WhatIfSports NFL Week 8 predictions: Packers will hand Broncos first loss

Each Tuesday, WhatIfSports.com's NFL simulation engine generates predictions and box scores for every NFL game for the coming week. Our highly sophisticated algorithms simulate every play of every game to produce each team's likelihood to win. Each matchup is simulated 501 times.

To account for injuries and roster moves announced late in the week, we will be re-simulating games on Thursdays through the season.

Note: Our predictions use the latest available team and player information, while NFL SimMatchup includes all players that were or will be available at any point during the 2015 season so that theoretical and "what if" scenarios can be simulated.

Week 7 in Review

The NFL simulation engine had a strong Week 7, going 9-5 in games straight up and 7-5 against the spread. This is the fifth straight week the engine has predicted at least 50% of the games correctly.

Nailed It: Our “Lock Pick” of the week also happened to be the one the engine got just right. The final average predicted score was Cardinals 28, Ravens 20. The actual final? Cardinals 26, Ravens 18. It doesn’t get much closer than that.  

Wide Right: Our simulation engine liked the Steelers to pull off the win 67.1 percent of the time against the Chiefs by an average score of 27-21. Instead, the Chiefs protected home field and won 23-13. 

Track our 2015 performance or view our accuracy last season.

Week 8 Game to Watch

Packers at Broncos: Will Denver’s unlikely undefeated season keep rolling along thanks to an elite defense, or will Aaron Rodgers and company put a stop to it? The NFL simulation engine likes the Packers to win 59.8 percent of the time, by an average score of 24-20.

Week 8 Upset Pick

Chargers (+3.5) over Ravens: The Chargers are relying heavily on the passing game, but the Ravens have struggled to stop teams through the air. With that in mind, we like the Chargers to get the win 52.4 percent of the time in a high-scoring game with an average final score of 28-27.

Fantasy Radar

Fantasy Start – Chris Johnson, ARI: After ripping up Baltimore for over 100 yards on Monday night, our predictions have Johnson going off against the Browns’ bad run defense in Week 8 as well. Johnson is projected to score 15.6 points, which would rank him sixth among all running backs.

Fantasy Add – Alfred Blue, HOU: With Arian Foster out for the season, the simulation engine thinks Alfred Blue will step in and replace a good deal of his production. Blue is projected to score 14.5 fantasy points, which would put him firmly in RB1 territory.

Fantasy Sit – Jimmy Graham, SEA: Our projections have Graham struggling to put up points this week. Graham is projected to score less points than guys like Jacob Tamme and Jared Cook, so those with suitable replacement options may want to look elsewhere. 

For more fantasy football tips, view our Week 8 player projections.

For additional content, view our Week 8 NFL power rankings, NFL archive or sortable weekly NFL predictions.