Sam Farmer’s NFL picks: Week 8

Times’ NFL writer Sam Farmer examines this week’s matchups. Lines according to Glantz-Culver. Last week 9-4, 70-33 overall (.679); against spread 7-6, overall 47-56 (.456). See Farmer’s video picks on line at our Fabulous Forum blog at www.latimes.com/sports:

Denver at Baltimore

Records: 6-0; 3-3

When: Sunday, 10 a.m.

TV: none. DirecTV: 704

Line: Ravens by 3.5. Over/Under: 41.5

While it’s hard to imagine the Ravens dropping to 3-4 -- especially at home -- the Broncos keep rising to the occasion, particularly by passing. Broncos 27, Ravens 17.

Houston at Buffalo

Records: 4-3; 3-4

When: Sunday, 10 a.m.

TV: none. DirecTV: 705

Line: Texans by 3.5. Over/Under: 41.5

The Buffalo forecast calls for windy, near-freezing weather Sunday. That could hamper the Texans’ passing game and set the stage for another Bills win. Bills 17, Texans 14.

Cleveland at Chicago

Records: 1-6; 3-3

When: Sunday, 10 a.m.

TV: none. DirecTV: 706

Line: Bears by 13. Over/Under: 40

If there’s a worse starting QB than Oakland’s JaMarcus Russell, it’s Cleveland’s Derek Anderson. Chicago should stop an offense that has scored four touchdowns in 81 possessions. Bears 35, Browns 10.

Miami at N.Y. Jets

Records: 2-4; 4-3

When: Sunday, 10 a.m.

TV: none. DirecTV: 707

Line: Jets by 3. Over/Under: 40.5

The Jets are determined not to let the Dolphins burn them with the wildcat offense again, but losing both defensive tackle Kris Jenkins and running back Leon Washington hurts. Dolphins 28, Jets 24.

St. Louis at Detroit

Records: 0-7; 1-5

When: Sunday, 10 a.m.

TV: none. DirecTV: 708

Line: Off. Over/Under: Off

The Lions have no excuses: they’re home, coming off a bye, and could be getting Matthew Stafford and/or Calvin Johnson back. Plus, the Rams are awful. Lions 24, Rams 13.

N.Y. Giants at Philadelphia

Records: 5-2; 4-2

When: Sunday, 10 a.m.

TV: Channel 11. DirecTV: 709

Line: Pick. Over/Under: 44

The Eagles lost at Oakland and beat the hapless Redskins. The patchwork offensive line is a problem for Philadelphia, and the Giants can feast on that. Giants 27, Eagles 17.

S.F. at Indianapolis

Records: 3-3; 6-0

When: Sunday, 10 a.m.

TV: none. DirecTV: 710

Line: Colts by 12. Over/Under: 44

Matt Ryan and Matt Schaub picked apart San Francisco’s defense in the last two games. What do you think Peyton Manning will do? Colts 31, 49ers 17.

Seattle at Dallas

Records: 2-4; 4-2

When: Sunday, 10 a.m.

TV: none. DirecTV: 711

Line: Cowboys by 9.5. Over/Under: 46

The Cowboys needed to beat a legitimate opponent, and they did that in knocking off Atlanta last Sunday. The Seahawks are hurting up front. Cowboys 24, Seahawks 13.

Oakland at San Diego

Records: 2-5; 3-3

When: Sunday, 1 p.m.

TV: Channel 2. DirecTV: 712

Line: Chargers by 16.5. Over/Under: 41.5

The Raiders are reeling -- their win over Philadelphia was a mirage -- and the stage is set for the Chargers to win their 13th straight over them. Chargers 35, Raiders 9.

Jacksonville at Tennessee

Records: 3-3; 0-6

When: Sunday, 1 p.m.

TV: none. DirecTV: 713

Line: Titans by 3. Over/Under: 45

When these teams met in Week 4, Jacksonville smoked the Titans by 20. Since, the Jaguars were crushed by Seattle and needed overtime to beat the Rams. No sweep here. Titans 20, Jaguars 17.

Carolina at Arizona

Records: 2-4; 4-2

When: Sunday, 1:15 p.m.

TV: none. DirecTV: 714

Line: Cardinals by 10. Over/Under: 41

Last year’s playoff game against the Cardinals was the beginning of the end for Jake Delhomme. Coming west and winning is hard, even for a good team. Cardinals 27, Panthers 14.

Minnesota at Green Bay

Records: 6-1; 4-2

When: Sunday, 1:15 p.m.

TV: Channel 11. DirecTV: 715

Line: Packers by 3. Over/Under: 47

Brett Favre won’t let the emotions of returning to Lambeau Field get to him. Can the Packers adequately protect Aaron Rodgers from a team that sacked him eight times? Vikings 24, Packers 21.

Atlanta at New Orleans

Records: 4-2; 6-0

When: Monday, 5:30 p.m.

TV: ESPN

Line: Saints by 10. Over/Under: 54

The Falcons, who did a poor job of protecting Ryan last Sunday, have scored more than 20 only once this season. They’ll need to do a lot better against the Saints. Saints 45, Falcons 28.