Week 8 Predictions for the 2025-2026 NFL Season: Moments of Truth

Results in Week 7 from the NFL certainly did not fall in line with how I forecast the final scores. 15 games and only eight correct winners. For week eight, there are some very critical games for several teams that could determine their path to the post season. It has been a rough ride trying to pick a winner week after week with upsets and surprise endings.

For several teams, their seasons could be on the brink of being over before its over. Other games will define the identity of their squad at this point in the season, and for other teams their season is already doomed for a non-playoff campaign. The quick reactions to last week’s action precedes the picks for week eight.

Knee Jerk Reactions

Cincinnati 33 Pittsburgh 31: (Harv’s score: Steelers 30-17). I thought for sure coming off the way Pittsburgh knocked out Cleveland that having Joe Flacco to defend instead of Joe Burrow was our advantage. WRONG. No one could have predicted the Steelers’ defense to perform how they did. Downright embarrassing.

Los Angeles Rams 35 Jacksonville 7: (Harv’s score: Jaguars 23-21). Another wrong pick here and London usually is favorable to the Jags but not on this day. Not even close.

Chicago 26 New Orleans 14: (Harv’s score: Bears 25-21). The Bears are rolling! Four in a row. Next up Baltimore. A real test. The Saints can start looking forward to 2026.

Cleveland 31 Miami 6: (Harv’s score: Browns 17-10). Who stinks worse? The Jets or Dolphins? Hard to say at this point and because of this result Shadeur Sanders waiting game will extend.

Kansas City 31 Las Vegas 0: (Harv’s score: Chiefs 34-24). Now all the sudden after a poor start Kansas City is the team to beat they say. No doubt they are one of the best, but given the parity this season, they cannot be a guarantee. Pete Carroll should have stayed retired.

Philadelphia 28 Minnesota 22: (Harv’s score: I messed this one up and posted it as 23-23 but I would have picked the Vikings!) The Eagles are a strange team. They are winning but everyone still questions how good they are. The Vikings better right their ship quickly before their season goes south.

Carolina 13 New York Jets 6: (Harv’s score: Jets 20-17). This is probably the last time I pick the Jets. Former Steelers quarterback Justin Fields gets ripped by the owner then Fields claims he had no idea what the owner said. RIGHT. New York’s season is already over with seven straight losses.

New England 31 Tennessee 13: (Harv’s score: Titans 23-21). The Patriots are for real. Even with a win over a terrible Titans team their record speaks for itself. Tennessee had the first overall draft pick this year and it has done nothing for them. 
Denver 33 New York Giants 32: (Harv’s score: Broncos 37-27). The AFC has some very good teams. It will be a slugfest to the end determining who goes to the big dance. The Giants are absolutely heading in the right direction but blowing the lead they had here stings and stings good. Watch out for the Broncos…very dangerous team.

Indianapolis 38 Los Angeles Chargers 24: (Harv’s score: Chargers 38-31). Perennial favorites, the Chargers just aren’t the same team they typically are. Everyone is raving about the Colts. I’m not sold on them yet but will be in week nine if they defeat my Steelers.

Green Bay 27 Arizona 23: (Harv’s score: Cardinals 27-24). Kyler Murray’s career has been marred by injuries, and this one was just another example of how he’s been derailed. The Packers and Steelers line up on Sunday Night Football for what is an instant classic.

Dallas 44 Washington 22: (Harv’s score: Cowboys 32-27). George Pickens is enjoying himself this year. Pittsburgh’s loss is definitely the Cowboys’ gain. Jayden Daniels not being in the game makes a huge difference for the Commanders much like Lamar Jackson in Baltimore.

San Francisco 20 Atlanta 10: (Harv’s score: 49ers 31-24). Just when the Falcons thought they were moving in the right direction they take two steps back. You can beat the hell out of Niner players and yet they find ways to win. Pretty incredible.

Detroit 24 Tampa Bay 9: (Harv’s score: Lions 38-23). So much for Baker Mayfield and the Bucs being for real. Let’s see how they do the rest of the way. Detroit is vying to get further in the post season than they did a season ago. Right now, they look pretty damn good.

Seattle 27 Houston 19: (Harv’s score: Seahawks 35-17). The Texans and Jags keep falling further behind the Colts. A few more losses and they will join that group known as “wait until next year.” Forget the Titans. The Seahawks are a mild surprise this season thus far.

Now for your entertainment pleasure…my attempt at finding winners. This week there aren’t as many games as six teams find themselves enjoying their bye week (Cardinals, Lions, Jaguars, Raiders, Rams, Seahawks).

Week 8 Picks

Now for your entertainment pleasure…my attempt at finding winners. This week there aren’t as many games as six teams find themselves enjoying their bye week (Cardinals, Lions, Jaguars, Raiders, Rams, Seahawks).