Week 7 is in the books, and Ethical Sports Takes is coming off another winning week.
We finished 8–6, correctly predicting Seattle’s victory over Kansas City, Cincinnati’s comeback against Baltimore, and Dallas defeating Philadelphia.
Now it’s time for Week 8.
We’ve got some fascinating matchups ahead. Minnesota puts its undefeated record on the line against Detroit, Kansas City travels to Denver looking to bounce back from an embarrassing defeat, and Chicago visits Seattle for Monday Night Football.
There are 14 games on the schedule, and as always, we’re picking every winner.
Let’s get into it.
Thursday Night Football
1. Carolina Panthers at Green Bay Packers
EST Pick: Green Bay Packers
Green Bay disappointed us last week.
We backed the Packers against Detroit, but they couldn’t finish the job, falling 20–17 in a close divisional matchup.
Fortunately for Green Bay, Carolina presents a much more manageable challenge.
The Panthers were absolutely dismantled by Tampa Bay last week, losing 43–13. Just when it looked like Carolina might be building some momentum, the Buccaneers brought them back down to earth.
Green Bay hasn’t been particularly consistent this season, but I still trust the Packers more than Carolina.
Playing at Lambeau Field should help.
Prediction: Green Bay gets back in the win column.
Sunday — Early Games
2. Baltimore Ravens at Buffalo Bills
EST Pick: Buffalo Bills
Baltimore is becoming increasingly difficult to trust.
The Ravens jumped out to a 13–0 lead against Cincinnati last week, only to surrender 35 unanswered points.
That’s unacceptable.
Buffalo, meanwhile, enters this matchup coming off its bye week.
The Bills have their own problems, particularly defensively, but Baltimore hasn’t shown enough consistency for me to confidently pick the Ravens on the road.
Josh Allen and Buffalo’s offense should be able to take advantage of a defense that just allowed Joe Burrow to throw four second-half touchdowns.
I’m not completely sold on Buffalo right now, but I’m even less convinced by Baltimore.
Prediction: Buffalo takes care of business at home.
3. Tennessee Titans at Cincinnati Bengals
EST Pick: Cincinnati Bengals
How do you pick against Cincinnati after what Joe Burrow just did?
The Bengals trailed Baltimore 13–0 before Burrow took over, throwing four touchdowns in the second half to lead Cincinnati to a 35–13 victory.
That was one of the most impressive quarterback performances of Week 7.
Now Cincinnati faces Tennessee, a team that just lost a close game to Cleveland.
The Titans have struggled to establish any consistency, and this isn’t exactly an ideal matchup for them.
If Burrow carries his second-half form into Week 8, Tennessee could be in for a long afternoon.
Prediction: Cincinnati wins its second straight game.
4. Arizona Cardinals at Dallas Cowboys
EST Pick: Dallas Cowboys
Dallas finally gave its fans something to celebrate on Monday night.
The Cowboys defeated Philadelphia 38–21, with Dak Prescott throwing three touchdown passes.
CeeDee Lamb looked excellent, catching two of those touchdowns, and Dallas delivered one of its better offensive performances of the season.
Arizona presents another opportunity for the Cowboys to build momentum.
The Cardinals are coming off a 30–16 defeat against Denver, and I don’t trust them to keep pace if Dallas gets its passing game going.
Of course, the Cowboys have been inconsistent themselves, so this isn’t a guaranteed victory.
Still, I’m backing Prescott and company.
Prediction: Dallas makes it two wins in a row.
5. Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions
EST Pick: Minnesota Vikings
I’m going to keep saying it: Minnesota’s offense needs to improve.
The Vikings are undefeated, and their defense deserves enormous credit for that. But scoring just 16 points against Indianapolis last week doesn’t exactly inspire confidence.
Now they travel to Detroit to face a Lions team that just defeated Green Bay.
This is a much tougher challenge.
Detroit’s offense has enough weapons to make Minnesota uncomfortable, and Jared Goff is coming off a 303-yard performance against the Packers.
So why am I picking Minnesota?
Because that defense continues finding ways to win games.
The Vikings have earned the benefit of the doubt, even if their offense hasn’t earned my confidence.
Eventually, Minnesota’s inability to consistently put points on the board could catch up with them.
I just don’t think this is the week.
Prediction: Minnesota survives another difficult matchup and stays undefeated.
6. Indianapolis Colts at Jacksonville Jaguars
EST Pick: Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville gets the nod here.
The Jaguars have shown enough this season to earn some confidence, while Indianapolis continues struggling to produce consistent results.
The Colts managed only 10 points against Minnesota last week.
Jacksonville’s defense isn’t Minnesota’s, but the Jaguars should still be capable of making life difficult for Indianapolis.
Playing at home gives Jacksonville another advantage.
This isn’t a matchup I’m expecting to be particularly exciting, but the Jaguars are the better choice.
Prediction: Jacksonville wins at home.
7. Las Vegas Raiders at New York Jets
EST Pick: Las Vegas Raiders
I’m giving Las Vegas the edge, although neither team inspires much confidence.
The Raiders were beaten 35–21 by the Rams last week, while the Jets somehow managed to lose to a Miami team that hadn’t won a game all season.
New York had an opportunity to take advantage of Miami’s struggles and couldn’t get the job done.
Las Vegas has its own problems, especially defensively, but I think the Raiders have enough to win this matchup.
Sometimes these picks come down to which team you trust slightly more.
Right now, that’s Las Vegas.
Prediction: Raiders win a close one.
8. Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers
EST Pick: Pittsburgh Steelers
This should be a good old-fashioned AFC North battle.
Cleveland is coming off a narrow 27–24 victory over Tennessee, while Pittsburgh defeated New Orleans 16–10 in Paris.
