Sam Farmer’s NFL Week 8 picks

The Times’ NFL writer, Sam Farmer, examines this week’s matchups. Lines according to Glantz-Culver (O/U = over/under). Last week’s record 11-4 (.733); season 70-35-1 (.667). Using point spreads with the scores Farmer predicted, the record against the spread last week would have been 8-7 (.533); season 62-44 (.585).

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Detroit (5-2) vs. Atlanta (2-5) in London

Sunday, 6:30 a.m.

Lions 21, Falcons 13

TV: Channel 11.

Line: Lions by 3 1/2. O/U: 46 1/2.

Atlanta’s offensive line is ravaged and the Falcons just can’t put points on the board. That shouldn’t be a problem for the Lions, with or without Calvin Johnson in London.

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Houston (3-4) at Tennessee (2-5)

Sunday, 10 a.m.

Texans 27, Titans 17

TV: None. DirecTV: 705.

Line: Texans by 3. O/U: 42.

The Texans have lost three in a row, but were in each of those games. The Titans are coming off a loss to Washington and they aren’t getting traction on the ground or in the air.

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St. Louis (2-4) at Kansas City (3-3)

Sunday, 10 a.m.

Chiefs 23, Rams 21

TV: None. DirecTV: 706.

Line: Chiefs by 7. O/U: 44.

The Rams are coming off a huge victory over Seattle, and the Seahawks didn’t get enough pressure on Austin Davis. The Chiefs will blitz more, and they should be able to get to him.

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Chicago (3-4) at New England (5-2)

Sunday, 10 a.m.

Patriots 23, Bears 21

TV: Channel 11. DirecTV: 707.

Line: Patriots by 6. O/U: 50.

The Bears are a different team on the road (3-1) than they are at home (0-3), so they can give the Patriots problems. But Tom Brady can pick apart that Chicago defense.

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Minnesota (2-5) at Tampa Bay (1-5)

Sunday, 10 a.m.

Buccaneers 17, Vikings 16

TV: None. DirecTV: 708.

Line: Buccaneers by 2 1/2. O/U: 42.

The Vikings have lost three in a row. The Buccaneers have one win and have been outscored by an NFC-worst 84 points. Still, against a rookie quarterback, go Tampa Bay at home.

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Seattle (3-3) at Carolina (3-3-1)

Sunday, 10 a.m.

Seahawks 20, Panthers 16

TV: Channel 2. DirecTV: 709.

Line: Seahawks by 5. O/U: 44 1/2.

The Seahawks are trying to right the ship after consecutive losses. Tough draw, traveling all the way across the country against a team that’s similarly physical. Still, Seattle.

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Baltimore (5-2) at Cincinnati (3-2-1)

Sunday, 10 a.m.

Ravens 24, Bengals 14

TV: None. DirecTV: 710.

Line: Ravens by 1. O/U: 46.

The Ravens are on fire and the Bengals are going the other direction. Cincinnati has so much talent, so its backslide is perplexing. The Bengals couldn’t generate any offense vs. Indy.

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Miami (3-3) at Jacksonville (1-6)

Sunday, 10 a.m.

Dolphins 21, Jaguars 14

TV: None. DirecTV: 711.

Line: Dolphins by 6. O/U: 42 1/2.

Miami’s defense should be able to set the tone against a Jacksonville offense that has shown some flashes of promise — particularly at quarterback — but has yet to arrive

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Buffalo (4-3) at N.Y. Jets (1-6)

Sunday, 10 a.m.

Jets 24, Bills 20

TV: None. DirecTV: 712.

Line: Jets by 3. O/U: 40 1/2.

The Bills have no running backs, which means Kyle Orton is going to have to throw a lot more. The Jets might find a way to incorporate Percy Harvin in a meaningful way.

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Philadelphia (5-1) at Arizona (5-1)

Sunday, 1 p.m.

Cardinals 28, Eagles 24

TV: None. DirecTV: 713.

Line: Cardinals by 2 1/2. O/U: 48.

This should be a great game. The Eagles are going to have a difficult time running here, and that shifts the pressure to Nick Foles. If Arizona can force two turnovers, it can win.

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Oakland (0-6) at Cleveland (3-3)

Sunday, 1:15 p.m.

Browns 21, Raiders 20

TV: None. DirecTV: 714.

Line: Browns by 7. O/U: 43 1/2.

The Raiders have a lot of big-money older guys, but they also have some interesting young talent, starting with Derek Carr. Still, the Browns should bounce back and win at home.

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Indianpolis (5-2) at Pittsburgh (4-3)

Sunday, 1:15 p.m.

Colts 31, Steelers 23

TV: Channel 2. DirecTV: 715.

Line: Colts by 3. O/U: 49.

No one wants to play Colts quarterback Andrew Luck right now, and Pittsburgh’s defense is vulnerable. The underrated Indianapolis defense also is gaining confidence.

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Green Bay (5-2) at New Orleans (2-4)

Sunday, 5:30 p.m.

Packers 35, Saints 24

TV: Channel 4.

Line: Saints by 1 1/2. O/U: 56.

Hot-handed Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has gone six games without an intercepted pass. The Saints are reeling, even at home, where they were once invincible.

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Washington (2-5) at Dallas (6-1)

Monday, 5:30 p.m.

Cowboys 24, Redskins 20

TV: ESPN.

Line: Cowboys by 91/2. O/U: 50.

Dallas should win this, but don’t count out the Redskins. Washington’s receivers can cause problems if Colt McCoy can get the ball to them. The Cowboys’ defense plays hard but isn’t stocked.