NFL 2019 Week 8 results and Week 9 picks

Our status of winless and unbeaten teams remains at two each.  In most divisions, the teams' placements remained the same.  Very few surprise results.  Basically, it was mostly an uneventful week, except for surprisingly dominant performances by New Orleans and San Francisco.

Power Rankings [Last week's rank]
1.  New England Patriots (8-0) [1]
2.  San Francisco 49ers (7-0) [2]
3.  Green Bay Packers (7-1) [3]
4.  Minnesota Vikings (6-2) [4]
5.  Baltimore Ravens (5-2) [5]
6.  New Orleans Saints (7-1) [10]
7.  Dallas Cowboys (4-3) [9]
8.  Kansas City Chiefs (5-3) [6]
9.  Los Angeles Rams (5-3) [11]
10. Houston Texans (5-3) [12]
11. Seattle Seahawks (6-2) [13]
12. Buffalo Bills (5-2) [7]

Divisional Rankings [Last week's ranks]
1.  NFC North [1] : Two teams in the Top 5 and nobody lower than 20th helps a lot
2.  NFC West [2] : Three teams among the Top 12?  That's power, dude!
3.  AFC South [3] : Nobody outstanding, but nobody losing, either
4.  AFC West [6] : Big gap between the AFC South and here, KC's continued success plus an upset victory by the Chargers helps this division
5.  AFC East [5]
6 (tie).  AFC North [7] : Trailing the AFC East by the slightest of margins, there is hope for this division yet
6 (tie).  NFC South [4] : New Orleans is the only team with a positive points margin.  That's not good.
8.  NFC East [8] : Although Philly is improving, this division still falls short

Thursday night
San Francisco 49ers at Arizona Cardinals:  This will be a scary Halloween for the home team, as the tricky defense of San Francisco will give no treats to the Cards.  49ERS, 31-13

Sunday morning
Houston Texans at Jacksonville Jaguars:  London has been unpredictable for some teams, but unpredictable defines Texans QB Deshaun Watson.  The Texans' defense isn't quite as strong as it has been, so the Jags will get to score, but the evasiveness and cleverness of Watson will prevail.  TEXANS, 27-23

Sunday early games
Chicago Bears at Philadelphia Eagles:  The Bears defense is fierce, but their offense struggles mightily.  Outside of the AFC East, they may have the worst offense in the league.  The Eagles can't quite get coordinated, though, and the pressure from the Bears defense will further throw them into chaos.  Add a defensive score, and that's the difference in the game.  BEARS, 23-20

Indianapolis Colts at Pittsburgh Steelers:  The Steelers QBs are getting better, but they still don't match Jacoby Brissett, who has catapaulted the Colts to the division lead.  COLTS, 23-20

Minnesota Vikings at Kansas City Chiefs: Two strong offenses face off, but defense might make the difference in this game.  VIKINGS, 27-23

New York Jets at Miami Dolphins:  The two worst offenses in the league face off.  Does anyone really care who wins this game, outside of New York City?  Historically these two face off in offensive showdowns, but I don't expect that this year.  JETS, 17-13

Tennessee Titans at Carolina Panthers:  This game will be really close, and either team could win, but I'll give a slight nod to the home team, who had a bye week to help prepare.  PANTHERS, 27-26

Washington Redskins at Buffalo Bills: Buffalo has already lost one game this year against a much weaker opponent.  They won't let that happen again.  BILLS, 20-13

Sunday late games
Cleveland Browns at Denver Broncos:  If this were truly the highly-touted Browns team that began the season, I'd pick them with no hesitation. However, the Browns have not lived up to that hype, and playing at Mile High is always tough.  BRONCOS, 24-17

Detroit Lions at Oakland Raiders:  The Lions should overpower the inconsistent Raiders.  LIONS, 24-20

Green Bay Packers at Los Angeles Chargers:  And the Pack should conclude the NFC North sweep of the AFC West.  PACKERS, 27-20

Tampa Bay Bucs at Seatle Seahawks:  Seattle is tough at home, too tough for the Bucs.  SEAHAWKS, 27-20

Sunday night
New England Patriots at Baltimore Ravens:  The Ravens is one team who might be able to beat the seemingly-unbeatable Patriots.  Still, if it happens, it deserves to be an upset.  PATRIOTS, 27-20

Monday Night Football
Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants:  The Giants have seen some new life with Daniel Jones under center, but he still needs work, as does the entire Giants offense.  COWBOYS, 27-17