Neither team was particularly convincing offensively last week.
Pittsburgh’s defense, however, gives me more confidence heading into this matchup.
The Steelers are also playing at home, which could make the difference in what I expect to be a physical, closely contested game.
Cleveland won’t make it easy, but I’m trusting Pittsburgh to find a way.
Prediction: Steelers win a defensive battle.
9. Atlanta Falcons at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
EST Pick: Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta just handed San Francisco its first loss of the season.
That’s impressive.
Michael Penix Jr. threw three touchdown passes as the Falcons defeated the previously unbeaten 49ers 29–20.
Tampa Bay also enjoyed a tremendous Week 7, dismantling Carolina 43–13.
Both teams enter this matchup with momentum, making it one of the more interesting games on the schedule.
I’m giving Atlanta the edge because of what it accomplished against San Francisco.
Beating an undefeated team carries more weight with me than blowing out an inconsistent Carolina squad.
That doesn’t guarantee the Falcons will win, but they’ve earned my confidence for another week.
Prediction: Atlanta builds on its victory over San Francisco.
Sunday — Late Games
10. Los Angeles Chargers at Los Angeles Rams
EST Pick: Los Angeles Rams
The battle of Los Angeles.
The Rams finally rewarded our confidence last week, defeating Las Vegas 35–21.
After several disappointing performances, it was encouraging to see their offense produce 35 points.
The Chargers, meanwhile, have had a miserable start to the season.
Both teams share SoFi Stadium, so neither side has much of a traditional home-field advantage.
I trust the Rams’ offensive weapons more, and they should have opportunities to exploit the Chargers’ defense.
The Rams have disappointed me before, but I’m giving them another chance.
Prediction: Rams win the battle of Los Angeles.
11. Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos
EST Pick: Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City, you owe me a better performance.
Last week, I picked Seattle to beat my Chiefs, and unfortunately, I was right.
Watching Kansas City manage just three points in a 20–3 defeat was painful.
The offense looked completely lost, and Seattle deserved every bit of that victory.
Now the Chiefs travel to Denver, where another difficult defensive matchup awaits.
The Broncos are coming off a convincing 30–16 victory over Arizona, and their defense has been one of their biggest strengths.
Kansas City cannot afford another performance like last Sunday.
Patrick Mahomes needs more help from his receivers, the offensive line needs to hold up, and the entire offense needs to find some rhythm.
I’m not picking Kansas City simply because they’re my team.
I’m picking them because I believe they’re capable of responding after an embarrassing loss.
But make no mistake: Denver can absolutely win this game if the Chiefs’ offense doesn’t improve.
Prediction: Kansas City responds and defeats Denver.
12. New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins
EST Pick: New England Patriots
Miami finally got its first victory of the season last week, defeating the Jets 28–25.
Good for the Dolphins.
But one victory isn’t enough to convince me they’ve suddenly figured everything out.
New England lost a competitive Thursday Night Football matchup against Chicago, falling 30–24.
The Patriots have shown enough fight this season to make me comfortable backing them against Miami.
This could be closer than people expect, especially with the Dolphins playing at home.
Still, I trust New England to bounce back.
Prediction: Patriots defeat Miami on the road.
Sunday Night Football
13. Philadelphia Eagles at Washington Commanders
EST Pick: Washington Commanders
Philadelphia’s season continues heading in the wrong direction.
The Eagles were beaten 38–21 by Dallas last week, and losing Jalen Hurts has made an already difficult situation even worse.
Washington hasn’t exactly been impressive either, but this is an opportunity for the Commanders to take advantage of a struggling divisional rival.
Philadelphia still has talented players, but its offense hasn’t shown enough to earn my confidence.
Washington is playing at home, and I think that gives the Commanders a reasonable opportunity to secure the victory.
Neither team has been particularly reliable, but I’m going with Washington.
Prediction: Commanders win on Sunday Night Football.
Monday Night Football
14. Chicago Bears at Seattle Seahawks
EST Pick: Seattle Seahawks
What a difference one week can make.
Seattle entered its matchup against Kansas City desperately needing a victory.
The Seahawks didn’t just win. They held the Chiefs to three points and delivered one of the most impressive defensive performances of the season.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba was outstanding once again, finishing with 150 receiving yards and a touchdown.
Now Seattle faces a Chicago team that’s quietly putting together an impressive season.
The Bears defeated New England 30–24 last Thursday and have had extra time to prepare for this matchup.
Chicago is absolutely capable of winning.
However, Seattle’s defense looked exceptional against Kansas City, and I believe the Seahawks can carry that momentum into Monday night.
If JSN continues producing at this level, Chicago will have its hands full.
Prediction: Seattle defeats Chicago to close Week 8.
Final Thoughts
Week 8 has several matchups that could shake up the NFL.
Minnesota faces one of its toughest tests yet against Detroit. The Vikings’ defense has been outstanding, but I’m still waiting for their offense to prove it can consistently deliver.
Kansas City needs to respond after an embarrassing defeat against Seattle. As a Chiefs fan, I’m expecting a much better effort, although Denver’s defense won’t make things easy.
Atlanta has an opportunity to build on its victory over San Francisco, while Seattle looks to establish some consistency after its impressive performance against the Chiefs.
And then there’s Buffalo, a team sitting atop our EST Elite power rankings despite plenty of unanswered questions.
The NFL hasn’t made these predictions easy, and that’s what makes every week interesting.
We finished Week 7 at 8–6. Let’s see if we can improve on that in Week 8.
Which picks do you agree with? Which ones do you think we’re getting completely wrong?
Let us know in the comments, and don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe to Ethical Sports Takes for weekly NFL predictions, game recaps, power rankings, and analysis.
No bias, just sports.
Leave a Reply