NFL Week 8 picks: Colts have a small edge on the Lions

Why you should go with the Indianapolis Colts: They're coming off a bye, they're getting healthier, they can seem to trust Philip Rivers, at least somewhat, and the Lions are 0-2 at home (close losses to the Bears and Saints). 

Why you should go with the Detroit Lions: They've won two in a row (albeit over the Jaguars and Falcons), they're healthy, Matthew Stafford is due for a breakout game and the Colts have struggled on the road (1-2, losses to the Jaguars and Browns).

Also, if you go with these picks, the winner is certain to score in the mid 20s. The teams meet at 1 p.m. Sunday on CBS.

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Gregg Rosenthal, NFL.com: Colts 26-20 

The Colts are getting healthier, just in time for the tougher part of their schedule. Darius Leonard's absence in the last two games outlined why the linebacker is one of the league's most valuable defenders, but it appears he's likely to return this week. Rookie wideout Michael Pittman Jr. and speedy pass rusher Kemoko Turay might not be far behind. That doesn't make the Colts some huge favorites in this game, unless Philip Rivers can bring back the mid-range magic he displayed against the Bengals before the team's bye. I don't have a great feel of either team here. They are NFL teams in the middle, prone to playing in one-score games in silent domes during a season none of us will ever forget. 

Bleacher Report: Colts 24-23 

Detroit has held a double-digit lead in every game it has played this season except for its Week 7 comeback victory over the Atlanta Falcons. And while the Colts have an advantage coming off their bye, they've already laid a pair of road eggs against the Cleveland Browns and Jacksonville Jaguars this season. 

Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News: Lions 23-20 

Don't look now, but Detroit has won two straight games coming off a bye and the defense is starting to have some impact under Matt Patricia. The Lions are finding out more things offensively around Matthew Stafford, too, using T.J. Hockenson and D'Andre Swift more and in the right ways. The Colts are coming off a bye more confident in Philip Rivers, but even though Jonathan Taylor can run to big things back in Big Ten country, Rivers is hard to trust on the road even in a contained environment in Ford Field. Stafford plays well in a tough spot and gets the Lions shockingly above .500 while the Colts regress more to the mean. Matt Prater knocks home the game-winner this time.

Mike Florio, Pro Football Talk: Colts 24-17 

The Colts had two weeks to get ready for a Lions team that lucked its way into a game it shouldn’t have won. If Indy doesn’t win this one, Indy isn’t a real contender. 

Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: Colts 23-17  

The Lions have won two straight to get their season turned around, but those wins came against two lesser teams. The Colts, who are coming off a bye, are a big step up in competition. The Colts defense has been impressive and it will be the difference here as it slows the Lions passing game. Colts take it. 

Will Brinson, CBS Sports: Lions 23-20 

Homefield advantage doesn't matter in 2020 for COVID-19 reasons, but there's still a little built-in price on it and I think we're getting a discount on Detroit. This team isn't bad! I mean it! They should be at least 4-2, and if they are we're talking about the Lions being in the hunt. But they're not, so everyone is dismissing them. Do not dismiss the Lions (he said at his own peril). They're starting to stop the run, they just added Everson Griffen, and we haven't seen a big Matthew Stafford game yet. I'm here for the Colts and I think they're good, but I bet they force Jonathan Taylor up the middle in this spot and it backfires to the Lions' benefit. The total (50.5 points) is way too high.  

Gerry Dulac, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Colts 24-23 

The Colts are coming off a idle week, which might be good for the aging Philip Rivers. It might also be good playing in Ford Field, where the Lions have yet to win this season (0-2). But the Lions have won their past two and three of their past four.

Josh Schrock, NBC Sports Bay Area: Colts 27-21 

After limping out to an 0-2 start, the Lions have found their footing and now sit at 3-3 and in the thick of the NFC playoff race.

Indy has been unimpressive on offense this season, but their defense is legit. The Colts force a couple of turnovers and Philip Rivers doesn't give the game away, despite his best efforts.