2015 NFL Winning Stats Predictor Picks: Week 8

It was a so-so week for the Winning Stats Predictor last week both picking winners and Against the Spread. For the second consecutive week it went 8-6 picking winners, bringing our season total to 64-41 on the season (61%). We're kind of treading water for now, waiting for a really good amount of data. About two weeks left. Against the Spread we went 7-7, bringing our season total to 51-50-4. A little behind schedule.

Our SuperContest picks went 3-2, bringing our season total to 22-13, so at least the picks at the top level are hitting at a really good clip. The game that was the most interesting was the Jets-Patriots game, and you got both the highs and the lows, no matter which side you were on. The Jets were covering the 9 points the entire game, until the Patriots scored a TD with just over a minute remaining, putting them up 30-20, and now covering the spread. Gut punch. But the Jets moved down the field, and got into position to try a 50 yard field goal with 23 seconds left. Like the Patriots always seem to do, they get the Jets to jump early, now making it a 55 yard FG for Nick Folk. It didn't matter, as he piped it with plenty to spare, putting the Jets back within the number. This is the absolutely right way to try and tie the game, by the way, getting the field goal immediately once you can. You have to get an onside kick either way (which they recovered), so best to save as much time as possible and kick the FG first. Really happy it paid off a lot of people too.

These games are getting harder and harder to pick too. Five of the 14 games are within 1 point of the spread, and only six of the games are more than 2 points apart. Let's hope it doesn't mean the wins stop coming.

• Dolphins +8 at Patriots
  I'm going to buy into the Dolphins not being the disaster they were before their bye week, even though all they've done is blow out the Titans and Texans. Short week might help them get there.
  
• Buccaneers +7 at Falcons
  This is a good match-up for the Buccaneers stat-wise, and the Bucs haven't been all that terrible, even though they've continued to lose. Division game getting a touchdown sounds good to me.
  
• Bengals PK at Steelers
  I'll take the undefeated team coming off a bye week against the team who is getting their injured QB back. This Bengals team is different, and this line seems off.
  
• Packers -3 at Broncos
  The lowest scoring game of the weekend, which is how most of the Bronco games are going to be going forward. Our margins are razor thin now, and I think Aaron Rodgers does enough against the Denver Defense to win by more than 3.
  
• Panthers -7 vs. Colts
  I'll have a full preview Friday. I don't think it'll be pretty, even though this is a decent letdown spot for the Panthers.

Here are the rest of the Week 8 picks: