Sam Farmer’s Week 8 NFL picks

The Times’ NFL writer, Sam Farmer, examines this week’s matchups. Lines according to Pregame.com (O/U = over/under). Last week’s record 9-4-1 (.643); season 65-41-1 (.613). Using point spreads with the scores Farmer predicted, the record against the spread last week would have been 9-4-1 (.643); season 52-52-3 (.500). The Rams, Baltimore, Miami, N.Y. Giants, Pittsburgh and San Francisco have the week off.

WASHINGTON REDSKINS (4-3) vs. CINCINNATI BENGALS (3-4)

Sunday, 10 a.m.

TV: Channel 11 (in London).

Line: Bengals by 3. O/U: 47.

The Bengals are really talented, and they know that with Pittsburgh’s problems, their window of opportunity has reopened. That defense will turn up the heat on Kirk Cousins.

Bengals 27, Redskins 21

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (6-1) at BUFFALO BILLS (4-3)

Sunday, 10 a.m.

TV: None. DirecTV: 705.

Line: Patriots by 61/2. O/U: 47.

The Bills handed New England its loss. In Tom Brady’s 15 years, the Patriots have never been swept by a division opponent and, after a loss, have won the six rematches by an average of 28 points.

Patriots 35, Bills 24

N.Y. JETS (2-5) at CLEVELAND BROWNS (0-7)

Sunday, 10 a.m.

TV: None. DirecTV: 706.

Line: Jets by 31/2. O/U: 431/2.

Is it possible to play without a quarterback? Browns are putting that to the test. The Jets gave up some plays early on defense, but they will keep ascending in second half of the season.

Jets 24, Browns 17

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (4-2) at INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (3-4)

Sunday, 10 a.m.

TV: None. DirecTV: 707.

Line: Chiefs by 21/2. O/U: 50.

Kansas City can run the ball, stop the run, rush the passer, create turnovers. The Colts are at home and coming off a solid win over the Titans, but the Chiefs still get the edge.

Chiefs 24, Colts 20

OAKLAND RAIDERS (5-2) at TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (3-3)

Sunday, 10 a.m.

TV: None. DirecTV: 708.

Line: Buccaneers by 11/2. O/U: 49.

The Raiders are undefeated on the road, and their defense woke up last Sunday. Tampa Bay has been more competitive lately, so this should be a hard-fought matchup. Oakland has more weapons.

Raiders 27, Buccaneers 23

ARIZONA CARDINALS (3-3-1) at CAROLINA PANTHERS (1-5)

Sunday, 10 a.m.

TV: None. DirecTV: 709.

Line: Panthers by 3. O/U: 47.

The Cardinals are getting a lot of pressure with their front four, and if they can get to Cam Newton, they can force those pivotal turnovers. David Johnson figures to get the ball a lot too.

Cardinals 23, Panthers 17

DETROIT LIONS (4-3) at HOUSTON TEXANS (4-3)

Sunday, 10 a.m.

TV: None. DirecTV: 710.

Line: Texans by 21/2. O/U: 45.

The Texans are winless on the road, but undefeated at home. Their defense is No. 2 against the pass, so that’s good when facing Detroit. Houston can play keep-away with the run.

Texans 20, Lions 18

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (4-1-1) at NEW ORLEANS (2-4)

Sunday, 10 a.m.

TV: Channel 11. DirecTV: 711.

Line: Seahawks by 21/2. O/U: 48.

Drew Brees has rolled up the passing yards of late, so this will be a good measuring stick of how good Seattle’s defense really is. Seahawks offensive line is vulnerable, but the Saints’ defense is lousy.

Seahawks 27, Saints 24

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (3-4) at DENVER BRONCOS (5-2)

Sunday, 1 p.m.

TV: Channel 2. DirecTV: 712.

Line: Broncos by 5. O/U: 431/2.

This figures to be a good game. These teams just met a couple weeks ago in San Diego with the Chargers pulling off the upset. Hard to beat a division opponent twice that way.

Broncos 21, Chargers 17

GREEN BAY PACKERS (4-2) at ATLANTA FALCONS (4-3)

Sunday, 1:15 p.m.

TV: Channel 11. DirecTV: 713.

Line: Falcons by 21/2. O/U: 521/2.

The Falcons are No. 1 in scoring and total offense, and can get to the end zone all sorts of ways. The Packers are coming off a one-sided win over Chicago. This figures to be a shootout.

Falcons 31, Packers 27

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (4-2) at DALLAS COWBOYS (5-1)

Sunday, 5:30 p.m.

TV: Channel 4.

Line: Cowboys by 41/2. O/U: 43.

This game is billed as a battle between rookie quarterbacks, and it is. But this is also another showcase for Philadelphia’s stifling defense, even with the Cowboys getting Dez Bryant back.

Eagles 24, Cowboys 20

MINNESOTA VIKINGS (5-1) at CHICAGO BEARS (1-6)

Monday, 5:30 p.m.

TV: ESPN.

Line: Vikings by 51/2. O/U: 401/2.

No matter who is at quarterback for Chicago, it’s going to be a long night for the Bears. The Vikings are so tough defensively, and Mike Zimmer will have his team primed for a bounce back.

Vikings 27, Bears 13

sam.farmer@latimes.com

Follow Sam Farmer on Twitter @LATimesfarmer