The NFL is whipping through October and by the time Week 8’s main slate gets going, we’ll be into November and through Daylight Savings Time!

We’re down to one undefeated team as both the 49ers and Chiefs lost last week. The Vikings have been viewed as the weakest of the three, but they remain the lone unbeaten squad in the NFL. They edged out the Colts last week, but now travel to face the Lions in a huge NFC North matchup.

This week opens with a Panthers-Packers matchup that has big NFC South and North implications. Both teams are sitting at or near .500, but they both are right in the thick of the playoff race. On Sunday, the Ravens likely welcome back Lamar Jackson when they travel to face the Bills in a potential playoff preview. One of the most intriguing matchups of Sunday will see the 5-2 Steelers host the 5-2 Browns. Both teams keep winning even if it’s not in the prettiest fashion. The Sunday afternoon slate also features the 5-2 Broncos hosting the 5-1 Chiefs with first place in the AFC West on the line. The weekend wraps with a potential NFC playoff matchup as the 4-3 Seahawks host the 5-2 Bears.

I’m back for another week of picks and I remain a .500 picker. I went 6-8 last week which dropped me back to an even .500 on the season (53-53-1). I feel like it takes a certain amount of skill to be this mediocre making picks. This past week I was 1-1 on high confidence picks, 4-3 on medium level picks, and 1-4 on low confidence picks.

Just a reminder that I pick games straight up with winners and losers, but I also provide a confidence level. I’ll pick each game’s winner and slot the picks based on confidence levels — high, medium, low, and no. A game with three asterisks (***) after it indicates a game where I’m picking the betting underdog to get the win. Whether you have to assign confidence points or not, this will help you know where I’m standing with the picks. And within each group, I’ve ordered them based on confidence within the confidence level.

Jaguars over Colts
Bengals over Titans

Cowboys over Cardinals
Rams over Chargers
Bills over Ravens
Chiefs over Broncos
Commanders over Eagles
Patriots over Dolphins
Seahawks over Bears
Packers over Panthers
Raiders over Jets***
Falcons over Buccaneers***

Vikings over Lions***
Browns over Steelers***