday on DBN.