NFL Week 8 Game-by-Game Predictions

Oct 25, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) reacts after a dropped pass against the Indianapolis Colts in the first quarter at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports

New York Giants (4-3) at New Orleans Saints (3-4)

Sunday 11/1 at 1:00PM EST

The New Orleans Saints have somehow beaten the Atlanta Falcons and Indianapolis Colts in back-to-back weeks, and they’re as close to relevant without being relevant as a team can get. Mark Ingram is carrying the load on offense, and he should be able to gash the Giants’ questionable run defense. While the Saints’ defense hasn’t been great this season, it has played well enough in the past two weeks to suggest that it can compete with the Giants’ offense that can’t seem to do anything right.

Arizona Cardinals (5-2) at Cleveland Browns (2-5)

Sunday 11/1 at 1:00PM EST

The Cardinals are the obvious favorite on the road in this one, simply because they have the superior offense and defense in this matchup. Chris Johnson has appreciated a career rejuvenation, and is second among NFL running backs in rushing yards. On defense, the Cardinals are loaded across the board. With Johnny Manziel the likely start at quarterback in Cleveland on Sunday and absolutely no help in the running game, the Browns could be in trouble.

San Francisco 49ers (2-5) at St. Louis Rams (3-3)

Sunday 11/1 at 1:00PM EST

St. Louis desperately needs a win this week. Yeah, the Rams are 3-3, but they always seem to lose easy games like this matchup. The Rams are the clearly superior team in this matchup, and winning here could help them remain a contender in the NFC. In case people have forgotten, St. Louis has a better record than Seattle and still owns the tiebreaker in the matchup. If Todd Gurley can keep carrying this offense on a weekly basis, the Rams could be a scary team.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-4) at Atlanta Falcons (6-1)

Sunday 11/1 at 1:00PM EST

The Atlanta Falcons were lucky enough to be dealt one of the NFL’s easiest schedules of any team in 2015. It’s incredible to think that a team that finished 6-10 just a season ago can already surpass its win total in the eighth game of the ensuing season. In fact, the Falcons are heavily favored to accomplish that feat this week. Devonta Freeman is playing like the NFL’s best running back, and the Falcons’ long search for a legitimate starting running back looks like a thing of the past. The Falcons should be infuriated if they don’t win this game by at least 10 points.

Next: Sunday Afternoon Games, Part 2