NFL Week 8 predictions: Picks against the spread for every game

One of the major tenets of football handicapping — perhaps the biggest one — is the notion of buying low and selling high. When teams are slumping or dealing with key injuries, the lines typically go a few points in the other direction and leave a little value on that side.For instance, let’s look at the bottom feeders in Week 8.The 1-6 Browns are getting nine points at home against the Ravens.

The 1-5 Titans are +11.5 at the Lions.The 1-6 Panthers are catching 10 at Denver.

Among the two-win teams, the Rams were +3 at home vs.the Vikings on Thursday night, the Jaguars are +4 at home to the Packers, and the others — Giants, Raiders and Saints — are underdogs by 6.5 points or more.The one game that goes against this grain is Jets at Patriots.

Yes, the Patriots are 1-6, and it’s not unusual they would be a touchdown underdog at home.But it’s odd that the Jets would be favored by that much considering they have a 2-5 record, are on a four-game losing streak and have so many injuries they couldn’t conduct a practice Wednesday.One of those injuries — three of them, actually (ankle, knee, hamstring) — belongs to the most important Jet: Aaron Rodgers.This point spread does fit the narrative of the season, though.

The arrival of Rodgers with a quality supporting cast of receivers and running backs, and a revamped offensive line was supposed to send them right to the Super Bowl.Never mind the intermediate goals of a winning season or a playoff berth.

Congrats to those who didn’t buy that pie in the sky.Yes, the Jets beat the Patriots, 24-3, in Week 3, and they certainly are capable of coming out of Foxborough with a two-score margin of victory.But I can’t get away from the idea that there’s no way the Jets in this state should be a touchdown road favorite against anyone.So I’m riding with rookie QB Drake Maye and the Patriots in what should be a hard watch in New England.The pick: Patriots +7I’m a little tempted to take the bushel of poin...