Week 8 NFL Picks: Can the Vikings Get Back on Track Thursday Night?
The momentum has ended.
After back-to-back weeks above .500 after a horrendous start to the year, the picks went 6-9 in Week 7, moving us further away from a winning record on the season. This week only features 13 games, so there isn’t much room for error. It’s time to get back on track. Before we get into the Week 8 NFL picks, here is a look at how we fared in Week 7:
- Steelers -4.5 (L)
- Jaguars +2.5 (L)
- Saints +4.5 (L)
- Browns -2.5 (W)
- Patriots -7.5 (W)
- Raiders +12.5 (L)
- Vikings +1.5 (L)
- Panthers -1.5 (W)
- Giants +7.5 (W)
- Colts +1.5 (W)
- Commanders -1.5 (L)
- Packers -6.5 (L)
- Falcons +2.5 (L)
- Lions -5.5 (W)
- Texans +3.5 (L)
Season Record: 51-57
Week 8 NFL Picks
Minnesota Vikings vs. Los Angeles Chargers
- Spread: Chargers -3.5
- O/U: 44.5 points
Frey’s Pick: Chargers -3.5
The Vikings have decided to start Carson Wentz again on a short week, but we’ve seen that Minnesota’s offense has a pretty set ceiling with the veteran at QB. Additionally, the Chargers could have Joe Alt back in the lineup, and we just Minnesota’s pass rushers struggle against the Eagles’ offensive line. LA gets back into the win column here.
Miami Dolphins at Atlanta Falcons
- Spread: Falcons -7.5
- O/U: 44.5 points
Frey’s Pick: Falcons -7.5
The Falcons are more than capable of putting up points on offense as we’ve seen on multiple occasions so far in 2025. Meanwhile, the Dolphins have been an absolute mess other than a win against the 0-7 New York Jets. Atlanta wins big at home.
New York Jets at Cincinnati Bengals
- Spread: Bengals -6.5
- O/U: 44.5 points
Frey’s Pick: Bengals -6.5
I made the mistake of picking against Joe Flacco on a new team. That won’t happen this week. Flacco spammed the Ja’Marr Chase button all game against the Steelers last Thursday, and that should work again against the only winless team in the league.
Cleveland Browns at New England Patriots
- Spread: Patriots -6.5
- O/U: 40.5 points
Frey’s Pick: Patriots -6.5
New England has looked incredible over the past few weeks, and while the Browns defense could certainly test Drake Maye, I’m going to trust the second-year QB over Dillon Gabriel, particularly at Foxborough.
New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles
- Spread: Eagles -7.5
- O/U: 44.5 points
Frey’s Pick: Giants +7.5
The Giants upset the Eagles this year already, so Philadelphia likely will be coming into this game with a bit more urgency. Still, this is a team that has lived in one-possession games all season long with that loss to the Giants being the only game that finished with a margin of more than seven points. Philly probably takes the win, but New York keeps it close.
Buffalo Bills at Carolina Panthers
- Spread: Bills -7.5
- O/U: 45.5 points
Frey’s Pick: Bills -7.5
The Bills are coming off a bye week, so they should be well rested and ready to roll this weekend. Meanwhile, the Panthers will be playing Andy Dalton with Bryce Young sidelined due to injury. Buffalo gets a big win and a much needed one at that.
Chicago Bears at Baltimore Ravens
- Spread: Ravens -6.5
- O/U: 48.5 points
Frey’s Pick: Bears +6.5
Lamar Jackson could be back on the field this weekend, but nothing about this Ravens defense has given anybody reason to trust them. The Bears have plenty of weapons on offense, and Caleb Williams has started to come into his own. At the very least, Chicago can keep this game close.
San Francisco 49ers vs. Houston Texans
- Spread: Texans -1.5
- O/U: 41.5 points
Frey’s Pick: 49ers +1.5
This feels like a game that’s going to be a defensive struggle down to the end. Houston’s offense seemed like it was coming together, but they completely fell apart against the Seahawks on Monday night. San Francisco is struggling with injuries, but this is a team that still has continued to find ways to win.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. New Orleans Saints
- Spread: Buccaneers -4.5
- O/U: 46.5 points
Frey’s Pick: Buccaneers -4.5
Tampa Bay is licking its wounds after a loss to the San Francisco 49ers last week, but they have an opportunity to get right against a 1-6 Saints team. New Orleans has done its best to keep games competitive, but the Buccaneers will pull away late.
Dallas Cowboys vs. Denver Broncos
- Spread: Broncos -3.5
- O/U: 50.5 points
Frey’s Pick: Cowboys +3.5
CeeDee Lamb returned to the Cowboys offense last weekend, and he proceeded to put up 110 yards and a touchdown. The duo of Lamb and George Pickens has the potential to be one of the best in the NFL, and while Denver certainly is a tough test in the mile high city, the Cowboys seem like they are putting things together at the right time.
Tennessee Titans vs. Indianapolis Colts
- Spread: Colts -14.5
- O/U: 47.5 points
Frey’s Pick: Colts -14.5
The Indianapolis Colts are a wagon right now, averaging 33.1 points per game, and they have the highest margin of victory by four points. Tennessee is struggling all around and shouldn’t pose much of a challenge for this team.
Green Bay Packers at Pittsburgh Steelers
- Spread: Packers -3.5
- O/U: 44.5 points
Frey’s Pick: Steelers +3.5
Aaron Rodgers is playing host to his former team, and he’ll be ready to take on his old colleagues. Plus, the Packers are on the road for the second straight week while the Steelers are coming off a mini bye week. Green Bay’s offense hasn’t been great this year, so Pittsburgh should be able to hang around and potentially steal this game late.
Washington Commanders vs. Kansas City Chiefs
- Spread: Chiefs -12.5
- O/U: 46.5 points
Frey’s Pick: Chiefs -12.5
The Chiefs may indeed be back after pitching a shutout against the Las Vegas Raiders last weekend, and the Commanders will be heading into this game without Jayden Daniels. In primetime at home, Kansas City gets the job done.
Editor’s Note: Statistics for this article were found via ESPN and Pro Football Reference.
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