Week 8 Staff Picks: Panthers desperate for victory vs. Cardinals
Each week, theScore's NFL staff puts on their prognosticator hats and offers up selections against the spread for every game, highlighting several marquee matchups.
| Game | Thomson | McClymont | Sanderson |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jaguars at Titans | JAX +3.5 | JAX +3.5 | TEN -3.5 |
| Redskins at Bengals | CIN -3 | CIN -3 | CIN -3 |
| Chiefs at Colts | KC -2.5 | KC -2.5 | KC -2.5 |
| Raiders at Buccaneers | OAK +1 | OAK +1 | OAK +1 |
| Seahawks at Saints | SEA -2.5 | SEA -2.5 | SEA -2.5 |
| Lions at Texans | HOU -2.5 | HOU -2.5 | DET +2.5 |
| Jets at Browns | NYJ -2.5 | NYJ -2.5 | NYJ -2.5 |
| Patriots at Bills | NE -6.5 | BUF +6.5 | NE -6.5 |
| Cardinals at Panthers | CAR -2.5 | ARI +2.5 | ARI +2.5 |
| Chargers at Broncos | SD +5 | DEN -5 | DEN -5 |
| Packers at Falcons | GB +3 | GB +3 | ATL -3 |
| Eagles at Cowboys | PHI +4.5 | PHI +4.5 | PHI +4.5 |
| Vikings at Bears | MIN -5.5 | MIN -5.5 | MIN -5.5 |
| Season Record | 55-49-3 | 46-58-3 | 52-52-3 |
Marquee matchups
Cardinals at Panthers
Mitch Sanderson: While the Cardinals struggled early and had a hilariously bad game Sunday night, they're still in much better shape than the 1-5 Panthers. Cardinals +2.5
Michael McClymont: The Cardinals get just the matchup they need: an opponent with a terrible secondary. Both teams' seasons are on the brink, but Arizona keeps its alive, if only for one more week. Cardinals +2.5
Joe Thomson: This could be the 2016 Panthers' last stand. If they can put together a little win streak, the pressure will intensify on the Falcons. Never underestimate a desperate team at home. Panthers -2.5
Packers at Falcons
McClymont: Green Bay is perilously thin at running back, but Atlanta will find just enough ways to lose this game. Packers +3
Thomson: Atlanta needs to stop the bleeding before another collapse develops, but are in tough against the Packers. Aaron Rodgers and company may have finally solved their offensive struggles by putting receivers in the backfield. Packers +3
Sanderson: It's been five years since the Falcons last topped the Packers. After drubbing the Bears last week, a dome game is the perfect stepping-stone for Aaron Rodgers to bring his offense back to the next level. Packers +3
Eagles at Cowboys
Thomson: If the Eagles can get past the Vikings - despite a turnover-laden performance - they should be okay against the Cowboys, who still have defensive deficiencies. Eagles +4.5
Sanderson: In the battle of star rookie quarterbacks, my gut says the Cowboys will come away victorious, but only by a slight margin - maybe a field goal. Eagles +4.5
McClymont: This first matchup between divisional foes will provide a look at which team is for real. The truth is, they're more evenly matched than expected. Eagles +4.5
Wild-card Selections
Raiders at Buccaneers
McClymont: Tampa Bay is a shocking favorite in the early betting lines. The Bucs' three wins have come against the Falcons (Week 1), a Panthers team without Cam Newton, and a Niners squad missing Carlos Hyde. Raiders +1
Redskins at Bengals
Thomson: The Bengals are rounding into form, and should improve offensively with red zone target Tyler Eifert seeing increased reps in his second week back from injury. The Redskins are quickly falling off in the difficult NFC East. Bengals -3
Seahawks at Saints
Sanderson: The Seahawks had trouble scoring on the Cardinals, but the Saints' defense is among the league's worst and the offense has become mistake-prone. Seahawks -2.5