NFL PREDICTIONS Week 8

By Sam Farmer | Los Angeles Times

Last week’s record: 9-4. Season: 70-37.

Dolphins (1 -6 ) at Bills (4 -2 )

Sunday, 1 p.m. Line: Bills by 14. O/U: 48 ½.

If the Dolphins try to play man defense, Josh Allen and those Buffalo receivers are going to have a huge day. Miami can dink and dunk with Tua Tagovailoa, but that’s not going to get it done. Bills 38, Dolphins 13

Steelers (3 -3 ) at Browns (4 -3 )

Sunday, 1 p.m. Line: Browns by 4. O/U: 43. Pittsburgh’s offensive line isn’t very good and the defense might not be as good as advertised. Cleveland is getting some players back, including Nick Chubb, and Case Keenum is up to QB job if necessary. Browns 23, Steelers 20

Titans (5 -2 ) at Colts (3 -4 )

Sunday, 1 p.m. Line: Colts by 2 ½. O/U: 51.

The Colts are solid and getting healthier. Titans lean on Derrick Henry and keeps Indy offense sidelined. Titans 24, Colts 21

Bengals (5 -2 ) at Jets (1 -5 )

Sunday, 1 p.m. Line: Bengals by 11. O/U: 42 ½. The Jets are playing OK on defense, but their offense is a collection of turnovers and threeand-outs. They might improve a bit with Joe Flacco. Bengals 27, Jets 14

Panthers (3 -4 ) at Falcons (3 -3 )

Sunday, 1 p.m. Line: Falcons by 3. O/U: 46 ½. The Panthers are really struggling. Sam Darnold has regressed since the start of the season and badly needs Christian McCaffrey. Atlanta is nothing great, but Kyle Pitts is a difference-maker. Falcons 24, Panthers 20

4 9 ers (2 -4 ) at Bears (3 -4 )

Sunday, 1 p.m. Line: 49ers by 4. O/U: 39 ½. Justin Fields is getting hit by the time he plants his foot. Now, introduce him to Nick Bosa, Dee Ford and the rest of the 49ers front. Bears do get better if Akiem Hicks can play, but not enough better. 49ers 21, Bears 13

Eagles (2 -5 ) at Lions (0 -7 )

Sunday, 1 p.m. Line: Eagles by 3 ½. O/U: 48. Detroit is going to beat somebody, and the two-win Eagles are a strong candidate. Lions are playing hard for Dan Campbell (ask the Rams) and the Eagles are hobbled on offense. Jalen Hurts is too streaky. Lions 27, Eagles 24

Rams (6 -1 ) at Texans (1 -6 )

Sunday, 1 p.m. Line: Rams by 16. O/U: 46 ½. The Rams let Detroit hang around too long and special teams were terrible. But that scare should inspire them to put Texans away quickly. Texans are terrible and would need to get really lucky. Rams 34, Texans 13

Patriots (3 -4 ) at Chargers (4 -2 )

Sunday, 4:05 p.m. Line: Chargers by 4 ½. O/U: 49 ½. People expect the Patriots to be good because they’re the Patriots. But Chargers are rested, ready and loaded with more talent. Plus, they’re at home. Brandon Staley should have them ready. Chargers 27, Patriots 17

Jaguars (1 -5 ) at Seattle (2 -5 )

Sunday, 4:05 p.m. Line: Seahawks by 3 ½. O/U: 43 ½. The wind is out of the Seahawks’ sails, and they’re susceptible to a loss. But Jaguars just aren’t good, and it’s hard to see them pulling off the upset. Seahawks 23, Jaguars 21

Washington (2 -5 ) at Broncos (3 -4 ) Sunday, 4:25 p.m. Line: Broncos by 3. O/U: 44 ½. Getting Jerry Jeudy back is big for Broncos. He can beat man coverage quickly, allowing indecisive Teddy Bridgewater to get the ball out of his hands. Broncos 27, Washington 21

Buccaneers (6 -1 ) at Saints (4 -2 )

Sunday, 4:25 p.m. Line: Bucs by 4 ½. O/U: 48 ½. But for one big breakdown, Saints pass defense looked great in last weekend’s win at Seattle. Buccaneers 30, Saints 20

Cowboys (5 -1 ) at Vikings (3 -3 )

Sunday, 8:20 p.m. Line: Vikings by 3. O/U: 51 ½. Both teams are rested. Cowboys have an explosive passing offense, but Minnesota has the pass rush to give quarterbacks problems. Vikings 28, Cowboys 27

Giants (2 -5 ) at Chiefs (3 -4 )

Monday, 8:15 p.m. Line: Chiefs by 10. O/U: 52. Bounce-back game for struggling Chiefs. Giants sacked Carolina quarterbacks six times Sunday, but getting to Patrick Mahomes won’t be so easy. Chiefs 27, Giants 21